So it's almost 100 Degrees out and I had been spending most of the morning running along side kids who were trying to learn how to ride a bicycle. Such is the life of a staff member of Programs to Educate all Cyclists. As long as you are willing to come out and ride, we're willing to come out and help you.
Afternoon arrived and the heat really started to sizzle in time for our 1pm class. I was working with Matthew, who was really close to being able to ride two-wheels. I think most of his problems had just been trying to get over the fear of trying something new. He resisted me almost every step of the way. I like to say that come hell or high-water, he was going to learn how to ride whether he wanted to or not. I think today's conditions were on the hell side.
Matthew appeared to be distracted while riding. He kept on looking back at me as I was trying to hold him up. When he looked back, he started falling. Mom said that maybe he was worried about me touching him or the bike. Unfortunately, to solve that problem, I had to let go of the bike. So I did. I just gave him a running start and let go. I actually had to run out in front of the bike to give Matthew some direction and something to shoot for.
HE WAS RIDING. All by himself and threatening to run me over if I couldn't pick up the pace. So I ran faster and faster, yelling back at Matthew to follow. He did, and Mom and I couldn't have been prouder.
Unfortunately, I'm no spring chicken, and running in 100-degree heat isn't exactly my strong point. Heat exhaustion was setting in and I still had two more classes to go. I stopped in Pioneer Middle School to cool off in the air conditioning and drink some water. The secretary there looked at me and was so concerned that she was considering calling the paramedics. I just needed water and cool air. I went back out for two more hours, probably just powered by the success we had with Matthew.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
One Helluva Ride
Overwhelmed
That's the word of the day. We planned for 1,700 riders and actually got over 2,000. There were people everywhere. Volunteers were scrambling to the local stores trying to keep us stocked with plates, watermelon, bread, fruit, cookies, etc that we needed to feed the extra 300 hungry cyclists that showed up. It was truly amazing to see how people could get creative to solve such problems and make sure that everyone was taken care of.
I started my day loading up the supplies trucks at 4:30am, and embarked on the 76-mile bike ride at 7:30am (broken toe and all). The ride itself had perfect riding conditions and I really enjoyed seeing all the people who turned out. At noon, I stopped at Portage Lake State Park to help with the lunch stop and work with the folks who closed down the stop and cleaned up. We packed up at 3pm and I continued on the last third of the 76-mile route. I arrived in Chelsea just in time to help close up there.
I'm sure the local towns felt overwhelmed. We used to be the only real event that clogged up the roads during the summer, but more and more events such as 10K's, triathalons, charity bike rides, and even motorcycle cruises are invading the area. 2000 bicycles on the road even with the extremely light traffic probably frustrated a few drivers. At least this year, they were civilized. I was only accosted by one motorist, and that was while I was putting a sign on the road. He seemed to think that the portion of the road left of the white line belonged solely to cars (which is the entire road), but I just explained the state laws regarding the matter and apologized that we were going to invade the area for about 3 hours that day.
Anyway, my day started real early, and ended around 9pm, and I got a 76-mile ride squeezed in between all the chaos. I went home feeling great that things went extremely well.
That's the word of the day. We planned for 1,700 riders and actually got over 2,000. There were people everywhere. Volunteers were scrambling to the local stores trying to keep us stocked with plates, watermelon, bread, fruit, cookies, etc that we needed to feed the extra 300 hungry cyclists that showed up. It was truly amazing to see how people could get creative to solve such problems and make sure that everyone was taken care of.
I started my day loading up the supplies trucks at 4:30am, and embarked on the 76-mile bike ride at 7:30am (broken toe and all). The ride itself had perfect riding conditions and I really enjoyed seeing all the people who turned out. At noon, I stopped at Portage Lake State Park to help with the lunch stop and work with the folks who closed down the stop and cleaned up. We packed up at 3pm and I continued on the last third of the 76-mile route. I arrived in Chelsea just in time to help close up there.
I'm sure the local towns felt overwhelmed. We used to be the only real event that clogged up the roads during the summer, but more and more events such as 10K's, triathalons, charity bike rides, and even motorcycle cruises are invading the area. 2000 bicycles on the road even with the extremely light traffic probably frustrated a few drivers. At least this year, they were civilized. I was only accosted by one motorist, and that was while I was putting a sign on the road. He seemed to think that the portion of the road left of the white line belonged solely to cars (which is the entire road), but I just explained the state laws regarding the matter and apologized that we were going to invade the area for about 3 hours that day.
Anyway, my day started real early, and ended around 9pm, and I got a 76-mile ride squeezed in between all the chaos. I went home feeling great that things went extremely well.
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