Canyons to Cactus 2009

It hardly seems possible, but it's time to announce our long distance bicycle ride for HD - this year's title will be "Canyons to Cactus 2009." Once again, Charlotte Reicks and I will be "on the trail to a cure." It will just be the two of us, since our other riders (Sherri Kole and Sandy Lozier) had other family commitments this year. We would welcome any guest riders. The scenery will be spectacular!

The ride dates are May 17 - June 4, 2008. We will start from Grand Junction CO (where we live) and ride to Phoenix AZ, through parts of four states (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.). We will be in some familiar territory in Arizona, along part of Route 66 and towards the end of the ride. This will be our itinerary. Day 1 - May 17 - Grand Junction CO to Gateway CODay 2 - May 18 - Gateway CO to Redvale CODay 3 - May 19 - Redvale CO to Dove Creek CODay 4 - May 20 - Dove Creek CO to Cortez CODay 5 - May 21 - Rest Day - Tour Mesa Verde National ParkDay 6 - May 22 - Cortez CO to Shiprock NM (via the Four Corners)Day 7 - May 23 - Shiprock NM to Navajo NMDay 8 - May 24 - Rest Day - Tour Navajo Rez, including Window Rock and Canyon de ChellyDay 9 - May 25 - Navajo NM to Chambers AZDay 10 - May 26 - Chambers AZ to Holbrook AZDay 11 - May 27 - Holbrook AZ to Heber AZDay 12 - May 28 - Heber AZ to Payson AZDay 13 - May 29 - Rest Day - Charlotte flies to Iowa for her granddaughter's college graduation, Marie tours PaysonDay 14 - May 30 - Rest DayDay 15 - May 31 - Rest Day - Charlotte returns from Iowa; we drive to Sedona AZDay 16 - June 1 - Sedona AZ to Prescott AZDay 17 - June 2 - Prescott AZ to Wickenburg AZDay 18 - June 3 - Wickenburg AZ - Scottsdale AZDay 19 - June 4 - Scottsdale AZ to Phoenix AZ, arrive at Hyatt Regency Hotel. If anyone knows someone in any of these towns who might host us overnight, e-mail me privately.

Our goal this year is to raise $47,000 for family services and research, so that we can reach a grand total of $500,000 by the end of this year's ride. This year, after $6 million is raised by HDSA, donations will be matched $1:$1. Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated. Let's try to get donors from ALL 50 states and some other countries too, like Canada, Sprain, England, and Australia! Donations should be sent to: Marie Nemecc/o Canyons to Cactus 20093087 - A 1/2 RoadGrand Junction CO 81503 T-shirt Sponsorships are $65 for individuals, $125 for businesses. Consider honoring the memory of a loved one, or having your name on the limited edition ride T-shirt. With any sponsorship postmarked by April 15, a "free" T-shirt is included. Make sponsorship checks payable to "HDSA." Indicate long or short sleeved, and T-shirt size. The ride brochure for the bulk mailing went out last Wednesday, March 4, so if you're a prior ride donor, start looking for its arrival within the next week. Those "newbies" to the Hunt-Dis List who are not familiar with our "Bike For The Cure" rides, go to www.bikeforthecure.org. The website for this year should be ready later this month. You can also go to our giving site www.firstgiving.com/bikeforcure to read more about past rides and to donate. Any questions? Email me at bikenquilt@hughes.net or rmnemec@hughes.net