"Race for Grace" Cyclists Raise $23,000 for ICC
100 miles...23 riders...$23,000 for ICC...the 2007 "Race for Grace" cycling team in the Hotter 'N Hell 100 (HHH) was a big success! Here are some reflections from a few of the riders, in their own words:
"It was fun, exciting and inspirational to have the opportunity to ride with 'world class cyclists' as well as folks who looked like the 'kid next door.' 11,000 cyclists at the starting line is really something to see...
Though there were times of great discomfort, every time I wanted to whine because my thighs were burning, my rear was aching, and my mouth was dry from the heat, I would think about those parents in Haiti, often sick themselves, who would carry their ill and suffering children,
sometimes walking for hours, to get to Grace Children's Hospital, and then often waiting hours more in the stifling heat with no food or water, waiting for their turn to be cared for. Then I would think, 'Jeannine, you are just a wuss, you just better keep going!'
I would also think about the faces of some of the kids I had seen in the hospital and their suffering and need for care and comfort. All of that made the ride much easier, then the wonderful welcome from the Wichita Falls community under the leadership of the Huddleston/Waggoner family was phenomenal. We will definitely do it again next year and are already getting others excited!"
Jeannine Hatt, MD
Denison, TX
A few weeks after the race, Jeannine was in a bike accident that required surgery to repair a broken wrist. During her recovery, she had this to share:
"One other thought I wanted to add in my 'post HHH reflections' as I recuperate from my recent accident...If I were one of the hundreds of Haitians who uses a bicycle as his or her primary form of transportation and was struck by a vehicle on a rural road in Haiti, I know the
post-accident scenario would be totally different. Rather than receiving prompt care in a well-staffed ER and surgery that repaired the fragmented bones in my forearm, I may have had to heal splinted with rough wood and cloth ties, likely suffering for weeks with no pain medication and be left with a bent, poorly functioning left forearm and wrist.
Or worse, because I would not have had the luxury of a protective helmet, I probably would have quickly died of my head injuries or been left neurologically impaired and unable to care for myself, much less my family. There would have been no neurosurgeon readily available to deal
with the intra-cranial injuries that I most likely would have suffered, nor a CT scanner to quickly make a diagnosis.
So yes, it was painful and inconvenient to deal with this injury. But, you know, I have had it pretty dang easy and when I am 'healed' in another month, I should have no residual problems. My bruises, cuts and scrapes will be gone and my bones will be strong and straight again. And I
know that anyone who walks through the doors of our hospital would get the same care I did. Just by my birthright, I am one of the lucky of the world.
Now, is that just? I don't think so. We all must be aware of the global health care inequities and look for some way to play a part in finding some solutions."
*****
"With great resistance, I agreed to participate in this ride. You see, I had not been on a bicycle in 30 years. The prospects of participating in such an event and going beyond 5 miles were daunting. However, the challenge from Jeannine and the children of Grace Hospital in Haiti was
unrelenting.
I purchased a bicycle about 6 weeks before the race, and the battle for courage was on!
In the early morning hours on the day of the race, the atmosphere was that of a well organized children's parade. The people of Wichita Falls and the surrounding area embraced the riders with loving kindness and support. Perhaps the greatest evidence of this encouragement was the last 10 miles of my ride which took us through a local Air Force base. As the young airmen cheered us on and offered refreshments of liquid energy, I was reminded again of the purpose of my participation. Like my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are often called beyond our comfort zone to do something to help a brother, a stranger, sometimes a child in need!"
Vernon C. Johnson, M.D.
Sherman, TX
*****
"If you told me a year ago that I would even consider riding Hotter N'Hell 100 and/or ICC would benefit to the tune of 20-30K with a Race for Grace...I would have told you that you are NUTS! But I have been wrong before (more times than I care to admit).
My wife Jeannine and I have done a fair bit of cycling to and from the gym and on the rural roads around our home...but not more that 10-15 miles at a time. I had been doing some jogging, but that ended with a stress fracture of my right knee several weeks prior to HHH...so here we go to Wichita Falls.
Using the Firstgiving website, giving presentations at three churches, and holding five bike raffles were well received and profitable. Water bottle sales and new rider contacts went well at the convention center, with promise of many more team members next year.
And then the event. If you enjoy new friends, getting to know old friends at a deeper level, enjoying unbelievable hospitality from friends, participating in a well-organized, safe, and completely doable bike rally and a beautiful day in the country...HHH is for you.
The course and rally is not difficult (unless you have your brakes on, like my wife accidentally did!) and you can select distance and intensity.
10 mile breaks for Gatorade, water, fruit, assorted snacks, 'porta-potty,' and a breather with friends allow those with limited training or endurance to participate.
The hospitality, fellowship, accommodations, food and drink before and following the race are bonuses.
At the convention hall and registration you will meet bunches of folks, have the opportunity to add to your cycling gear, eat well, drink pickle juice (if you are NUTS), tell others of ICC, see pink flamingos on display, and you might even win a brand new bicycle!
What a way to spend a weekend and benefit a favorite charity!
See you next year, unless you need to re-arrange your sock drawer.
Godspeed (approx. 12 miles/hr.),"
Chuck Phelps II MD
Denison, TX
*****
Photos from the event...
The display booth at the pre-race trade show was a hot spot for the 11,000+ cyclists.
The race is on! Riders could choose the length of their course, from 25 miles-100 miles.
Some of the "Race for Grace" team members gather at the post-race party for a quick picture.
