Cancer Survivor and Rubicon-ORBEA Rider, Quinn Keogh's thoughts on Little Rock

That night, the Rubicon-ORBEA manager asked Quinn Keogh, Rubicon-ORBEA rider, how did the day go for him being on the other side of LIVESTRONG this year? And what it meant for him, to participate in the hospital visit and Patio Party, being that last year at this time, Quinn, was fighting his own battle against testicular cancer here's what he had to say-

Being on the road as a bike racer doesn't offer much in the way of human connection. Riding to benefit the Livestrong Foundation and bring awareness is a good reward, but participating in outreach events is far more satisfying. Monday, May 4th, Rubicon-Orbea had the priveldge and pleasure to both visit the Arkansas Childrens Hospital and to ride in the Little Rock Patio Party event.

Our time in the hospital included some visits in hospital rooms where we got to hand out signed cards and to hopefully stoke the youngsters interest in riding their bikes. Bikes were certainly the predominant topic of conversation with the kids. One six year old wasn't interested though, he had already graduated to dirt bikes and was looking forward to getting back on his 18 horsepower machine and shredding the motocross track. He assured us he only tried little jumps, nothing bigger than 25 foot gaps, and he never went faster than 60 MPH. I'm not joking.

After the room visits we were taken to one of the hospital many activity areas. Designed to offer outlets for the excessive energy of cooped up children of all ages, the activity pen was a suitable place to keep the team under control. There we spread out, joining some patients in their chosen entertainment. For me it's a close call between finger painting and digging in the pit of dried beans. Foosball was a close third. Our play mates ranged from 2 year old painters to 12 year old Nintendo partners. Once playtime ended we bid the hospital farewell and headed for the LIVESTRONG benefit ride.

After hearing from Little Rock's mayor, a cyclist himself, the benefit ride set off on a jaunt along the extensive bike paths of the Arkansas River. The "peleton", at least 175 riders strong, rode a little longer than an hour and then returned to the converted boathouse that now serves as a bicycle rental and event center. A feast, raffle and silent auction awaited all of the event's participants. As good cyclists, we ate our share of grub and then had the pleasure of getting to know the locals. We had a warm welcome by Jenn Shaw, the event coordinator and a major force in Arkansas health policy advocacy. The party wound down with door prizes and farewells. According to the team's returning riders the event this year was about three times larger than last year's. According to Jenn, the event raised at least times the money of last year. It was a great day and a reminder of what makes being involved in this cause so great. -Quinn Keogh, Rubicon-ORBEA; Benefiting LIVESTRONG rider