The Pedaling the Prairie charity ride was near its conclusion at the Waller Fair Grounds in Hempstead, with only two miles to go, but in the span of five minutes the sometimes unheralded duties of a ride marshal were about to become clearly illustrated.
First, veteran ride marshal Dennis Yanchak stopped to massage the calf muscles of a weary cyclist so she could finish her trek. A routine courtesy, but Dennis was just getting warmed up.
Ride marshal Dennis Yanchak, left, demonstrates how four hands are better than two.
Around the corner, about a mile later, he stopped to help fix a flat tire for another rider, also on the bonk, in the home stretch of her first charity ride. An extra pair of hands is always appreciated in the awkward business of repairing a flat by the side of the road.
While making that assist, a passing cyclist – perhaps rubber-necking the roadside flat repair – lost control of his bike on the downhill and careened into a heap just a few yards away. “Are we good here? I think that guy over there needs a hand.”
It’s times like this that guys like Dennis Yanchak earn their pay. Only they’re not paid. They volunteer their time to help others enjoy their time in the saddle.
With the BP MS150 on the horizon, and cyclists all over Texas getting into high gear with their training, Wheel Brothers thought this might be an excellent time to hear from ride marshals like Dennis Yanchak and Andrew Rubin on what makes them tick.
Wheel Brothers: What is a ride marshal and what are the duties?
Andrew Rubin: First and foremost, we’re there to help riders stay safe. This means promoting safe cycling and coaching riders on safe practices. Many of us also serve as safety coordinators for our teams. About a third of us are certified as cycling instructors by the League of American Bicyclists, and teach formal classes to our teammates and other riders. We also help in emergencies in any way we can. We fix flat tires and other minor mechanical issues on the road. We direct bike traffic around accidents, and provide first aid when needed. Finally, we help with organization and crowd control at the start of the MS150 each day and at MS150 recommended rides.
Spring is a busy season for Andrew Rubin, who marshals and teaches bike safety.
Dennis Yanchak: A ride marshal serves as an ambassador of safe riding and to help riders finish the ride as safely as possible. In that role we help them with minor mechanical repairs and help fix flats. We are all trained in first aid, so will assist riders that have an accident and direct the other riders around the scene of an accident. Overall, we try to promote a safe and fun ride for MS150 riders.
What are the unofficial duties you’ve encountered that nobody told you about?
Andrew: I’ve listened to ride marshals explain to unsuspecting parents over the phone that their teen-age kid is in an ambulance and their permission is needed to transport the minor to a hospital. I’ve done impromptu bike fits on the side of the road, hoping it’s enough to let the rider get through the day. I also give out a lot of sunscreen.
Dennis: The most notable is being a supplier of tubes for those who don’t carry them (or even the tools).
Is there a training requirement to become a ride marshal?
Andrew: To be a ride marshal, one must have completed two MS150s. This specifically means the Houston-to-Austin ride because we’re expected to know the intricacies of the route. We complete the League of American Bicyclists “Traffic Skills 101” course. Additionally, there’s a half-day of training specific to our ride marshal duties and the MS150. Finally, all ride marshals are certified in first aid and CPR/AED.
What keeps you doing it year after year?
Andrew: I enjoy helping people. It’s very rewarding when riders say “thanks.” Not all MS150s around the country have ride marshals. I don’t think our Houston-to-Austin MS150 would be nearly as large and successful if not for our great safety program. Ride marshals are an integral part of that. The most rewarding thing, though, is knowing that my efforts are helping to end Multiple Sclerosis.
Dennis: I have a passion for cycling and enjoy helping others to learn to cycle safely. I am a certified instructor by the League of American Bicyclists and teach safe riding to those that want to learn.
Does being a marshal negatively impact your own riding/training?
Andrew: It doesn’t negatively impact my training. I get to ride as often as I want. Rides do take longer as a ride marshal because of the stops to help others, but it’s not a big impact.
Dennis: It does not negatively impact my riding or training. My response to similar situations (flats, accidents, etc.) on my own training rides is pretty much the same.
In addition to the size of the MS150 event, how is working this event different than other organized rides?
Andrew: The ride marshals on the MS150 are exceptionally well organized. We’ve had the same two people running the program for many years, and they’ve pretty much got it down to a science. I’ve done similar roles with a few other rides here in Houston, and generally their training requirements and organization are more informal. For this reason, they often recruit MS150 ride marshals to help out on their rides. When we get to a ride, especially one of the charity rides leading up to the MS150, we’re almost on auto-pilot.
Dennis: The organization and support of this ride is by far the best, but other organized rides are quickly improving.
When you get together with other marshals after an event, what do you talk about?
Andrew: We all finish at different times, so we’re rarely together after an event. I don’t know how many stops I’ll make; sometimes I don’t stop at all, other times I may change three flats and help with four other problems. When we do get together, though, we’ll often trade stories just like any other group of people. We never mention names, though, and usually we don’t even now riders’ names. It’s just “this young rider on a hybrid” or “this racer on a time trial bike.”
Dennis: Typically the first question is whether anyone encountered an accident and, if they did, what happened. From there it goes to understanding the cause of the accident and if there is anything that could be changed to prevent a similar accident in the future. We also talk about how many flats we fixed, what was the most unusual thing we saw, things of that nature.
Who makes a good candidate for being a ride marshal?
Andrew: First and foremost, you need to enjoy helping people. Second, you need to be comfortable influencing people. We need to be assertive without being authoritarian. Third, you need to be OK with sacrificing parts of your ride to help others. If you pride yourself on getting to La Grange before 11 a.m. on Day 1, this job isn’t for you. We come in all different speeds, which is important because the newer riders are usually slower. We can’t help them if we’re all partying in La Grange or Austin when they still have 30 miles to go.
Dennis: Someone who is passionate about cycling, knows how to cycle safely, and is willing to help others.
What volunteer opportunities exist for someone who may not be cut out for marshaling?
Andrew: When I was a team captain, we had volunteers doing everything from photography, to signage, to managing the waiting list for massages, to simply cheering on the side of the road for us. On the MS150, there is always short of SAG drivers. If someone wants to fill a very critical role, that’s a good one. SAG vans are critical, especially if the weather turns bad.
Dennis: Certainly, if you don’t like to cycle, there are numerous other ways to help. All that requires is a desire to help support a good cause, like the Multiple Sclerosis Society or other worthy organizations.
Looking for ways to grow your cycling club and improve the experience for everyone concerned?
Start at the bottom and commit to rolling out No Drop ride groups, the key word being “commit.”
The Houston-based Northwest Cycling Club thrives on many levels, but one of the best things it does may be the manner in which it supports the least experienced among its riders. Almost sounds biblical, doesn’t it?
When club members meet on Saturday mornings at Zube Park in northwest Harris County, they break into pace groups. New riders are asked to join the No Drop (ND) group, which allow them to get familiar with the local roads and routes, develop better cycling skills, and ride with the peace of mind that comes with knowing they won’t be left behind.
