Black Rock Retreat 2008 Bike-a-Thon Results

Thanks to all who participated in the 2008 Bike-A-Thon fund raising ride(s) on Friday, September 19th/files/Pages Images/Upcoming Events Pages/Bike-a-Thon Results/P1020414.jpg and Saturday, September 20th.  Together, it was a successful fundraising event for the ministries of Black Rock Retreat.

Over 145 riders, seven jersey sponsors, and numerous volunteers contributed to achieving a goal of over $78,000!  If you did not ride with us this year, you will want to join us next year (dates to be announced later).

Thanks again to all who participated.  If you rode in 2008, follow these links to remember the day!

To view photos taken throughout the ride, click here.

To view photos taken at the finish line, click here.

To view the top ten arrival times from this year's 125 ride, click here.

Plan Now to Join Us Next Year: Sept 18-19th, 2009!

  /files/Pages Images/Upcoming Events Pages/Bike-a-Thon Results/Bike 2008 Pic 034a.jpg  /files/Pages Images/Upcoming Events Pages/Bike-a-Thon Results/Bike 2008 Pic 042a.jpg 

 

      Here are some stories written by riders from 2008:

  • The BR2RB 125 mile ride has been a challenge.  This was my third year to ride in it.  My first year I rode 20 mph.  Last year, thank Heavens I rode Friday, because we know what Saturday was like.  This year was a east to southeast wind that just beat at you.  Anytime I ride 100+ miles it’s a challenge.  Looking forward to next year though.  And my next level of challenge might be the nightmare ride around Lancaster County.  And that ride from Coast to Coast if I could talk my wife into letting me go.
  • I've done a number of century rides, Sea Gull, Civil War, Dream Ride.  I did this ride as a solo first time 125. What a challenge!  As a Christian, I also support Black Rock and had heard of this ride through the radio in the past few years and felt it was time for me to ride.  I averaged 17.8 MPH including one muscle cramp and a flat tire.  There was great weather and I met some great people.  Thanks for all the work you all did.
  • I've always enjoyed riding bike.  I delivered newspapers with a bike for six years.  In the summer of 2007 I had an opportunity to buy my used "touring" bike.  It was the first time I learned to clip into pedals or rather clip out.  (I fell over a couple of times)  In Sept. 2007 I did my first metric century and I joined the Lancaster Bicycle Club.  Riding on Saturday mornings with club “centuries" and many "metrics" before the BR2RB.  My favorite part of this, my first fully supported ride, was the Christian environment:  Beginning the ride with prayer, the caring, loving support persons at the food stops, and the riders which I sensed had a passion for Black Rock and its ministry just made me feel like I was serving my God while at the same time challenging myself physically and emotionally.  Sort of like "church" on a bike.  Confusing I know, I have trouble expressing the good day I had.  I'm planning on next year.
  • I am grateful to be able to help support a great camp in such a fun and enjoyable way.  I enjoy the challenge of 125 miles and the beautiful scenery along the way, and all the great people who support and ride each year.  Thanks for another great day on the bike!  God bless you all.
  • Being someone who works at a computer all day, I started riding this spring as a way to stay in shape.  In hearing about the BR2RB ride around the same time, I used it as a goal to work towards this summer, with advice and support from George Metzler, I trained all summer and arrived at ride day feeling prepared.  The ride couldn't have been better!  It was so much fun riding with a large group…meeting and getting to know new people along the way.  Wrapping up the day with the best average speed I've ever logged was icing on the cake.  Thanks for the great ride … see you next year.
  • I love the jersey - nice quality, nice fit.  May ride again simply for the jersey.

  •  I first started riding 4 or 5 years ago after being inspired by my aunt & uncle who have ridden across the country W-E and N-S, and ridden the Underground Railroad & many other rides (all after the age of 60!)  I realized if I were ever to want to do that, I'd better start riding bike!  Now I commute to work 2 or 3 times a week and ride with friends on the weekends.  I never rode more than 70 miles @ a time until I decided to do this ride (a friend talked me into it  & I came reluctantly.)  We did several 40 & 45's and a 70 to prepare.  So 125 miles was 45 miles longer

    than I ever did before Sept. 20, 2008!  I was very grateful for such a absolutely beautiful day! 

