September 21, 2010
Greetings to the Good People of DaVita!
I write to you on Tuesday am, early, as we are in the tent eating breakfast. Yesterday was a tough tough ride, because it rained much of the day, and some of the rain was so intense it was hard to see where you were going. Your 400 teammates nevertheless maintained an almost uniformly positive attitude, and the support people were most impressed. The Red Shirts doing the support were equally impressive in fact, standing out in the rain for hours encouraging riders at key stops, helping them get food, etc.
The ride has been a Glorious Moving Village! Each night some people share why they are riding and/or what they experienced that day. There is something terrifically bonding about riding for hours with another human being, and many new and lasting friendships are formed each year.
I did the full course, which was 70 miles. It took about 6 hours to do, so the day’s big total was 420 minutes. It feels soooo good to type this.
As of Day One, we were up to an amazing $691,000l for the Kidney Trust. Our other objectives are also important, namely to create stronger Village bonds across our fair enterprise, to get some people re-engaged In the art of exercise and outdoor activity, to provoke serious reflecting amongst ourselves about our life’s purpose, and to send forth ripples of citizen leadership.
So far we are scoring on all fronts. I have to get out there. Today I will try to do the Century, a full 100 miles, no drafting. Please wish me luck. I will give it all I have, of that you can be sure.
At the tour, when one of us says to another “Let’s Ride” the response is “Ride On”.
That is what we will do today, each as best they can, that is where the glory is. In the Tour as in life, we Ride On. Together.
KT
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Georgia Blanchard said,
September 21, 2010 @ 1:53 pm
What an awesome accomplishment. Just makes me more excited to join the Tour next year. Good luck with the 100;
Georgia
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Stacey Hutsler said,
September 22, 2010 @ 6:14 am
KT,
Your passion and vision for all the things you believe in are amazing. You truly are an inspiration and a mentor for anyone wanting to break free! I would have loved to have done the tour this year, but I have not been able to afford a bike. Hopefully next spring I will be able to jump out there and possibly join the tour next year to help support this amazing cause.
As you are out there in the elements just know I am rooting you on full force…*pom pom’s in hand, jumping up and down* Go KT, Go KT!
I am praying the rest of the tour goes well for you and everyone busting there butts out there!
Stacey
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Debbie Smith said,
September 22, 2010 @ 1:10 pm
Hi KT,
It was great to see you in Tacoma on Saturday! The street fair was awesome. My husband came with me and enjoyed it too. I said to him afterwards “Now you have seen KT in action.” Thank you for the comments to my blog from a couple of weeks ago. I wish I had read them before seeing you so I could have said I’m the Debbie who cut herself on the remote control. You really surprised me when you came up behind me and put your hands on my shoulders… at first I thought it was my husband so when I saw you I was so surprised all I could say was “It’s great to see you.” I wanted to day how happy I am at DaVita. I had my 10 anniversary this year and it was more special because it was DaVita’s too. It has been a great year!
I am pushing myself to ride my stationary bike farther and be more active. I have started watching Thintervention (a reality show about a group trying to lose weight…the trainers are really mean)while I ride. This week I told myself I have to be riding my bike to watch it.
I hope the Tour was great for you… sorry abou the rain!
Ride on! Debbie
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Stacey Hutsler said,
September 24, 2010 @ 6:00 am
Today is Friday 09/24/10 and I have finished route 66 and am going for another round…I love that it gives the opportunity to keep going! I love hearing everyone’s stories. It is keeping me motivated. I had a great workout last night and am sore today, but it is a sign of progress. I have let myself have a few things I probably should not have eaten, but each day is a new beginning and a time to have success.
Happy Friday Route 66!
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Georgia Blanchard said,
September 24, 2010 @ 6:06 am
That is awesome Stacey, I unfortunately have been stuck in New Mexico. I had to take a few days off from exercising due to my back. I am back at it today. Plan on getting a good work today. Not only at the gym but my team is going bowling today.
Have a great weekend everyone 🙂
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Stacey Hutsler said,
September 24, 2010 @ 6:08 am
Georgia, sorry to hear about your back…we all know what our limits are and you are doing so well! Have fun bowling…it is one of my favorite exercises!
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