Some have asked for an approximation of the times I will be where upon return to Marist. My best approximation is that I will be at 107th & Pulaski about 2:30 P.M.; at 147th & Ridgeland about 1:30 - 2:00 P.M.; and at Monee, IL about 12:30 P.M. There is a chance of rain tomorrow so that can affect the carefully determined schedule. From Monee, I’ll be riding down Central to Steger Road, West to Ridgeland, Ridgeland North to Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor Road East to Central, Central from Flossmoor Rd to 151st, 151st from Central west to Oak Park Ave., on the bike trail from 151st & Oak Park to 147th & Ridgeland, Ridgeland from 147th to 115th, down 115th St. from Ridgeland to Central, down Central from 115th St. to about 105th St., over to 107th St., then down 107th St. to Pulaski. At that point I’m awaiting instructions from Marist as to the route to take.
Today’s events
Today, TEAM SIGMA came to my rescue. Team Sigma is the name I gave to the RAGBRAI team that I initially organized with Carlin, John O’Hara, Tony DeAngelis, Randy Coe, Rich Facko, Greg Germino, and my nephew, Tom Glennon back in 2003. Many others have since joined the team and today from our little riding group, John Breckenfelder, Ron Stoffregen, Gale Stoffregen, and my brother, Tom Glennon joined me for the ride from Notre Dame to Valparaiso. What a relief. It is so good to share the road with good friends who make the trip much easier and enjoyable. As many of you know, when riding there is a great benefit from team members sharing different burdens on the ride, shifting off the lead position, letting others draft behind the leader to use as much as 25% less energy. The camaraderie, companionship, common purpose, laughter, and looking out for each other add greatly to the riding experience. The time goes much faster, the burdens of riding are much less, and we move at a much greater pace. Of course, there are greater risks of getting hurt but with experienced riders the benefits outweigh the potential dangers. Isn’t it that way in life? Isn’t it that way in our classes? A sharing of responsibilities can greatly enhance so many experiences at the same time bringing a greater sense of enjoyment. And so it was today, with greater speed we were done with the 68.6 mile run before 3:00 P.M.
We, the Team Sigma riders, all gathered about 8:00 A.M. at Notre Dame outside the Morris Inn where accommodations had graciously been provided to us by Notre Dame. We checked out our bikes, joyously looked at the blue skies, took a few pictures and climbed aboard our bikes and began heading south. We followed the roads south of Notre Dame through South Bend and beyond until arriving near La Paz, In about 25 miles south of Notre Dame. There we stopped for a short break, bantered with the local farmers, and replenished our quickly depleted stores of energy.
Then it was almost a straight shot west until our arrival at Valparaiso.
Our friends, Ed and Mary Gawdzik, have been most gracious in letting this group of ragged riders stay at their home in Valparaiso tomorrow. In fact, Mary let me drive her Mini Cooper to Church tonight since I couldn’t get everyone into the Yukon with the amount of expeditionary equipment filling the confines of the large GMC vehicle. Mini Cooper, six speed, great pick up, lots of fun. We got to church on time in the Mini.
We went to church over at St. Paul’s in Valparaiso. What a beautiful church. The liturgical space greatly enhanced the liturgy and helped to promote a sense of reverence and reflection.
While at mass I pondered the happenings of these last two weeks. Of course, for me, it is bittersweet that the journey is coming to an end. As I reflect on the people Carlin and I met, the purpose for this trip to help Marist students in need, the beauty yet the poverty of our rural areas, and my ability at my advanced age to be able to make this trip - it’s all good. Those minor distractions like weather, worn out body parts, tiredness, riding alone seem to all dissipate with the good memories predominating. It’s been worth the journey both physically and spiritually. Isn’t every tough journey that way? We come out better hopefully for surviving and even prospering in the face of difficulties.
For tomorrow - I’m coming home.
Total miles ridden to date: 982 miles. Total climb to date: 21,547 feet.
Today’s events
Today, TEAM SIGMA came to my rescue. Team Sigma is the name I gave to the RAGBRAI team that I initially organized with Carlin, John O’Hara, Tony DeAngelis, Randy Coe, Rich Facko, Greg Germino, and my nephew, Tom Glennon back in 2003. Many others have since joined the team and today from our little riding group, John Breckenfelder, Ron Stoffregen, Gale Stoffregen, and my brother, Tom Glennon joined me for the ride from Notre Dame to Valparaiso. What a relief. It is so good to share the road with good friends who make the trip much easier and enjoyable. As many of you know, when riding there is a great benefit from team members sharing different burdens on the ride, shifting off the lead position, letting others draft behind the leader to use as much as 25% less energy. The camaraderie, companionship, common purpose, laughter, and looking out for each other add greatly to the riding experience. The time goes much faster, the burdens of riding are much less, and we move at a much greater pace. Of course, there are greater risks of getting hurt but with experienced riders the benefits outweigh the potential dangers. Isn’t it that way in life? Isn’t it that way in our classes? A sharing of responsibilities can greatly enhance so many experiences at the same time bringing a greater sense of enjoyment. And so it was today, with greater speed we were done with the 68.6 mile run before 3:00 P.M.
We, the Team Sigma riders, all gathered about 8:00 A.M. at Notre Dame outside the Morris Inn where accommodations had graciously been provided to us by Notre Dame. We checked out our bikes, joyously looked at the blue skies, took a few pictures and climbed aboard our bikes and began heading south. We followed the roads south of Notre Dame through South Bend and beyond until arriving near La Paz, In about 25 miles south of Notre Dame. There we stopped for a short break, bantered with the local farmers, and replenished our quickly depleted stores of energy.
Then it was almost a straight shot west until our arrival at Valparaiso.
Our friends, Ed and Mary Gawdzik, have been most gracious in letting this group of ragged riders stay at their home in Valparaiso tomorrow. In fact, Mary let me drive her Mini Cooper to Church tonight since I couldn’t get everyone into the Yukon with the amount of expeditionary equipment filling the confines of the large GMC vehicle. Mini Cooper, six speed, great pick up, lots of fun. We got to church on time in the Mini.
We went to church over at St. Paul’s in Valparaiso. What a beautiful church. The liturgical space greatly enhanced the liturgy and helped to promote a sense of reverence and reflection.
While at mass I pondered the happenings of these last two weeks. Of course, for me, it is bittersweet that the journey is coming to an end. As I reflect on the people Carlin and I met, the purpose for this trip to help Marist students in need, the beauty yet the poverty of our rural areas, and my ability at my advanced age to be able to make this trip - it’s all good. Those minor distractions like weather, worn out body parts, tiredness, riding alone seem to all dissipate with the good memories predominating. It’s been worth the journey both physically and spiritually. Isn’t every tough journey that way? We come out better hopefully for surviving and even prospering in the face of difficulties.
For tomorrow - I’m coming home.
Total miles ridden to date: 982 miles. Total climb to date: 21,547 feet.