The Spirit of the Ride… One, Two, Three, Four Flat Tires… It just doesn’t get any better than this!
Day one: 1.2 miles, flat tire one of four, 210 riders fade into the distance. 3.8 miles, flat tire number two of four (you can’t be serious), Backroads to the rescue again. 7.3 miles, flat tire number three of four (you’ve got to be kidding me), I can’t peddle hard enough to catch up with the pack. 11.6 miles, you guessed it, so did Back Roads – flat tire number four. I began to walk so I wasn’t standing in the hot sun waiting for my new friends at Backroads. There on the ground on the side of the road was a button with a green ribbon. I reached down to pick up a “They are riding for me” button, the ones that were made for the patients at the centers we visited. Feeling a bit defeated, I wasn’t sure this button was enough to keep me going. I pinned it to my handle bar and continued to walk along the side of the road. “Where do I get a ride back to the airport?” I’m thinking Tour DaVita and I were just not meant to be this year. Au contraire, little did I know those four flat tires were setting me up for one of the greatest blessings, and I was about to experience the ride of my lifetime.
I arrived at the first aid/rest station hours after the other riders had been, rested, and gone again, or so I thought. After a short rest, refreshment, and a nice dose of encouragement from my new friends at Backroads (we’re now on a first name basis, which was not one of my goals for this trip), I got back on my bike and hit the road again. Resigned to the idea of riding the rest of the day alone, I was more than a little discouraged and wasn’t sure I had the heart or stamina to finish the day’s ride. I was feeling sorry for myself in grand style, mine was a hard luck story if ever I heard one, you should have heard me tell it!
A short distance and a long uphill grade from the first aid/rest stop, I could see the hazard lights of a vehicle ahead. As I rode on, I could see the truck was moving very slowly and soon realized it must be the guy in the wheelchair I saw at breakfast that morning. I peddled past the truck, acknowledging the kind soul behind the wheel. I rode ahead and up alongside the guy on the three wheel bike and introduced myself. He introduced himself as Scott Rimmer from the Palms. I certainly understood why he was at the back of the pack. I wasted no time telling Scott of my misfortune, whining and complaining about the four flat tires I had earlier. I expressed my disappointment at being so far behind the others and what a lonely ride it would be if this was it. Once I got it all out I realized how pitiful I must have sounded. I thought of the story my mother told my brothers and I many times while we were growing up, you know it, the story about the man who cried because he had no shoes, then he noticed the man who had no legs. WOW!!! Thanks mom, I get it! I really get it. Now, don’t get me wrong, Scott may not have “legs” like you and I, but you will not hear him complain. In fact, if you take the time to get to know Scott, you’ll learn he is a very humble, life-loving, caring, compassionate man who is thankful for everything in his life, even some of the things you and I take for granted every day!
I asked Scott if I could ride along with him for a while. Sandy could drive ahead with Monte, Scott’s beautiful service dog, find a nice shady spot, take Monte for a walk, take a little nap, and I would ride with Scott for a while. I was surprised how eager Scott was to take me up on my offer, not for selfish reasons like having a little company and conversation on the ride, but because he wanted to give Sandy and Monte a break from what must be an agonizing drive behind two very slow riders. Sandy and Monte drove into the distance.
Scott and I rode along together for several hours, one uphill grade after another, shouting words of encouragement from front to back and back to front again. When the blessed downhill stretches presented themselves, we laughed, whooped, hollered, and enjoyed the respite from the uphill climbs. As we approached the next uphill grade, out came the words of encouragement again. We stopped when we needed to and took breathers, doused ourselves with water to cool off and then, before we knew it, another mile was behind us. The true Spirit of the Ride was beginning to materialize for me.
The words I heard come out of Scott’s mouth more than any others were words of thanks and gratitude. As I rode with Scott on the last day, every rider, save none, passed by with words of encouragement and support. I’m not sure, but I think he was even a little embarrassed. Remember, Scott sees himself as a regular guy and would tell you he doesn’t see himself as someone who might be inspirational to others. In fact, he told me that I inspired him. Be careful what you do and say – someone is watching!
Talking with some of the patients in the centers we visited, the reason we rode, was adding fuel to my fire, now I was on fire, I was going to finish this ride no matter the obstacles. And I did.
What I learned while Creating, Respecting, and Remembering the Spirit of the ride:
Four flat tires just might not be as bad as it sounds. I wish for all of you four flat tires, prepare to be blessed!
The single most limiting factor of the ride: ME! I know it may sound cliché, but the truth is, through the support and encouragement of others, I discovered emotional and physical strength and stamina within myself I did not know I possessed!
If you believe in and are compassionate about the things you are interested in, whether you think you can do it or not, try it! Success is not always pre-defined. The number of miles you ride might define success. It might be the number of miles more than you rode yesterday. Maybe it’s simply the fact that you got back on the bike on day two. It just might be sharing the most precious resource you possess with others: YOU! Regardless of how far or how fast you ride.
Thank you, with all my heart, my friends and family who supported me financially, spiritually, and emotionally. Thank you to old friends for the love and camaraderie throughout the ride and a heartfelt thank you for the new friendships I gained. I will cherish you always! God bless our patients and the members of our Village who are so passionate about taking care of them! See you next year.