The club has two experienced ND ride leaders, Wayne Freeman and Sam Wu, who week in, week out are committed to nurturing new riders. Wayne leads out a group on a route varying from 20 to 35 miles, depending on the experience level of those who show up on any given Saturday. The pace is typically 12 to 14 mph.
Sam Wu, the man in black, regroups his No Drop group.
Sam takes out a slightly more savvy pack, those who have “graduated” from Wayne’s ND group, on a 40-mile loop at a slightly faster, 14- to 16-mph pace. This bunch, having grown comfortable with one another, is highly social.
Wayne Freeman is the best friend a new rider can have.
Whatever pack they choose, newbies are usually ready to roll.
“By the time they have gotten the courage up to come out to a new setting to ride with people they do not know in an area they know nothing about they have already gotten beyond nerves and are excited to ride in the group,” says Wayne Freeman.
We spoke with Sam and Wayne about their roles in facilitating Northwest Cycling Club’s highly successful ND riding groups.
Wheel Brothers: What does No Drop mean to you?
Sam Wu: If you are able to ride, you will not be left behind. We will help with changing tires if you have a flat and help with minor repairs if needed.
Wayne Freeman: Security. Most new ND riders have never ridden on the routes we take and riding with us they only have to follow. Knowing that if they have some kind of problem they will not be left on the side of the road takes the worry out of cycling.
How did each of you get involved as a ND leader?
Sam: As a longtime club member, I saw a need and since I was a regular club rider decided that it would be a way of giving back to the club.
Wayne: As a club member for many years I have always ridden with the ND group. When the regular leaders could not attend I would volunteer to fill in. Sam asked me to come on board when the previous leader moved on to other club duties.
It seems a major commitment (and a sacrifice) to subordinate your own cycling goals for the benefit of new riders. Do you see it that way?
Sam: It is a major commitment in that you need to be there on a weekly basis, although there are times when I cannot due to work or personal commitments. A sacrifice? Not really. I see it as paying it forward to the cycling community. There are no other clubs that I know of that offer this type of security to new riders.
Wayne: No, I actually enjoy the interaction with the newbies. And it is understood that on A&M home game Saturdays I will probably not be there.
How are routes for ND rides chosen on Saturday mornings?
Sam: The routes have been developed over the years, based on traffic and area development. They have evolved to include routes that are being used by other club members that ride on other days. Many of our ND riders are regulars and we try and change the routes to alleviate the boredom of riding the same routes.
Are most newcomers nervous and/or apprehensive about riding in a group? Or, are they eager and excited?
Sam: Most newcomers are a combination of the two. Usually they hear about us from friends or family members who ride. We also have a reputation of being open and welcoming to newcomers. We want to encourage riders of all skill levels to have a good cycling experience.
Wayne: Some are a little nervous but most are not. All of the information on our website usually has prepared them for what is to come on the ride.
What are the chief fears of newcomers? Keeping up? Not knowing anyone and being welcomed and accepted? Fear of flats or breakdowns? Getting lost?
Sam: Most of our new riders are afraid of keeping up and getting lost. As new riders, most of them are not familiar with their speed and are usually casual neighborhood riders who want to expand their cycling knowledge and skills. We also get experienced cyclists who are new to Houston and not familiar with the area. We encourage them to start out with a ND group.
Wayne: Yes, I am sure of all of those thoughts run through their heads. That is why we try to put newbies at ease with our short pre-ride dialogue. I always ask for a show of hands from those new to the group. Knowing who is new also helps others in the group know who to give a little extra encouragement.
Raw rookies are asked to be ready to maintain 12-14 mph for 20 of 25 miles? Can most do this?
Sam: For the most part they can. On occasion we will have a new rider who is very new to the sport and has only been riding in their neighborhood. That is why we have multiple stops to regroup on our 20- to 25-mile group. Sometimes gentle suggestions are made to that rider to ride during the week to help build up speed and endurance. We also have regular riders that can maintain a higher speed/endurance, but enjoy the slower speeds and enjoy helping new riders who may not be ready to keep up.
Wayne: Yes, most can. Remember, they have sought us out and already have read about the group on the website so rarely are they unable to keep up. Also, regrouping at various spots along the way allows us to interact with one another.
On occasions when a newbie just cannot keep up, how does ND take care of those riders?
Sam: After the first few miles on a ride, it will become clear that someone is unable to keep up. And often the cyclist becomes aware of their limitations. They will often start asking questions of the ND leader about how they can increase their speed or their endurance. Sometimes it is necessary to have the rider back track to the park when it is clear that they cannot keep up. This happens very rarely! No new rider is ever left on their own. They are also given suggestions on where to ride to build up their speed and endurance and encouraged to come back and ride with NWCC.
Wayne: It varies from time to time but usually someone will volunteer to ride with them at a slower pace or turn back with them to Zube. We will not leave anyone behind. It is not really hard to hit the 12 mph level with a good road bike. I encourage those who cannot keep up the pace to continue to practice on their own and come back to ride with us when they have improved.
Is there much opportunity to teach group riding skills or you merely in the encouragement business?
Sam: There is a lot of opportunity for both. Many of the riders that come to the ND groups have heard of us and often have a specific cycling goal in mind. They have never ridden in group rides before. Therefore, as a ND Leader it is our responsibility to help the new rider learn proper ride etiquette and laws of cycling. As well as encouraging them to stretch their limits. As a club, NWCC also offers traffic skills classes that we encourage everyone to take, experienced and new cyclists alike.
Wayne: I usually set a 13- to 14-mph pace. Being in the front you can’t give much advice so usually after our long break at the convenience store I let other regulars lead the group on the trip back and I fall back and watch the newbies. If I see things they need help with I will first ask if they mind if I give them some advice and almost always they say yes. Then I will talk their heads off all the way back. The most common advice is how to use all your gears and shifting.
What are some of the reasons that ND riders cite when they opt to move up from the 25-mile group to the 40-mile groups?
Sam: The reasons vary for moving up. Most of the time it is merely the fact of getting comfortable riding in a group. Sometimes, they are training for a specific distance and it is a natural progression to move up. The longer the route, fewer stops are made thus giving the riders the opportunity to build up their endurance and speed. Sometimes they want to be able to ride with more experienced cycling friends.
Wayne: Speed is the most common reason. They have gotten faster and want to go to the 14- to 16-mph ND group Sam leads.
Speaking for myself, I stayed in ND longer than I probably should have from an ability standpoint. Do you ever gently suggest that perhaps someone should move up to a faster group?
Sam: Absolutely, quite often! We all tend to stay where we are comfortable, and the ND groups are very social groups. But, as a club we want all of our cyclists to grow in the sport and work toward individual goals. The ND groups are only the first steps toward reaching the various goals that a cyclist may have.
