FROM Cici -- Best moment of the tour - regrouping with last of the RawHinies about 1/2 mile from the finish (just after passing through the cheering Wild Bunch riders). Riding into the finish line with Amy on my left, Kristin on my right and Julie next to her, and Glenn just behind us. Plus all of the other straggling Hines with us.
Our pedal time was 6.5 hours; total time 9.5 hours - and we earned the RawHinie that day. Hills, heat, headwinds, day 2 fatigue, and of course the last 10 miles with some rain and way too much lightening around us to contend with.
For me, I just had to train, was never a question if I would finish. For Julie, she had to overcome her physical challenges, push through the extreme fatigue and pain, conquer serious self-doubt, and keep on going. Seeing the look of pure joy mixed with tears on Julie's face finishing her first MS 150 in its entirety is one of the best moments of my life.
Seeing all of our friends and family, plus the MS 150 staff and volunteers, cheering wildly(knowing Julie was rolling in as a rider with MS rider), was incredible. We had Ride Official Rick along with us, who met us at the last rest stop and rode along the last 10 miles to make sure Julie finished. He was amazing and heartfelt thanks goes out to him.
"Stalking the Guv" story to come in another posting soon!!
7 comments:
Hey Hinies! Hope everyone is recovering from the ride. I just wanted to send a quick email to thank each of you for riding this past weekend and raising awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis. I know that it is an enormous commitment from you, your friends and your families and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you! It has been fun getting to know all of you and hope that you will be back riding with the RawHinies again next year… you all are an amazing group of people. And we all know the Hinies are by far the best team in the MS 150!!
Special thanks to Kristin, Amy and Cici for riding the entire 150 miles right with me and encouraging me especially when I doubted myself! And of course, sweet Glenn who so nonchalantly passed me on the final hill in the lightening, rain and horrific headwind only to slow to a snails pace (my pace) to block the wind for me as I struggled up that last hill! I couldn't have done without you guys!
Hope to see everyone soon! Go Hinies!
Again, thank you!
Julie
Awesome job everyone!
I truly enjoyed the experience and can't wait until next year. Thank you for all of your encouragement throughout the ride.
Julie and Ami - you are a true inspiration to me.
Go Hinies!!!
I am so amazed by the team spirit and positive energy that the Raw Hinies exude! It is infectious and I can't wait to be a part of it again next year! Julie and Ami, you are an inspiration to me, too! HINIE HO!
It is truly a pleasure and an honor to ride with this team! My 3rd year, and for sure the best so far!! Any and all sacrifices are all worth it in my book!!
Julie - Huge congrats on your finish!! Thanks for being such an inspiration! Your entire family is amazing in their support, encouragement and committment! Your Mom & Dad were so proud - you could just see it on their faces!! (although, I admit it was a bit tough to see anything through the tears of joy on my face!!)
Jennifer & Amy - thank you so much for your leadership, organization and everything that you do! There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that you guys take care of that makes the experience that much better for all of us. You guys ROCK!
Becky - I'm sure I'm speaking for all of us Hinies when I say that we all appreciate every ounce of energy that you and your tent committee put into our team tent! And there isn't a doubt in anyone's mind that we had the best tent hands down! I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be done with day one and be so proud to be a part of the RawHinies when I walked into that tent! The most creative, the most fun, and the most welcoming! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
To all the Hinies - Everyone was so much fun, so supportive! What a great experience!! What a great Team!! THANKS TO ALL!
Can't wait for next year!! Go Hinies!!
Cathy
Aaron and Linda
Have to say this was one of the best times I have had in a long time. Linda and I will see you all next year for another fun ride.
Thanks to all.
The story of "Ride Official Rick". At about mile 55 or so our group was struggling--it was getting hot the legs were burning and along comes a Ride Official named Rick. Just checking in on the girls, he wanted to make sure we were OK. He soon found out Julie had MS and how close we were to finishing. Her 4th ride and so close to completing every mile of this year's tour. He told Julie if he had to push her those last 10 miles he would. We thanked him for his kind words and he went about his way. An hour and half later our group cruises into the last rest stop. As we were re-grouping I noticed a quiet man sitting patiently on his bike, it dawned on me with his helmet and sunglasses off he was our ride official! We were overwhelmed, there he was waiting for God knows how long to ride Julie in -- I couldn't believe it. Julie pedaled every mile without a stop those 10 miles and Rick quietly encouraged her along the way! Wow what a moment.
It is a pleasure and honor to be a part of such a special experience and team! This ride for me has evolved over the years -- crossing the finish line with Julie, Kristin, Cici, and my sweet husband Glenn was my "be all end all". A huge heartfelt smile and thanks goes out the Hinies who waited for our group to come in so we could ride over the line together! Dimitri, Kristen, Roxy, Josh you were great to do that! Susan and Katie great job as well!
To all the new Hinies and old Hinies I look forward to next year already!
Jennifer -- words can't say! :) Amy
Amazing, inspirational and positive are just a few words to describe everyone on the RawHinies team.
As a first time rider this year and one who just got on a bike for the first time in well more years than I care to admit, last fall, I’m proud to be a part of such a supportive, caring and fun team. Every “way to go” “you’re doing great” “slow and steady” words of encouragement around every corner and up every hill was truly appreciated.
Congratulations on your finish Julie, you are a remarkable woman!!!
Kudos to all the RawHinies volunteers, you were all the greatest. What a fabulous tent Becky, Lee and their group of volunteers did.
Thank you to all the RawHinies, but especially to my wonderful and supportive husband, Aaron, who stuck by me for every mile, even when I knew he wanted so badly to ride faster with all the boys, and especially for those last hills where your hand on my back helped push me up, you are my rock. I was so proud to cross that finish line with you hand in hand!!
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