Day 2: Lake City to Rochester

I rode off into the cool and refreshing morning leaving Lake City and its breathtaking scenery of Lake Pepin, rolling hills and lush trees. All was well until a nasty old tack impeded my journey causing me to encounter my first flat. I’ve been amazingly lucky with my puncture resistant turbo armadillo tires. I’ve only suffered two flats during my seven past rides. Of course, this pesky tack would have to deflate my back tire, the more cumbersome one to change.

Pit Stop One: Wabasha Athletic Fields – 307 4th Grant Blvd, Wabasha, MN (14.3 miles from camp)

One nice advantage was that the flat occurred right before the entrance to pit one and Jen Rad, our fearless Crew Leader, was there to lend a hand and a pump. With my tire problem, I actually don’t remember what pit one’s theme was. The weather was perfect so far but the heat would soon change our terrific riding conditions.

Taking off, I was in for yet another surprise—my right gears didn’t work. Trying to figure out, work out, and just mess around with them didn’t help. I was stuck with the limited option of riding in one right gear until the next pit, this being our treacherous “hill day,” also. Luckily, the road terrain between pit one and two is pretty much flat.

Pit Stop Two: Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest- Highway 81 (9.4 miles from pit one)

Pulling into pit two, I was ecstatic to see an Erik’s Bike Repair truck parked and ready to repair my gears. It turned out while changing my back tire; we threw off the housing unit that lines the gears in place. While Erik’s took care of my bike, I had time to check out what Carter Averbeck and his mischievous crew had lined up for their pit—“Flo’s Diner.” Deciding to behave in character without compromising good service, the crew here showed off their foulest of moods while replenishing ice, water, Gatorade, fruit and salty snacks. Averbeck was in charge as the cantankerous Chef; Joyce Mundahl was Flo the floozy, while Echo Thoren played her side kick as Joe Slow and Susan Luken did a ditzy turn as an “out there” waitress. As riders steadily pulled in to this pit, I was ready to pull out and seize those ominous hills up ahead.

Ever so thankful that my gears and brakes were in excellent working order, I prepared to ride into the next pit. Strong head winds took hold of us making it extra difficult to encounter that first big hill. Two more followed as we steadily climbed along.

Pit Stop Three: St. Patrick’s Church – Highway 60, West Albany, MN (12.3 miles from pit two)

Pit three was right along the highway and efficient and quick. I stretched deeply with a few other riders and was off to tackle three more towering hills. I was pretty much riding on my own at this point. Many riders ride with a group but when it comes to tackling a big hill, it’s best if one just goes along at their own pace and focuses on keeping their cadence steady. You should avoid jerky, choppy strides or spinning too fast when going up steep hills. Another rule of thumb for hill climbing is to place your butt as far back in your seat as possible so you’re using your hamstrings and quadriceps—the strongest parts of your legs—while freeing the tension from your knees, calves, ankles and feet.

Pit Stop Four/Lunch: Water Tower Park – Corners of 1st St NW & 4th Avenue, Elgin, MN (15.4 miles from pit two)

I ate lunch with SJA parishioners and first time riders Fred Vagle and George Horner. Both agreed this ride was quite the learning experience. Having never taken on any fundraising bike rides previously, both handled the ride sensibly and took the time necessary to get to camp. Our own Team Oz started training rides the first Saturday of April at 14.5 miles and continued hosting weekend training rides through July 8. The group peaked at 89 miles July 1 and hosted a Day on the Ride experience that covered 65 miles June 17.

Pit Stop Five: Viola Park – Center Street NE & Main St. Viola, MN (6 miles from Lunch pit)

Temperatures started to heat up dramatically from lunch and through out the afternoon reaching a high of 90° but a heat index that sweltered in the mid 90s. Pit five treated us riders to the delights of a Halloween theme. I dunked my head in tub of water and soaked my feet with several others in a plastic pool.

Camp: Willow Creek Middle School, Rochester, MN (13.9 miles from pit five)

The final miles of riding were hot. Many riders opted for the shorter distance of riding 48 miles replete with much of the same hills minus the distance. I rode the entire route of our hill day to Rochester clocking in 72.5 miles and pulling in at 3:30 pm. Because of the high heat, while checking in, we were told to deflate a little air out of our tires because a number of bikes that sit out in the hot sun start to expand pressure slightly causing some tires to burst open.

Tonight I stayed in the comforts of Willow Creek Middle School’s air conditioned gym. I inflated my air mattress, settled in, stretched, showered and dined on a tasty Oriental stir fry with salad and dessert bars.

Tonight during Ride Rundown, speakers from the beneficiaries spoke. Kevin Winge, Director from Open Arms said, “The majority of our clients live below the poverty line. This is where Opens Arms helps out.” Around since 1986, this extraordinary agency just prepared and delivered their one millionth meal. Winge also noted that Open Arms recently created a hot lunch program in South Africa.

Scott Zehran, Executive Director from Hope House appreciatively spoke about the many benefits the Red Ribbon Ride has provided this adult foster care home which opened back in 1993. Jim Maurer(right), manager from Park House, a Mental Health treatment center for people living with HIV, shared his gratitude for the ride’s funding. Maurer personally has consistently raised an impressive figure each year he had done the ride with this year raking in $9,725.

Director’s Driver Molly Matheson gave a lengthy “Get Caught-Being Kind” report with rider # 28 aiding a down bike with a tire iron. Rider #139 gave another biker his water bottle. Many riders helped fix flats. Sweep Vehicle Three operators Kristen and Jennifer swept up gravel off of the road and our own Team Oz Sweepers Father Jim Cassidy and Pat Murphy managed to always show up just after a grueling hill and spritz us sweat soaked riders with water, sweet treats and their plentiful humor.

Best Decorated Tent honors went to training ride leaders Jean and Martin Enting. Dr. Chris Christiansen had great reports on the health of riders thus far bidding us to stay safe, stay single file and keep hydrating.

Ride Director Kari Johnson, ever joyful and tearful, acknowledged our chief sponsor Chipotle and Ed Berg who donate all of the Propel and Dysani water that they offer to us riders along with their RV—the Burrito Bago which we are allowed to take a break and rest in the comforts of air conditioning. She also gave props to Prom Catering who provided our scrumptious dinners each night of the ride.

Rider Bill Middeke, AKA Bicycle Bill, presented Johnson with an appreciation award for her 11 year involvement with directing Minnesota AIDS rides, a bobblehead replica of herself.

Team Oz with over 120 members this year raised over $146,000 and counting. Team Ride Captain Chuck Parsons(far right) proudly spoke about the team’s origins with SJA and Fr. Cassidy back in 1997. Parsons alluded to the team’s association with The Wizard of Oz: the Lion wants courage (how brave our team has been), the Tin Man needs a heart (how compassionate we’ve been), the Scarecrow desires a brain (what wisdom we’ve shared training one another) and at the top of this courage, compassion and wisdom has been our fearless leader Fr. Jim.

Cassidy(with microphone) benevolently talked about the impact of this ride, “Over 1000 stories of what brings people to this ride. It’s important to share those memories, the memory of many men and women who have died of HIV. We really are ONE team.” He concluded with the Marianne Williamson poem from A Return to Love, notably recited by Nelson Mandela:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?

Actually, who are we not to be?

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

Rick Spaulding is a photographer specializing in digital photography for the theater and works for National Camera Exchange. He is also an antique dealer and eBay afficianado who enjoys collecting marbles but his true joys in life are his two boys and his beautiful wife, Tinia.