Wayne: No, never. Most of my regulars enjoy the casual pace and the social interaction our group provides.
And some people ride ND routes because their schedule on any given Saturday dictates a shorter ride. So really, there are lots of reasons to ride ND?
Sam: Many people ride ND on any given Saturday because of time constraints, and the social aspect of the group. Sometimes, riders will arrive at the park and find that they have a minor mechanical problem with their bike that will not allow them to ride at a higher speed or they want a recovery ride at a slower speed. Sometime they have brought a friend that they want to introduce to the sport and want to ride along with them and offer encouragement.
Wayne: Yes, it is not uncommon for someone who regularly rides 40 miles to join my group and do the short 20-mile route for just that reason.
Northwest Cycling Club, based in Houston, is a four-time USA Cycling Club of the Year, earning the honor in 2005, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Club members ride every Saturday morning, rain or shine. To learn more, visit NWCC.bike or like the club on Facebook.
With the presents opened and food eaten, many of us are looking forward to getting back into a normal routine of life with work and family. As we begin going back to work, many of us take for granted not only our job, but our ability to easily get to our workplace. However, for those that lack reliable transportation, getting to a job – and many times a new job – places immeasurable stress on an individual.
In the spirit of the holiday season, David, one of our WheelBrothers, initiated a grassroots effort to donate bikes, helmets, and needed accessories to the Arlington Life Shelter. This organization aids north Texans transitioning from homelessness through shelter and support services and reintegrates them back into the community. In addition, they help them obtain jobs to become thriving and contributing members to their community. Arlington Life Shelter routinely helps more than 800 men, women, and children a year with more than 80% obtaining full time employment. Their work is truly transforming the lives of those in our community.
Trey, Audrey and Abby prepping and testing the bikes before delivery
While the Arlington Life Shelter has great success in helping individuals find employment, there are still hurdles that many must overcome after getting the job: the largest being reliable transportation. This is where David steps in. He noticed the need for the newly employed to be able to reliably get to their job on a daily basis and jumpstarted an initiative to donate new, adult bikes to the shelter for the newly employed.
After presenting his idea to the WheelBrothers community, different members stepped up and through their as well as David’s generous donations, ten adult bikes as well as helmets and locks could be purchased and delivered to the Arlington Life Shelter. The WheelBrothers and their families joined together to prep the bikes and take them to the shelter where they await their new owners.
David Jackson, Jeff Hattendorf and Dieter Scholtyssek representing the WheelBrothers
For us WheelBrothers this is much more than just a bike donation; it will change the life of the recipients. First, the bike will mean reliability and the guaranteed ability to get to work and get there in a time efficient manner. This will allow new employees extra time to train, and the ability to earn extra income by taking on more hours or shifts. The ability to earn an income and provide stability in their life will lead to an increase in self-worth and self-appreciation. For those that have lived in a shelter and faced homelessness, regaining stability in their life is essential in ensuring they will not be back in the same situation at a later date.
Bicycles hiden away for their Christmas morning reveal at the Arlington Life Shelter
It is guys like David that make north Texas such a great place to live. He has taken one of his passions and is passing it along to those in need. His ingenuity and selfless spirit is changing lives and making a difference in our community.
The Frostbite 50, a January fixture o the Houston area charity ride calendar for 14 years, will not take place in 2017.
Typically, the first “recommended” training ride of the year for the MS 15, the Frostbite 50 was a fundraiser for the Jersey Village High School drill team, known as the Gold Dusters. The race looped throughout the northwestern edge of the Houston area along Highway 290.
Gold Dusters director Courtney Nelson announced in December that the booster club had opted to discontinue the event in favor of other fundraising options.
“The route is a huge factor in the event and many issues were happening due to the construction,” Nelson said. “We have had a lower number of riders each year but our expenses kept rising.”
Riders who have traditionally used the Frostbite 50 to kick off training for the new year are encouraged to check the Wheel Brothers event schedule to find a suitable replacement.
The Northwest Cycle Club in Houston has many fine traditions, but none is more poignant than the annual Ride of Silence that takes place on the last Saturday in November.
Ride of Silence pays reverence to the late Stafford Campbell, who was broadsided by a motorist on November 28, 2009, during a routine Saturday morning ride. Stafford, 68, was killed immediately when the motorist ran a stop sign in northwest Harris County.
Stafford Campbell, 1941-2009 (Photo courtesy of Rick Campbell)
On Saturday, November 26, a large throng of more than 200 bicyclists rolled out of its usual Zube Park starting point at one pace and rode, as the name implies, in silence for nine miles to Stafford’s ghost bike at the corner of Stokes Road and Waller Spring Creek Road. Once there, cyclists festooned the ghost bike with faux flowers before resuming their Saturday morning routes.
“I rode with Stafford many times,” NWCC club member Sam Joseph said. “He was always quick to volunteer with our fundraising rides or help with the new riders. If you rode with Stafford he loved to talk about his grandchildren, unless he was helping with new riders. He is sorely missed by our club.”
Frank Stafford Campbell was a retired bank executive, a financial officer for his church and an active volunteer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He rode in the BP MS 150 ride for nearly a decade. Stafford was a NWCC member, a mentor to many and fondly remembered seven years later.
His memory will be recalled again on November 25, 2017.
Northwest Cycling Club, based in Houston, is a four-time USA Cycling Club of the Year, earning the honor in 2005, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Club members ride every Saturday morning, rain or shine. To learn more, visit NWCC.bike or like the club on Facebook.
Al Pitre, one of the Hump Day ride leaders for the Northwest Cycling Club in Houston, took a nasty fall Saturday when he was struck by the side mirror of a passing pickup. Al was released from the hospital today but is on doctor’s orders to stay off his bike for two months. This morning his friends who turn out for the midweek ride he organizes (with Sid Trest) sent a little love Al’s way.
The story of an amazing cyclist, based on an interview of Carolyn Carter on October 1, 2016 by Richard Cavin.
Figure 1 – Carolyn Carter with her high wheel bike she rode over 3,200 miles across the USA
Every once in a while I get the opportunity to meet other cyclists who have done some amazing things. I recently saw a Facebook posting about a 69 year old female cyclist who crossed the United States on an antique type bike. To tell you the truth I really just thought it was another one of those fake articles you see online. But I was in for a rude awaking!
In early October 2016 I contacted Steve Carter the husband of cyclist Carolyn who rode the bike. He responded and we arranged a time to meet and develop the content for this story.
Steve Carter and Carolyn Carter are retired “Winter Texas” who decided to move permanently to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of deep south Texas a few years ago.
Steve and Carolyn are avid cyclists and runners, and have been for a long time. They have been active members and involved in antique cycling and the heritage of such in America. Their main forte or interest is high wheel bicycles (circa 1800s). See the following website for more info on the club they been active in for over 30 years.
