Sendoff Party
Sendoff Party
On Monday, July 7th, a good share of Team Oz met at Pat Murphy’s home amid generous amounts of food and fellowship for a final preparation and sendoff meeting. Anticipation was high for what was shaping up to be an intimate and challenging ride through southeastern Minnesota.
We had heard about the hills. I think that caused more than a little anxiety in some.
We were looking forward to staying at Assisi Heights. It was supposed to be a beautiful convent on the highest hill in Rochester.
And we speculated about the route. If the weather held up it was supposed to be a gorgeous ride through the Minnesota countryside.
As you will see in the following reports, most of this turned out to be true. (A little more true on some parts than others…especially the hills)
But on this night our minds were mainly focused on what we needed to be prepared for our 325-mile journey. We talked about camping and tent partners; first aid and bike safety; pit stops and sunscreen; fund raising and crew assignments; then of course…Gatorade and Butt Balm.
After many great stories and suggestions from all, Jim Cassidy brought us back to the real reason we were there.
To remember.
He shared with us about a friend with whom he rode in a past ride. That friend was no longer with us to ride again. He encouraged us to think of the people in our lives that caused us to want to embark on this journey. We were silent as we thought then we held hands as he led us in this prayer:
Litany Of Remembrance
In the rising of the sun and its going down,
In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
When we are lost and sick at heart,
So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are part of us,
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We ride for those who can’t. We also ride for those who someday might…and we will keep riding until we don’t need to ride anymore.
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