StokerPoker

I'm riding again next year. I'm registered now and anyone is welcome to join the team. My team's name is Frog Legs and I'm going to be captain again this year. My goal for 2008 is more miles and more fundraising. I'm sure this is doable. Anyone interested feel free to PM me or sign up!!

Team page:
https://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=...team_id=272218
my page:
https://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/?pg...036&px=3361088

StokerPoker

Just a little update... Things have been a little slow in the recruitment and fundraising areas for me. Health and family issues have been the biggest barriers. I know I have 6 months and it's not going to be a problem.
After a near miss last year at the TDC my fiance still has not ridden her bike since. She's ridden the tandem with me, but that's it. She says she's off the team this year. I suppose if I'm able to get some of the girls I go to nursing school with to join she might change her mind. My Brother is going to join again, but beyond that I'm not sure where to go.
Most of the people I talked to last year said "yeah, I'll donate" or "I'll ride" and never did. I guess I better get off my but and seriously work on my game plan here

StokerPoker

I joined Facebook because it allowed me to create another page to get the word out. Here's that page: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...6853&ref=share
I started that yesterday so we'll see how it goes. Looks like many others thought of it before me though.

StokerPoker

Woohoo!! I got my first donation that wasn't mine today from one of my fellow poor nursing school classmates.

My brother should also be signing up to ride soon and I have another rider who is interested, but hasn't made the commitment yet.

Things are finally starting to fall together!!!

StokerPoker

My brother just signed up!! There's also a forum member interested in joining the team.

StokerPoker

My sister and her boyfriend signed up today. One more rider and we will be an "official" team!!

StokerPoker

As far as letter writing campaigns go, my return was actually pretty good. I sent out 7 letters to friends and family with donation requests and I got 3 replies. I have to get the next batch ready and sent soon.

Since I'm very disconnected from my dad's side of the family this has been a great thing for me. I finally have contact info for some of them and we've started exchanging emails and calls and things. It's been quite nice!

StokerPoker

Just to let you all know, the ride is a month away and we're still looking for more riders. Thanks everyone

StokerPoker

The ride was yesterday and it was great. There were over 900 riders at this event. The rain held off, but it was VERY hot. The rest stops had plenty of water and gatorade. The support team was very helpful to those in need.

The only mishaps for my team were minor. My brother got a flat on his truck on the way to my house so I had to get rescue him cause he didn't have a spare. Shortly after the starting line my sister's boyfriend had a little chainsuck issue ruining 2 links of his chain. Luckily, (thanks to suggestions from the commuting forum) I had my chain tool and the extra links of chain I kept after replacing my old one. Other than the fact that my chain tool is a POS, the repair went smoothly.

So other than that, the only thing that wasn't totally wonderful was this one guy... He wasn't part of the event in any way, just someone out riding in the park. He kept going up and down the road yelling at people. One time someone in front of me was passing someone. The person passing said, "on your left" and waited for the person to respond. He then started to pass. The guy who likes to yell at people buzzed by me with inches to spare and no warning, yelled something while he was next to me, then yelled at the guy who was passing "single file so cars and bikes can pass!!!!" while almpst hitting the guy.

The next rest stop was full of people complaining about this random guy.

It was a great time, and I didn't let one person spoil it for me. There was another person who offended me, but I won't dignify that with a rant. No sunburn and we all stayed hydrated. We were sweaty, but we had a great time.

Too bad I remembered my camera and 4 sets of batteries, but forgot the memory card!! Oh well, my sister got a couple pictures so maybe in a few days I'll post them.

StokerPoker

Team Frog Legs is signed up or the 2009 ride!!! Anyone who wants to ride with us is welcome. I've updated the URLs
https://main.diabetes.org/goto/frog-legs is the team page
https://main.diabetes.org/goto/KevinL is my page

Dchiefransom

Good luck with the ride and fundraising. I wish I could ride back there with you. I'm signed up out here for the Yountville/Napa ride.
Your thread caught my eye because I grew up in Livonia. We lived on Loveland, three houses north of West Chicago. My younger brother had diabetes, and I ride in his memory. My younger son has diabetes, also.

StokerPoker

Good luck to you too! So you weren't too far from Wilson Barn then. I'm a few miles north of there. You should see what they did where Wonderland Mall was, and the George Burns Theater. The change is absolutly insane.

Dchiefransom

I went to Rosedale Elementary, Whitman Jr High, and Franklin. Not sure where the Wilson Barn was, Nankin Mill? I was close to the MaiKai theater.

StokerPoker

Oh ok... a little further west then. The barn is at West Chicago and Middlebelt

1bluetrek

Hey Stroker, good luck on the Tour this year! I'm riding my 3rd in Redmond Wa. in May '09. With the economy, I will need to get an early start on fund raising but I should prolly wait till after the first. Check out my slide show of the tour and another fav ride of mine.

StokerPoker

I gave my Trek to my dad and after a 10 mile ride he agreed to ride with us this year!!