The Pedaling for Parkinson's Ride
July 20-26

Final Ride Totals and Records

Congratulations to Cathy Frazier and the Pedaling for Parkinson's Team for completing 2003 RAGBRAI! Cathy and the team finished the ride at 8:45 AM CST on Saturday, July 26, 2003! The riders dipped their front wheels into the Mississippi River while the support crew photographed the historic event!

Cathy pedaled the tandem across Iowa along with Jay Alberts (410.20 miles) and me (53.80 miles) for a total of 464.00 miles.
Here is Cathy's daily mileage log.
7/20/03 59.30 Glenwood to Shenandoah
7/21/03 65.72 Shenandoah to Bedford
7/22/03 78.72 Bedford to Osceola
7/23/03 80.07 Osceola to Oskaloosa
7/24/03 68.96 Oskaloosa to Bloomfield
7/25/03 67.40 Bloomfield to Mount Pleasant
7/26/03 43.83 Mount Pleasant to Fort Madison

Pedaling for Parkinson's Team (Listed are total miles and FCP Week Miles for July 19 - 25, 2003)
Cyclists:
Brenda Alberts: 410.65 miles (FCP week: 366.82)
Jay Alberts: 564.86 miles (FCP week: 521.03)
Jenelle Alberts: 80.44 miles (FCP week: 36.61)
Joel Alberts: 485.84 miles (FCP week: 442.01)
Cathy Frazier: 464.00 miles (FCP week: 420.17)
Gary McCarthy: 509.57 miles (FCP week: 465.74)

Congratulations to our fantastic support crew Kristin and Darrin Rothe, whose hard work, planning, map reading, grocery shopping, and timely assistance made it possible for the cyclists to finish the ride!

During 2003 RAGBRAI the Pedaling for Parkinson's Team established several new FCP Records.

Cathy Frazier
Most FCP Miles in a Week (Women): 420.17 miles, July 19 - 25, 2003. Previous record: 169.27 miles by Mary Scott Freeman, June 28 - July 4, 2003.

Most FCP Rides in a Week (Women): 6 rides, July 19 - 25, 2003. Previous record: 5 rides by Mary Scott Freeman (twice), June 21 - 27, 2003 and June 28 - July 4, 2003.

Most Consecutive Days of FCP Rides: 7 days, July 20 - 26, 2003. Previous record: 3 days by Mary Scott Freeman (three times) and Kris Kester (once).

Jay Alberts
Most FCP Miles in a Week: 521.03 miles. Previous record: 515.39 miles by Don Etheridge, June 3 - 9, 2000.

Most FCP Rides in a Week: 10 rides, July 19 - 25, 2003. Ties the record set by Joe Saliceti, November 30 - December 6, 2002.

Gary McCarthy
Most Consecutive Days of FCP Rides: 11 days, July 17 - 27, 2003. Previous record: 10 days by Don Etheridge, May 18 - 27, 2000, and Joe Saliceti, November 30 - December 9, 2002.

Congratulations to our record setters!

Updates From the Field

July 26 (The Finish Line!): Today I rode the final 44 miles. We started early this morning and finally crossed the finish line...the entire team...at around 8 PM and, as tradition demands, we dipped our wheels in the Mighty Mississippi River. Our supporters and the Frazier Kids were there cheering us on. The last couple of days were very, very hard. But everyone urged me on; besides, an FCP doesn't give up easily. One way or another, I would have gotten over that finish line. This team was absolutely wonderful. And our efforts generated some PR interest for what we were doing all along the route; television interviews, newspaper stories.. . Ralph and I will catch you up when we get back and can catch a few breathes. I would not trade this experience for anything in the world. And we are already planning this ride for next year. Again, thanks to all of you.

July 25 (day 6): Today I rode 60 + miles. And all riders have completed the full course. This last day has been a challenging one. Tomorrow I have the last 50 to go. I can't imagine what it will be like NOT to be on a bike. The children are back with the tour after a few days rest and relaxation on a farm in the area. Thank you are for your continued support. I am looking forward to some rest and time to write up the full story for you all.

July 23 (day 4): Today I rode 81 miles. And all riders have completed the full course. What an amazing group of riders and supporters. Am really starting to feel it. Tomorrow, the 5th day, will be the hardest physically, but I am determined to go for it. And since it is only 63 miles, tomorrow will not be as grueling. Keep the good vibes going our way.

