Team Lewis Cycling was initiated and inspired by Drew Lewis. Team Lewis Cycling (TLC) participated in the Philly Challenge in Philadelphia for more than 8 years and the team continued to grow over this timeframe. With the Philly Challenge discontinued, TLC felt that we too wanted to move forward and established teamTLC. Here is the back story of TLC and this page will also share the journey of teamTLC.
Team Lewis was founded when Drew Lewis made the trek to Philadelphia to ride in honor of his Uncle George who passed away from cancer. Drew rode solo 7 years ago and his vision, mission, hope and quest established the foundation for Team Lewis.
The second year saw the a growth from one participant to one participant and a cheerleader (Lorie). The third year, through Drew’s encouragement the effort grew to two participants and two cheerleaders.
I was very moved by the experience of participating in this ride with over 1000 cyclists of all walks of life. Many were cancer survivors and I rode with one courageous cyclist who recently had a lung removed due to cancer, but was determined to ride the 100 miles.
Following the third year in Philly, Drew, Lorie, Karen and I had dinner at Chipotle and Drew began a discussion wondering whether we could encourage more participants to ride the following year. We talked about starting a team and at that very early stage, Team Lewis Cycling (TLC) was born. The following May, Drew was diagnosed with brain cancer, and it became paramount that we needed to fight harder than ever. As word about TLC got out the team grew to 12 riders in 2011 and the team was able to raise $22,000 for the fight against cancer. Drew passed the following February, but this only inspired TLC to continue Drew’s mission more than ever. The team grew to 40+ riders, runners, walkers and cheerleaders. A run was added to the venue and the event became a two day celebration. Team Lewis “blue and yellow” shirts and jerseys were everywhere as the runners ran 5K and 10 K runs. The cyclists completed 20, 40, 75 and 100 mile circuits.
The team successfully raised $40,000+ in 2012.Team Lewis now has a roster of 60+ members, who have supported the fight against cancer and in 2013, TLC raised over $35,000. TLC was awarded the “Most Enthusiastic Team”. What a great honor and Drew would be so proud to see how TLC was evolving. To date TLC has raised close to $100,000 over the past six years.
This page is dedicated to the memory of Drew and George Lewis and the many others that have been affected by cancer. Team Lewis Cycling will continue to ride and run for the cause in 2014 this coming August 17th.. Our hope is to fight cancer and improve the lives of the 28 million survivors world-wide while honoring the lives of two very special and extraordinary men. With your help, we will raise valuable funds and awareness in our community so that those affected by the disease know where to turn to for support and resources. Please consider joining TLC or donating in memory/honor of someone you love.
It has been a true blessing to watch Team Lewis grow and to help follow through with Drew’s vision and mission against cancer.
The Livestrong Foundation inspires and empowers people affected by cancer and believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything.
I had the great honor of wearing Drew’s Cross during RAAM. Lorie asked me if I would like to wear it during the race. Drew and I became one racer at so many levels over the years and I was so honored and humbled by that moment. Drew would have loved RAAM. RAAM was a very tough and intense challenge, but at the start of every leg I raced, I said a little prayer with Drew and kissed the cross and off we went. Drew was with me as far as the race carried us. This gave me a great sense of peace and inner strength to keep pushing on.
There were many challenges I confronted during the race, but Drew was always with me. During the long shifts in the heat, wind and especially in the wee hours of the morning. There was great peace in conversing with Drew as a blood orange moon rose over imperial dunes early in the race. The other moment was watching the sun rise as I was crossing the Colorado River and entering Arizona. There were so many times where the challenge seemed insurmountable, but with every moment of doubt, Drew was there to reel me in and say “You can do it Buddy”. As I climbed into Flagstaff (4000′ of climbing in 32 miles) and finished the climb into Durango (3000′ over 20 miles), I felt light on my pedals as I knew that Drew was there with every pedal stroke and I found true peace in Durango realizing I was on an incredible journey with one of the most incredible men I have met, one who will always be my dearest friend and brother in Christ.
2015 brings the end of the Livestrong Philly Challenge, but Team Lewis lives on. More to come on the evolution of teamTLC.