It was ride day! We were still operating on Pacific Time, so our 4:30 A.M. wakeup felt like 2:30 A.M. We arrived downtown by 6:00 A.M. where we set up our Jedidiah booth. We had a tent next to our Partners at World Bicycle Relief. They had one of their amazing Buffalo Bikes on display and we had the chance to chat with some really neat people. We also got to talk with some really great folks as we started our ride from Wrigley field.
We all lined up and like a hundred cameras snapping their shutters to capture the swing of a home run, hundreds of riders clipped in to their pedals and were off through the Friendly Confines. Literally, we got to ride thought the stadium. It was so cool! We headed north along the shore of Lake Michigan, traveling though different suburbs and varying landscapes. As great as it was to ride though the city, it was nice to get to some open spaces where would could get in a rhythm and really cruise. If I ever got separated from Tyler or Scott, I would simply look for two dudes with long flowing hair coming out the back of their helmets. We stopped at various rest stops as we needed to fill up on water and food. We were all doing pretty good till after lunch at the 60 mile mark. Tyler started to cramp, Scott’s legs were burning and my left knee was making noises it usually does not. Miles 65-85 were for sure the most difficult. But, after our final rest stop and with the finish in our sights we embarked on the final leg of our ride to complete the 100 miles.
The day was closed with a concert and dinner on Wrigley Field. We got the opportunity to hang out in the dug out, walk thought the locker room and play some catch on the field. Having grown up a Cubs fan this was a special experience. Before we departed to come back to the west coast we were able to stop by the offices of World Bicycle Relief and talk with Founder, FK Day and Communications director Matt Pierce. Both welcomed us warmly and shared with us more about the work of World Bicycle Relief.
If you supported us in anyway, with a cheer, your prayers, your finances, your skills, or in a myriad of other avenues, we thank you with sincere hearts. It was a great reminder to us, during those hard miles, that we have it really good. During the discomfort of our 25,000+ pedal revolutions and 5 1/2 hours sitting on our butts we tried to reflect on the lives that World Bicycle Relief seeks to help with the power of a bicycle. We really only experienced a small fraction of the challenges they encounter on a daily basis. So again, thank you for making this ride something more than a spectacular August ride through Chicagoland. Thank you for putting 14 bikes in the hands of creative, lively, loving people in need of transportation and a better life.
We are excited to continue our partnership with World Bicycle Relief as we strive to donate another 300 bikes over the course of this fall and winter season through the sales of Jedidiah apparel.
Enjoy some Pics.
