This year I was honored when the Silicon Valley chapter of the ADA asked me to be the Red Rider team captain. The Red Rider team members all have Type 1 diabetes. After last year, I knew better than to think it was an easy ride in the park, in fact last year’s ride not only taught me to respect cycling but I also had some other challenges to overcome. A recent injury to my neck (severed bracihal plexus) makes riding difficult. The last time I rode I had severe pain in my neck and numbness in my hands for days after. Leading the team in this year’s ride was a big commitment, but not one I could shy away from. I wanted to be part of the event and really wanted to motivate others.
Doug Burns and Dave Prion
If I was going to be the team captain, I wanted to plan better this year. I went to my friend Dave Prion at Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos. If you live in the Bay area, you likely know about them, the company has been helping cyclists find the right equipment for 25 years. Dave knows about distance cycling from experience. He has cycled across the United States, even on his honeymoon! I talked to Dave about my plan for this year’s ride and he made the appropriate adjustments to lessen some of the challenges I had encountered last year. Dave set me up on a Time bike which made the ride far easier and he refused to let me pay him anything for the loan.
When I arrived at the event I was very happy to hear that nearly 1700 riders had joined. The Red Rider team had about 30 members. We had kids, teens, college students and adults. They stepped out to do the 120K, 75K or 50k ride when they could have simply stayed home. Greg LeMond was scheduled to ride but at the last minute had to change his schedule so he could speak to the British Parliament in London. We missed him, but know that he can’t be in two places at once.
Paul Hollingworth, Doug Burns and Kyle Rose
This year, the ride was better for me. The climb up Kings Mt was easier but after ascending I realized most of the Red Riders were on the other courses. I found some of the riders with Type 1 including my friend Kyle from Team Type 1; we rode the the 75k portion together and chatted about cycling, new medical devices, and about a mutual friend Monique from Australia who’d just broken 3 vertebrae in a bike accident. The ride went well and I could tell that having the right bike made a difference. This year I was more semi comfortable during the ride, the bike was suited for the task (On the ride prior I had used what felt like a 100lb rental). I cannot thank everyone enough – the riders who showed up, the riders who helped me with their expertise – Greg L, Bob C, Ryan M, Marshall C, Kyle R, & Christian G and those from the ADA office – Richard, Alex & Allyson for putting on the event, and of course Dave to all I can’t say thank you enough.
After we finished the ride we indulged in the Waco Taco feast. Not only was the food great, but there were ample portions!
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