I had the good fortune 2 weeks ago of traveling to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with 130 bike-riding top fundraisers of the National MS Society Lone Star Chapter. Wow, as much as I’ve only been riding for 8 weeks, Santa Fe must be a rider’s definition of paradise!
Chapter employees took on the role of volunteers and orchestrated the 4-day cycling holiday. But when my colleagues and I came back together at the end of the first day to go over our duties and tasks for the remaining 3 days, my boss told me that I could participate in the second of the 2 days of riding.
I had driven SAG on the first day, a 55-mile ride that went by way too quickly. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape. Flat, flat ground stretching for hundreds of miles, and then hitting mountains that shot up into a crystal clear, electric blue sky! Oh my, if my days had ended then I would have left this mortal coil a happy person. I was at peace!
Anyway, after getting over the shock that I could ride the 2nd day, I realized I didn’t have a thing to wear! I turned up on the day of the ride in sneakers, my signature neon yellow socks, surfing shorts (white with brilliant orange flames), and a borrowed BP MS 150 jersey. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I didn’t have a bike either!!!!!
Our good friends form Sun and Ski had brought out some rental bikes (brand new I might add). But all I had to choose from was a 61cm, which would have me stretched out way further than I could reach. I’m only 5 foot 10 inches! The second bike was a 51cm, but was a women’s bike…shorter frame, odd looking saddle! Anyway, I opted for the shorter bike. I went to have a light breakfast while the bike was fitted with cage pedals.
At breakfast, I sat with my now good friend Jenifer McIntosh. We’d been joking with each other for the past 24 hours. So over breakfast, she said since I was going to ride on a women’s bike, I should wear a women’s jersey (she happened to be wearing a bright pink, ‘Ride Like A Girl’ jersey). She dared me!!!! So in the middle of the dining room we took of our jerseys and exchanged them. You know me by now, I’m open to most any dare for fun!
The day was a rare treat for me, and I appreciate my colleagues working with me to allow my training to continue. One small problem, when I turned the front wheel it would hit my feet…it was a very short bike. But all those issues evaporated when I cleared the brush on one hill to be presented with a vista that only God could create. If you’ve never ridden around this area, in particular around Los Alamos, NM, I would highly recommend you add it to your Bucket List.
Chapter employees took on the role of volunteers and orchestrated the 4-day cycling holiday. But when my colleagues and I came back together at the end of the first day to go over our duties and tasks for the remaining 3 days, my boss told me that I could participate in the second of the 2 days of riding.
I had driven SAG on the first day, a 55-mile ride that went by way too quickly. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape. Flat, flat ground stretching for hundreds of miles, and then hitting mountains that shot up into a crystal clear, electric blue sky! Oh my, if my days had ended then I would have left this mortal coil a happy person. I was at peace!
Anyway, after getting over the shock that I could ride the 2nd day, I realized I didn’t have a thing to wear! I turned up on the day of the ride in sneakers, my signature neon yellow socks, surfing shorts (white with brilliant orange flames), and a borrowed BP MS 150 jersey. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I didn’t have a bike either!!!!!
Our good friends form Sun and Ski had brought out some rental bikes (brand new I might add). But all I had to choose from was a 61cm, which would have me stretched out way further than I could reach. I’m only 5 foot 10 inches! The second bike was a 51cm, but was a women’s bike…shorter frame, odd looking saddle! Anyway, I opted for the shorter bike. I went to have a light breakfast while the bike was fitted with cage pedals.
At breakfast, I sat with my now good friend Jenifer McIntosh. We’d been joking with each other for the past 24 hours. So over breakfast, she said since I was going to ride on a women’s bike, I should wear a women’s jersey (she happened to be wearing a bright pink, ‘Ride Like A Girl’ jersey). She dared me!!!! So in the middle of the dining room we took of our jerseys and exchanged them. You know me by now, I’m open to most any dare for fun!
The day was a rare treat for me, and I appreciate my colleagues working with me to allow my training to continue. One small problem, when I turned the front wheel it would hit my feet…it was a very short bike. But all those issues evaporated when I cleared the brush on one hill to be presented with a vista that only God could create. If you’ve never ridden around this area, in particular around Los Alamos, NM, I would highly recommend you add it to your Bucket List.
C ya on the road! Tony
1 comment:
Sounds like a great trip and a great ride! Where's the photo of you in the Ride Like a Girl jersey?
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