Ride to the Capitol Wrap Up

First off, let’s all take a moment to be thankful for the weather.  In our opinion, it would have been hard to have a nicer day for this event.  Yes, we had a headwind, both ways, and especially while climbing, but that is to be expected, and was atually quite refreshing at time.  Cool it was (but not cold) when we started out.  Later the day became balmy and hit a high somewhere above 80 degrees.  Very nice.

Extra special thanks to our volunteer SAG drivers.  Ann, Curtis, Ryan, thank you so much for giving so freely and for “flying cover” for us.

Thanks also to Cpl. Terry Blackburn of the Peachtree City Police, and thanks to his crew.  We are super appreciative of the escort and protection they provided to us as we rode out of town.  Thank you Mayor Don Haddix for your support and for sending us of on this day.

Thank you Curly and Dan for the efforts to help organize this event, and Thanks to Dan, Curly, Chad, and Jim for the serious help in leading this “herd of cats.”  Your efforts made a serious difference.

The Riding:  It’s difficult to get a large group of riders to work together.  Bravo!  We had a large group.  In fact we had at least two large groups, and something like three smaller ones.  We were able to connect everyone, get them organized (while on the road!) and ride into Atlanta as a single large unit.  Generally, the group showed good traffic discipline, and an excellent sense of teamwork.  It’s a long ride, often under difficult conditons.  Traffic presents problems, and we handled them quite well.  Slowing to re-connect all the elements requires attention, skill, and patience.  And after every slow down, we had to “hit the gas” to keep on schedule.  That requires some folks to work a good bit harder than they are accustomed to doing.  All did splendidly.  Bravo!  Bravisimo!

Notes on the Event:
A brand new Steve Penley painting was unveiled on the Capitol steps.  Penley is donating his work to the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society.  The society is a major sponsor of the Ride to the Capitol.  It's an incredible piece of cycling art, dramatic and glorious.
Folks, we're gainng some traction!  Several state legislators from both houses came out to speak and be with us.  There were a short platoon of metro area mayors on bikes, and present at the Capitol.  And Governor Nathan Deal even came out to say a few words.
There were something like 3,000 cyclists and every kind of bike and rider imaginable.

A good, purposeful, useful, and necessary day it was.  Those of you who wokred it, rode it, supported it, pat yourselves on the back, and give yourselves a round of applause.  It's a long job, but we'll make it together.