South Carolina
South Carolina…. Southern Hospitality in full effect!
Ride 15- South Carolina was very good to us.
Today was a good day. It did have a low point, but overall we are moving forward and things are progressing favorably as we complete ride 15.
It all started by saying goodbye to Steve our operations manager. He is the team hero for today. He left to head back to Connecticut after spending a week on the ride as a last minute driver. I am well aware, as is everyone else, that Steve is one of the most dedicated people I know. So, because of this- I sent him off with a reccomendation letter for his boss- who he called Sunday to tell that he won’t be at work all week. I bet his employer will give him a raise due to his dedication to service organizations. The Ride For Your Life team has all been very appreciative of Steve’s effort. We have reached thousands already thanks to his efforts. Thanks buddy!
While it was sad to see him go back to work- We got a new team member. Scot- who is pictured below at the start of ride 15. After a huge breakfast and mingling with the friendly staff at the Marriott, we headed out for a later than usual start. Scot manned the van (his office) as I manned the bike (my office) -as Scot put it. He ran out to get some errands run and refuel the van and I started riding.
About mile 20 or so- I heard vantasauras pull up next to me, I have gotten used to this sound. It was Scot with a big grin… I looked at him- he looked at me and I said let’s hold a steady pace around 40 and I’ll ride behind ya for a few. It ended up saving us an hour and got the ride back on track. Then Scot rode ahead in the van and got sandwiches (Thanks Tameka at Subway- the fuel was much appreciated). After food freshness comes body freshness. Keeping clean is paramount for this kind of trip to ensure we get ‘er done. Saddle sores would be no fun. Thanks to Jigna at the America’s Best Value Inn, I got a shower and I am super clean as I write this blog. Kids- showers are good- don’t fight your parents on this one.
I need to say a special thank you to the “Mike’s” at the Courtyard by Marriott. You have to see this place. The place was immaculate, the staff was amazingly attentive, and friendly and the food was spectactular. We also met David Daniel- the executive chef who gave us “to go” containers…. I just finished the last of the corned beef hash. David- you can see the calories in action on the right side of this blog under the tab “GPS outputs”. I burn 6000 calories a ride so eating is important to me and good eating is even better…. this was just that. You guys and girls at the Marriott made life good today. THANKS!
So the South Carolina ride and the people we met there were awesome! Another food thanks goes out to James and William for helping Steve, Scot, and I, with dinner at Ruby Tuesday in Columbia. The salad bar was awesome… I had my 4 trips and a big bowl of pasta. Good fuel again. Seeing a theme here? Finally, the last thanks is to Shirdean at the Hampton Inn for keeping Scot comfortable while he waited for us to arrive from North Carolina. He looked refreshed from his rest at the Hampton and kept saying how helpful you were.
You can see there are lots of people making this possible. I want to emphasize why we are doing this. I want to say why I am riding 5000 miles and pushing my body to it’s limits physically and mentally.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART OF THIS BLOG.
This is why I ride…. I ride for you, for your family, for those affected by cancer…..
I received an email from a participant in our CT event. He is a friend who lost his mom to lung cancer this past Friday. In his words he said:
“I wanted to thank you for letting my friend Joe and I ride with the team in the Steeplechase. It really meant a lot to me”…… then he said: “Being able to participate in the ride with you let me feel like I was doing something.”
Finally as I read this email over and over again with tears in my eyes… I read the concluding paragraph.
“She needed a lot of strengh to raise our family - and she was fighting the disease until the very end. I hope I can send some of her strength to you as you complete your journey. Knowing you are out there doing the rides, helps me and I hope you can think of our family as you ride to help you on your way and help us on ours. “
My CT friend- I will ride my butt off tomorrow for you and your family. I want you to know you are in my thoughts, prayers, and spirits. You are who I ride for.
Thank you and I wish you and your family well in this time of loss.
With a chill I am off the bed.
Goodnight.
See you in Savannah.
Gary G.