I was asked to report on a cycling event I participated in….our usual reporter of events, sharing who was there, highlights of the ride, etc., was unable to attend. This cycling thing…is much, MUCH bigger than THE BIKE!! For sure!
Okay Jim, here’s my summary of a very, very good ride and day!
1 Can Ride to benefit SE Gwinnett Co-Op
Lovely morning, cool, nice attendance, lots of smiles, cute clothes!!, and the rain was held at bay all the live long day. Leader, Cliff Hagan announced the grand event and folks I knew, Dave, Darrell, Tom, Shirley, Gene, Irene, Delores, Joseph, Clay, Cliff, Al, Ed, (and others, yes others), and the Mayor wheeling in at the last minute, his tires off the ground just after opening his shop….and everyone was OFF to the races…..down, down, down some steep hills, the front runners taking the lead in no time short….what seemed like thousands of fit behinds leaving me to catch my pace…..zoom went all of the above mentioned and more.
The route was well marked in hot pink which matched my new friend Karen’s jersey, (please welcome Karen, both fun and funny by the way)…..we met half way and made our way chasing the fast ones, doing a keen 16.7 mph for the first 20 miles, (good for me)…….while the ‘Fasties’ were leveraging we were sure, a swift 30mph!! Certainly they were!!
Claudia at the 2nd rest stop, the one with potties, was the epitome of hostess and positive encouragement and keeper of yummy snacks. Around we traversed through beautiful winding hills, green pastures and a lovely route in all ways, we all soon hit the final trek through the neighborhood of pristine lawns to find ourselves at the bottom of the last few steep hills, (Delores warned us about these). Up and up and up…….and up and up and up some more…. with the prize being, home base, with burgers, drinks, friends and prizes. YES! I won a water bottle (and needed one). Delores got a hat, Karen a ‘thing-y’ for her bike (technical term) and Shirley a nap sack which I covet and some lube, which made for the butt of some grand jesting. It seemed as though EVERYone got a prize. Sure they did, to be in the company of one another. But where was Jim?? Sorely missed and recouping from a hard ride yesterday!
So Jim, a fun day all and all…..and I’ll tell you….hanging around some of you over the last months starting last summer, I think I’m starting to get it. I really had fun. I didn’t throw my bike down, have a tantrum or wonder why you’re all driven to pedal, pedal and pedal while I work to just catch my breath! I found a few of those moments myself today. You’re all an inspiration!!
There you have it…..a beginner’s perspective, in awe!! Back to you Jim!!! 🙂
BB Webb