This week’s adventure started when Randy received a notice on Thursday, November 3 about the American Diabetes Association’s “Step Out Yuma Walk, Run, or Ride”(www.diabetes.org) on Saturday, November 5. It was sponsored by one of the local Native American tribes, the Quechan, and Randy’s employer, YRMC. All hospital employees are encouraged to participate in the community by YRMC.
You might wonder why the local tribe was sponsoring the event. It turns out that Native Americans have a very high rate of diabetes. This is especially true for those tribes that are in the desert Southwest.
The ride interested him. It was only 20 miles. He has been riding regularly to work with a ten mile ride on Saturdays. Why not sign up for a good cause? He found that there were no teams from YRMC. He did see a team from the Southwestern Endocrinology which was the only medical one there. He joined that team and contributed $15 towards the event. With that done, he let his co-workers know he was riding in the event. His $15 quickly became $70. This was only on Thursday, with the ride 2 days away.
It had been blowing all day Friday and we got measureable rain that night. It was supposed to be better weather on Saturday but it was forecast to be cold.
Randy got already for the ride on Friday night by oiling up the chain and getting the tire pressure set right. He chose to take his commuter bike rather than his road bike as the location of the ride was still unknown. It has heavier tires and it built for everyday riding. He takes it on the canal roads that would really cause problems with his road bike.
Saturday we got the new car ready to transport the bike and we were soon there. We had purchased it with the idea of being able to take the bikes inside the cabin. It was good to see that it worked. As Randy registered, he finally found out where the bike tour would be – the levee next to the river. That sounded fine but turned out not to be.
The walk began with the spirit walkers from the Quechan leading the way around the walking path and given it their blessing. Randy’s ride started soon after. He found out what the levee ride meant as he turned off onto a gravel road going downhill with a washboard surface that almost shook him off. The gravel was loose and was difficult to control the bike. He was glad that he did not bring his road bike with its narrow tires.
They were led by a “Rino” off- road vehicle with three Marines in front, a Quechan police car, and a fire engine crew escorting them on the ride. Did we mention there were only 2 riders? This was the first year that this Ride was added to the event and it showed. The other rider was not wearing a helmet which is normally required for rides of this nature.
The road was really bad. The gravel and sand about ripped the handlebars out of Randy’s hands on several occasions. It also made for tough, slow going. After about 7.5 miles he was done in and climbed aboard the fire crew pickup to the ten mile point. It ended next to the paved Bard highway. Randy chose to accept the ride back to where it started. The other rider chose to return - via the paved road.
When Randy got back, he was asked about the ride with the event people. He gave his honest opinion and said that it was horrible. The gravel road made for a difficult and dangerous ride. If a rider fell off on his/her bike, the gravel would have added to the injury. The gravel is also hard on tires. It cuts the tread and could easily create a flat. He also handed them his business card and said that he would help them organize the ride next year.
Randy’s team came in fourth place for fund raising in the family/friends division and the donated money will be well spent to help find a cure for diabetes.
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