Taking a "Vacation" - Making a Difference

What started out as an idea has turned into a reality. In 1993, David and Dana made life-long friendships with each other. It was right around that time that they started talking about a cross-country cycling trip. Eleven years later the reality of such a trip began to unfold. Both young men realized it was now or never to make their dream become a reality.

One wintry morning in 2004, the two took a drive to get a car worked on and decided they'd discuss what it'd take to cycle across the United States. Well, that discussion lasted through breakfast, lunch and almost dinner, taking them a mere eight hours to maneuver the landscape of the US. For the next one and a half years, the Ride of '05 would begin to manifest itself into their minds and hearts.

It would be easy to say that cancer and cycling are not related in any way. However, as we all know, Lance Armstrong has proven that there is a definitive link between the daily hardships we face and the power we have to overcome them. David and Dana have seen what it takes to face these hardships. Both know that the mindset you have toward your everyday lifestyle has a direct impact on how you live.

The Ride of '05 takes that frame of mind and sets it in motion: a five-week trip that travels 13 states over 3000 miles to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Neither David nor Dana have ever done a cycling event to this extent. Their bodies will have to overcome fatigue they've never endured before. As in cancer, the only thing that'll get their bodies through these difficult situations is their mental toughness.

Sure, one of the goals is to obviously finish crossing the United States, but the main goal is to raise money and awareness for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. A fundraising goal of $25,000 has been set but could easily be surpassed if they touch as many hearts as they intend to.