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100 Miles
I am actually having trouble putting into words what the Ride For Missing Children meant to me. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. Riding 100 miles was physically tiring (and all the padding and cream did not keep my butt from being sore), but I know that the pain I felt that day was nothing compared to the pain that families of missing children feel each and every day.
We started our day with an emotional opening ceremony. Family members of missing children as well as recovered missing children spoke. It was inspiring and humbling.
As we rode, people lined the streets in their communities to cheer us on, clapping, ringing cowbells and holding signs. My riding partner and I joked that we felt like rock stars.
Here’s a little moment one of the many spectators was able to capture:
We stopped at several schools along the way to rest, refuel and use the restrooms. Kids were screaming, bands were playing, DJ’s were cranking out tunes. The halls and buildings were decorated beautifully and they were all very gracious hosts.
Along the route, we had three silent tributes. Nearly 500 riders rode in silence. This one took my breath away. As we rode up the hill, uniformed police officers were standing at attention by the trees adorned with a pink or blue ribbon, holding the hand of a child. Bagpipes could be heard in the distance.
With all the emotions came a lot of fun and camaraderie too. And no ride would be complete without some mechanical issues. My biggest worry was getting a flat tire or my chain falling off. (By the way, if that does happen, you just pull off to the side and someone will pick you up, put you in a truck and fix your bike. You’re good to go at the next stop. These people don’t mess around!) Thankfully I got through the day with no major mishaps. I did have a few minor ones though. I really should have practiced taking a drink from my water bottle and then replacing it. It’s not as easy as it looks, especially when there are bikes braking in front of you. I dropped my water bottle. My favorite water bottle. And there was no turning around to get it. They just kick it to the side and it’s gone. I loved that thing. (Camelback) So if you’re in the area and you see it, could you let me know? It has my name on it… Luckily we’re required to have two water bottle holders on the bikes, so I didn’t go without.
I also made friends with the guys in the mechanics truck! (There it is in the background-red and white. Check out all the bikes parked near the yellow barriers-it was like a parking lot…I seriously had trouble finding my bike at each and every stop!)
At one of the stops I had trouble unclipping and nearly fell over. Luckily I clipped out in time, but my cleat had lost a screw and completely fell off my shoe. For the rest of the day I had to ride with one screw and then go to the truck at each stop to have it tightened. Nothing major, but I was saying a little prayer as we reached each stop that I would be able to unclip without falling over in front of everyone. Lesson learned: Always carry extra cleats, screws and tools!!
The day ended with a wonderful cheering section at our destination. Family and friends lined the streets and cheered for us as we neared the home stretch.
A brief closing ceremony after the ride confirmed that we had raised over 260,000 to date.
After a quick bite to eat and a nice hot shower, I was never so ready to see my bed. It was a beautiful, emotional, physically challenging, but wonderful day!
Butterflies…
Hey everyone! I know, I have been terrible about keeping up with my ‘photo of the day’, but I promise to continue posting them next week when things calm down a bit. In the meantime, here’s a little photo that I snapped pre-ride:
Wow-I actually look like a real life road biker. Today is the day I have been counting down to for months. The Ride for Missing Children. 100 miles. All of the money that the riders have worked so hard to raise goes to the distribution of posters of missing children, community education and support of the mission of the National Center For Missing And Exploited Children.
I’m more excited than nervous. I know it’s going to be a fun yet emotional day. I will post more photos from the ride next week, but here’s a little preview of what it’s going to look like:
2 1/2 miles of bikes riding 2×2.
So exciting!!!!!!!!!
Have a great weekend!
Mother’s Day Spin Mix
It’s feels like a while since I’ve posted a playlist! I even added teaching notes!!! Here’s the mother’s day playlist for this Friday evening’s spin class. I hope all of you moms have a wonderful day on Sunday!!!!
Mamma Mia: Warm up
Mama Mercy: Continue warm up, bring it out of the saddle.
Mama Told Me Not to Come: alternate seated/standing climb
Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya: seated accelerations
Stacy’s Mom: standing climb
Lady Madonna: seated climb
Mama: Standing climb
She Is: Seated climb with standing attacks on the chorus
Tie Your Mother Down: Seated hill accelerations
Say Hey (I love you): Standing climb with accelerations on the chorus
I Was Born to Love You: Seated flat
Oh Mama: Seated flat
Tabata: 20 seconds on, 10 off
Daughter: Cool down
Daughters: Stretch
Photo Challenge Day 17: On The Shelf
First of all, let’s talk about this:
The weather forecast for May 18th-the big Ride! I’ve been totally worried that I’m going to have to ride my bike 100 miles in a torrential downpour, so a 10% chance of rain is looking pretty good to me right now. Hopefully it doesn’t change too much before the big day. Keep your fingers crossed!
Today’s photo challenge:
on the shelf
We’re huge Orange fans over here, so when they won the national championship back in 2003, it was pretty much one of the most exciting things that has ever happened. My husband has his collector’s edition Sports Illustrated displayed on a shelf in our office. Go S.U. !!!!!
Photo Challenge Day 16: What I Ate
Today’s photo challenge:
what I ate
A granny smith apple. I eat one every day with my lunch. It’s kind of my thing…
Photo Challenge Day 15: My Shoes
Today’s Photo Challenge:
My Shoes:
Cute, right? I just ordered them and I get a ton of compliments every time I wear them. I love these sandals from Jambu. They are really comfy and I love the cut outs and flower design on the straps! There is also a cool design on the bottom. I scored them at a pretty good price on eBay, but you can find them here as well.
Photo Challenge (Days 13 & 14):
Yesterday’s photo challenge (I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday. My 40 mile training ride kind of put a dent in my blogging time…) :
from a distance
I didn’t want to get too far away, because this might just be the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. My mother and father in-law just got a new puppy. He’s a white golden retriever named Jake and he is positively squeezable!!!!!! Don’t you just want to smell him???? Cutest…..puppy….ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And here’s today’s photo challenge:
flowers
Kind of pathetic, I know. But had this been part of last week’s photo challenge, you would have appreciated it much more. We bought this tree two or three years ago and we just love it. I’m not really even sure what it is, but it has the most beautiful pink flowers that bloom every spring. I seriously stop my car each time I pass it in my driveway and exclaim (out loud, to only myself) how cute it is! The flowers are kind of fading this week and the leaves will eventually turn a reddish color until Autumn. I adore this tree!
I’m just teaching one class this week because I have meetings and preparations for the big Ride coming up, but I promise to post my Mother’s Day playlist later on this week!
Cinco de Mayo Spin Mix and Photo Challenge
Here’s the playlist for Cinco de Mayo. It’s a day early, but it still works. A little heavy on the Pitbull and Shakira. Gotta love it though.
Today’s photo challenge:
Close up
I tried to get closer, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea. This is Leo. And this is pretty much what he does all day long. I’d like to switch lives with him for just one day.
Photo Challenge, Day 11
Today’s photo challenge:
Something fun!
My spin bike, of course! What’s more fun than spinning???? And yes, I do have my very own spin bike in my basement.
I never posted yesterday’s photo because I took it on my phone and for some reason I can’t get it to send to my computer. Yesterday’s criteria was ‘something I made’. That was kind of a tricky one. I thought about it and realized that I don’t really ‘make’ things. So I took a picture of my morning coffee. I’m sure you’re sad you missed it.
I’m working on my Cinco de Mayo playlist for this weekend, so get ready for it!!!!!