Steve is a retired firefighter with a full beard and handlebar mustache that makes him look like a rider from the 1800s. So he looks the part 😉 In the 1990s Steve rode his 50” high wheel bike from San Francisco, CA to Boston, MA and set a world record for the fastest male rider to accomplish that feat. His world record was officially recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records. So yeah, that is something special but how is this related to Carolyn?
His wife, Carolyn Carter, is a retired real estate agent and school bus driver. So why would someone like her decide to ride an antique high wheel bike across the United States? I asked her that question and she basically said she always wanted to because Steve had done it and no woman had ever done it. She had retired so why not? Wow really, you’re retired, most people decide to take it easy!
After planning and prep on May 28th, 2016 Carolyn started her journey on a 46” antique style high wheel bike (see figures 1-2). Her plan was to begin her daily ride at dawn, be done by 2 PM each day and enjoy the ride. Her typical day on the bike was between 50-60 miles each and every day.
Figure 2 – 46″ High Wheel Bike – Circa 1880s
The route was to follow the original Thomas Stevens route from 1884. Mr. Stevens rode from San Francisco, CA to Boston, MA from April 1884 to August 1884 on a 50” Columbia High Wheel bike.
This was the route that her husband Steve took and that Carolyn Carter planned to take in 2016. When Carolyn left San Francisco she had the support of her husband Steve who drove most of the route providing a support vehicle if needed.
Being an avid cyclist myself who has done some tours on “normal” bicycles I asked Carolyn all the typical questions, still a bit in disbelief that someone could do this.
So how was the weather, she readily admitted she had very good weather for most of the ride.
So how was the ride on such an uncomfortable bike? Carolyn admitted that the essentially solid core tires were not “too bad”, having only one gear on the bike was “tolerable” and no brakes made the ride tricky so times. Most people would not even consider riding a bike like that across the USA! Can you imagine riding a bike cross country up and down mountains with only one gear, no brakes and solid tires? Wow impressive to say the least. In some cases Carolyn walked up and down mountains and hills just to continue her journey. She said it gave her time to “Smell the Roses” or enjoy the scenery.
I asked her if she had any mishaps and mechanical issues on the trip. There was just one minor mechanical issue but nothing major. But Carolyn did have one accident. Only 2.5 miles from the finish in Boston, MA she was clipped by the mirror of a vehicle and went down. Luckily she was OK with only minor issues….just 2.5 miles on a journey of over 3,000 miles, she was still able to finish.
On July 30, 2016 she finished her ride and felt somewhat relieved but anticlimactic. The ride from San Francisco, CA to Boston, MA covered 3,294 miles. She did it, whew!
So let’s summarize this. A retired real estate agent/school bus driver at the age of 68 decides to ride an antique high wheel bike, with no brakes, one gear, solid core tires 3,296 miles across the United States just because no other woman has done that… Wow!
I am often humbled by other people in my life and this is one of those times. Both Carolyn and her husband Steve are in my hall of fame of cycling. I’ve met other cyclists that also fall into that category and they are now part of a select few I admire greatly for their achievements.
A couple of obvious things came out in our conversion. I heard both Carolyn and Steven mention many times “use it or lose it” as they were talking about staying physically active. They are both prime examples of that.
But one thing I did ask Carolyn is just how did you do it and stay focused on such a difficult task? She said “I Ate the Elephant One Bite at a Time”. Guess that sums it up. Carolyn Carter, well said, and well done!
Here is a link that you might enjoy reading about the history of Thomas Stevens.
If you’d like to discuss cycling, have comments on my short article and suggestions send me an email.
Richard Cavin, is a technology professional who lives and works in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of South Texas and is also an avid cyclist. The tale of an ordinary citizen, a cyclist…..past, present and future. How cycling has enabled me to meet so many interesting people.
Texans have no shortage of cycling events from which to choose in mid-October. A check of Wheel Brothers’ Texas Bike Rides and Race Calendar lists seven events on the weekend of October 15-16. Balmy weather spawns a wave of outdoor activities that only grows as football and baseball playoffs comingle, festivals are plentiful, and it’s also a great time to play golf. Yes, the calendar on your refrigerator gets a workout in October.
The dam at Lake Sam Rayburn is a pretty sight from the sky and on the ground.
Showing no fear are organizers of the 13th annual Dam to Dam Bike Ride in Jasper as the event leaves its spring fixture and moves into the busy autumn mix. Wheels go down at 8 a.m. on October 15 in the East Texas town surrounded by tall pines, challenging hills and gorgeous lakeside scenery. Riders will roll out from the Jasper County Courthouse Square, 161 North Austin Street, and those taking the longer routes will come face to face with the dams at Lake Sam Rayburn and Lake B.A. Steinhagen (Dam B), hence the event name.
The Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce is the race sponsor. Amber Lynch of the chamber responded to Wheel Brothers’ questions about the ins and outs of the upcoming Dam to Dame ride.
Dam to Dam riders from years past roll out in downtown Jasper.
You’ve moved the Dam to Dam from a spring date to the fall. Why?
Originally the D2D ride was in September but Hurricane Rita in 2005 was a huge part of moving it to the spring. We had a rainout last year and this year, after speaking to a few cycling enthusiasts, decided to move it back to the fall due to better riding weather and less conflicts with other events.
October is a popular time in Texas for outdoor activities, including cycling.Do you expect your rider numbers to take a hit?
We really don’t expect the numbers to take a hit but it could be possible. During the spring we were always in competition with the MS150 and ended up with a good turnout so we are hoping that the fall will be conducive for the cyclists in the area as well.
This is the 13th renewal of this event. Talk about the history of this event and what charity it supports.
The D2D is not a charity ride per se, but it is a fundraiser for the chamber. We have a cycling enthusiast here in Jasper who was instrumental in getting the ride up and going.
Participants have five distance options. Are there any route changes this year?
There will be a little of a change to the 30-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile rides but only because our route through Martin Dies Jr. State Park has to change due to an event they are having at the park. But other than that the routes will be pretty much the same.
How will the ride be supported in terms of traffic monitoring and rest stops?
We will have SAG wagons provided by our Jasper County Emergency Corps and our police and sheriff departments are also part of the traffic monitoring. Rest stops are done by volunteer groups and they all do an excellent job in making sure our riders are well taken care of.
There are a series of hills north of Jasper in the early stages. Are riders, like me, going to be groaning a lot before the fun begins?
Could be. We hope that the hills offer a challenge to our riders and keep y’all on your toes.
To my mind, few things in Texas are prettier than Highway 255 adjacent to Lake Sam Rayburn. It’s also a little narrow there. Will there be law enforcement on duty at that location to assist riders near vehicular traffic?
Absolutely! Our first priority is our riders’ safety.
Right after that is the dam at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Is there a designated place for cyclists to take photos at the spillway?
LOL. No designated place so take pictures at your own risk!
