Oakley Jupiter Award Gets A Home!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Over the Hump was proud to introduce the first ever Oakley Jupiter Award, given to the rider who most inspires fellow Humpers!
The award will be passed twice annually, and bear the recipient’s name, and represent their story to inspire us all.
The first honoree is our own # 426, Beginner4(50+ rider) Mr. Scott Burrows!!!
Racing mountain bikes to our Jupiter Award winner is a big deal. At press he’s 5th in the Beginner 4 Class for the 12 week Over the Hump Summer Series.
Scott finished 6 months of relentless chemo last April. He was down 25 lbs at the end of of it all and didn’t have the strength to put on his socks or take the lid off a water bottle. Couldn’t drive, walk his dog, shop, empty or load the dishwasher, work or put on a shirt by himself. Many times Scott just stayed in bed until morning so that someone could help him get up.
Scott was diagnosed with metatastic melanoma, a large tumor on his left lung. It was his second time with metatastic cancer – the first was 1994.
The cancer was discovered after he became out of breath while riding and couldn’t understand why he felt so out of air. That led to scans and eventually two oncologists telling him not to expect to live.
That journey began in September of 2009. And it followed brain surgery, just 4 months before, to remove a brain tumor not related to the cancer. That tumor was not cancerous, but the surgery caused him to lose his balance nerve and hearing in his left ear. He had to re-learn to walk, let alone ride a bike. But he got back on the bike a month later (road only) and two months later he was on his mountain bike. No more wheelchair or cane. Life was good! Then he found out he had cancer, and things went downhill pretty fast.
He finished chemo April 6, 2010. His body was wrecked, but the cancer was gone. HE could hardly wait to ride again. But didn’t have the strength to balance on a bike, or put weight on his handle bars. His friend Tim walked along his bike and held him as he learned to ride around the driveway just like a 4 year old getting on a bike for the first time.
That was June 2010. After that it was a ride to the stoplight and back. Then eventually Newport Coast (he had to stop 3 times and rest). And slowly his strength and weight came back. Eventually He was back on his mountain bike and riding his old rides again.
The big test was “I Think I Can in El Morro”. To ride that trail was a victory. He used to race up it. This time it was just to finish. He did it. Now he has the 7th best time on Strava.com last he checked.
He’s back…self admittedly he’s not the strongest racer. Scott says he’s strong enough. Riding is a victory. Racing is the Cherry on top.
When we asked Scott what he had to say about his journey, Scott Said, “Just racing is victory enough for me. And I thank God that I can just come out and compete with everyone. That’s a blessing enough to me. And hopefully an inspiration to others who face challenges they never expected – or wondered if they would survive.”
The Oakley Jupiter Award allows us to celebrate victory over challenges, monumental people and personalities. It’s a good reminder of life lived to the full, within our local riding community. We’re proud to honor Scott Burrows as a man who embodies what Over the Hump and the Oakley Jupiter Award is all about.