It was roughly this time last Tuesday evening when I was sitting around a table talking to K.K., Cheryl(?), and Gerhardt over some BBQ.
The day started out quite nice if a little chilly. Nick, Chip, and I made it to Marietta and were awaiting the arrival of the group. They rolled in a little behind schedule and introductions were made, Gerhardt was the first over to us soon followed by Drier, then Bob(?)or was it Bill? He stood out due to they yellow jersey, everyone else had on white and blue. We chit chatted for a while as others made their stops at the Burger King. Gerhardt eyed my bike, I was the only there on a steel frame. Soon we were off with Greg getting his cycling legs under him and Bob or Bill taking off like a shot. I fought the urge to give chase.
We climb up Car Wash Hill and continue down 276 to traveler's Rest. I take an over the shoulder shot of Nick in orange, Gerhardt to the right of Nick, Drier behind Gerhardt, and another Bill or Bob, or maybe his name is Jim( I really need to work on that). As we ride passed Sunrift Adventures a camera crew slowly passes with the cameraman hanging out of the window.
We make it though town and as we are leaving TR Bob/Bill takes a left as the road goes from 4 to 2 lanes. It's a dead end and we decide to regroup.
I practice my trackstand for the cameras and then take a photo of the cameraman filming me, they hate it when you do that. I move out of the way so he can take his shot of the riders, but for some reason he wants to film my legs, by far the hairyest there, and the rear wheel of my bike. I knew I should have washed it. Seriously though, I'm not the important one here, he should be filming the others. "We take a left here and at the bottom of the hill is the BP station", I say as we are all back together. The BP station is where we pick up another rider from the local Blood Connection( I know, sounds like a singles bar for vampires) and meet our escort to Furman U. In short order we are at the BP and getting orders from the State Trooper. He pulls out to block traffic and at least one motorist is not happy, Greenville drivers, we all pull out in a gnarly stretch of road as we are escorted by flashing blue lights. The camera crew is also back. Our latest rider from the Blood Connection seemed a little apprehensive about this, but was a good sport.
We stopped just before the main entrance to Furman while we waited for the other group that was caught by a stop light, caught up. We rode in to the campus to where the morning culminated.
I was surprised by the number of bikes on campus. I guess it's just the right size for bikes to be a better option than a car. When we got to the area where the riders would be formally introduced and the press conference would be held chip took off to get some work done and Nick and I decided to stick around to see what would happen. We went inside and were treated to a very nice brunch of fruit, yogurt, and various pastries. All of the riders were introduced, both of the Bill/Bobs were kidney recipients, with the yellow jersey having competed in the triathlon in Greenwood the weekend prior to the ride. Drier is a long time blood donor whose mother died of cancer. His brother was diagnosed with cancer and is currently in remission partially due to blood product from donors in South Africa. Gerhardt is a hart transplant recipient, and let me tell you, you would never know it if you rode with him. The previous day he missed his turn and climbed Mt Pisgah and ended up with over 100 miles for the day. "It was a hard day", he said it like it was nothing. The other people who wrapped up the riders where medical people who have a connection to the organ donors and recipients, there was Rodney, the only person to have ridden in all of the 5 points rides, K.K., a cardiac PA, Cheryl, a nurse, and Connie Koch, who's son died at 17 and donated his organs so someone may have a chance to live. It was a full day and still an hour before lunch. All of the riders were assigned to someone to take them to where they would be speaking. Gerhardt was to go to Lander. And it was done for now, we were to meet back at the Blood Connection's HQ off of Bracken RD across 25 from the Donaldson Center at 6:00 or so. Nick and I rode around the campus for a while and when we got back to out respective vehicles, we talked about local rides and bevets for a while. Nick as it turns out has done Mt Mitchell every year since it started. He is also a prostate cancer survivor, and an randonnuer. We said our goodbyes and I was out to find lunch, the oriental Buffet was calling my name.
