Tour de Moose

A Quick Note About The Tour de Moose!

Thanks for stopping by to check out our race site, if you plan on day of registration, please keep in mind that we can only accommodate around 100 riders. We had 70 riders pre-register. This means we have 30 slots open. Let's fill them, but keep in mind that once we hit 100, we'll have to close registration. Thanks for the understanding.

The Tour de Moose is a fundraiser for the Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation. No matter if you get one of the coveted 100 spots in this years race or not, please pay them a visit and give if and what you can to this great cause. And thanks!

We Ride Because They Can’t

Hello again, fellow Tour de Moosers.  It’s that time of year again; time to laugh with your friends, feel the wind in your hair, have some delicious beverages, and celebrate the 1^st anniversary of Moose’s 40^th birthday.

By now, you probably are familiar with these sweet faces.  If you need to refresh your memory, take a few minutes to read these posts from 2009 and 2010. Three years ago, Matthew and Andrew Akin were the inspiration behind the first charitable portion of the Tour.  In 2009, over 35 selfless Tour de Moose participants donated cheek swabs in order to be added as potential donors to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) AND raised over $400 to help defray the cost of joining the NMDP for other individuals.  In 2010, over $1200 was raised and donated to The Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation.  What are we capable of raising in 2011?

In 2011, we welcome two new participants to the TDM.  The Tour is honored to be hosting Kristin and Justin Akin; parents of Matthew and Andrew and founders of The Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation.  Kristin and Justin have been working tirelessly the past year to raise money for the Foundation and bring awareness to the disease that ultimately took the lives of both their sons. 

In February, Kristin and Justin hosted the 1^st Annual Trivia Night and Silent Auction for the Foundation.  400 people gathered to raise money for the Akins and have fun with friends.  In May, Justin undertook a feat that I’m sure would interest many of you bicycle enthusiasts.  Justin embarked on a 15 day, 1500 mile bike ride (and you thought 20 miles was hard!) from Amarillo, Texas to Chicago, Illinois ending on what would have been Andrew’s 4^th birthday.  On Justin’s 3^rd day, 85 miles into the 86 mile leg, Justin has a terrible crash going 30 mph.  The crash certainly was worthy of a Tour de Moose “Crash and Burn” Award.  Justin suffered a broken shoulder, severe road rash, and numerous gashes and soft tissue injuries. Justin's ride may have ended earlier than expected but with a father's dedicated heart, he has vowed to complete the ride for his sons in the very near future.

In September, Kristin and Justin made the journey to Yosemite State Park for their 3rd Hike for a Cure.  The summit of Half Dome is a very strenuous 18-mile round trip hike. It typically takes 10 to 14 hours to complete. Yosemite Valley is at 4000 feet, and the top of Half Dome is at 8800 feet, for a gain of 4800 feet.  As you can see, they have been hard at work raising money in memory of their sons.  Can we help them?  You bet your sweet (sweaty!) asses, we can! 

2011 brings a few changes to the charity portion of the Tour.  Because you all have been so kind and generous contributors to the Foundation, Moose has added a little incentive for you to donate.  The winner of the “Mooseheart Award” (the biggest financial contributor to the Foundation) will receive their own table of 8 to the 2^nd Annual Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation Trivia Night and Silent Auction.  Michelle Aldridge has won this award for the past two years!  Thanks, Michelle (and can anyone top her?)  Also, for every dollar you donate, you will be entered into two raffles.  Donate money and win exciting prizes such as fine wine, tequila, and vodka, restaurant gift certificates and more!

At the 2011 TDM, as you are enjoying a lovely bike ride with friends, please remember the two little boys who continue to inspire us to live better, love more, and be kinder to each other. 

Matthew and Andrew, we will ride because you can’t.

Imagine If This Was a Moose!

UPDATE: The 2011 Tour de Moose Is On 10/22

Howdy. 

Moose has been busy planning this year's Tour de Moose. It's gonna be great.

Stay tuned for more details and registration.

Until the, check out this video of awesome things happening on and around bikes.

For Registered Riders - Day Of Logistics

Check-in at Lemmons between 8:30 - 9:50 AM.  If you registered online all you need to do is grab the bag with your last name on it and you're all set.
 
If you are competing in the "Most Moosed Out' category, you'll need to get your Moose stuff counted.  There will be a table for that.
 
We are planning to leave Lemmon's at 10 AM to head to the first bar.

Reminder - helmets are required to race.

