Day 1: Nicole's Ride To Kick Cancer

Nicole Nada is taking the trip of a lifetime, a six-day, 320-mile bike ride that will end six days later in Greenbrae, just in time for her first round of chemotherapy on May 21 at the Marin Cancer Institute.

Nada, who is fighting breast cancer, is blogging about her journey on her site www.kickingmycancer.com. She is using the ride to raise funds and awareness for the Center for Integrative Wellness and Health in Greenbrae and the Humboldt County Breast Health Project.

Here is her latest update. We'll post her blog entries here as they come in. You can donate to her causes on her site.

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Day 2 and I just limped into Garberville with sore feet and out of water.

Highlights of Day 1....

The send off at my home...about 20 friends, delivering juice, broth,wisdom, hugs, and coloring books for the kids.  A handful rode the street with me, some dropped off in Arcata and others rode me to Eureka.  My friend Denise rode with me through town and I must say it was surreal to say goodbye to the last of my supporters!  To be honest though, I have not felt alone once on this journey thus far.

Loleta Bakery.  My first stop.  I met Barney, a 78 year old cyclist who does this route regularly!  Very inspiring.  He was accompanied by two women, one a survivor, the other has a mother with breast cancer.

My delicious lunch was on the house. Jeannie blew me away with her generosity and spirit.  She offered to drive me home from chemotherapy if I did not have a ride.  Her family, too, has been touched by cancer...a member of her family is another survivor who has been rockin' it for twenty years.

The Avenue of the Giants along the Eel River was beautiful.    I took it slow to Burlington, a Redwood State Park campground just outside of Weott.

The family arrived in the Night-Night bus and we played, enjoyed dinner, and slept great.

Day 2 I continued along the 'scenic alternative' to Highhway 101, Avenue of the Giants.  Rolled through the small towns of Miranda and Phillipsville, Redway and now in Garberville.  I just left Chataqua Natural Foods where I met Katie and Nancy....two awesome women (more on Nancy later).

Thanks for all the shout outs, honks (they seem in support not "get out of my way").  Thanks to the lovely woman in Miranda on the Sportster who had read about me in the Times-Standard, and the Coors truck driver who had also read the article and told me he is leaving soon for Puerto Rico to support his sister with cancer.  So often we are too shy to say hello to someone and tell them we admire them, but let's do it more often...it just might make their day.

Garrett picked up the ipad today so we should be able to post tonight if we find a hot spot.  Today I ride to Leggett (60 mile day) and tomorrow I cut over Highway 1, the big climb to the coast.

Lots of love, Nicole