What an event!
We arrived at 6:30am to Cherry Hill, NJ where the race was to begin. The parking lot was full of enthusiastic people, and there was a stillness full of energy in the air. It was cool and crisp, just like the northeast autumn days I remember from my childhood. Team
GlobalFitnessLLC.com was ready to go!
We hopped on our bikes and started off on what was to be one of the greatest days of our lives. As we rode, mile after mile, we noticed fascinating and enthralling signs on the side of the road...signs that described the power of 8,000 riders earning $4.5 million for the research and treatment of MS, signs describing the appreciation of the victims of MS, and signs enumerating the number of locals who would benefit from our ride (11,000 locals to be exact.)
The feeling was magical! 10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles - Rest stop! There were whole-wheat peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches, ants on a log (celery with peanut-butter and raisins on top), every energy bar imaginable to mankind (except for the best one ever:
Cravers!), Gatorade as far as the eye could see, bicycle repair shops, and hundreds of volunteers.
The day was warming up....everyone in long sleeves has now gone down to a t-shirt/short-sleeved jersey. Rookie riders began to arrive as they meandered in on mountain bikes, beach cruisers, double, and triple riding bicycles. What a show!
As we exited the rest stop to continue our journey, we noticed that there were several amazing individuals, stricken with this terrible disease, lined side by side in their power wheelchairs... They were thanking us! Wow, what a feeling!
So we hit a new high! We charged on: 40 miles, 50 miles, 60 miles...whoops! There was someone on the ground with 20 people around and no one to help. They yelled, "Doctor, nurse, anyone..." I quickly got off my bike and went over to survey the scene.
"You! Call the paramedics," I yelled ... for the rider had already begun to go into a seizure. As he lay there, convulsing, throwing up on himself, no one was able to tell the story. He managed to fall without an eye on him. I noticed scrapes on his helmet and a small cut on his face...quickly poured water over his head to bring him to, and then began to speak to him. He was unable to see how many fingers I was holding up, and he had forgotten all of his English. It was going to be Spanish only from now on. ....the only kicker was that none of his friends could speak Spanish, so no one could tell how bad he was.
The paramedics arrived quickly on the scene (2-3 minutes)... I debriefed them, and was on my way. (say a small prayer for this courageous rider who gave it all for MS)
65, 70, 71 - boom! another rider down! ...thank goodness, despite a small amount of pain, she was fine. some bruising, but nothing major.
72, 73...only 2 miles to go... nope! 2 bridges to go, then 2 miles! holy ****! 73 miles in and now we have to climb the bridges... what a disaster!
But sure enough, our adrenaline took over and up we went, down, up, down, and we knew we had it! As we arrived at the finish line, people lined the street with cowbells, signs, posters, screams of joy, and a feeling of pride.
And all this, for a beautiful day on my bike.
I encourage everyone. There were children that were 8-9 years old doing the event. It's doable, and it's a great cause.
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you all the best,
Kareem
P.S. If you haven't checked out
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Labels: effort, fitness, friend, fundraising, jersey, ms 150, philadelphia, physical, shore, therapist, trainer
