On Saturday, September 28th, I rode the Fall Fundo. It is a fundraising event for Old Spokes Home and it raised a lot of money this year! They provide free and reduced priced bikes to those in need. Over the years I have been in a few Fundos, each of which have been very different. I did the 100k ride my first time out, and was lost for much of the time, although I did eventually catch up with some people. I rode the last ten miles with Glenn and his partner Mary. Glenn used to own Old Spokes Home. He sold me my first Vermont bicycle 45 years ago when he worked at Skirack. I rode one year when it was raining during the entire event. I was miserable and I got lost. I decided never to do a rainy Fundo again! Last year I did the 50k route and it was a tough ride, with two difficult hills. I wrote about it in a blog post.

This year’s ride was wonderful. The weather was great and the distance, 40k, was just right for me. I rode my road bike and felt strong most of the way, although I was a little tired near the end of the ride. When I am part of a bike gathering, I know many of the people there. Some are old friends, others are new acquaintances. I always feel accepted and welcomed by the bike community. I am grateful to be involved with The Winooski Bike Gang, Local Motion and Old Spokes Home. Being a bike rider is an important part of who I am but I am lucky to also work for Howard Center, Mercy Connections, the YMCA, and The Family Room. Being part of many communities enriches my life. 

Harris, a bike mechanic who works at Old Spokes, was the leader of our group. It was great to catch up with how he was doing. He was a mechanic at Old Spokes when it was at its old location, then moved on to other activities and now he is back again at Old Spokes. We talked about Glenn and Mary and he remembered when I bought my yellow Salsa Fargo, which after many years is till my go-to bike. 

A group ride is like a fluid and constantly changing organism. There were probably 80 of us on the ride, so it was impossible to talk to even a fraction of the people involved. I rode most of the way with my friend Ajay who is a member of the bike gang. He is exceptionally friendly, and often greets the people we pass on our rides. I asked him if he is always so outgoing and he said that he was. I would like to take him as a role model. I am friendly in some circumstances but withdrawn in others. On this ride I also got to know some new people who were going at about the same speed as I was.  

After the rest stop, five us us formed into an informal group. Without meaning to I became the leader of the group, at least for a while. We decided to call ourselves the Flying Squirrels. We rode together for six or seven miles, and then one of our group members took off and went ahead on her own. Another member of the of our group turned out to be the president of the board of directors of Old Spokes Home. He made a brief speech at the gathering when the ride was over. I have known Jason for a long time, but not well. We talked about our daughters at the rest stop. 

At the gathering afterwards I hung out with a group of friends, including someone who signed up for the ride but was not able to do it for medical reasons. I also checked in with my buddy William who I first met through the bike gang. Now he works for Old Spokes and was the leader of one of the rides. He took a spill and when I saw him his arm was bandaged. He was in good spirits but taking a fall is always scary.

William’s injury reminded me that bike riding can be dangerous. Old Spokes Home and Local Motion are dedicated to making bikes safe and accessible for everyone and I support their efforts!