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| YSC TdP riders roll out |
November 5, 2014
g4 Productions was started
nine years ago as a woman owned and managed company. As we move into our
tenth year, we wanted to take a look back at where we have been and
where we are going, with a series of blogs starting with the 2014 YSC
Tour de - Pink East Coast.
YSC Tour de Pink was our
first event. We feel fortunate to be associated with such a wonderful
organization that provides resources and support for young women
diagnosed with breast cancer. We are also proud of how we were able to
help the event grow from what started as an event with eight riders, to
events on both coasts with hundreds of riders, generating approximately a
million dollars in contributions.
Our goals are always
safety, scenery and suitability, while meeting client stated objectives
regarding location, timing, etc. We strive to do this in a way that
goes well beyond the mere professional relationship of client and
service provider.
The event this year started in
Fraser, Pa finishing at the Assateague National Seashore in Maryland,
covering 240 miles over the traditional three days.
We
recently reached out to several people with different perspectives for
comments about their experience at the YSC Tour de Pink. All of them
have been involved for multiple years.
“Well Run Event and Compelling Stories”
Terri
Shade got involved because several people close to her had breast
cancer, and her partner Chris Shinners, who provides moto support, spoke
about how it is great experience, while being great way to get involved
and support the YSC organization. This was Terri’s fifth year. She has
done other organized rides, and appreciated how well things run each
year for YSC Tour de Pink. What is most meaningful to her is hearing the
many survivor stories over the course of the three days, and the
personal relationships she has developed over the years.
“Best Day on My Bike Ever”
Mike
Kolodziejski has been a personal friend, and worked with us in various
support roles over the years. Five years ago, Mike’s wife Kathy passed
way after battling breast cancer, and Mike rode YSC Tour de Pink in her
honor for two years before becoming a ride marshal for the event for the
last three years.
Mike has been riding and racing his
bike for 32 years. He said on the century ride he was with a group of
four other riders whose lives were touched by cancer. The time spent
with them over the long day getting to know each other, and sharing
their stories was an extremely moving and emotional experience for Mike
and that this was the best day on his bike ever!
“I Didn’t Know if I Would Ever Be Back”
Laurie
Yori has participated in the YSC Tour de Pink every year since 2008.
She told us that that year she had her second breast cancer diagnosis in
August and had just completed three weeks of chemo a week before the
event. On day-two, Laurie had a mechanical problem with about 15 of the
85 miles to Trenton remaining, and it was getting late in the day. The
support crew had suggested that she consider getting in the van for the
rest of trip. That clearly was not an option for Laurie.
The
g4 staff are always impressed with the level of determination
demonstrated by these women, many of whom are not athletes, and many are
still feeling the negative effects of their illness and treatment. But
it wasn’t until we spoke to Laurie this year and got her perspective on
this. She said, “I was determined to do this because I didn’t know if I
would ever be back.”
Laurie also shared with us that
coming to the event each year feels like a reunion with the other
survivors and participants, but also with the g4 staff, and she shared
this story. “My parents always try to come to the event and be there at
the rest stops and the finish to cheer me on. This year I was determined
to complete my first century (100 miles) on day two but when I got to
the finish they were nowhere to be seen (my cycling must be improving
because they expected me an hour later). The first person to greet me,
give me a hug and congratulate me was John Chaki from g4.”
Laurie
appreciates the personal relationships, and the fact that they keep
going during the year, using social media to share information and get
together for training.
“The Most Important Weekend of My Whole Year”
If
you have ever spent any time with John, he will tell you that since he
started working on the YSC Tour de Pink as the ride director, it has
become the most important weekend in his whole year. This shows in the
attention to detail that John has throughout the whole year when
planning the initial course, making sure that it will be a safe and fun
ride, completing the test ride and writing a summary, as well as
providing tips on preparation,training and safety for the participants.
And this year, at least according to John’s unofficial survey, at least
twenty-three people completed their first century ride.
Over
the course of the next several months we will be sharing stories about
other events, past and future, as well as high lighting our partner
relationships and spotlights on the many people that have helped make us
the organization we are today.
Until next time,
Alice & Robin, the gs
