I really can’t believe it is over. I knew before we left that this would be a great experience. What I had was a mind-blowing experience.
Every single person who participated in this event was a winner and a hero. In any type of sporting event, there will be some level of competition. Of course, there were those who were able to complete this event quickly and finished first and with a lot of finesse. I did not see much of this group!! I, of course, am envious of their athletic ability, but what impressed me the most was the incredible effort and fortitude delivered day after day from the teammates who hadn’t seen much of a bicycle in the last 10 to 20 years. It would have been so easy to wave down one of the shuttles and ride in the van, but yet these guys just kept at it and pedaled and pushed themselves like never before. It was the “spirit of the ride” in its purest form. They may not have completed the entire 237 miles, but I am quite sure that everyone rode “as far as they could ride.”
The “ripple effect” that KT talks about within DaVita and throughout the ride was in full force. I came across so many angels throughout the tour. On day one, everyone was full of anxiety about completing a full day and riding well. I was down to the last two miles of the first day route. I must have looked as pathetic as I felt. My bike was lying on the side of the road and I was mentally preparing myself to pick it up and complete the day’s ride. Before I could move, Rebecca (the FA from Hillsboro) reached down and picked up my bike. She said “Here, let me help you get on your bike.” That small act of kindness was enough to give me the strength to pedal through those last two miles. Rebecca probably didn’t think twice about what she did, but I will never forget it.
Beyond riding a bike for four days, the joy and excitement we brought to the communities we visited and the hope that we gave to the patients at the dialysis clinics made me so proud, not only of myself, but of the team I was with and the company I work for.
Day four was an emotional day. Besides being tired and sore beyond belief, I was happy to be closing in on the last 20 miles of the ride, but also sad to see the “Moving Village” come to an end. Everyone was congratulating and celebrating with each other. Riding into the Brentwood compound was really exciting. The balloons and bands were great, but seeing the children of the riders holding up signs for their parents and watching patients scanning the crowd for the riders from the clinics was truly touching. We were celebrating life, family, and team.
The top three things I will never forget:
- The spirit of the ride
- The kindness of others
- Team
The top three things I can’t wait to forget:
- The taste of Gatorade
- Spandex
- Waiting in line for a cold shower
Hey, where do I sign up for next year???
