This story really doesn’t start here, however it was a great way to start our morning. We had decided to ride the El Tour De Phoenix. Mom got up way too early (4:30 A.M.) to head out for the 74 mile event starting time of 6:30. Alex, Uncle Mike and I had committed to the 25-mile, which we thought had a much more tolerable start time of 9:00 A.M. The plan was for Alex (5 years old) and I to ride our tandem, and along for the fun was friend Sammy (also 5) and her dad Steve (friend and very strong cyclist). Uncle Mike had planned to stay with us as long as we “weren’t riding too slowly”.

The young lady who sang the Star Spangled Banner (ocapela) did us all proud and we made our way to the front. Two dads and two kids on modified tandems inching forward, much to the amusement of Brother/Uncle Mike. It just seemed like the thing to do. It was a race after all. I rationalized it was the safest place due to the tight turns in the e first ½ mile (Yeah right). The first third is a gradual uphill as you leave town heading north toward the Salt River basin. The racers strung out and we settled in to our comfortable pace. Steve and Sammie pulled a little and we pulled a little. Uncle mike stayed ahead, not wanting to get in our way. The big hill heading down to the river was exciting - our two tandems bombing down hill passing most of the riders who had left us on the uphill. We finished that hill with a thirty-five mile per hour curve at the bottom to the sound of excited Yahoos from my child stoker. The rollers in and out of the series of washes heading along the river were hard as I kept thinking about “the hill” that lay ahead. Alex started to get frustrated as Steve and Sammy drifted off the front. I reminded him that this was supposed to be for fun and celebration, “remember three months ago Daddy couldn’t walk\". Our friends were waiting for us at the sag station at the base of the hill as planned, so that helped everybody’s attitude. We hydrated, ate a little and remounted to attack “the hill”. It’s three and a half miles and the best way to describe it is relentless. Really slow! I blew up on this monster last year and was determined not to repeat that agony. I told Alex that there was a chance that Mommy might catch up to us since the two race courses converge at that point, moaning something about hating something or someone. Everyone’s sprits jumped - Mommy was here! We crested the hill and again Steve, Sammy and Uncle Mike were waiting for us. With the hill behind us we had the gradual descent back toward Mesa. I had left enough in the tank that now I wanted to fly, and we did. Steve pulled for a long way (man, he’s strong). When we got back to the edge of town we met up with Officer Cartier, a motor officer from the Sherriff’s department. We were feeling good and we were looking good. Two tandems, Mommy and Uncle Mike and Officer Cartier flying low through Mesa. We turned west toward the finish with about 5 miles to go and Uncle Mike took the pull, Alex and I right behind, Alex giving me his patented “faster Daddy” which he’s been saying since I used to pull him in his trailer before he was 2 years old. If you’ve ever had a police escort, the feeling is incredible. You’re somebody, everything and everyone is stopping around you to let you fly by. Very Cool! We hit the finish line, Steve, Sammy, Alex, and I side by side with the rest of our family, Mommy (Michelle) and Uncle Mike, right behind in support as they had been the entire time. We climbed off our bikes and received our Gold medals for our accomplishment. Oh, yeah I almost forgot the beginning of the story. You see, I had double hip replacement surgery in December. Having been an athlete my whole life they were just plain wore out. I had the right hip replaced on Dec. 10th and the left on Christmas Eve. This terrific family morning is dedicated to my friend and surgeon, Dr Theodore Firestone, who made it all possible. Thanks Doc!