Great stuff guys!

Another charity ride story. My wifes employer, a bank, rides for Cystic Fibrosis every year. You can pick the miles you want to do, 32, 62 or 100. I sign-up for the 62 miler because my wife assures me that her bank team, which are the only people I know there and am supposed to be riding with, will all be going that distance. Well, I get to the start line and I'm looking around, and the bank team is all just sitting around. I ask them why they aren't lining up and they all tell me their only going 32 miles and won't be starting for awhile! Now I'm in a bit of a panic because I'm about to do 5 hrs or better of riding by my lonesome.

Well, I'm a chatterbox and I know I'm going to suffer if I don't make a friend or two, so I'm riding along, trying to chat it up with other riders, but most have friends with them and can't really be bothered. Not rude or anything, just busy with their friends. Finally after about 15 miles in, I find 2 guys who are really friendly and receptive to my lame opening line, and we seem to be on the same pace, so I'm in! We went the rest of the way together, had a great time, good conversation, same age and it even winds up we live in the same neighborhood!

So not only was I the hero of the bank team for going the 62 miles instead of 32, I met two riders who I am still going out riding with on weekends and now consider good friends!