Is it accurate to say the second half of the 75- and 100-miles routes is flatter (and hence faster) than the early stages?
Yes, I would say that is accurate. The ride back to the gazebo at the courthouse is much easier and faster than the early stages, but that still doesn’t mean that there won’t be a couple of little hills to take you by surprise.
There’s been construction on Highway 190 near Martin Dies Jr. State Park this year, where the second dam is located. Will riders have heavy equipment to negotiate there?
We are going to do our best to make sure our riders won’t have to deal with the majority of the construction area at Dam B.
Where can interested riders register for the Dam to Dam Ride?
They can register on Active.com, come by the chamber office in Jasper or they can register the day of the ride. However, pre-registration is a little cheaper and you are guaranteed a T-shirt and goodie bag.
There’s a modern-day affliction known as FoMO – Fear of Missing Out. This is the social angst you feel that something good is going to happen without you in attendance.
At no time does yours truly come to grips with FoMO more than on Wednesday morning. This, you see, is when the more fortunate members and friends of the Northwest Cycling Club are on their bikes chooglin’ along in the midweek Hump Day Ride. Relegated to an office tower in downtown Houston on these sunny mornings makes me green with envy.
The Hump Day Ride – the province of the retired, the flexible, the self-employed, the unemployed – is fairly new. But more and more people are finding an excuse and finding their way to Hockley Community Center on Wednesdays to roll through Waller County. Some gainfully employed cyclists have been known to take a vacation day to join the ride.
Longtime NWCC members Al Pitre and Sid Trest are the Hump Day ringleaders. They tag-teamed questions about the midweek ride and its growing popularity exclusively for Wheel Brothers readers.
Al Pitre, left, and Sid Trest getting ready for a Hump Day rollout (photo by Rich Faulkner)
What is the history of Hump Day?
Al: It started with the desire to provide an opportunity for retired folks to ride together during the week outside their neighborhoods. We started out at Zube Park for the first couple of months but moved to Hockley Park.
Sid: At first we didn’t really think about starting an organized ride. There were a few retired NWCC members who were riding together on Saturday. We got to talking (that kind of thing happens on no-drop rides) that it would be nice to have an alternate ride during the week. A handful of us started meeting at Zube on Wednesday and things just developed from there.
AL: From researching our postings on the NWCC’s Facebook page I found the following:
3/11/2015 – First posting of the “Wednesday Wheelers”
4/15/2015 – Name changed to “Old Geezers and Ladies Wednesday Ride.” We changed this name because we wanted to encourage younger folks who were off on Wednesday to ride with us.
6/10/2015 – Name changed to “Hump Day” ride. The Camel commercial played heavily in this name.
Numbers-wise, is the average group larger today?
AL: It has really grown in the last six months and part of that was that when we started it was just one group 14-16 mph. Then we added another group 12-14 mph. Earlier this year Dennis Stuart started a 17+ group and we got a lot of new riders — younger ones, too. The 17+ is getting to be our biggest group. We are averaging about 27 riders, but in the summer we get the teachers who are off and they really help boost the numbers.
Sid: We have seen fairly steady growth from the original four to six of us. During the summer we have had our biggest groups since we have some teachers who ride with us. We also have had several riders who are between jobs. We are glad to have them ride with us, but always happy for them when they go back to work.
Facebook is great way for you to reach out to potential riders.
Al: We have been using the NWCC’s Facebook page since the beginning. However, we have a few folks we text, send email or call. The main reason is sometimes due to weather we cannot ride and will cancel the ride.
Sid: Just recently we have been using the Facebook “Event” feature that seems to be a great way to get in touch with our riders. Since NWCC uses this method, it keeps things consistent and is something that NWCC club members are used to using.
Does the turnout fluctuate considerably from week to week and, if so, how does that impact ride logistics?
Al: During the initial phase it did fluctuate but lately we seem to be staying about 25 riders. During the winter it may go down some. We started keeping track of who shows up and what group they ride in this past July. The list contains 66 names. It would be wild if everyone showed up.
Sid: We have kept the original format of the ride. It is not a matter of numbers with us but rather just a desire to provide an opportunity for us to have a fun ride. As long as we have a group with a leader and at least two riders (for safety reasons), they will go out as a group. We will do the same routes regardless of the group size.
What is the typical game plan for any given Wednesday?
Al: We have three rider groups and the roll out is 7:30 a.m. in the summer which changes to 8:30 a.m. when daylight savings ends. Each group agrees on a route. We all start together, faster groups in front. All rides are “no drop” and have one rest stop. Occasionally someone will have a bad day or overestimate their ability. Someone will take it upon themselves to drop back and stay with that person. As in any ride, groups break up and there are those who just have to do it their way. That is OK, but you need a partner or if you insist on riding by yourself, cell phone numbers are shared. We have developed several maps with different distances.
Sid: When we switched our start from Zube Park to Hockley Community Center we needed to modify our original club routes so we could get about the same mileage for the rides. We put our heads together and came up with some new routes, then went out and drove them to assure that they didn’t have any problems. Both Al and I have maps for any rider who wants a route map.
The after-ride has changed a little bit. We both like the idea of doing a ride and ending at a nice café or restaurant. Other than rest stops at convenience stores, we never were able to find an interesting café or restaurant along our route. Al first suggested that we just finish at HCC and then take our cars to Starbuck’s for coffee and conversation. That was fun but there were usually only a few riders that would attend. When Al struck on the idea of finishing with lunch at Mo’s Irish Pub, things took off. I think our record is over 20 for the lunch. The manager at Mo’s is accommodating and will open early for us if needed.
Blue skies and cycling fun. What’s not to like about Hump Day?(photo by Rich Faulkner)
It’s my understanding you guys are fair-weather riders and the first inkling of a cloud in the sky is reason enough to cancel the ride. Have I overstated that scenario?
Al: Any forecast of thunderstorms, rain, very strong winds or temperatures below 40 degrees is the current “no ride” criteria. However, we need to come up with definite guidelines (i.e, percentage chance of rain). Sometimes the forecast is wrong and the weather turns out better than forecasted, but we prefer to err on the side of safety.
Sid: We are not a Rule #9 group. The ride is done for fun and safety is a primary concern. If we ride long enough, we are bound to get caught in the rain, cold or both at some point, which is inevitable. We just won’t go out in extreme weather intentionally. Sometimes the weather forecast is wrong and we call off a ride when we could have gone out. That is going to happen since we take a cautious approach.
Is it perversely satisfying to be riding on a Wednesday morning when other working stiffs are chained to a desk?
Al: “Work” is a four letter word in our group. However, we do appreciate the Social Security payments you working folks are providing us.
Seriously, you guys are known to have a lot of fun on Hump Day. What’s the secret to the feel-good vibe?
