October 3rd Curt’s Ride to Cure Cancer with a tribute to John Harris –

Submitted by Deborah Lavery Powers
Staff Reporter
www.curtsride.com
September 29, 2015 1:00 a.m.

Deb 1

Logo designed by Sid Stromsdorfer

A handful of friends will get together again this year on October 3rd to start peddling down the east coast of Florida (all 620 miles) to raise money for cancer research. They will be coming from Northern Virginia, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, California, and the District of Columbia — such is their dedication to Curt’s Ride to Cure Cancer.

Deb 9
The 620 mile contingent of the 2011 team with some of the Amelia Park friends who cycled with them on their first day.

Since the participants live so far apart, plans for each upcoming ride are made via text, email, Facebook, Twitter, you name it. Team Leader Dave Lavery’s September 23rd message to the team started this way:

Riders are never stumped when it comes to finding a fun, invigorating way to accomplish a goal.
Riders are never stumped when it comes to finding a fun, invigorating way to accomplish a goal.

“It is just 10 days until the start of the ride, and I am fully engaged in an “oh jeez, I am so not ready at all for this thing” state of panic as final preparations get underway. So in an attempt to share the pain, there are a few things to go over to make sure that everyone else can bring their ulcers up to the same high standard that I use for myself.

“First, and most important, we want to check on how everyone is doing with their fund-raising efforts.

“As always, Curt’s Ride To Cure Cancer is supposed to be a fun, invigorating, and inspirational experience. But it is a fun, invigorating, and inspirational experience with a cause.

Deb 4 Crop“One of our biggest purposes is to raise funds to aid in the search for a cure for cancer. Everyone has already started their fund raising and making great progress.

Right now we are [well on our way to reaching our] overall team goal of $30,000. It is common to have the majority of funding donated during the last two weeks of the pre-ride fundraising campaign. So there is still plenty of time to get your message out there.”

The ride is named after Curt Ewald, a high school friend of several cyclists who graduated with Curt from Virginia’s Herndon High School in the late 1970’s. Which makes them, aaah, eeer, at least how old? The rest of the evolving group met through work or FIRST (check it out at www.usfirst.org)

Some riders said “enough” after just one year. Others are on their 2nd to 6th year. Amanda Morrison, who Dave mentored when she was a student participating in FIRST, is new to cycling this year, but always the daring and enthusiastic one, feels ready to take on the 163 mile leg from Miami to Key West. We have regulars who are missing this time because of work commitments — and one due to a cycling accident. But all will be back!

One flops to the sidewalk while another changes a tire (what else is new?) and the 3rd makes reservations, via cell, for the night's stay.
One flops to the sidewalk while another changes a tire (what else is new?) and the 3rd makes reservations, via cell, for the night’s stay.

One high school friend, though determined to participate at some point, is still at the “starting-to-ride-again-after-all-these years” stage. After a good workout, (for 20 miles, maybe?) she moaned to Stacey, a 6-year veteran, “HOW do you do it?

Stacey responded:

“After 20 miles your derriere hurts. After 50 miles it is cursing at you. After 100 miles, it screams! … All you have to do is pedal. When you stop, the pain will go away. So often when my derriere is talking to me, I just think about the friends and family that I know who are currently going through treatment for cancer: the radiation and chemo, the adverse reactions to the meds, the hair loss and weight gain or weight loss — none of them complain or ask why them? They are the heroes. They help inspire me to pedal through the pain. Thank you to everyone who knows what I am talking about and who supports the same cause as I do. If you haven’t already donated to Curt’s Ride To Cure Cancer and want to, please click on the link below and donate; no gift is too small to make a difference.”

www.curtsride.com

You may donate to the team as a whole, or to an individual member. When on the site, just click on “Donate to the American Cancer Society online through the ‘Curt’s Ride project page.’” You’ll find that option on the right side of the home page.

Dave adds: “And for those that might be local to the ride route [like we are in Fernandina] and are so inclined, it would be great to have you ride along for a day – or for the whole thing! Ride with us and lend your moral support. Or even better, consider becoming a Curt’s Ride to Cure Cancer team member and helping with our efforts!”

Here are the schedule for Days 1 and 2:

Day 01 – http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/522197274

Day 02 – http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/522203352

As for the rest of the route, Dave says:

“‘Following the route” is really a somewhat loose description. Frequent side trips, getting lost, stopping for lunch, getting lost, fixing flat tires, getting lost, repairing bike chains, getting lost, stopping for second lunch, getting lost, stopping for an after lunch drink, and getting lost are all expected to figure prominently in our daily activities. And occasionally we may get lost.”

During all this riding and stopping and getting lost, the team has found themselves celebrating certain things in certain ways each year. Ah, Traditions! The night before “take off” includes Stewart Shrimp Chowder from Dave and Stacey’s “The Bacon Route” cookbook (sold out), followed by coconut and chocolate cakes from Miss Caroline’s (the cakes rank in the “must” category).

Deb 6
Photo courtesy of Bill Ingalls

Deb 7

The big prize at the end of the ride is having a team picture taken at The Southernmost Point Buoy – with Margaritas served by local friends.

Following that (or maybe before) comes the hunting down of new key lime pie favorites.

Many other traditions have come into play over the years: special places to eat, stay, stop for a break, etc. And during every ride, there’s been a picture taken at the 100 mile mark, as a new someone completes his/her first “Century.” In 2014, it was Greg and Sam. Celebration time! (Photo courtesy of Bill Ingalls)

John and best friend John Bertsch, trying to keep straight faces as the first flat tire of Start-Up Day is being changed . . . before the involved bike ever made if off the front porch. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wilkes.
John Harris and best friend John Bertsch, trying to keep straight faces as the first flat tire of Start-Up Day is being changed . . . before the involved bike ever made if off the front porch. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wilkes.

Sadly, one annual “given” won’t happen in 2015. Traditionally John Harris has led the riders to the county line in that ancient Fernandina Beach Police Auxiliary sedan he drove. He won’t be doing so this year. John died on September 10th. Rest in peace, dear John, you were a special addition to Curt’s team. Your “leading the way” always added a festive note to the beginning of the first day. And oh how the team has transformed your participation into legend by regaling their many friends with tales of your “escort services!”

From the team: “We will always remember John with fondness and the story of him will live on!”

Deb Powers Cropped 3Editor’s Note: After a career in adult education, where writing, course design and development were her “beat”, Deborah now enjoys the world of freelancing, and volunteering. We thank Deborah for her many contributions.