Welcome to the Hershey's Tour de Pink Blog, where we will be posting daily updates, videos and pictures from our ride. Today, October 1st, more than 175 riders are arriving at the Hershey Lodge for registration and orientation before heading to dinner at Chocolate World, then early to bed in preparation for tomorrow's 88 miles.

Each day a different participant will be sharing their experience and giving your their personal perspective. Thank you to our Day 1 bloggers, Michelle and Carol from Dutchess County, NY. Michelle and Carol are both breast cancer survivors and are riding for the second year in a row. For daily videos and photos, please visit our Facebook Fan Page.

Day 1, Kickoff at Chocolate World, Ride from Hershey, PA to King of Prussia, 88 miles. Bloggers: Survivors and two-time riders Carol and Michelle

We are so excited to be back for our second year. After our great experience last year, we knew that we would return. We have continued to enjoy great health and enjoyed getting back in shape for the ride.

OK. Michelle finally beat Carol-even though it is NOT a race!!! AND Carol got lost with Brent, and together they did a century on what had to be the most torturous day ever. But we'll let her gloat for a little while. Tomorrow Carol plans to stick with her like glue as Carol's time with Brent is not the fondest of TDP memories. And one thing we must say about Michelle, she CAN follow those pink arrows with the best of them. Carol will attempt to keep her upright tomorrow through the entire ride as we may need to have someone look at her great bruise (that she will not allow Carol to take a picture of to post for all to see).

After a difficult fund raising season (not that we didn't enjoy Rinaldi's Flea Market on the only nice weekends of the summer), it is great to get here and remember what it is all about and why we are doing it. We were thrilled to see our friends from last year and meet so many new people (except possibly Brent; no offense to Brent of course). It was nice to meet Richard, who is here for his wife. We were also happy to meet a non-VP from the Hershey Co. He actuallly makes the candy!! Certainly the most valuable job in our estimation. Carol met MJ, a volunteer and survivor, that she talked into training for next year. Our hearts went out to our dinner companion, a three-year survivor, diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy. She is here to honor her close friend who died this past Wednesday after a battle with breast cancer. We are inspired by Laura, who is currently completing her PhD, studying the relationship between diet and exercise on breast cancer. She is returning after a recurrence in December, at 26 years old.

The ride—we were quite content until mile 70. In fact, there is a video of us at that point where we discussed how great life was as survivors on the ride. We weren't even whining about the 30 mph winds at our faces. It wasn't raining! No, we were so happy to be survivors, taking in the beautiful ride and meeting great people. We have to be honest, it all fell apart after that moment. In fact, Carol was near tears at the sight of even the slightest incline (although there were few slight inclines-most were 90 degree angled hills). That bike path, that we're certain was thrown in for enjoyment, well, it wasn't fun or pretty at that point. So if there was historical significance, it was lost on us. In fact, at that point Michelle's new bruise was taking on a life of its own and Carol, well she was trying to enjoy Brent's company after 120 miles of riding. It's actually an amazement that the two homing pigeons were even on the bike path.

Things we would like to brag about:

• We loved the covered bridges, especially the one at the bottom of the only downhill of the day.
• Carol proudly made it through without using a portapotty, BUT Michelle used one at EVERY rest area. She even used the one that was tipping over at Stop 4. Carol was enjoying that just thinking about writing the Blog. It would have definately been a highlight!
• Michelle fell going up a treacherous hill (yes, thats right, going UP), but she got back on her bike and made it to the top. She even pedaled past the walkers.
• We managed to get off our beds to get to dinner.
• We finished! And we can't wait for tomorrow.

Day 2, King of Prussia, PA, to Trenton, NJ, 85 miles. Blogger: Survivor Noel Knecht, 5-time returning rider

Today was an absolutely amazing day riding...especially after the crazy headwinds, hills, etc., from day 1. I'm not much of a fan of the hills of King of Prussia, but knowing that there was a flat road by the river kept me motivated. It's my fifth year participating in the Tour de Pink, and each year it gets better and better. I meet so many inspiring people. Who ever thought that seven years ago when I was diagnosed, I'd be out riding miles upon miles on a bike to show support for the Young Survival Coalition. Lisa Rose, Theresa and I had a great ride together. Not too fast, not too slow. Just enjoying every moment. Wishing for more...well, to be honest...butt butter. The rain...didn't ruin any of the day...because a few hours later the sun was shining. Ooohhh...and the foliage. Fall is here. So beautiful.

This year's tour is even more special for me because my sister, who is also a survivor, is riding as well. It's so great for us both to be supporting each other. The greatest part is when a group of about fifteen of us just rode together to be together. That's what makes the day. The ride on the river, riding in a pace line, going faster than fast without even knowing how fast it was. Of course we stopped at the bridge to Trenton and at the New Jersey sign for our traditional pictures. The Tour? Well, it's amazing. I look forward to it 361 days of the year. When I'm here, riding with my fellow survivors and supporters....it's just pure joy!

Day 3, Trenton, NJ, to Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ, 55 miles.

