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Cycle to the Summit for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

Ryan Austin

Cycle to the Summit for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

On March 22nd of this year, I lost my best friend, Lucky, to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) - essentially Doggy Dementia.

Much like dementia in humans, watching your best friend decline due to this disease is a terrible experience that often lasts years and is filled with constant trial-and-error when its comes to medications, supplements, and routines.

Morris Animal Foundation, a Colorado-based charity, has partnered with the Purina Institute to advance the knowledge of CDS through the Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study.

To fundraise for Morris Animal Foundation, I will be taking part in the Pikes Peak Cycle to the Summit gran fondo. The event is held on Saturday, August 13th. It is a 12.42 mile long cycling hillclimb featuring 4,725 feet of elevation gain, ending at the top of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet.

I didn't get the chance to take Lucky to the summit when he was still with me. This is one last adventure in his honor.

morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/purina-canine-cognitive-dysfunction-syndrome
AUG
21

Rest in peace, my best friend.

Thank you to all who donated! Because of your contributions, we were able to raise $3,245 for Morris Animal Foundation. $2,745 was raised directly on this page, with a $500 matching donation provided by Principal Financial Group in a separate transaction.

We did it! With a time of 2 hours and 13 seconds, and a 6.2 mph average speed, I completed the Pikes Peak Hillclimb!

AUG
12

Today’s ride. Last training ride before taking on the mountain.

8/11 Indoor Ride

8/7 Evening Ride

8/5 Outdoor Ride

8/4 Outdoor ride.

Updating with some older workouts.

JUL
17

A bit of a challenged added to prep today. I unfortunately tested positive for COVID this early afternoon. Symptoms are mild, but I plan to take the next 4/5 days to rest in the hopes I can be 100% for the climb.

Saturday, 7/16 trainer ride.

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13

Today’s morning trainer ride.

JUL
12

Sunday, 7/10 trainer ride. Back on the trainer tomorrow.

JUL
9

This afternoon’s trainer ride.

JUL
8

Tonight’s trainer workout.

JUL
6

Today’s indoor workout.

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4

Today’s indoor trainer ride.

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3

Yesterday’s gravel ride.

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1

Today’s indoor trainer workout.

JUN
30

This photo was taken in February 2012, so less than a year after I adopted Lucky. We were still in our college rental house with roommates. Lucky was just finding out how awesome sunbeams were for keeping warm.

Today’s indoor trainer workout.

JUN
29

Lunch-time mountain bike ride.

JUN
28

Always loved the bed.

Today’s indoor trainer workout.

JUN
25

Next training not until Tuesday, June 28th. Didn’t want you all to think I was slacking. 😊

June 23rd indoor training.

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22

Today’s outdoor dirt ride.

JUN
21

Today’s indoor training.

JUN
19

A soggy Lucky after a rainy weekend hike in 2018.

June 19th trainer ride.

June 18th trainer ride.

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17

June 16th - Outdoor Dirt Ride.

June 15th evening trainer ride.

June 15th morning trainer ride.

JUN
13

Miss you, buddy.

June 12th indoor ride.

June 11th indoor ride. PM ride after AM 36-mile gravel ride.

Ride 2 from June 8.

Catching up on logging training rides. Ride 1 from June 8.

JUN
6

I miss you every day, bud.

6/6 Training - structured indoor trainer session.

6/5: Outdoor dirt ride

6/2: Outdoor mountain bike ride in Utah

JUN
1

May 31st training session. Late PM - completed after a 9-hour drive for work. Tired, but felt good during the ride.

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$2,745
raised of $4,725 goal
 

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