Why Rotarians Ride Bicycles

Some Rotarians ride bicycles for fun, some for their health, some to get to work, and some even ride for a cause. The cause that drew District 6250 leaders to their bikes on November 6th is the fight to eradicate polio.

 

From Chippewa Falls to Madison and Mt. Horeb riders came to Verona to mount their bicycles and stay in place. Because the goal is to get to a polio free world, and your bike doesn’t need to move to reach that goal. 
District Governor Karen Hebert arrived with her game face on, literally. She sported an End Polio Now tattoo on her cheek. Joining her in a matching tutu with flashing lights was DGN Dr. Michelle McGrath, who sported pigtails designed to bob in the breeze created by the whirring of bike wheels. 

 

Representing Madison South Rotary were District Polio Chair Randy Sproule and club Secretary Lee Ann Dillis, also wife of AG Mike Dillis the driving force behind the ride.

Rocket Bicycle with Madison South Rotary Club hosted the first annual District 6250 Ride to End Polio. Rocket Bicycle and SBR Endurance provided high-tech bike stands that transform moving bicycles into stationary bicycles, temporarily. Rain or shine Rotary would ride to end polio on November 6th.

 

The teams arrived by 8 AM to check out “the course” and calibrate their bikes to the sophisticated tracking equipment that would provide second by second feedback about speed, miles, and more.  Ahead of the riders, spanning nearly the full length of the wall, was a dynamic display of information projected in giant numbers. A graphic silhouette of hills (more than one) revealed which rider was leading and how the team was progressing as they raced to add miles as the minutes ticked up to the limit of 45. Only 45 minutes had been allocated for the ride this year. Pledges rode on each push of a pedal. 

 

And just as can happen on the open road, only ten minutes into the ride Lee Ann realized this just wasn't going to be her day. Like the athlete she is, she listened to her body and got off her bike. Never fear. The ride was not over for Team B.R.A.T. As she dismounted her bike, Lee Ann spied Club President Erin West, who had stopped in just to cheer on the team standing there watching. In the true spirit of a team player and without missing a beat, Erin shed her coat, handed off her coffee, and stepped onto Lee Ann’s bike. But the next 35 minutes were far from the biggest challenge for President Erin.  Lee Ann is of modest height and Erin towers over her. So the fit was awkward. Add to this size mismatch that Lee Ann had clip-in pedals which require clip-in shoes, of which Erin had none.  So pedaling on her toes for the next 35 minutes Erin West rode one for the team.

 

Riding on the open road nine cyclists from West Towne-Middleton met in Verona in the afternoon on November 6th and rode for 14 miles.  

And in the end what did the District 6250 Ride to End Polio achieve?

 

Team Tutu:         $12,534.00
Team B.R.A.T:   $13,053.00
Team M-WT:      $1,520
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Total:                   $27,107.00