Jesse's Ride of the Century

Spoiler Alert: He rode 81 miles. 

WOW.  Jesse Jones (I did a blog about him earlier. He is the founder of DrinkYourMeals.com) took part in a 100-mile bike race in Hawaii and rode 81 miles. He is on supplemental oxygen, has limited use of his left arm, is unable to talk above a whisper, and eats through a feeding tube. He set a goal of 75 miles before the race started. Jesse rode 81.  

I can't help but compare this feat with my own fitness challenge earlier this year. I took part in a 60 mile hike, had a goal of 26 miles, and only managed about 16. I can only hang my head in shame and reiterate how proud and inspired I am about Jesse's race. 

Sidenote: I was extremely chagrined that I forgot to contribute to Jesse's fund to help cover the extensive costs for him to take part in the ride (sorry Jesse!). But I'm very happy that he met his goal and one of the people who helped push him over the edge is his friend, Princess Abigail, who is a member of Hawaii's royal family. The royal family who would be ruling Hawaii today if they weren't overthrown by two businessmen from Germany and Great Britain...Ok, ok, plus five American businessmen; but I'd rather gloss over that and focus on the German and the Brit here.

Anyway, Jesse gives all the details of his amazing ride far better than I ever could (though I couldn't help adding some humorous captions to his pictures because I have no shame). Here is his message:


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Aloha Friends & Family,

Up at 3 AM on Sunday and got to the starting line at 5:15. It was still dark. Over 2000 cyclists showed up to do the Ride. It was a very festive spirit. Someone from the Mayor's office spoke, the police chief spoke, and we had a Hawaiian prayer and the National Anthem was sung. At 6:15 AM the first Group A was released. I got permission to start in the A Group to give me maximum time. As it turns out I needed it. Groups B, C, and D were released at different times.

Drum roll - I rode 81 miles! I'm amazed at myself! What a day! We got real lucky in that it was overcast all day. At one point we were in a downpour for about 30 minutes. Believe me we didn't mind at all. The weather here in Honolulu has been a lot warmer than usual - in the 90s. Even paradise is affected by global warming.

It's not a real bike race if you haven't been lei'd...that came out wrong

I had 12 hours worth of batteries for my portable oxygen. I had packed three 1 Liter drip feed bags with 400 calories in each one plus one with electrolytes. Andrea my trainer carried one for me in her backpack.

We saw at least two different couples riding a bike for two. We saw two fathers riding with their young sons. I saw at least one young girl riding. The strangest thing we saw was a guy riding an elliptical that had been turned into a bike. That looked exhausting to me! He did pretty well. I saw him at the final turn around.

We were also lucky that we had no flats or bike problems. We saw many people along the way, mostly flats. Some people had to rest by the side of the road because of leg cramps. I did pretty well. No cramps, no aches or pains. I guess the endorphins were working for me! Every hour I stopped to hydrate and/or pee if I needed.

Looking Good!

I've told you I use a Hilltopper which lets me climb hills without huffing and puffing. I still have to pedal but it feels more like I'm pedaling on flat ground unless the hill is very steep. It operates on a battery and has a range of twenty miles. We got to the the second of the last two big hills in Hawaii Kai and the battery ran out! So I had to do the last hills by stopping often. Fortunately it takes me only a minute to recover and then continue on.

"Wait...this isn't oxygen...it's Nitrous Oxide!!!

When I picked up my registration packet on Saturday, one of the volunteers recognized me from the newspaper article and said she passed the info on to a friend who just finished surgery for esophageal cancer. If you live in Honolulu you might know Ted Tanaka. His wife Nancy got in touch with me and we're going to meet so I can give them info on tubefeeding. I am grateful that what I'm doing can inspire and encourage cancer survivors during their journey through the maze called cancer.

The picture on that sign is from my blog. So I did contribute something to the race.

I am grateful for the love and support I receive from each of you. Love of oneself, love of others, love of life. That's all that really matters don't you agree?

Nalani Kele, you are the love of my life. Your caring, all the little things you do to make life easier for me, your smile, your hugs, your kisses make all of this worthwhile. Thank you for being on this journey called life with me. 

Nalani is amazing! She's stood by Jesse's side through all his hardships

Is it just me or does he get more lei's in every picture?

Big mahalo to all those who gave to my gogetfunding campaign. I'm excited to report I reached my goal of $5,250. Thank you to Princess Abigail and Gail Worth for putting me over the top! I am honored to be called your friend.

Not sure who is the Princess and who is Mrs. Worth in these pictures. Or these could be complete strangers.

Pretty sure Jesse was just thinking about going home to take a nap at this point

Jesse is very fortunate to have so many lovely friends and family

My dear friend, Mahi Beamer, lives in Kailua. He is physically challenged with his lungs and is on oxygen 24/7 like me. As it turned out, the bike course went right by his street in Kailua. So I told him I would stop by for a few minutes to visit. We had a nice brief visit with him and Gaye. As I was getting ready to leave, TC, who was there taking pictures, presented me with a plaque from Princess Abigail Kawanakoa, designating September 28th as "Jesse Jones Day". I was humbled by the beautiful words that were written. I am blessed!

This is awesome. Unfortunately, every day in my house is "Grace Liebenow Day"

I am ever so thankful for Jay and Jayne Kim and staff at Eki Cyclery. I couldn't have done the Ride without the special attention you gave to making the bike work for me one handed and being tubefed. 

I am forever indebted to Andrea Rudder, the trainer who put in long hours with me without asking to be paid more. Andrea, you a trooper. Thanks for cracking the whip when I needed it! Your can do spirit lifted me many times.

The trainer for my hike was my dog and he's lazy, so that's my excuse

I arrived at the finish line at 4:30 PM just before the 5 PM deadline. I had expected to arrive about 3 PM but the breaks were a little longer and at the end more frequent. There is definitely a finish line high! I was thrilled to be greeted by my friends screaming and waving the "Celebrating Life" flags. Chad, the president of the Hawaii Bike League, announced me as I rode in. Nalani had befriended him and told him my history. It was all so special. Thank you so much for patiently waiting for me to arrive Bev, Kristel, Marmie, Wally, Ruth, Jerry, Cris, Doris, Dave, Linda, Kaui, Patty and Harry. A big thanks to Harry for providing the photos. Cris, Doris, and Dave are from my monthly Head & Neck Cancer Support Group at Queens. Great Warriors! David Goto, also from the support group, surprised me by being on the side of the road in Kaneohe with his motorcycle. He went with us to the turnaround.

SO COOL!!!!

Crossed the finish line with a shaka sign and a smile

Peace, love and joy always,

Jesse

You're amazing, Jesse!