Just 359 days to go

I got my first digital camera on my birthday in late January 2002. I did a good job of taking pictures before that but not keeping them, because keeping pictures in those days involved storing them in shoe boxes and closets. And given how much traveling I do, hoarding isn't something I like.Earlier that very month in 2002, my parents kindly took me on a road trip from Tampa where dad had a medical meeting. (Side note, I walked into a medical room in search of dad after these meetings had just adjourned. I unknowingly strolled into a room there were about 50 human cadaver shoulders all viced into place for dissection. Orthopedic conferences are badass.)From the massive operating room in Tampa vacation began and we went to Busch Gardens, visited St Petersburg and saw Salvador Dali Museum which is breach taking stuff; we checked out the barrier islands, St Pete Beach, aquarium, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, went big and stayed at the Ritz Carlton where we saw John Travolta. He said hi to me. I'm so Hollywood. Next stop was Savannah which is a gorgeous city most appreciated with a carriage tour; then Kiawah Island where I practiced my golf slice, next Seabrook Island, and last but not least visited Charleston, SC before flying to the great white north.My point is not to provide you with an itinerary you on your "tour of the southeast Atlantic" -- although that particular tour is enthralling and highly recommended -- instead I'm telling you about the first time I came to Charleston... without any photos since this trip preceded me having a digital camera as we previously discussed.So what am I doing with this post? Turns out it comes to you from here in Charleston.I'm visiting some good friends while on the retirement tour and then en route to the Hincapie Fondo which is tomorrow.That first trip to Charleston feels like a lifetime ago and in many ways it was. In 2002 I wasn't yet a "cyclist" and hardly a bike rider, besides that I knew how. My dad's health was intact in his pre-stroke self. You probably know a bit of the story, dad suffered a stroke in March of 2003 which has forever changed our family. The brain is such a fascinating and still not entirely understood, umm, organ. It's not a lung or heart or arm or nose, all of which are of course critically important, but not as intertwined and complex as the human brain.Fast forward over the emotional details of the past dozen-plus years, we created and launched the Krempels King of the Road Challenge five years ago as a way to give back to the amazing organization, the Krempels Center. The Krempels Center isn't out patient therapy or rehabilitation as most people assume. Instead, it's a center of community for those people living with brain injury as well as their families and caregivers. It's a starkly isolating world being brain injured; you're no longer the person you were, you know it, but don't know how to get back. So rather than frustratingly stewing on the past, the Krempels Center celebrates who you are with those people who can share similar stories, similar experiences, and similar emotions.The Krempels King of the Road Challenge was one week ago tomorrow, October 17, and thanks to awesome friends, family, sponsors, supporters, donors, and volunteers, it was a tremendous success.We raised over $100,000 which is an incredible sum for the Krempels Center. Timmy Duggan, a very good friend, former teammate, and traumatic brain injury survivor himself, came to the Center with me on Friday morning along with my family and the very gracious Bill Strickland, editor of Bicycling Magazine, to see what the Krempels Center is all about. We're always very warmly greeted and we can share stories from the professional cycling world, plus Timmy especially brings an amazing perspective coming back from a terrifying TBI to go on to become a national champion and Olympian. Inspiring to say the least.To then take that energy into Saturday morning, the day of the King Challenge itself is spectacular. The morning was chilly but with wall to wall sunshine it warmed up quickly. The foliage was peaking which continues to blow me away. I know it's lame to talk about how beautiful colorful leaves are but this is seriously next level stuff. Until you've seen New England peak foliage, you haven't seen foliage. It's akin to watching a great white shark burst through the surface of the ocean attacking a seal -- nature at its peak is pure awesome.The post ride expo and party, giveaways, kids skills clinic and climbing wall absolutely nail it to draw families to this amazing day. It's a ride and not a race... with the exception of the "race" to the beer garden. There's lots of kegs to be tapped, but that's one race you don't want to miss out on.So I wrap this blog post up with the heads up that the 2016 registration is not only open, but you can save 40% on registration if you sign up by the end of October. That's a deal you don't want to miss out on. Do it. Now.Oh right, also a fantastic day last cause I received my retirement "watch".