Meet Suzanne: wife, mother of two, physical therapist, recreational mountain and road biker and cancer survivor. The many roles she has in her life keep Suzanne busy for the most part, but she makes sure she can find the time to ride at least 3 times a week. Originally from Pueblo, Colorado, she started riding 10 years ago “just for fun”. She would go for short rides here and there whenever time allowed. Maybe, because her competitive nature biking started to grow more inside her so she later decided to join a group and participate in beginner races.

Unfortunately last December she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of her chemotherapy-weaken immune system she was forced to stop riding in fear that the minor scratch could become a dangerous infection. So Suzanne had to miss in those weekly rides with her husband, friends and The 12 Hour of Old El Paso, where the mountain biking community and her friends were able to collect over 3,000 dollars that were donated to The Rio Grande Cancer Foundation on her behalf through a raffle.

When asked about what she likes about riding her answer was that she enjoys the sensation of being in control with the occasional little bump that may bring some out of control and excitement at the same time. She also enjoys the opportunity to challenge herself to go “just one more hill” without slowing down or stopping. Not to mention the social aspect of the ride; being able to meet and spend some time with the new friends she was been able to find through the group she belongs to, but most importantly the time that she is able to spend riding with her husband where they just enjoy the ride, the nature around them and it also allows them to retrospect and get courage for what lays ahead.