T-Minus 94 Hours...Give Or Take

We are in the home stretch people. On line registration is now over and I'm happy to report that 60 of your friends and neighbors registered for this years ride; raising money for a good cause and scooping up gobs of extra chips towards the championship in the process.

But what about the rest of you? What about the 121 fans of the Tour on Facebook? Where are your registrations? How about the 113 of you who follow the Tour on Twitter? What happened to you guys?

Well friends, fear not. You can still register for this years ride, but its gonna cost ya. A whole 5 bucks extra. So get your bike tuned up and get your ass to Lemmon's between 8:50 and 9:50AM this Saturday and sign up. Honestly you'll be glad you did. See you there!

The Most Important TDM Post You'll Read This Year

We make a living by what we get.  We make a life by what we give.

 –Winston Churchill

Do you remember these cuties from last year’s Tour de Moose.  They were the inspiration behind the FIRST ever, charitable portion of the Tour.  Just in case you aren’t up to speed, let me refresh your memory.

 
That’s Matthew Akin on the left and his baby brother, Andrew on the right. Matthew and Andrew were both diagnosed with a rare immune deficiency (caused by a genetic mutation XLP-2) called HLH.  The only cure is a bone marrow transplant.   Over Labor Day weekend 2009, Andrew passed away after his third bone marrow transplant. He was courageous, brave, and always had a smile on his face.  When Andrew passed away, his brother Matthew was in the middle of his first bone marrow transplant in an attempt to save his life.   Last year,  YOU (the extraordinary participants of the Tour de Moose) raised over $400 to donate to the National Marrow Donor Program (Be The Match).  On top of that, over 30 of you gave cheek swabs in order to be added to the National Registry and potentially have the opportunity to save the life of someone like Matthew or Andrew.  I was humbled by your generosity and overwhelmed at the number of you who were willing to give of yourselves in order to save a life.

On May 1^st, 2010, the unthinkable happened.  Matthew Akin passed away.  Only 8 short months after the Akin Family lost their 2-year old son, Andrew, they had also lost their 5-year old son, Matthew.  I’m asking you to stop and consider that for a moment.  The Akins lost their only two children in the span of 8 months to a devastating disease.  I’d ask to you to imagine their pain, to put yourself in their shoes, but that, my friends, is impossible.  How can you imagine the unimaginable?

Here’s where you come in.  Justin and Kristin Akin have started the Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation in memory of their sons.  The mission of the Foundation is to provide resources for children with HLH and their families going through the bone marrow transplant process, fund HLH research and educate the public on the importance of joining the National Marrow Donor Program.  

The Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation will be the charity recipient of all funds donated at the 2010 Tour de Moose.  Without monetary donations, life saving research to fight HLH will not take place.  Without monetary donations, donors will not be able to be added to the National Bone Marrow Registry at no charge to them.  Even though Matthew and Andrew are no longer with us, make no mistake:

Bone marrow transplants save lives. 

At this year’s Tour de Moose, I’m asking you to remember Matthew, Andrew, and the Akin Family.  As you bike with friends, remember two sweet angels who will never get the chance to ride their bikes together.  

As we celebrate Kevin’s 40^th birthday, please pull out your wallets and donate what you can to the Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation.  Donate to save lives.  Donate to help other families devastated by HLH.  Donate to honor two little boys who won’t get to celebrate any more birthdays on Earth.  Every little bit helps.

 
Thank you, Tour de Moose Participants.  You are an amazing group of people.  I am honored to know you and be a part of such an event.

Be Thankful The Tour Avoids Single Track Trails

While some of the crashes in this video look like they have sprung from the pages of tour's past -- the sweet single track and freestyle bike action in this video have little to do with the leisurely jaunt that we take though the streets of St. Louis.

Which begs the question -- have you registered for the 2010 Tour de Moose yet?

Use Your Head - Just Not Like This

There is no getting around it - helmets are manditory for the Tour de Moose. Every year we have folks who crash into the ground, other riders and cars. And while you may crash, we want you to have the best chance to walk away, brains intact, and hey you may even win an award for biting it.

Here are some real world examples of bike vs object / earth / person / car contact to bring the point home.

Seriously, helmets are cheap and will protect your noggin. If you plan on riding in this years race - plan on investing in some head gear.

I Don't Always Drink At Work, But When I Do...

I prefer it to be out of my 2009 Tour de Moose mug. Remember your entry fee is not just for coke and hookers, although lets be honest, part of the cash probably goes towards that. No sir, it also covers things like the post party, awards and cool give aways like this.

Registration will begin soon - what are you planning on doing October 23rd?