The tour was really cool! I got a late start and had to catch up with the group because I was piddling around talking to people, thinking I still had time, as some riders were still registering. Before I knew it, the group was already leaving. I had to scramble for my helmet & other riding gear and ended up having to pedal real hard to catch up with them. There was a police SUV and an officer on bicycle, who remained close to Mike and the group for the first few miles. That’s how I found Mike. I thought the whole ride would be like that as I followed behind him, but then "POOF," like magic they were all gone and It was just Mike and I. When I asked him where the escorts went he said they had to stay with the group as a whole up ahead for safety.
At Orondo Park, the half way rest point for the 25-mile ride, a large group gathered, Mike and I included, to catch our breaths around a snack bar setup for the occasion. Some of the sponsors provided energy bars (I liked the peanut butter ones!), fruit and drinks. We hung out there for about half an hour enjoying fellowship with each other before some continued on to the 50 or 100-mile ride, while others headed back to finish the 25-mile ride.
Riding with Mike was fun. I had the opportunity to better understand what it takes to do some things that many of us take for granted. It takes courage and determination to ride a bike for 25 miles or more when you’re unable to sweat, to cool your body down due to spinal cord injury. Mike rode his hand-pedaled recumbent bike. They may not be very fast going uphill, but coming downhill, they’re 3 wheeled formula one cars! There was only one little snag during our 25-mile ride. Only 9 miles into the ride, at the start of an uphill, Mike’s chain came off while shifting into a low gear. Oddly enough, this happened right in front of a local church’s billboard sign that said "UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY." What do you suppose that’s all about? Mike’s dad (Frank) and I got the chain back on and Mike was on his way again. Frank was Mike’s chase/supply vehicle in his black SUV. He carried things like water & extra cooling packs for Mike’s vest. He was always nearby to support Mike. The last uphill of the ride was also the longest and steepest, and by now, we no longer had the shade of the mountains to protect us from the sun. It was early afternoon and it was getting HOT, but Mike finished the hill climb like the big-hearted champ he is, and then, it was all downhill (literally!) back to Lincoln Rock State Park, where Mike got a well earned hero’s welcome.
We saw a lot of beautiful countryside along the way. At one point, looking at the Columbia river off to our left, Mike said "Nice and peaceful… The way I like it." I agreed. That pretty much sums up what the ride was all about, the people, the fellowship, the little adventures along the way and the serenity. On the plane back to LA from Washington, I reflected on my understanding of the journey, and what it meant to me and to Coolsport. Mike and Dani Utley, and the "Mike Utley Foundation" are on a (sometimes difficult, but wonderful) journey of helping others who suffer from spinal cord injury. Coolsport, through our sponsorship, was honored to be part of that journey, knowing that our "cooling vests" are making a difference in the lives of other people. Our chains may sometimes come off our sprockets in life’s journey, but as a small church billboard reminded Mike and I, part of "Understanding the Journey" is knowing that you don’t have to do it alone!
Norman Nanstiel,
CoolSport
If you arrived at this page by itself, and would like to visit CoolSport's entire site, click here.
|
Mike Utley prepares for his 25-mile ride.
|
Sponsored refreshment/snack station at Orondo Park rest stop.
|
Mike Utley rockets downhill, followed by Police escort.
|
Norman couldn't resist staying behind to get this shot.
|
|