Al: We try to be flexible, patient and accommodating. We work to be sure the rides are enjoyable. We work hard to be sure no one is left out. Our Group 3 is very social and there is a lot of conversation. We change up the routine and create routes that are different than those done from Zube on Saturday to reduced boredom. We promote camaraderie, like going to Mo’s afterward. We strive to create a variety of rides like our “Fat Tire” rides and the “White Oak – Buffalo Bayou” rides especially during the cooler months. In “Fat Tire” rides we ask folks to bring their hybrids, mountain bikes, old bike and we ride a slower pace. For “White Oak-Buffalo Bayou” rides we meet at I-cycle on T.C. Jester and ride the trails along White Oak Bayou, the trails in the Heights, and Buffalo Bayou. Afterward we meet up at Cedar Creek Bar & Grill in the Heights. Our non-riding spouses sometimes meet us for lunch. In future we hope to do rides in places like Chappell Hill, Anderson and Bellville. Sid, Dennis and I always research and personally check out any new location and routines before we schedule a Hump Day there.
Even in the August heat, the Hump Day gang’s all smiles. (photo by Rich Faulkner)
SID: We can’t do the White Oak Bayou ride during the summer because we need to start out early to ride in the cooler part of the day. Since some of us have to commute in morning rush-hour traffic to do the ride, it normally starts around 9 a.m. We listen to our fellow riders and heard loud and clear that the alternate Fat Tire and White Oak rides are popular. We continue to develop alternatives and hope to do different rides/routes in the future. However, we will not use a route unless it is appropriate for all three groups. Several months ago a friend took me on the HCC Hempstead Melon Trail. It was a beautiful 40-mile route with lightly traveled rural roads. It would be a great ride for the more experienced riders but too hilly and not appropriate for slower or new riders. We will only ride routes that all of us will feel comfortable riding.
If someone from another club reads this and wants to establish a Hump Day Ride, what tips would you offer?
Al: It has to be fun. The leaders need to be flexible, patient and accommodating. Promote getting together after the ride. Promote different groups, but not too many, based on speed, distance and just how serious the riders want to be.
Sid: I agree completely with Al, keep it fun and accommodating. The after-ride just adds to the fun.
Northwest Cycling Club, based in Houston, is a four-time USA Cycling Club of the Year, earning the honor in 2005, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Club members ride every Saturday morning, rain or shine. To learn more, visit NWCC.bike or like the club on Facebook.
This long-distance bicycle ride as a laboratory for college students to practice the skills of leadership, teamwork, and organization seems to be taking on a life of its own. What started off as a one-time ride across Texas has grown into three trans-Texas rides and, most recently, one from the border with Mexico to the border with Canada. For nearly three weeks this past May and June, a group of 10 students, faculty, and friends rode as a team from Del Rio, Texas to the border north of Grand Portage, Minnesota.
A much bigger and more complex project than the three previous rides across Texas, the Mexico to Canada bike ride had been planned and prepared for since the early weeks of the Fall 2015 semester. From September through May, five students met weekly to determine the route, identify places to stay, make media contacts, raise funds, train, and secure equipment.
When originally formulating the goals of the ride and the route, students decided that they wanted a border to border ride rather than simply a ride from Abilene to Canada. They researched a number of options before deciding on the route from Del Rio to Grand Portage. One of the deciding influences on shooting for Grand Portage, besides the cool temperatures and beautiful scenery, was that I have family in Grand Marais, which is just south of Grand Portage. Hitting the border at that spot would give me some time with family and provide a built-in place to stay on our final night. When everything concluded, the final plan included a half-day to drive from Abilene to Del Rio, 14 days on bikes, two rest/weather days after the fifth and tenth days of riding, and two days to drive the team and gear back to Abilene—nineteen days in total.
Route from Del Rio, TX to Grand Portage, MN
Team members completed many training rides together and individually throughout the year, including an overnight out-and-back ride from campus to Possum Kingdom Lake State Park a month before the actual ride. Over the past few years, we’ve been able to build a collection of bicycles for the students to use. Donations and contributions allowed us to outfit all of the students in cycling shoes and clipless pedals. This year’s team was the best outfitted of any team from previous rides. And since the ride was twice as long as previous rides, that was a good thing.
To make the trip as economical as possible, the team would depend on the generosity of individuals, churches, families, former college students, and friends to provide us with lodging each night. In many cases, our hosts also fed and provided fun and relaxing conversation on our breaks.
The team traveled light. Each member brought one duffle bag with clothes, a sleeping bag, and a pillow. Most also carried a personal bag with on-the-road gear that could be accessed easily in the back of the car during the days. As with previous rides, a Honda Pilot and Chevy Silverado pickup were our transport and support vehicles. Each vehicle carried a four-bike rack and the pickup could carry one bike in the bed. Baggage, food, supplies, and water were spread across the two vehicles. Sleeping bags and pillows all went into a car-top carrier on the Pilot. During the ride, each vehicle also carried five people. It was a tight squeeze.
Packed up and ready to leave campus on May 25, 2016
Loading and unloading became mechanical and very efficient over the journey. People took turns pumping bike tires, filling ice chests, packing the vehicles, and toting things out to be loaded. Toward the end, the entire team could go from sound sleep to packed and ready to roll in about 40 minutes. At the end of each day, the process was reversed and everything was unloaded for the night. Day after day, the cycle repeated itself.
The team loaded up and drove to Del Rio on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. We spent the evening with a congregation at a local church, who fed and welcomed us, and were hosted for the night at the home of one of the church members—in bunk cabins for visitors. The lodging was perfect for the team and a hearty home-cooked breakfast had us ready to roll the first morning.
Our hosts for first night in Del Rio, TX
As a Leadership Workshop, the students enrolled in the class planned and prepared for the ride for months. Notebooks were created for each vehicle that outlined the route, elevation, distances, media contacts, emergency information, and host contact information for each day. Every detail that they could conceive had been planned and analyzed. However, once the ride began, plans adjusted depending on the weather, terrain, road conditions, traffic, wind, and team member health.
Each day, a different student served as “Road Captain.” Road Captains were responsible for guiding the team throughout the day. They were responsible for the route, times to wake up, methods of riding (group or leapfrog), distances and breaks, and making a myriad of on-the-road decisions that cropped up each day. The five students rotated through road captain responsibilities and each took three turns across the trip. The road captain element was a valuable addition to the class.
First leg of ride heading out of Del Rio, TX
On Thursday, May 26, the team headed out from the edge of Lake Amistad on a 120-mile ride to Junction. The nervousness and questions that had been itching at the students for months quickly began to fade away. They could see that their planning and preparation was paying off. They had scoped out the roads on Google Maps and we had also driven the roads on the way to Del Rio. Steep rolling hills on the way into Junction were to be the greatest challenges of the day—along with the narrow shoulders on the winding road. In that section, we would use both support vehicles to warn traffic coming from behind us of the cyclists ahead. One vehicle would stick up close to the cyclists and the other would hang further back to give warning. Light traffic and courteous drivers made the ride as easy as it could be—those hills though!
