Day 3
Day 3
Today was pretty much the usual with morning preparations except for one difference; we were greeted by a lovely chorus of birds chirping. Yes, Rochester's birds must've found our campsite to be an appropriate breeding ground. I packed my gear, had breakfast and was ready with Jeff by 6:40 AM. Today being Red Day, we were asked to show our Red Ribbon Pride by dressing in as much red as possible. This year's riders were fairly sedate with their red attire. Riders in the past usually have gone for the outrageous such as Team Large-mostly all male football types-dressed in red satin slips. Some have worn bright red feathered boas, some red tutus, many red skirts. Today, I(right) wore a pleaded red skirt over my black biker shorts with a tangerine jersey and bright red do rag. In the morning it looks like pure drag, but by a sweaty afternoon sans the jersey and shirtless, that skirt looks more like a manly kilt. So I figured I'm adequately covering both genders of dress today, an equal opportunity dress offender for sure.
After riding a scant four miles, we took a quick exit to the near by Rochester Chipotle. Our big sponsor this year is, of course, Chipotle. This friendly bunch of supporters filled its parking lot with burrito shaped mylar balloons and with high-octane energy greeted us with free cups of gourmet coffee. We love them for it. Seven miles more found us at the Douglas Trail parking lot where Pit One recreated characters from "Oklahoma." You had Jennifer Weiler dressed in shapely Prison Warden attire looking to arrest you with a "Nice Biceps" sticker and the requisite cast coming to meet your every need. You had feisty Aunt Eller, "Can't Say No" Ado Annie, a "buxomy" James Irwin dressed as a Saloon Gal, the ingenue Laurey [she didn't really do much. I personally thought the guy playing the Saloon Gal should've been cast for this part] and the male lead Curly who was a blow up animal. Such a great time for us riders and one of the most inventive and executed pit themes yet. It's such a treat to see what Jennifer will come up with for a theme.
From about 7:30 AM for a couple of hours our photographer Rick Spaulding's mother, Pam Stubbs, passed out licorice whips along the ride. [Rick, however, got home made Rhubarb pie from his Mom.] Rick's 86 year old grandmother passed out 40 hand written notes on Strawberry Patch Girl's stationery with the following inscription: "To Red Ribbon Bunch, God send to you from Joyce Kilgren, Rick's Grandma. Location, Penny Bridge 155th Ave. West Pine Island. God Bless." His mom has agreed to sign up for crew and when Rick asked his Grandma to crew also, she responded, "OK, but you'll have to get me a bike."
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Twelve miles later wackiness continued at Pine Island where Pit Stop Two played a tribute to 1970s Bootsy Collins Funk with their slogan theme "Are you Red-alicious?" Pit manager Carter Averbeck donned an incredible Red sequined bell-bottomed jumpsuit with star-shaped glasses and bright red afro. He was standing on milk cartons that his pants so cleverly covered up. Another exceptional Pit theme designer, Carter handed out a touching self-written poem to all riders:
Red Hearted
I look upon a sea of red
The route you've chosen
And the shadows of those you cannot see
To find shining noble faces
Who's souls are fed
By the dedication
Of their blood, sweat, and tears
To fight a disease
One of mankind's fears
The path you lead
Has widened mile by mile
Measure and mete
Are thanking you now for second sight
To give them hope
Expunge their plight
To find a cure
To see the light
Sixteen miles later we stopped in for lunch at Pit Stop Three in Wanamingo where we were greeted by some rustic looking pirates who administered tattoos with our Gatorade, water and snacks. Lo and behold, who should we see but out Ride Director Kari Johnson dressed up in a red and white patterned short dress with red heels and a red bandanna above one knee. Kari's usual attire consists of T-shirts and comfortable shorts so this was a sight to see. Having the time of her life as she clutched her "K" signatured purse and hilariously strutted, infectious fits of giggles could be heard all around. I say, just call her "Lady K," the Lady Marmalade of Red Day.