Morning blogger: Jim Czupil, 4-time returning rider from Team Hershey. Editor's Note: This is from Jim's morning note to all his supporters and teammates.

Well, day two is behind us, and it was a much better day than day one. You all did great with your well wishes and prayers...no rain, no wind, limited hills. There was one crash that resulted in a broken wrist for a rider from Virginia. My niece Ann rode with a lot of other people today and had zero issues. She really enjoyed the day. I rode with my normal riding mates and finished in the second group. I lost points with my buddies for getting a flat and having a more skilled pal fix it, then lost more points at dinner for wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey.

I rode most of yesterday with David Brousch. He works for Hershey and lives in Chicago. He crashed and broke a rib last week and is riding here this week. Can you imagine? Something about this Tour that just sort of gets inside of you (more on that shortly). He is riding like a bandit. A little medication each night, and he is good to go the next morning.

Last night at dinner a young woman named Diana spoke, very reluctantly as she put it. Diana has ridden in the Tour as many years as I have. Our first year she was just coming out of treatment...her hair wasn't back yet, but I recall how excited she was when she finished. I remember her vividly. She rides with Natasha each year. They are a fun pair to watch. Pam is short, and Natasha must be six feet tall. They are sort of the odd couple of the tour from an appearance standpoin...but they obviously have a very special friendship. Diana talked about being genetic testing results and having to have a double mastectomy and her ovaries out shortly. She was so courageous and afraid. She wondered out loud why she had to go through this yet again and talked about being the face of the Young Survival Coalition and how much support they are to her throughout this.

Folks, this is who you support with your donations and who we ride for. Someday, someday there will be a cure for this. And every dollar, every cent that was ever raised for research will have been part of the solution. You are part of the cure, and I can't thank you enough for your support. Let's hope the cure is sooner rather than later. Then we can figure something else to go out and fix.

Today we ride to just outside of NYC. We have a big picnic there and then take buses into the city. They have the best cheeseburgers at the picnic. I can taste one now. God bless all of you. You're the best. - Jim

And more from Day 1 Bloggers Michelle and Carol

First, we would like to say that Day two would not been possible without the incredible Dr. Mark. We believed he aligned, cracked, taped and massaged almost every body on a bike today. He is truly the best! It was a great way to begin day two, a beautiful riding day, especially the last 50 miles. The day started somewhat slow for many, as yesterday's ride took its toll. We had the opportunity to ride through the park that was at the end of the previous day, and it was quite beautiful. We do confess that the sight of every hill made us question what we were doing, but, after rest stop one, the riding legs came back, and we were well on our way, riding with enthusiasm. The moto support was great, and the volunteers were so encouraging. We would like to give a special thank you to Eileen, blessed with the greatest hands, and her husband ("the man in the white t-shirt"), volunteer extraordinare (we're convinced it is his wife's great hands that have made him so cheery and helpful). Riding up River Road and through New Hope was a highlight. AND thank you Dunkin Donuts for flushing toilets.

Moments we most cherish and are most proud to share:

• Carol getting through yet another day without using a portapotty, but Michelle sampling at least one at every stop.
• Not making a wrong turn.
• Kicking Karen O's butt. Yes, the best moment of the day was when Carol flew by Karen, shortly after New Hope. Michelle passed her a short time later. BUT, of course we know it isn't a race.
• AND Evan, we know how you beat us to rest stop three, and it has nothing to do with being a man!

The evening event was great. We were most inspired by Diana's speech and we were so thankful that she chose to share "her story." It reminds us about the importance of fundraising and volunteering, as there is still a long way to go in this battle with breast cancer. We were also reminded of the positive impact that the YSC has had and continues to have in the lives of young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Day 3 was the best of all. It was mostly sunny, lower humidity and fewer hills! Everyone appeared rejuvenated after the tough first day. Survivors proudly wore their Oakley sunglasses and special socks and happily posed for group shots. The start was fun as everyone stayed together for a few miles as we departed Trenton. Once again, the support was great. The Frank family enthusiastically greeted us at the rest stop and made sure our needs were met. Michelle passed up the urge to check out the portapotty!!! The sights along the route were beautiful, and we were able to enjoy them as the terrain was relatively flat. Thank you for the celebratory barbeque. The food was great and sharing our final moments of the TDP '09 with our fellow riders and volunteers was fun.

Moments we must share:

• Michelle and her bike made quite a hit.. Carol was so proud listening to the elite riders (the ones she rode with!!!) talking about it. Carol would like everyone to know that she slept in the same room with that bike and Michelle, designer and owner of most talked about bike on the Tour '09.
• Brent, once again, made an error in his riding route, as did Carol and Michelle. BUT the end result we will never discuss again!! Following arrows and instructions are not strengths for Brent or Carol. They should never consider riding together.
• Carol will never share Karen O's quiet outburst (or was it a threat) when Carol reminded her of that glorious moment outside of New Hope. Let's just say, Karen will be shocked next year. NOBODY speaks to Carol like that without paying at some point.
• Michelle and Carol are most proud to say that they completed two tours without SAGging!!

We look forward to seeing everyone next year at the Tour de Pink '10.