Benevolent Deity Century Ride

 

Mike and I decided to do a ride along with Team 26 starting at Edmond Town Hall.  Once again, Father Bob had a great invocation and quite a few political leaders, as well as others, who are victims of gun violence got up to speak. It was moving. It's hard to believe that with everything that has happened since the Sandy Hook shooting:

Sutherland Springs, Texas
Mandalay Bay Casino, Las Vegas
Pulse Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Inland Regional Center, San Bernardino California
Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, Oregon
Episcopal Church Hate Crime shooting, Charleston, SC
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC
Congressional Baseball Shooting
Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, FL
Nashville, TN Mall Shooting

Our government still does nothing. Even after one of their own gets shot, all you get from Washington, DC is Thoughts and Prayers for the victims. Its just worthless lip service from our elected officials, who the people of this country put there, only to have them cow tow to special interests and lobbyists. They don't represent the people that put them there otherwise they would be bending over backwards to make this great country safer for the people they represent. I am embarrassed. At least, on a state level things are happening to improve our safety and preventing gun violence but we really need it to be at a national level to for it to be truly impactful.

Standing to Senator Blumenthal's left is Matt Knickerbocker, the First Selectman of Bethel. He's a cyclist and pretty good one at that. Monte Frank gave his closing remarks and said that he is carrying a petition of a quarter of a million names asking for new measures in Congress to thwart gun violence.

The riders assembled and then we took off. Team 26 includes two of our riding buddies this year and we wanted to support them by riding as far as we could with them.

Hope Peace Love: Sandy Hook Ride on Washington

I rode up to the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington Rally being held at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown, CT this morning.  It was flurrying when I left the house but by the time I got up there it was snowing much harder.

Team 26 rolled in about 10 minutes later and while I was OK standing around in 28 degree weather I was lamenting that I didn't wear my lobster gloves.  The gloves I had on would have been fine if I were just riding but during the speeches, prayers, and kind words by those involved I came to the realization that I might have a problem with the ride today.

I was able to have my picture taken with Stephen Badger, whom I credit for encouraging me to be the cyclist I am today.  He is truly one hell of a rider.  I would like to do this ride.  Maybe next year?

Monte Frank, founder and ride leader or Team 26, makes his closing remarks before we all ride over to Fairfield Hills where the team was the honorary guest at the Sandy Hook 5K.  I rode in the back of the group and while it felt great to be out on the bike, in the snow even, my hands were numb and also not having a fender was making me even more uncomfortable.  I headed over to the Youth Academy to warm up and get a cup of coffee.  By the time I was good to go, Team 26 had took off towards Bethel so I headed down to Sandy Hook and then back up Church Hill and then home.  

It wasn't the best ride but it was still good to get out despite the weather.  Bike felt really good and I could feel that riding the single speed to work is actually helping me with my road riding.

The Connecticut Effect: Get it done, Congress!

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