Why I Ride

It's a question I'm asked a lot..."Why do you suffer, ride so hard, want to climb that big hill on a bicycle?" I always find it hard to answer -- until today. This was the 1st Mike Nosco memorial/Andreas Knickman fundraiser ride; a new event, for people I didn't know and a route that matches on the road what the Leadville 100 is to mountain biking. This ride would cover 80 miles and go up and down the mountains for 5000 +ft.
I first learned of the ride via my friends at Road Bike Action magazine, who started the buzz about the ride to help Jack Nosco (organizer and brother to fallen rider Mike Nosco). I began the grass roots twittering and emailing riders/friends asking them to join in the cause. The ride was a way to remember Mike and help a local family, the Knickmans whose son Andreas is battling cancer.
Surprisingly, I arrived early and many riders were already there. Although this was a fundraising ride, clearly this was a ride about community. The parking lot was filling up fast with the "big dawgs" of cycling. Road Bike Action, Campagnolo, Firefighters, Fast Friday team, Newbury Park Bikes, two state champions (teens, yes girls:), etc. As if I wasn't already nervous enough....having lost my riding partner because her daughters were sick--uggh.
Club riders began showing up and soon there were 200 riders in the park...The energy was amazing, everyone hugging each other, long-time-no-see relationships rekindled, and a general happiness to be together.
The national anthem was sung by a beautiful little girl, we met Andreas and we were told of the route, SAG, etc. and sent on our way. Rolling out in a peloton that size is an amazing feeling of oneness. This moment when we started to pedal was the beginning of building a bond like no other.
Rider after rider chatted, everyone wanting to know your route of choice (I was very popular since I had decided on a 50 mile route, shortcutting some of the more brutal climbs). People grouped up naturally by speed, route, and riding style. We rode along getting to know one another and this is where the magic happened.
Pedal stroke after pedal stroke you learn about the person next to you, then as the pace changes you do it again; sometimes moving forward, sometimes back, but like a school of fish in a fluid movement. All walls come down and the "big dawgs" set a pace comfortable for all and come back to check on the riders. You learn about someone in a split second--not their job--not their bike--not their religion, but what is deep in their heart. Some knew Mike Nosco before he was killed, some have family and friends suffering from or who have recovered from cancer, some just wanted to help, even though they didn't know anyone on the ride.
Just a short way into the ride came a technical, windy descent with nasty curves and new pavement that is smooth, but slick. It was on this road that it came to me in the form of a short, quick, gently spoken set of words: "Be careful, RaeLynn". Three words that made my day, spoken by my new friend at Campagnolo in the SAG car that made me realize why I ride---it's the people I've met. The people who've inspired me, the good things that can be done with cycling and being a part of such an inspirational group--just look at what Lance Armstrong has done via cycling to better the lives of cancer survivors.
What we were doing today would better the life of Andreas and his family; he will survive and be strong again. This ride will help Mike's family remember and celebrate his life with the good they can give back to families like the Knickmans. We will all appreciate what we have a little more today than yesterday.
The day was filled with many more "why I ride" moments. Reconnecting with a local shop rider who had been in Wisconsin for the summer, seeing the two women who rode on mountain bikes finish, spending time catching up on the climb with club rider and friend Mitch, being inspired as the first group of hardcore riders came spinning by us, being greeted by Jane's Dad at the first fuel stop--his cheery face and jokes were reason enough to climb that hill!
We helped one another through the day regardless of what route you took. Whether it was encouragement to keep pedaling, some food or water, a push or a tube for a flat we worked together with Mike and Andreas in our conversations, our thoughts and our hearts. Nothing in this day would be as difficult as the loss of a loved one or the battle Andreas faces every day against cancer. We could and would pedal through the pain with Mike as our angel, Andreas our inspiration along side our leaders extraordinaire: Jack and Jane, who I thank for giving me the chance to put into words, why I ride....to meet and spend time with amazing people all connected by the greatest invention in the world; the bicycle.