Thank you to everyone who organized, rode, donated, and cheered on the 2007 Race for Grace Team!
"It was fun, exciting and inspirational to have the opportunity to ride with 'world class cyclists' as well as folks who looked like the 'kid next door.' 11,000 cyclists at the starting line is really something to see...
Though there were times of great discomfort, every time I wanted to whine because my thighs were burning, my rear was aching, and my mouth was dry from the heat, I would think about those parents in Haiti, often sick themselves, who would carry their ill and suffering children,
sometimes walking for hours, to get to Grace Children's Hospital, and then often waiting hours more in the stifling heat with no food or water, waiting for their turn to be cared for. Then I would think, 'Jeannine, you are just a wuss, you just better keep going!'
I would also think about the faces of some of the kids I had seen in the hospital and their suffering and need for care and comfort. All of that made the ride much easier, then the wonderful welcome from the Wichita Falls community under the leadership of the Huddleston/Waggoner family was phenomenal. We will definitely do it again next year and are already getting others excited!"
Jeannine Hatt, MD
Denison, TX
A few weeks after the race, Jeannine was in a bike accident that required surgery to repair a broken wrist. During her recovery, she had this to share:
"One other thought I wanted to add in my 'post HHH reflections' as I recuperate from my recent accident...If I were one of the hundreds of Haitians who uses a bicycle as his or her primary form of transportation and was struck by a vehicle on a rural road in Haiti, I know the
post-accident scenario would be totally different. Rather than receiving prompt care in a well-staffed ER and surgery that repaired the fragmented bones in my forearm, I may have had to heal splinted with rough wood and cloth ties, likely suffering for weeks with no pain medication and be left with a bent, poorly functioning left forearm and wrist.
Or worse, because I would not have had the luxury of a protective helmet, I probably would have quickly died of my head injuries or been left neurologically impaired and unable to care for myself, much less my family. There would have been no neurosurgeon readily available to deal
with the intra-cranial injuries that I most likely would have suffered, nor a CT scanner to quickly make a diagnosis.
So yes, it was painful and inconvenient to deal with this injury. But, you know, I have had it pretty dang easy and when I am 'healed' in another month, I should have no residual problems. My bruises, cuts and scrapes will be gone and my bones will be strong and straight again. And I
know that anyone who walks through the doors of our hospital would get the same care I did. Just by my birthright, I am one of the lucky of the world.
Now, is that just? I don't think so. We all must be aware of the global health care inequities and look for some way to play a part in finding some solutions."
*****
"With great resistance, I agreed to participate in this ride. You see, I had not been on a bicycle in 30 years. The prospects of participating in such an event and going beyond 5 miles were daunting. However, the challenge from Jeannine and the children of Grace Hospital in Haiti was
unrelenting.
I purchased a bicycle about 6 weeks before the race, and the battle for courage was on!
In the early morning hours on the day of the race, the atmosphere was that of a well organized children's parade. The people of Wichita Falls and the surrounding area embraced the riders with loving kindness and support. Perhaps the greatest evidence of this encouragement was the last 10 miles of my ride which took us through a local Air Force base. As the young airmen cheered us on and offered refreshments of liquid energy, I was reminded again of the purpose of my participation. Like my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are often called beyond our comfort zone to do something to help a brother, a stranger, sometimes a child in need!"
Vernon C. Johnson, M.D.
Sherman, TX
*****
"If you told me a year ago that I would even consider riding Hotter N'Hell 100 and/or ICC would benefit to the tune of 20-30K with a Race for Grace...I would have told you that you are NUTS! But I have been wrong before (more times than I care to admit).
My wife Jeannine and I have done a fair bit of cycling to and from the gym and on the rural roads around our home...but not more that 10-15 miles at a time. I had been doing some jogging, but that ended with a stress fracture of my right knee several weeks prior to HHH...so here we go to Wichita Falls.
Using the Firstgiving website, giving presentations at three churches, and holding five bike raffles were well received and profitable. Water bottle sales and new rider contacts went well at the convention center, with promise of many more team members next year.
And then the event. If you enjoy new friends, getting to know old friends at a deeper level, enjoying unbelievable hospitality from friends, participating in a well-organized, safe, and completely doable bike rally and a beautiful day in the country...HHH is for you.
The course and rally is not difficult (unless you have your brakes on, like my wife accidentally did!) and you can select distance and intensity.
10 mile breaks for Gatorade, water, fruit, assorted snacks, 'porta-potty,' and a breather with friends allow those with limited training or endurance to participate.
The hospitality, fellowship, accommodations, food and drink before and following the race are bonuses.
At the convention hall and registration you will meet bunches of folks, have the opportunity to add to your cycling gear, eat well, drink pickle juice (if you are NUTS), tell others of ICC, see pink flamingos on display, and you might even win a brand new bicycle!
What a way to spend a weekend and benefit a favorite charity!
See you next year, unless you need to re-arrange your sock drawer.
Godspeed (approx. 12 miles/hr.),"
Chuck Phelps II MD
Denison, TX
*****
Photos from the event...
The display booth at the pre-race trade show was a hot spot for the 11,000+ cyclists.
The race is on! Riders could choose the length of their course, from 25 miles-100 miles.
Some of the "Race for Grace" team members gather at the post-race party for a quick picture.Thank you to everyone who organized, rode, donated, and cheered on the 2007 Race for Grace Team!
posted by Alison at 9:58 AM 
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