Some people can’t imagine riding 180 miles on a bicycle from Charlotte, NC to North Myrtle Beach, SC in three days. Now imagine doing this ride using nothing but your arms to complete the task. That is what a group of cyclists did April 25 – 27, 2013 to raise money for the Adaptive Sports & Adventures Program (ASAP) at Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital. Cycle to the Sea (CTTS) is a unique ride that raises critical funds and awareness for ASAP to offer a variety of low-cost programs for youth and adults with physical challenges. This bike ride is held every spring and involves athletes with physical disabilities who cycle on hand cycles and/or tandem bikes. Mark, a distributor from our components division here at our home office, participated in this ride with his hand cycle (he is also an accomplished wheelchair rugby player) and he took the time to share what this experience meant to him:
Day 1 started with a dozen hand cycles, 40-45 able bodied cyclists, and countless family members gathered to see their loved ones off on their journey. The weather was chilly but it didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirit and anxiousness to get the ride started. The group rolled out as one big unit but quickly separated into two smaller groups once we got out onto the open road. There was over 3000 feet of climbing the first day but it didn’t seem to curb anyone’s spirit. Everyone got over the climbs the best they could, whether by pedaling or getting pushed by a fellow cyclist, and everyone finished together.
The surprise of the day for me was our “safety patrol”. The local Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club volunteers every year to shepherd the herd to Myrtle Beach. The guys were amazing. They created a rotating formation around each group of cyclists stopping traffic from ALL side roads and on ramps allowing the cyclist to pass unimpeded. We did not stop at 1 stoplight the entire 3 day ride. Gentlemen, my hat is off to you and what you do. This ride would truly not be what it is without you. THANK YOU!
Day 2 brought more of the same just with flatter terrain. The weather was a little grey in the morning and quickly burned off shortly after the ride headed out. The longer the ride went on the more the cyclist, both hand cyclist and able bodies cyclist, gelled together. The two groups were operating as fine oiled machines and were very impressive to see. The speeds got faster and those that had been pushed the first day didn’t seem to need as much help as they once had. Folks seemed to have a growing confidence in themselves and their ability to get this ride done. It was truly inspirational.
Day 3 brought on the last 63 mile stretch and you couldn’t tell from anyone’s face they had ridden over 120 miles in the past 2 days. Folks were eager, feeling good, and ready to get the show rolling. Early in the ride, you could feel there was a sense of purpose. I rode in the front group and speeds stayed between 17-25 miles per hour the whole way. For those that do not know, such speeds are reasonably swift on a traditional bicycle but that is “cooking” on a hand cycle.
Upon arrival to Myrtle Beach, you could see emotion on everyone’s face. Not only on the participants faces with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment but also on the family members faces that their loved ones could pull off such an undertaking. I’m honored to have been a part of such a great event and Cycle to the Sea will now be on my yearly calendar of “must do’s”.
I was fortunate enough to be both a participant in the ride and a representative of Performance Bicycle, which was one of Cycle to the Sea’s corporate sponsors. As a long time cyclist both before the wheelchair and after, I understand the amount of time it takes to both organize a ride of this magnitude and the dedication it takes to complete it. I salute all involved for a job well done. The ASAP staff that Jennifer Moore has put together is second to none and I’m proud to be an associated with this organization. I strongly encourage anyone that is looking for a good ride, an incredible experience, and a worthwhile cause to be a part of to consider the 2014 Cycle to the Sea bike ride.
Everybody has different reasons why they ride. Some ride to prove something to themselves, some ride to prove something to others, and some ride to honor someone that has touched their life. For me, the 2013 Cycle to the Sea is dedicated to my friend Jimmy Melton. I met Jimmy this past Thursday as the CTTS ride was leaving town. We were both first time riders and Jimmy was there to support one of my fellow hand cyclists Jacob Conley. We talked and came to know each other pretty well over the next three days. The end of the ride came, Jimmy met my wife and baby daughter, and we made plans to see each other next year at the 2014 Cycle to the Sea. Then I got the bad news that Jimmy had died the next night in his sleep. I was numb. Jimmy definitely touched my life and made me a better person for knowing him. Godspeed my friend. I will see you on the other side.
Ultimately this bike ride is not about a charity event. It is about those with physical challenges that display uncompromising human spirit, determination to accomplish what they aren’t supposed to be able to do, and those that just want to ride their bike.
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