  • This year's ride will always be etched in my memory.  I was unable to complete due to my wife going into labor with our second child.  I was 90 miles into the ride.  The support team, mainly Melissa and June were great at shuffling stuff and June and her helper drove me home.  I got to the hospital at 3pm and Raygan was born at 4:10pm.  I am very thankful that I got there in time and super impressed the way the team went out of their way to get me there in time.  I'm slightly disappointed at not being able to finish, but there is always next year.  Thanks for a job well done!

  • I like doing the Black Rock Ride because it keeps me motivated to stay in shape all year as I train for it.  I always try to do it faster then the prior year or less painfully.  BR2RB was 1 of 4 century rides I did this year.  I enjoyed it and was sorry I couldn't do the 2nd day.  Thanks for providing a great ride.

  • This was my first organized bike ride over 100 miles.  I didn’t know what to expect.  The food stops were a great asset that I didn't realize would be part of the ride.  I enjoyed the whole day and especially all the other riders I was able to fellowship with.  Thank you.

  • I started cycling in 1980 out of necessity - My car died and needed instant transportation from Lititz to my job in Lancaster.  (Ten miles one way).  I'd been a runner all my life until then (and still am one now) but quickly fell in love with this new mode of transportation.  I always took the shortest route into work in the AM (I wasn't really a morning person) but at the end of day I found myself enjoying more circuitous routes home, several times riding through York County to get to Lititz.  As my routes home became longer I began to wonder if I could ride to Washington DC and back in the same weekend.  I chose a 3 day weekend to give it a try riding 102 miles straight through Lancaster Co. to US 1 through Baltimore and on into DC where my sister lived at the time (in NE only a few blocks from the mall area).  To avoid the excessive number of traffic lights I took Georgia Ave (later also called MD 97) home most of the way finishing on H6 from Hanover to York and then 462 from York.  For about 120 miles in that day of riding (last day of that long weekend) I began to wonder if I could ride my bike cross country which I did in Oct and Nov. of 1982.  Carrying fully loaded panniers on my Trek touring bike, tent and sleeping bag I rode down the east coast from Lititz to Florida and then went west to San Diego.  I did 3500 miles in exactly 30 days of riding (41 days total - 11 days were idle visiting with relatives in Phoenix that I hadn't seen in years) I started alone and I ended alone.  No bad experiences and only two flats and one broken spoke.  God blessed that journey no doubt.  I've done lots of cycling since then but the highlight since that ride of all my miles on the bike would have to be attempting to duplicate my trip in the 25th Anniversary of the first trip but this time with my favorite biking partner, my wife, Janet.  We only made it to Georgia (she was stricken with Lyme Disease) but it was the best month of my life bar none!  We hope to have many like it.

  • I am thankful to be a part of the BR ride for the cause and purpose of the event.  It's great to ride with other believers.

  • Well, I am a commuter.  I don't really ride for pleasure but enjoy doing fundraisers and enjoy flying past all those cars stuck in traffic.  Commuting just makes sense . . . Save resources, keep in shape, destress, and in the city save time.  An interesting story just happened.  Coming home from work the other night I was cruising along and hit a number of rough patches and potholes due to shadows from bright car dealership lights.  It was a very rough ride and when I got home, discovered my dozen eggs were now scrambled.  I completely forgot I had them in my crate.

  • I did not ride the 125 but the 75.  My husband encouraged me to start cycling this summer so we got a bike for me and I started riding every day.  When I heard about the option for a ride supporting a Christian camp that would challenge me to train harder I jumped at the chance.   I was hoping my husband could join me but he injured himself earlier in the season and was unable to so I went it alone.  I know the ride would challenge me - and it did.  What I didn't know was what a community event it was.  Even though I didn't know anyone on the day of the event, many people encouraged me throughout the day and I felt like I had some new friends by the end of the ride.  Next year I hope to do the 125 miles with my husband.
  • I'm a first timer and wanted to help out Black Rock Retreat with the spreading of the Gospel to the next generation.  I think that is awesome.  As far as the bike ride, I was not properly prepared.  I was on a mountain bike and not in rider shape.  Thankfully, God carried me through and I was able to finish the 50 miles in 5 hours.  It was a day that has lifted my spirits and once again let me know that with His guidance and help I can accomplish anything.

  • I hadn't really started training until I decided to do this ride.  After hearing about this on WJTL I felt like it was something I was being called to do.  I really appreciated the support I received from not only the staff but also the other riders.  It was a tough experience but one I'm looking forward to doing again next year.  Thank you.