First Baptist Church in Junction fed and hosted us for the evening. Our university’s vice president for enrollment management drove down to Junction with two of my kids to join us on the ride back to Abilene on the second day. As our enrollment VP, she wanted to gain first-hand experience with the ride so that she could better tell our story to prospective students and their parents.
First Baptist Church of Junction
The second day took us from Junction through the hills to Menard and all the way back to campus in Abilene. It was a hot day and a nearly constant gain in elevation all the way to Tuscola made for long day. A group of supporters waiting and cheering for us at Hardin-Simmons University made our arrival back to campus fun and exciting. We had returned home, but the real journey was only just beginning.
Heading into Abilene from Junction
On the third day, a Saturday, a group of Steamboat Cycling Club members and some family members joined us on the ride from campus toward Seymour. This day would be one of our shortest distances to ride—slightly less than 100 miles. Instead of riding in our leapfrog style, where the cyclists in the two vehicles would ride 15 miles and then load up bikes and leap past the other team riding the next 15 miles, this day was mostly spent riding as a group. Throughout the day, the team had eight bikes out on the road and two team members driving the support vehicles. Except for the super windy days that were waiting for us in Nebraska and South Dakota, we typically had all bikes on the road and only one driver in each support vehicle at a time. Team members would take turns driving the support vehicles during each day.
We arrived at First Baptist Church in Seymour late in the afternoon. We unloaded, cleaned up, and found dinner at several local restaurants. A quick trip to a grocery store and Dollar General had us ready to settle in for the night and prepare for the next day on the road. We were up and moving early the next morning so that we would be gone by the time members started coming in for Sunday School. Kolaches, pigs in blankets, and donuts from a local donut shop gave us the hearty fuel that our bodies would need to get us moving on our fourth consecutive day on bikes—one that would take us into our second state.
It was a Sunday morning when we left Seymour heading to Duncan, Oklahoma. The biggest obstacle of the day was to be Wichita Falls. Instead of riding through the city, we veered off of 277 near Holliday and went east before heading up to Dean and onto Highway 79. The roads on that route were narrow with small shoulders, but less busy than what we would have encountered in Wichita Falls. Once on 79, we headed to the Red River and Oklahoma.
Oklahoma border
We arrived in Duncan, met with a newspaper reporter, and headed to our host home for the evening. A fantastic dinner and breakfast with our hosts prepared for the next day’s ride to Enid and our first planned rest day. In Enid, we invaded the home of a former student and her Air Force husband. It was in Enid that we began to get nervous about the upcoming weather forecast—heavy rain was predicted for the following three days. A strong thunderstorm actually rolled through in the early morning of our first night in Enid.
Host home in Enid, OK
The next morning, after the storm passed over, we decided to forego our day of rest and gain as many miles as we could toward Kansas while the skies were clear and roads were dry. Heading north from Enid and then east past Blackwell, we turned north on Highway 77 toward the Kansas border south of Arkansas City. On the stretch to the border, we were hit by fast-moving showers. The rain wasn’t heavy enough to halt our riding, but it slickened up the already damp grass and mud on the shoulder of the highway.
As we approached the border with Kansas, the highway narrowed to a small-shoulder, two-lane road with rather heavy traffic—near a casino. Our team was riding in two groups at that time with the pickup truck team in the front. As my team approached the border in the Pilot, the traffic nearly slowed to a stop on the highway and ahead we could see our pickup truck sideways off the highway and perpendicular to the road. We also saw several bikes on the ground near the truck and some of our people running around near the truck. We thought that there had been an accident involving our cyclists on the narrow and busy road. We quickly pulled off the highway and drove on the slick shoulder to the scene of the chaos. Rather than finding an accident, we discovered that our truck had lost traction on the wet and muddy shoulder and its rear end slid off the shoulder and away from the road. The bikes and cyclists were running toward the truck to try to push it back onto the road. Once our whole group got together to block traffic and give a push, we got the truck back on the road and away from the congestion. Crisis averted!
Kansas border
After making it to the Kansas border, we drove 80 miles back to Enid for the night. The next morning, we drove back to that stopping point and started riding into Kansas from there.
Our first day in Kansas proved to be tricky. We had planned to ride Highway 77 to Augusta for the evening. A check of the roads using satellite views from online maps revealed that the shoulders were acceptable for riding, but the satellite images didn’t give us an indication of how heavily used those two-lane roads actually were—which turned out to be pretty heavy. Nearly constant truck traffic caused us to re-evaluate our route and make the jump to less-traveled, rural roads to Augusta. That change slowed us down a little, but turned out to be much safer and more scenic. In Augusta, we were hosted and fed by the Augusta United Methodist Church. Showers, dinner, and an opportunity to visit with the youth group made for a relaxed ending to a long day.
The next day of cycling took us through Abilene, Kansas before heading to Clay Center for the evening. Our home city, Abilene, Texas, was named after Abilene, Kansas. The ride from Abilene to
Abilene became a journey of goodwill. We had secured a proclamation of friendship from the mayor of our Abilene and carried a gift basket from our Convention and Visitors Bureau to deliver to city officials in Kansas. In the early afternoon of that day, we rolled into the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center in Abilene, Kansas to present their mayor and city officials with the gifts from Texas and to receive a hearty welcome and gifts to take back to Texas from Kansas. We learned about the rich history of Abilene, Kansas and took a guided tour of the Seelye Mansion before heading to Clay Center for the evening.
Presentation to mayor of Abilene, KS
The departure from Clay Center, after a night at the National Guard Armory and meals with the grandparents of one of our cyclists, on the second Friday of our ride was the set up for the most favorable riding conditions of the journey. By mid-morning, when the sun had started to warm things up, the winds kicked up to a steady 20-25 mph from the south. The strong tailwinds continued throughout the day and all the way to our overnight destination in York, Nebraska.
Nebraska border
After arriving and cleaning up at the community recreation center in York, we found food at a local pizza place and made a Walmart run to stock up on food for the road, sunscreen, and other necessary supplies. We visited with a former student and her husband who live near York and made a visit to the laundromat. The day riding to York was the fastest day of the ride, marked the mid-point of the journey in miles, and put us in the fourth of the six states on our ride.
The fabulous winds that pushed us to York turned on us the next day as we pedaled 155 miles to Yankton, South Dakota. By late morning, the winds were blowing steadily from the north at 25 mph with stronger gusts. At lunchtime, we decided to forego riding as teams and simply put one rider on the road at a time riding five-mile legs. The combination of wind and hills knocked our average speeds down from 20+ mph the previous day down to 9-11 mph this day. Although the day’s riding was brutal and demoralizing, the successful arrival into Yankton was extremely rewarding. A ride across the pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River, showers at our host church and member homes, a walk to the Yankton’s Rock and Ribs Festival, and time to relax topped off a hard, but rewarding day on bikes.
