I am signed up and ready to go for TOSRV 2018. Okay, I might not be quite ready to go just yet. I might need a few training rides before I take on the two day, 210 mile challenge route that is TOSRV. For me though, this is the grand-daddy of all the rides I do. I know it isn’t a charity ride. I know it isn’t much in the grand scheme of things as I ride for. But it does have the most history.
This is the first organized ride I ever did. And what a ride that was. It was a whirlwind of tornado warnings and hail, pinging off my helmet. Rain and discomfort, and finally 100 miles of satisfaction knowing I can cycle this route.
Since then I have done 13 successful TOSRV’s. I have braved weather elements. I have peddled through many of storms and rain showers. Cold and wind are things that mark my memories of the ride.
But the real reason I do this ride and, for that matter, all rides that I do, is inspired by my mother.
You see, in 2001, my mother called me and told me that he was going to buy a bike and do this ride, TOSRV. At the time, I was a pack a day smoker, habitual couch potato, and general doubter. So I laughed at her. “What ? Are you crazy?”
It wasn’t a mere two months after this that we learned that she had lung cancer.
It was then that I decided that I would ride TOSRV for her. And I did. I called her every chance I got during the first couple of rides I did for her. After that…well, I remember.
This is an important ride. It is still the reason I ride. I remember well.