RIDE AGAINST

2008-05-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here's the first T-shirt design! Everybody let me know what you think. I'm thinking black on white (like this) and maybe white on black, which would look great!

--Chris

Registration Open for 2nd Annual Fernando Cuevas Ride Against Cancer!

2008-05-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

You can now register, contribute, and get T-shirts for the 2008 Fernando Cuevas Ride Against Cancer here.

The Ride will take place in New York City, following a similar format to last year :D

Can't wait to see you there!
Chris

Looking For New Rides!

2008-05-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

If you know a cyclist who is suffering or recovering from cancer or another disease, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help host a group ride for them in your area.

This will include flyers, T-shirts, possible manufacturer sponsorship, representation on this website, and a Bikereg.com registration/contribution page.

Please contact me by leaving a comment on this website, then we can exchange phone numbers personally :)

Thanks so much!
Chris Thornton

Fall 2007 Ride Recap

2008-05-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

In Fall 2006, Fernando Cuevas was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and he has been battling the disease ever since. Fernando has touched the lives of many young bike racers, including my own, and has made an impact in the cycling community through his involvement in the America's Cycling Team program as well as his time running the Junior program at Kissena Velodrome.

The Fall 2007 ride was a fantastic success! We rode from Central Park, over the GWB into New Jersey. We stopped at Toga! bike shop and at the Runcible Spoon Coffee Shop before returning to the City for a raffle and pictures at the boat basin on the Hudson River.

Please check out the article and pictures at Velocity Nation.

Also, please feel free to post these links everywhere to attract as many donations for Fern and his family as possible!

NYC: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6594
Keene, NH: https://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6542

Thank you so much for your support!

Chris Thornton

Registration Open for 2008 Keene NH Ride Against Cancer

2008-05-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

You can now register and contribute and get T-shirts for the 2008 Keene NH Ride Against Cancer here.

Thanks so much! :D
Chris

The RIDE AGAINST Team

2008-04-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

Planning/Organization
Chris Thornton
Leah Oppenheimer
John Campo

Sponsorship/Merchandise
Leah Oppenheimer
Michelle, Douglas, and Mora Thornton

Website/Graphic Design
Chris Thornton

Photography
TBA

Fernando Cuevas, and What Makes You Tingle?

2007-10-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

After last years ride, John Campo, who actually played an integral part in organizing the ride route and details, wrote this to honor Fernando, his selflessness, and his vision for the future.

Fernando Cuevas, and What Makes You Tingle?
By John Campo

There are times when people coming together for a common cause, to help someone in need, can transcend and elevate the them, and their cause, to the realm of super human. Today I experienced that phenomenon in all its splendor and glory. In a sport where no good deed goes unpunished, cycling in the North East has finally taken a turn for the better.

The Cuevas family that has made bike frames for over 3 generations are no strangers to tragedy. Now Fernando, the grandson of the famous frame builder is battling cancer alongside so many others in this sport, and in the general population. Thankfully, he has been getting stronger. He has been through all the radiology treatments and is now on oral meds, as well as dialysis three times a week.

Fernando Cuevas is a very big part of what is done at the Kissena Velodrome. He has run my junior program, and gives them their own night to shine every week, as well as taking them to road races all over the country. I was contacted by one of his national champion Juniors Chris Thornton to put on an event for Fernando to help honor all the support he has given me and the cycling community. Today was that day and we put on a fundraiser ride with registration on Bikereg.com. We felt this way people could give their support to a special man, and stand up for the sport they love by showing the juniors spawned by Fernando that the cycling community cares, not only about him, but about them as well.

I must tell you that I personally over the last 25 years of trying to develop a junior program in this country have felt it has been like pushing a piano uphill with a ball and chain wrapped around one leg. I was told by other velodrome directors that junior development "is a waste of time" because their ridership only consisted of over 30 year olds. My answer was, “there must be some children in your state.” Junior development doesn’t fall out of the sky, you have go and get them, nurture them, and give them a chance. Fernando and I share that same vision and he has taken on this grand task without asking a penny from anyone. He has developed many champions and non-champions, but the placing doesn’t matter, he has brought children to our world - cycling. You do not learn piano because you have hopes of being Ray Charles. You learn piano because it becomes a vehicle of learning that might be adaptable for life itself. Cycling is no different in that respect.

Today we rode for Fernando, his young riders, his friends, his family, and his helpers. Everyone in solidarity for a man, and a sport, and his dream for its future. I was only a small part of the success of this showing of love and affection as were all involved. However, the cross-section of riders from young and old is what made it special. Youth has a way of seeing things simply without worry of faltering obstacles. To be with that segment of the world is to know life, and how precious it is, and how good things can be if you try. That is what makes my mind tingle, more that anything I have ever been involved with. Bless all that were here today, and if you missed it you can still help by registering for the 2008 rides here.

NYC / Keene, NH

Be a part of the future.
-John Campo