South Dakota border
We left Yankton early on Sunday morning on our way to Watertown, South Dakota—we needed to be gone before people started coming in for church. The strong headwinds from the north on the previous day came more from the northwest on the way to Watertown. The riding strategy for most of the day involved putting two riders on the road at once and taking turns blocking wind and drafting. Switching positions every 1-2 miles allowed for relief while drafting and work while blocking. Many times while riding, it is hard to find the optimal drafting position with a partner. With this day’s hard and steady wind, it was quite easy to find the sweet spot while drafting. When we reached Watertown at the end of a second tough day of riding, we were ready for a day off.
Cornerstone Church welcomed and fed us for two nights in Watertown. Our day off was spent sleeping in, visiting the Redlin Art Center, shopping for supplies, driving to a bicycle shop in neighboring city to repair a broken spoke, making bicycle adjustments, visiting the local zoo, meeting with a newspaper reporter, and visiting with kind and gracious people at the church and in the community. We even met grandparents of an incoming Hardin-Simmons University student. After eleven straight days of cycling, it was very nice to have a relaxed and restful day off of the bikes.
Ready to roll out of Watertown, SD
The ride out of Watertown was filled with excitement. We would cross into Minnesota, our final state, in the morning. With five states behind us, the crossing into Minnesota seemed like the beginning of the end of our journey. By the time that we reached New London for the evening, we had lost a transfer flag, confused a street number and a highway number, met and rode with a reporter in Willmar, and rode on our first bike trail. An easy after-dinner ride on the bike trail gave three of our riders 100+ miles for the day.
Minnesota border
Leaving New London, we headed to Brainerd. The route was full of twists and turns and put us on rural highways, the Lake Wobegon cycling trail, and along busier four-lane highways. The day’s road captain had stayed up until 2 a.m. the previous night charting out and sharing the route. With a lot of communication between the two teams, we made it to and around Brainerd by mid-afternoon. To steal some miles from the next day, we rode past Brainerd and toward Aitkin. Going through Crosby, one of our cyclists clipped a curb with his front wheel and took a tumble in the grass next to the sidewalk. While not scraped up, he suffered a bruised rib that sidelined him from riding the next day. This was the only the second tumble experienced by one of our riders—one team member was scraped up when she caught her front wheel in a seam between two sections of concrete on the highway heading out of Enid, Oklahoma.
Heading out of New London, MN
In Brainerd, we had time to visit at a local bike shop before meeting at our host church with members who would house our team in small groups at their homes. After two weeks of sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, and occasional couches, it was incredibly nice to sleep in homes in real beds. Once again, we were amazed at the gracious hospitality of so many kind strangers—who quickly became friends.
As discovered riding beyond Brainerd the previous day, the planned road toward Duluth was much busier than what we had expected while planning the ride using online maps and satellite views. After consulting local cyclists in bicycle shops in Brainerd and Crosby, we decided to chart another route to Duluth that would eventually take us to Two Harbors for the night. The new route took us through Emily, Jacobson, and on other rural roads before dropping south through Twig into the north side of Duluth. The most congested roads of the entire ride were those heading into and around Duluth.
Once past Duluth, we were rewarded with our first views of Lake Superior. A stop at a lake-side park gave us time to admire the view, come up with a riding strategy to Two Harbors, take pictures, and put on warmer clothes. The temperature had dropped noticeably from earlier in the day once we dropped down to lake level. Combined with a stiff headwind and weary legs, the cold temperatures made for a tough ride to our overnight lodging in Two Harbors where we once again found extreme hospitality waiting for us at Living Waters Fellowship Church. Friendly conversation, hearty meals, and comfortable lodging was just what we needed in the lead up to our final day of cycling.
Prepared for final day on bikes in Two Harbors, MN
The thunderstorms that blew through early in the morning of the final riding day dropped temperatures into the 40s as we left Two Harbors and up the coast to the Canadian border. At times, the highway ran along the coast of Lake Superior near lake level and at other times, it rose up into the hills that bordered the lake. The final day also gave us bicycle trails that took us off the main roads and along the scenic shore of Lake Superior and over bridges and roaring rivers that emptied into the lake.
Before making the final push to the border, we stopped in Grand Marais to drop off some of our luggage at our overnight lodging and to pick up our host for the evening—my sister. My sister and her family have lived in the Duluth/Grand Marais area for years and were a big part of selecting the end point of the ride. By dropping off luggage at her house, it freed up space in the car to have her drive along with us to the border.
As we headed out of Grand Marais on the final push up the coast, dark clouds could be seen to the south and west. It became very apparent that we were racing the rain to the border. After more than 1,800 miles of cycling, we were getting our first serious threat of rain while on the road. Since we were still riding in the two-team format, each team had to just complete their designated 15-mile legs and then ride 10 miles together to the border.
At almost the precise time that the teams completed their 15 miles legs, the heavens broke loose. The torrential downpour made it impossible to complete the final 10 miles. While the rain came down, we decided to drive to the border and scout out the finish line—for the probable finish on the next morning. We talked with border patrol agents, stopped at a gas station near the border to fill up the vehicles, and visited a souvenir shop while it continued to rain. While we shopped, the storm blew through and the sky began to clear. A quick check of weather radar showed that the storms had blown out over the lake and the path was now clear for the final leg of the journey.
We drove back to the point where the rain had stopped our progress and unloaded all of the bicycles from the bike racks to complete the very last segment of the ride. Two flat tires and dropped equipment made for an interesting final leg. Once at the border station, the team walked their bikes to the middle of the bridge over the Pigeon River—the official border with Canada. We had done it! Lots high fives, pictures, and happy faces made for a memorable completion of the ride.
Border with Canada north of Grand Portage, MN
We spent the night in Grand Marais with family. Several of our folks made a frigid victory plunge into Lake Superior to cap off our final evening before heading home. More pictures, delicious food, fun conversation, and a restful night’s sleep helped prepare us for the 1,300 mile drive back to Abilene. Once back in Abilene we unloaded the vehicles, said our farewells and headed to our individual homes.
Ready for the ride home from Grand Marais, MN
The Mexico to Canada Bike Ride exceeded our previous BRAT rides in every way. The planning, training, organization, media coverage, and complexity of the ride was tremendous and brilliantly executed. Students learned first-hand about working with others to successfully accomplish a big and complex project. We experienced ups and downs throughout the journey and we all reveled in the sense of accomplishment that came from turning our dream into a reality.
We were also reminded that in a world that seems so full of anger and distrust, good people abound. We were encouraged and supported by complete strangers throughout our odyssey. It was so refreshing and reassuring to know that incredibly gracious, generous, and giving people exist from border to border—we met a lot of them on our ride. We are looking forward to seeing what adventures wait for us on our next ride in 2017.
