Thank you Again for all the support, encouragement to us, and financial contributions to MCC.
At this point our group of three (Scott, Rosetta, Ken) raised $9,171
toward Mennonite Central Committee's reforestation work in Haiti.
In the evenings we were able to hear more moving stories about MCC's work and the importance of the reforestation project to some of the individuals living there simply trying to survive. It was great knowing so many of you were part of this ride with us. I kept a list of all who contributed with me on the bike everyday - both to remember you along the way (and to keep me biking if I got tired! ...just one more mile for....).
The Finger Lakes Bike Ride had both a record number of cyclists this year and set a record for the amount of money raised. I believe the total (with all cyclists) is over $60,000 at this point. And there is still more money coming in. They are continuing to accept donations until the end of August.
Below are a few photos from the ride!
(not necessarily in order, I just picked a few from the few we had)
Rosetta and Ken - Day 1 - Getting ready to go.
Keuka College
SAG Stop (Support & Gear) at a Hydroponics Strawberry Patch
SAG stops for us it usually meant:
filling up water bottles, eat a banana & a granola bar and maybe some pretzels, stretch a bit, visit, then back on the bikes and go.
Camp site and low laundry (that doesn't really dry)
Sitting around for Supper
The mobile kitchen is the open wagon and the cattle trailer in the back transported our luggage/camping gear from campground to campground.
We each brought our own dinnerware and washed them ourselves for breakfast and supper.
Lunch was a stop somewhere along the way. We had great meals prepared for us!
A scenic stop along the way.
Soy beans by the road and one of the Finger Lakes in the background.
A friend of ours Carl Kniss went in to see how high the soybeans were.
This was one amazing field of soybeans.
Another important stop along the way.
Scott, Leonard, and Alton
(Alton was the oldest cyclist at 81 - Well done Alton!)
There were many beautiful Vineyards along the routes.
Rosetta pausing to enjoy the view.
Stop for lunch
On Wednesday our usual group went a few different routes. Some to look at waterfalls, some stoped at the Moosewood. I joining a group and completed my first Century (100miles), and we managed a 16mph average and climbed over 4500ft. The five of us (Carl, Grant, Colby, Jay, myself), formed a pace line and rotated the front person every 3min throughout the day - this helped us push through the strong headwind...and just keep going. Thanks crew for helping me do this.
Our last day began with rain and thunderstorms, but cleared a bit after breakfast. We rode most of the day with beautiful weather and just a few wet roads. Our little group of six that road most of the day together managed to get five flats. Apparently rainy roads are worse for flats according to what others were saying. So we were a little later than some getting in, but we made it and had a nice ice-cream stop at Seneca Farms Dairy right near the end.
It was a great ride and together we logged over 900miles.
The Ride Completed.
Back at Keuka College for the last night
THANK YOU!
-Ken