Pit Stop Four 17 miles later in Kenyon provided some rapping with their 1970s theme and Pit Stop Five 14 miles further by Walcott Town Hall had a Love Shack theme with a unique photo opportunity for riders to stick their faces out of large red hearts on a white scrim scrawled with the inscription "Love the Red Ribbon Ride." Though we passed some beautiful and rather tall corn fields, a good portion of this route featured a fair amount of high winds and some incredibly broken up road, or as we said "the road was on crack." Quite rough going for a good ten miles. I pulled into camp at Faribault High School at 3:50 PM clocking in 77 miles. With so much activity to take in today, a majority of riders came in later today. We were told that the last rider rode in by 6:22 PM.
At camp, Faribault High School proved to have the most accommodating facilities for a ride camp-site. Two gyms, showers, a cafeteria and several meeting rooms housed us beautifully. No extra walking. We even had the option to stay in their air conditioned gym with our air mattresses and gear. About one third chose to do so while the rest slept in their tents.
During tonight's Ride Rundown, Kari Johnson(far right) announced that a fund of $146.00 had been gathered for Becky Rose, a rider who on Day One broke her clavicle. Road Manager Stacy Shimke, dubbed "road kill" manager, reported to Kari her unfortunate task of having to clear up various dead animals on the road for us riders. Dead cats, calves and raccoons were a daily occurrence.
Jennifer Weiler, Pit One's supremely creative pit manager, raffled off two jerseys donated from Erik's bike shop that went to Harvey Zuckman and Claire Whelan. Lunch Pit Manager Judy Jarabonzi announced the beautiful AIDS quilt winner, rider Marilyn Trout. Pit Two's dazzlingly inventive pit manager Carter Averbeck recited his poem dedication and Anne from Pit Stop Four recalled a touching story about a ten year old girl named Kate and her six year old brother Jaden who after inquiring what the ride was about donated to the ride a tightly square-folded ten dollar bill saved up from an allowance and a rectangular-folded dollar bill, respectively.
Kari then thanked our oh so deserving and brilliant crew managers from Pit Stops One-Five: Jennifer, Carter, Judy, Bobbi Jo and Kay Sailer for their fantastic work this year. We do love you! Also Jeannie from Crises Management was given an award for her diligent work; Riders Ed Berg from our chief sponsor Chipotle and Rick Fuentes, reporter from WCCO were also acknowledged for their wonderful efforts.
Speaking of Fuentes, he hosted our Talent (or Not so Talented) Show this evening. On the talented end you could find Birdie singing a lovely Celtic ballad a cappella. Bob Zuckman on Bass Clarinet and Pat Prochaska on Bari-Saxophone performing a nice cover of Percy Grangel's Children's March" and for a stirring moment Ric Rosow dedicating Bob Dylan's "Into the Fire" to the Positive Spin members who embraced during the sing along. Rider Brent Fourth doing interpretive movement to Josh Grobin's "You Raised Me Up," a sweet rap from Pit Four and a loony woman named Jennifer warbling a fun rendition of Melanie's "Brand New Key" while roller-skating rounded out the entertainment. There were also some pillow people doing a hokey-pokey and a couple of swells shall we say "bonding"?
Because the crew, who are not required to raise money, fundraised a record-breaking $66, 000, Kari Johnson promised them she would do almost anything at the talent show. Well, our "Lady K" looking like a boa-clad, striped Statue of Liberty performed three numbers. She lip-synched Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave For You" while attempting a mocking lap dance on rider "Dr. Chad" Peckals, a tremendous sport about it. She rapped "I'm About to Get Better" for her next number and closed with dancing to The Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men."
With all of this activity in one day, there was only so much one could take in. Unfortunately, many ride participants missed a touching opportunity with the Remembrance Ramble. Last year we had a Rememberance Tent where we could honor loved ones who passed on from AIDS. This year it was held indoors in a darkened nearby room. Anyone could write a dedication with a black marker on a white paper bag. The bags were gathered and displayed in the shape of an AIDS ribbon. Glow sticks were then placed in the bags as witnesses could silently pay their respects in a candle light vigil. For next year's ride, we should move this all too important event for the end of Day Two's activities so people have time to take it in and witness such beauty.
Well, I chose to sleep in Faribault's gym tonight. What a day it was. I slept soundly.
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