>> PHOTO WITH LANCE <<                     >> other photos from weekend << Though it is unlikely that members of Skidmore Cycling will ever have the opportunity to ride together down the Champs-Elysees at the finish of the Tour de France, the feeling would be similar to riding through our nation’s capitol and onto the White House ellipse after the finish of the Tour of Hope. Sophomore team members Tom Arnold, Andrew Bernstein, Dave Brown, and Ricky Silver got the opportunity to do just that on Saturday the ninth of October at the second annual charity Tour. The ride started at the Georgetown Preparatory school, and from the outset it was very apparent that this was a ride, and not the race that we’re used to. Riders were extremely cautious going into turns, and heading down hills. Although this behavior was initially nerve-wracking, once we figured out how to avoid crashes, it was relaxing to ride at a slower pace, and we entertained ourselves by taking photos and giving high-fives to the numerous spectators lined up on the side of the road. About 1000 people participated in the 30 mile tour around the Chevy Chase and D.C. area, riding to a finish in front of a huge crowd at the White House. About an hour later, a group of 20 riders who had rode across the country in the company of 6-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, finished their ride on the ellipse. Armstrong, whose Lance Armstrong Foundation benefits from the proceeds generated by the ride, finished the 3500 mile cross-country trek with the team, and spoke to the assembled crowd about the important work being done in clinical research on cancer-fighting drugs, and the importance of continuing research. The Tour of Hope, sponsored by the Bristol-Meyer Squibb Company, raises money to promote and fund clinical research on drugs to fight cancer. Of the 1000 people participating, each raised at least $500 for the cause. Skidmore Cycling’s fund raising was greatly aided by Wendy Dixon, President of International Marketing at Bristol-Meyer, who also helped the four of us get into events open only to top fund raisers. Of those events, the most memorable will most certainly be the VIP reception at the Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. At the reception, team members got the opportunity to hob-knob with Bristol-Meyer’s top fund raisers and enjoy catered fare. Wendy also shocked us when she told us that Armstrong himself would be in the room at any moment. Each of us was humbled by the idea of getting even a chance to meet the man himself, and we stood around awkwardly as we anticipated Armstrong’s arrival in the room. Of course, as so often happens, we didn’t even notice that he had entered the room, until Tom saw him sitting at a table with one of the tour-participants. Then Wendy walked over, and in a move that none of us will ever forget, she said; “Lance, there are some people I’d like you to meet,” and he walked right over to us. After we each introduced ourselves, and shook his hand, Wendy did us yet another tremendous favor. “Dave, didn’t you have something for Lance?” she asked. On the off chance that just this situation would arise, Dave had burned a copy of “Sweat the Drops,” the documentary about our first season, and had just been given the opportunity to hand it to the most influential person in US cycling. “Yeah,” said Dave, “I have a film I made about our first season. It was inspired by all that you’ve done for cycling in the US.” Lance looked at the disk Dave had handed him, and said; “‘Sweat the Drops,’ cool. I’ll take a look.” He handed it to one of his assistants, and Wendy asked if he would mind posing for a picture with us. He didn’t mind, and Wendy’s husband took the best photo that has ever been taken of Skidmore Cycling. Happy Riding! Andrew Bernstein VP Communications Skidmore Cycling