WOW!!!

So... I've just returned from the Trans-NH bike ride for the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association). It was easily one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. Nevermind the beautifully challenging 250 mile bike ride, I have no doubt in my mind that it was the people that made it such a great time. Never have I met so many people who were not only friendly and kind and generous and self sacrificing, but also fun/funny, interesting, and simply genuinly good people.

The riders were made up of a wide range of skill and speed but never hesitated to make sure that those with a flat (namely me with my 4 flats) were taken care of before continuing on. The support group was fantastic with great food and drink at the rest stops every approx. 20 miles, and were friendly and encouraging, not to mention hard working, extremely accomodating and well prepared (seriously those rest stops ran smoother than full suspension mountain bike). And lets not forget the massuers who worked miracles on all of the riders at the end of each ride.

As for the coordinators; while not all of them rode their bikes (often saying "next year"), they did an amazing job with all of the accomodations and the food and finding such a gorgeous new route for this year. Even on the recumbent there was a perfect mixture of brutal hills and jaw clentching down hills, with some of the most stunning scenery that I've ever seen.

With all of that said the reason that this ride exists in the first place is clearly meaningful to those involved in the ride who put so much effort into it to make it such a great time. I have personally come away from this feeling like I got much more out of it than what I put into it, and although I made a serious attempt to get donations this year (with the final tally for myself, as of 6/22 being $1350) I hope to double it next year. It was an honor to ride for Joe and Pete Lafferty. I only had the brief pleasure of speaking with Tim Lafferty, during the dinner at the Littleton Fire Dept. (and remember the speed balls he would throw back to the pitcher during the softball game). As he stated after dinner in Lebanon, he is clearly proud of both of his sons (whether with us in person or in spirit) and it was a great honor to both search for donations and to ride in their name.

To those of you who may be reading this and had made a donation either to me or to another rider or if you were another rider who went and found donations of your own... THANK YOU!!!

As of 6/21 this years ride had raised over $163,000! Which is a huge accomplishment. It is undoubtably an event which I will remember for the rest of my life, and something I will participate in every year until I no longer have the ability to ride a bike (and then I'll probably work with the support group :-).

That's going to be it for now, more will come soon... See you on the road :-D