Day 1: Mall of America to Lake City
Day 1: Mall of America to Lake City
only two major heat exhaustion situations occurred. Although many riders trucked in—aka “sagged in,”—from completing a full day’s ride on each day, considering the 90º temperatures combined with sweltering humidity, most riders were sensible and kept continuously hydrated while riding in what felt like 100º weather. Heat conditions were actually hotter in the Twin Cities than in southern areas of the state during this year’s ride and a few degrees cooler than last year’s ride as well.The Opening Ceremony kicked off at Mall of America’s East Rotunda at 6:30 AM with an excitable crowd and media from all local stations. This year’s ride acknowledged the tragic passing of last year’s crew member Anastasia J. Hood. Ride Director Kari Johnson, Board members Harvey Zuckman, and Kent Linder, Chipotle sponsor head Ed Berg and Minnesota AIDS Project Positive Spin Coordinator Andy Ansell gave heart warming testimonies and extended gratitude for this year’s participants as they began their arduous journey. Ansell, a 19 year survivor of AIDS, spoke about courage, “Being out is being a role model,” he acknowledged. Poet Shane Holly concluded with a slick spoken-word performance emphasizing “It Starts with One” and a video was shown illuminating AIDS conditions around the world with its theme “The Power of One.”
Each rider must raise a minimum of $1,500 before being allowed to ride some 275 miles over four days. So far $610,000 has been raised. Benefiting from the dollars raised are nine formidable Minnesota-based AIDS service organizations: African American AIDS Task Force, AIDS Care Partners, The Aliveness Project, Clare Housing, Hope House of St. Croix Valley, Minnesota AIDS Project, Open Arms of Minnesota, Park House, and Rural AIDS Action Network.
Pit Stop One: Community of Hope Lutheran Church – 14401 Biscayne Avenue, Rosemount, MN (16 miles from Bloomington)
So far the weather was quite lovely, slightly humid and 75º. “Babies” was the theme for this pit with all crew members attired like cute snuggly little rug rats. Good silly fun! Riders replenish their water and electrolyte supply and munch on snacks like fruit, granola bars and salty chips.
Pit Stop Two: Roadside Park – 901 Maple Street, Hastings, MN (17.3 miles from Rosemount’s pit)
Riding into this pit, I experienced some rough high winds which seemed to put most riders in rather disgruntled moods, but determined we were to ride on to Pit Two. Dapper Carter Averbeck(right), a four year veteran Crew Leader, always decks his pliable crew in some outlandish costumes, pulling off great theatrical ambiance. “Baseball” was the theme and all were game to pitch some fast balls with us riders. Particularly hilarious was 82 year old Echo Thoren donned up in a Polish sausage costume.
Pit Stop Three: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church – Highway 61, Miesville, MN (11.6 miles from Hastings’ pit) Again rigorously strong head winds made it quite a challenge to get into Miesville but riders prevailed. Rather dull looking highway with plenty of traffic to deal with for most of this stretch but terrific motor crew to assist us safely along.
Pit Stop Four Lunch: Cannon Valley Trail – 26674 144th Way, Welch MN (7 miles from Miesville pit)
Riding into Cannon Valley opened up my eyes to miles of scenic lushly green trees and bike trails along Cannon Falls. Such beauty all around us. The wind eased up and overcast clouds broke apart revealing a most sunny atmosphere. A gradual increase in heat made weather conditions so far quite tolerable. Lunch consisted of a tasty selection of Tuscan Italian Chicken Sandwich or a Marble Hummus Sandwich for vegetarians. The Lunch crew’s theme channeled Wheel of Fortune. Most riders seem to make into this pit pretty much trouble free despite the previous tough winds.
Pit Stop Five: Bay Point Park – 1385 Levee Street, Red Wing, MN (11 miles from Welch pit)
By now the temperature had started to climb and you could noticeably feel the increase. Pit Five offered “Happy Birthday” as its theme replete with clown attire and cupcakes served; a karaoke machine played for anyone who wanted to belt out their best Barry Manilow. Riding on, riders were treated to the comforts of our Chipotle sponsors enormous RV which they dub the Burrito Bago. Such a spirited and loving bunch who so went out of their way to provide us with water, Propel electrolyte and the modern day comforts of their air conditioned RV with an actual bathroom. Wow! Such a luxury looked mighty fine after we had used nothing but porta-potties all day.
In the past four years of the Red Ribbon Ride, Day One’s route consisted of the flattest road terrain conditions of the ride. This year, riders were in for a little surprise as the route marking took a little detour to prevent us from dealing with the heavy traffic flow on Highway 61. Instead, a two mile hill awaited us before we made it into camp. Add to this a touch of head wind and we were in for a challenge.
Camp: Bluffview Elementary School – Lake City, MN (19.7 miles from Bay Point Park pit)
We took off from Mall of America at 7:00AM. I pulled into Lake City by 4:30 PM definitely experiencing a setback with having to climb a two mile hill just before camp. I clocked in roughly 85 miles today. Temperatures peaked at 92º today. Riders could have an option of riding an additional 15 miles by getting shuttled back and riding additional miles to complete a full century ride, that is 100 miles. Of course, you get to repeat the experience of riding that final two mile hill again. Apparently, six riders chose to do just that. As for me, 85 miles was plenty.
Now at camp, I checked in my bike and retrieved my gear from the gear truck and waited for a shuttle to take me to the Sunset Motel. Having completed seven consecutive AIDS rides since 2000, and camping each night in a tent, I decided this tent business was enough for me—“been there, done that”—and with a room mate decided to do the motel option.
After a refreshing shower, I was shuttled back to camp where I ate a terrific meal of grilled chicken and pasta followed with visiting and a half hour swim at the nearby public swimming pool. At 6:45 PM we cheered in the last rider that came into camp. The ride run down, led by our ever so dependable director Kari Johnson, occurred at 7:00 PM.
We heard appreciative responses from some of our beneficiaries. Lee Haugee from AIDS Care Partners spoke about a closet Gay man from Clare Housing and about what our funding has done for the six foster care homes and a 32 unit apartment complex that ACP governs. Deb, Food Services Director from Aliveness Project talked about their drop in center for people living with HIV.
Molly Mathieson shared tidbits about news from the road crew and with Kari, announced that they would be handing out special recognition t-shirts for anyone who was reported for doing any noticeable act of kindness—helping someone distressed or going that extra mile to ensure help for anyone in need. A recipient of their recognition was awarded a “Get Caught” for being kind t-shirt. Pits One, Two and Three had crew members that “got caught.”
Rider Joe Briol and his Mohawk Team were awarded the Best Helmet prize. Team Leaders were recognized for their dedicated training ride leadership this past year. Team Oz, SJA’s very own team, the top fundraising team, had raised well over $145,000 and still counting. Chuck Parsons provided Team Oz with outstanding leadership. Thank you Chuck, and big thanks to recruitment people like Super Value’s rider Maureen Carlson, who was instrumental in increasing ridership this year.
Twin Cities Cabaret performer Erin Schwab, with piano accompaniment, was featured as the evening’s entertainment and with her trademark witty banter and belting performance style, helped close one long and eventful Day One ride.
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