Positive Prelude

The ride was Saturday, but Friday was quite a busy day too. I planned on getting out of work at 4:00, but didn't get out until about 5:15. That means that with rush hour and Pelotonia traffic teaming up against me, I didn't walk into the Opening Ceremony until 6:30. I got in a long line and waited about a half hour to check in. Why they had lines separated into A-C, D-H and I-Z remains a mystery to me.

Finally, I had my materials in hand. Rather than going through the buffet, I grabbed some pizza and pop when people came through and offered while I was in line. I didn't have much of a desire to wait in another line for the buffet anyway. I met up with a friend who was also riding and we watched as speakers took the mic. This includes OSU President Gordon Gee and former Ohio State football player Chris Spielman.

Spielman's story is notorious around Columbus. His wife Stefanie battled cancer and won four times. The cancer claimed her life late last year when it returned a fifth time, but not before the Spielmans became an active voice in fighting cancer.

With the cemetery where Stefanie is buried in view behind the audience, Chris took the stage to a standing ovation. He said he wasn't alone in his fight because of people like us, the riders. Then he showed a video that included excerpts of several of Stefanie's speeches. It was truly powerful.

I went home and packed my bags for the following night and attached everything I needed to my bike. Then I uploaded the famous - or infamous - playlist to my iPod before going to bed.

The ride was just hours away. And it wasn't until I was within 24 hours of the ride, but I hit the $1,500 in online donations. I had much more in cash and checks that I did not submit. (A tactic I couldn't resist, making online donors think I needed every last penny leading up to the ride! I actually crossed the $1,500 requirement several days before.)