WHERE DID THE NAME "PINK GRAVEL" COME FROM?  To get straight to the point, PINK GRAVEL is my cancer brain child.  It came to me during a trail walk just after my second chemo treatment in February 2020.  Just months prior, I was riding miles of gravel; and now, this little walk was kicking my butt.  I was so frustrated about how it took so much effort just to walk a couple miles.  My Oncologist told me I would be fatigued and that a walk around the block would be a reasonable goal.  He said I shouldn't be so hard on myself.  But I do tend to be hardest on my self.  I didn't want to accept my physical weakness.  I cried  as I struggled a short incline on the trail.  Eventually I began to think about how all of this crap would make other activities suffer.  Just how long it would take to get "back to normal"?  Would I forever be affected by breast cancer and these  treatments?  Through my tears, I managed a laugh about how my world was "pink washed".  I was not really a fan of the color pink either.  Ugh.  Now biking will be such a chore to just get back to where I can ride miles on my own.  I will have to slow my roll in order to ride my now pink miles.  Pink miles on pink gravel . . . Hummm . . . PINK GRAVEL.
WHAT IS PINK GRAVEL'S PURPOSE?  To put it simply, Pink Gravel exists to encourage other breast cancer patients and survivors to reconnect with their previous active lifestyles.   It is hard to accept the new way your body reacts to things you used to do without much effort.  I am here to tell you that it is easy to just not do anything, but it is better physically and mentally to have something to do or look forward too.   Nothing says it has to be something grand, "go small" instead and reward yourself with a small victory.   Currently for myself, it is the next gravel event.  While I am on a riding sabbatical, I still do as much as I can to go to other events to support riders and share stories.  I have met so many people that are like me that are trying to get back in the saddle after cancer.  That is where the PINK GRAVEL FUND comes in.   Much of what Pink Gravel does is to raise awareness, promote, and collect money for the Pink Gravel Fund.  The Pink Gravel Fund is an extension of the services Pink Gravel provides, only the support is in the form of grants available to those you have been diagnosed with breast cancer or a survivor who just need a bit of assistance as they work to get back in the saddle.  Life does not stop just because you have cancer. 

Cancer (and life in general) is not just physically hard; it is a mental game.  We all have to do our best to take control of the mind game and in some cases all it takes is a positive activity or distraction.   For me, I couldn't ride, but I could support and still have fun.   That is what Pink Gravel and the Pink Gravel Fund is for. . . to support and still have fun.
OTHER FAQS AND NEWS:
  • THE PINK GRAVEL FUND - During the first  two years of existence, Pink Gravel hosted events by donation and sold  merchandise to raise seed money for the donor advised fund opened with the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF) named The Pink Gravel Fund. The ECF is a 501c3 organization.  Donations made through the ECF to The Pink Gravel Fund are used to support breast cancer patients, survivors, and awareness/education. The Pink Gravel Fund will provide grant opportunities for individuals dealing with the effects of breast cancer .  Here is the LINK to make an online donation directly to the fund if you would like to help.  Jon and I are extremely excited that the Pink Gravel Fund's application was accepted for the 2023 Match Day Event organized by the ECF.  

  • The Pink Gravel Crew  - Assists and /or provides S.A.G (support and gear) for a variety of grassroots gravel biking events in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. If not helping, we ride! If possible, we do both!   The Pink Gravel crew also teams up with other local organizations in Dwight and Morris County to provide residents activities throughout the year.  Want to join us?  Find out how in the About tab.

  • Just A Chill Ride-50K - Pink Gravel encourages a laid back, positive atmosphere when assisting events or planning our own such as this FREE event held the first Saturday of October.   Registration for the JACR 2023 is open and found on BikeReg.  2023 will be the 5th year for this event and first time in the new venue.  (keep reading)

  • Pink Gravel Ambassadors - these are individuals and/or teams competing in various events under the Pink Gravel brand.  Some are sponsored and some volunteer to attend events and wear Pink Gravel apparel.  Pink Gravel is proud to have the support of sisters, Trisha & Tayla, who often are found sporting the Pink Gravel cycling jersey at gravel race events. 

  • Pink Gravel Campsites  -  Four RV/Camper sites with water and electric hookups located in Dwight, Kansas.  Available by reservation and for short term camping only.  With every campsite rental, a % of the campsite charge will be donated to the Pink Gravel Fund.

  • The Event Center  - A new venue located at 540 8th Street, Dwight, Kansas.   This is the new home for Pink Gravel events such as the Just A Chill Ride - 50k held each October.   The Event Center is also available for rent by families, businesses, clubs and organizations.  Information on how to rent the The Event Center can be found at www.visitblock31.com.   


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