Ride with Lance Armstrong for Cedars Cancer Institute

My friend Michelle Paiement got to ride with Lance Armstrong last Friday to raise money for the Cedars Cancer Institute located in Montreal. Michelle worked very hard to raise the $25,000 dollar minimum donation that would guaranty a spot next to the seven time Tour de France winner. In fact Michelle did such a good job that she surpassed her goal by almost $10 000. Michelle worked as hard as she did to honour her father Pierre Paiement who became one of the wonderful people who have been taken from our world by this devastating illness. Michelle wrote an Email summarising her awesome day spent Lace Armstrong in the lovely Mont Tremblant area, enjoy.

Hey VCOMers!

Well I thought I’d give you an update on my fantastic day with Lance! First of all, again, thank you for your support…I was able to raise just over $34,000!

Michelle and Lance Armstrong ride for Cancer

It was a great day filled with excitement. There was a great energy in the air as we had all gathered under a common cause of raising moneys and awareness for the fight against cancer…..oh and to ride with Lance. Many of the other riders had inspiring stories and it was a pleasure to spend the day in their company……

As you may already know, it rained for almost the entire ride…But that did not dampen (no pun) the mood…All rode with large smiles on their faces, including me!

The ride started off at a slow and steady pace of about 22-25km/hr and then once everyone had had a chance to have their picture taken at the front with Lance it was open season! So of course I took the opportunity to ride beside Lance for as long as I could! I began to chat with him about my dad, training, racing….etc! It was very exciting!  I guess with all this excitement I picked up the pace. Lance later blamed it on the girls when some of the riders commented on the pace picking up. (There were some other strong female riders….not all my fault!)

The most exciting part (for me) was the last 10km, when I asked if we could do a small “acceleration” Well there were some hills coming and we would wait for those! Once at the hills, I started to pick up the pace….As I was nearing threshold, on my small chain ring, I glanced over and noticed he was riding effortlessly in his big chain ring!!! WOW! So cool! I looked back and we had dropped most of the pack! Ooops!

At dinner, Lance made the comment that this was the first time, at this type of event, where the women were stronger than the men!!!!

(By the way, I did make the head table, meaning I was among the top 5 fundraisers!)  He took the floor twice, the first time he spoke about the fight against cancer and his efforts in raising awareness. Both are the reason he has decided to return to the Tour. He hopes to spread global