There were all walks (or rolls) of riders out there today and I think most of us found ourselves challenged in various different ways by the ride. Overall, I think it was a great success - especially when you consider the fact that Amy Pilott and I didn't sit down and start planning the ride until January!!!! In only three months we were able to mobilize and get 30+ cyclists of all abilities and walks of life to come together with one common goal - to make a difference! I think the near $4,000 we raised will make a difference.
Was the ride perfect? Well, to be honest, no. From the beginning it was clear that some riders were not as prepared for the course as they could be whether it be mechanical issues or clothing issues. But as I told them at the start - this is not a race, its about being together and looking out for each other and leaving no one behind. We had three different routes - 13 miles, 26 miles and 44 miles and I think at the end of the day we all felt a little like this (Please note: these are only actors portraying the cyclists, no actual cyclist was harmed during the participation of this ride):
But, like I said, this was our first time organizing this event and from the comments of the riders we learned a lot of very useful ideas. The first thing is that we need to reevaluate the 26 mile ride. It seems people were split - some liked it, some thought it was too hard. For next year we may need a 26 mile route and a 26A mile route (the 26A would just follow what went on this year) with the 26 mile route going to the same rest stop but being less hilly overall. From what I heard the 13 mile route was perfect and I think the 44 mile route was a great one - especially since it gives the rider the option to climb Moore's Hill (as Chuck did solo, I wanted to stay with Dan and make sure he got back okay) which can be a great workout.The second big thing we learned is that we need signs of some sort to point the way. This year the various villages requested we not paint the roads to indicated the routes. As this was our first year doing this we certainly did not want to tick off the powers that be because we want to be back next year. Now nothing as detailed and elaborate as this mind you:
But maybe something along the lines of this;
With perhaps a sunrise in the middle instead of a cyclist. Just an idea. I think that way riders can go at their own pace since they'll have the "trail of bread crumbs" to follow. This year we wanted to keep everyone together so some people were frutstrated because of the constant stopping to regroup. I know some people were frustrated because they'd just start to get a groove and would have to drop back. Personally, I know I could have finished the entire ride in less than three hours but again, this wasn't a race and the entire idea was for EVERYONE to feel as if they got to finish what they started. But, to those who want to go faster - we're working on it for next year - even if we have to stick small signs in the ground - no matter what, everyone WILL know where they're going so no one will feel like if they go ahead someone will get lost.Some of the really good things we found from our first effort were;
1) the volunteers from the Peer Helper group who, along with the selfless help of Heidi Burian, made sure all 20ish riders from the combined 26/44 mile rides were fed (both times in the case of the 44ers).
2) the police escort for the 13 mile route!!!! Who knew???? They offered to escort us through the housing area but I thought they'd leave it at that. I certainly didn't think they'd escort them the entire way but they did! They had one car in front and one in back and then others that leap frogged forward to make sure the intersections were clear. Then when they came back to camp they had the sirens going - what a great thing for the riders to come back to!!!! If I get some video feed of it or pictures I'll update the blog with them.
3) the riders seemed to appreciate the food at the end of the ride. We got them heroes and other goodies and by the time I finally got back (more on that later) there was only 2 foot of heroe left from the 12 feet we started with! Hey, they worked up an appetite and it was well worth it, they worked hard and deserve to be fed. For many it was the first real ride of the season so to have that many people working up an appetite for such a good cause made me glad!
So in a nutshell, here is how it all went down;
At the start of day we gathered all the riders around and thanked them for their efforts and reminded everyone to take up as little road space as possible, watch out for each other, and don't leave people behind. As I told them, its a ride not a race (we'll save that for next year) the ride we took off with 36 riders (yes, I'll get a photo here to show you what it looked like) and we were all massed together although strung out on Colonial Springs Road. I took sort of a ceremonial head of the column until we got to Northcote then I stayed there to direct people into the turn. I later caught up with everyone as we regrouped to catch the stragglers. As we found out from the housing area, even that was a little hilly for some of the riders.
Our first area of confusion happened as we split off for the 13 and the other rides. Without me at the head of the colum (I was trying to play sweep and help some of the other riders stay together) the 26/44 milers took a right instead of a left but then got back on track. Maybe next year we'll have a volunteer with signs helping out. The next part of the ride seemed to work fairly well. We all stayed together up until the intersection of Sweet Hollow and Chichester Rd. until we realized that five of the riders missed the turn (I had seen them as I was at the back taking off leg warmers and I told them to turn but they missed it). However, Sandy Burian was with them and knew the area real well so we told them to just meet us at the rest stop.
Anyway, since Sandy was the sweep I was now in charge of staying at the back and making sure everyone got in to the rest stop. As a result I was the last one in to the stop. Its sort of embarrassing since it was sort of "my" ride but I was the last one. Oh well, it was more important to me that those at the end felt good and I could talk to them and help them up the hills! We all had peanut butter and jelly and/or honey sandwiches, fruit, gatorade and fueled up for the next part of our journey. Unfortunately, because it had taken us longer than planned to get to the rest stop, we lost a lot of our 44 milers. Of the ten we had signed up only five of us went forward with the extra loop - Chuck Gleason, Sandy Burian, Brett Burian, Dan "The Beast" Incalcaterra and myself.
Well, we thought we could make it back in an hour but it took a little longer. Brett and Dan were on mountain bikes and although I admire their ability to ride up hills on those, it did slow us down a bit. Brett is determined to do the ride again next year and I've already promised him he could borrow Pearl (my Diamondback Frankenbike) - if I still have her! Well, we eventually made it back to SHS (after some gorgeous riding) and Brett was cooked. His mom, dad and myself all told him to pack it in as he was already cramping up - but he'll be back!
We finally left SHS about 1:40 for the short ride back. It was pretty uneventful except for climbing up Hartman Hill Road. I think in the interest of the riders I will work on trying to get them a better route for next year - at least for the 25ers! It would be interesting to see what it would be like if we had really hammered the 44 and then hit Hartman Hill Road! That would have been a real sufferfest!
So we rolled in at 2:50 and we were the last ones there. I got the chance to see Amy and William on their way out to the party (William was very adamant that he wanted to see me come back) and my sister Angela and Brother-in-law Per and neice Annika were all there as well. James and Sarah were there cheering and welcoming us back. One of my favorite parts of the same day was the look of pride on the faces of my children as they saw their daddy doing something to help others. So you see, many of my main reasons for riding were all right there to welcome us back! And an added benefit was the fact that the original Team Lederman (yes, Jason and Ben - the dynamic duo) was there along with Amy Pilott who had been waiting patiently. So at least we got a welcoming committee of sorts.
At the end of the day, Amy told me that everyone seemed to have a good time and said they'd be back next year. I hope so. I know we didn't get it all right our first time but we're learning and trust me, we are going to try our best to take your suggestions and incorporate them so we can make this a ride that everyone wants to do. It really is important to these kids that so many people care and even if they never meet us, we know that we've done something to make the life of a child better! And honestly, what more can we ask as a purpose for our lives?
I met so many interesting and wonderful people today. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to talk to each of you individually and thank each of you for what you did today. So riders one and all, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, the bottom of my soul, and the bottom of my tired feet for all you did today. Please come back next year and help us make the 2011 ride even better - I promise you won't regret it!
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