July 22 (day 3): Today I rode 76 miles. We are almost half way to our goal. Thank you all for you continuing support and keep us in your thoughts. Having a great time.

July 21 (day 2): rode 64 miles. temp in the high 70s. all riders finished. terrain very hilly. article in the DesMonies Register RAGBRAI section www.ragbrai.com

July 20 (day 1): I rode 58 miles. 94 degrees at finish. Riders - Jay Alberts, R and C Frazier, G McCarthy, Brenda Alberts, Joel Alberts. All riders finished.

WAY TO GO TEAM!!

Cathy Frazier is currently engaged in a 450-mile bike ride across Iowa. The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness for Parkinson's disease. The ride will be conducted through the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) which began on July 20. In an article for the Gwinnett Daily Post, Cathy states that “It’s my way of showing Parkinson’s it can’t beat me,” she said. “If I can do this, I can do anything.”

Cathy is riding tandem with a support team: her husband Ralph Frazier, a local cycling coach. Dr. Jay Albert, a local Parkinson’s disease researcher and Gary McCarthy of Braselton. McCarthy is riding in memory of his mother and father-in-law who suffered from Parkinson’s.

A small group of cyclists from Gwinnett County forming a “Pedaling for Parkinson’s” team is also with her team. Two of her children — Nicholas, 11, and Zoe, 8 — are also with her on the trip. They will ride from time to time in support vehicles and also stay with friends in Iowa for the duration of the ride.

The Iowa ride started in 973 as a six-day ride across Iowa by two Des Moines Register columnists. This year’s ride will begin in Glenwood, Iowa, on July 20 and will end in Fort Madison on July 26. Host towns along the route provide schools, parks and other open areas for camping facilities for the riders. For more information, visit the RAGBRAI Web site (www.ragbrai.com) or call 770-513-2534.

The Pedaling for Parkinson's Ride Sponsors and Contributors
Our Thanks to our Team, Sponsors and all who support us on this journey...

Ride Director - Dr. Jay Alberts

In Memory of Mary McCarthy, Delbert Waren and Ely Sack
In Honor of Don Wood

Team

Dr. Jay Alberts
Janelle Alberts
Joel Alberts
Brenda Alberts
Ralph Frazier
Cathy Frazier
Gary McCarthy

Support Crew

Darrin Rothe
Kristin Rothe
Nicholas Frazier
Zoe Frazier

Remote Support

Cynthia Lowe
Connie Alberts
Donna Alberts

Sponsors

Allgood Pest Solutions, Michael Tindol (FCP)
DerTech Consulting
Georgia Tech, Dr. Jay Alberts (FCP)
Kinetic Muscle
Velowear, Elaine Wood
Frazier Cycling Inc, Ralph and Cathy Frazier (FCP)
PSI, Mike Skop, Tim Anderson (FCP)

Contributors

Lee and Mary Scott Freeman (FCP)
John and Debby Colehower (FCP)
Mary and Steve Sharon
Scott Sharon
Gift Baskets Original, Cindy Antila
Lauren Schwarz
Beverly Hughes
Judy Scherer
Kathy Brooks Rhodes
Bill and Jean Murphy (FCP)
Georgia Sales Development, Chuck Scheibe
Dave and Debby Flannery
Mike and Carolyn Goodman
Ve Thompson
Mary Riley
Dan and Kristen Kopp (FCP)
Dr. Mark and Lisa Hutson (FCP)
Chris Bosonetta Doane
Wilma Simons
Andree London
Pat and Andrea Tuley (FCP)
Luise and Michael Stone
Lowden & Associates, Sheila Lowden
Tags & Title, Louise Lake
Salespeak, Renee Walkup
Todd and Nancy Fulks
Jansen and Lynne Chazanof
Dr. Steve and Becky Connelly
Drs. Ron and Alice Frazier
Michael and Dianna Thompson (FCP)
Paul and Loretta Raley
Dr. Brian and Caroline Burke (FCP)
Cliff and Karla Moore
Dave Danvers
Susan McDonald
Pat and Laura Carver
Jack and Laura Wilkenson (FCP)
Kris and Steve Kester (FCP)
Caryn and Terry Wolf
Chester Adkins
Joanne and Skip Pitzer
Ian and Christy Freyberg
Denise and DJ Wegesin
North Georgia Neurological, Dr. Houssami