Ride 'Round Rhody 2011
This year we continued with what has become a trend for the event - stormy weather. The innaugural Ride ‘Round Rhody in 2009 came the day after Hurricane Danny; year two saw the hardest rain of the summer begin less than an hour after Eric French’s electric rendition of the national anthem to begin the ride; and this year, the bike-a-thon was rescheduled 72 hours prior to the start, to avoid Hurricane Irene. Two important things can be taken from this unfortunate weather trend... first, RRR’12 will take place earlier in August, and second, the Ride ‘Round Rhody cyclists and volunteers are an amazingly dedicated and triumphant group!
Two-thirds of the registered riders and the mojority of the volunteers were able to shuffle their plans to accommodate the last minute change and take part in the event. In all, some 100 people descended on Wakefield, R.I., to meet at Camp JORI and join as one to celebrate their role in the local fight against cancer. Most cyclists train for a significant period of time to be ready for the ride, so it was unfortunate to have the weather become an obstacle, but like last year, battling the elements just became part of the victory. Many of the registered cyclists who were not able to attend the rain date took part in their own “virtual rrrides,” either on the RRR route or in a different location.
As energizing as it was to see the cyclists embark on their ride, a truly impressive experience was the way the volunteers came together (once again), to create a safe, successful and uplifting atmosphere at the camp. With the last-minute change-of-date, it was terrific to see so many of these folks still show up with a smile and get the work done.
“It was amazing to see a group so dedicated to the cause, and excited to be together as a community. What a pleasure to volunteer at the event!” said Jamie Levitt, first time RRR Volunteer.
The participants raised more than $41,000, which marks a four-fold increase from the inception of the event, only two years earlier. This money is already being put to use at cancer centers throughout Rhode Island to help save lives.
Ride 'Round Rhody 2010
By: Alex Mayer, Team LIFEcycle
What does it feel like to spend 6-and-a-half hours in the rain, on a bike? Well, it was heavy - literally, with my wet jersey clinging and hanging off me simultaneously. It was cold and windy, of course. And the sound of the rain in the trees was really loud. However, one thought that kept popping into my mind during the 75-mile "Ride Round Rhody" on Sunday was "I AM ALIVE!" Kind of a surprise, eh?
I logged over 1,000 miles this summer training for my biking events, so there was no way I was going to let the weather dampen the excitement i felt for this event. And knowing how much support I had received from so many people - co-workers, friends, family, friends I've reconnected with from high school and college - kept me going strong with a smile on my face.
The week leading up to the event was a frenzy of fundraising for everyone; so much so that by sunday we had surpassed our goal of raising $20,000 for cancer care and research at Hasbro Children's Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. It was really inspiring for me to see the results of everyone's efforts; the tireless fundraising by all our riders and volunteers, and the many, many people whose donations all came together to create a great and meaningful impact.
I have learned a thing or two about endurance this summer; and it truly showed on sunday. When I was a kid at summer camp, I always hated hiking in the rain. It was uncomfortable, for starters, and it just felt like the raindrops and the wind were a constant assault on me. Now, I get a thrill from feeling the raw power of nature; and there's a mixture of fear and excitement when you realize that you're so many miles out on the road (or you're in the middle of the woods) and you have to just keep pedaling, keep moving forward. Otherwise, how else are gonna get home? It's a good mental trick, to learn how to convince yourself to keep going.
During the first 60 miles or so, I was in very good spirits; I felt strong, focused and excited, despite the constant driving rain. Even during some of the harder downpours and gusts of wind, our group of riders were often able to laugh at the extreme riding conditions we found ourselves in.
During the ride, I had a great conversation about endurance with one of the support crew riders. He remarked how our society has become very accustomed to "comfort" - with climate control allowing us precise control over our homes, cars and offices at all times. It's actually refreshing to get away from our purified, air-conditioned, big-screen TV lives every once in awhile; after you've trekked through a downpour, or endured a blistering heat wave, you really feel like you've accomplished something, and like you can meet whatever other challenges are out there in life. I think that's why I kept thinking "I feel alive."
There were a few momentary reprieves from the rain - at the top of a long hill in the Pachaug State forest (near voluntown, CT) I noticed the hard, dark, slate- gray sky with the lighter gray clouds and mist floating around and found that to be quite pretty and calming. The rollercoaster ride down the other side of that hill was a thrill ride in itself; i had to consciously remind myself to just relax, not use my breaks and hang on for the ride.
The last 12 miles were a hard, cold, wet slog ... my mind kept going kind of blank and fuzzy for a moment, then i would get my focus back and pedal hard, before I would space out again. I was working really hard to find my pedaling rhythm -- at times like this, i actually find the higher gears with more resistance are preferable for me, because I can start with a slow, steady pedaling that creates a lot of power and speed.I kept telling myself "C'mon, c'mon, keep going!" Then, as we made the final turn onto the road leading to the finish line, it was as if we were all chasing each other in the Tour de France, pedaling as hard as we had all day, thinking of all those miles behind us.
Yes, my toes were numb - i was probably a little hypothermic in fact. Yes, six-and-a-half hours is a long time to spend on a bike, even in the best of weather conditions, let alone a rainy day. But it's nothing compared to the physical, mental and emotional toll of cancer. That's why I rode on sunday.
The funds raised during last year's Ride Round Rhody have allowed a clinical research trial to begin enrolling participants. This year, having more than doubled our fundraising, our efforts will go even further. And I am already looking forward to next summer's event, so I can continue the fight against cancer on my bike.
Ride 'Round Rhody 2009
The first annual Ride ‘Round Rhody faced several uphill climbs in 2009. Volunteers and riders had to fundraise in a floundering economy, while the riders faced the daunting physical training required for a 50-mile ride. Despite the odds, or perhaps because of them, Ride ‘Round Rhody was a roaring success. In the end, the riders tackled Iron Mine Hill – the steepest on the route – with dedication and stamina and the combined fundraising efforts exceeded the $10,000 goal.
On August 30, 2009, 49 riders and 30 volunteers met at The Miriam Hospital’s Sears Lot. Tropical Storm Danny, of the day before, was a distant memory as the sun began to break through the clouds. Participants mingled while munching on bagels and granola bars. They filled their LIFEcycle water bottles with sports drinks in preparation for the trek. After brief remarks from co-founders Dani and Jacob Brier, the Mayor of Providence, David Cicilline presented LIFEcycle with an official commendation and sounded the start of the ride.
Cycling their way through Providence and out towards Smithfield, riders on the main route then headed into Chepachet, where the Johnson and Wales Alumni were graciously waiting with a stocked refueling station. After a brief pit stop, the riders got back in their saddles and tackled several difficult hills before arriving back at the Sear’s Lot. As the successful day came to a close, riders and volunteers once again mingled, chatted, and of course, ate.
Ride ‘Round Rhody 2009, because of the help and support of everybody involved, left LIFEcycle and the community with a sense of great achievement, accomplishment, and hope for the future.