And Now for the Drum Roll!

“Why should I read that?” were the words from my mother’s mouth when she was handed a paper and asked to read the amount of $58,900 written there! Truly Mother and I were both shocked by this outpouring of generosity toward our $60,000 goal! I'm fully confident we'll reach our goal and beyond in coming days.

Thank you to all for helping to build a “community of hope” for homeless and at-risk single mother and their children on this day! Truly the wonderful generosity of each rider, each donor and each volunteer are gifts Mother and I will forever recall! May God be praised!

Read Ride Day detail and enjoy a few photos in blog posts below.

That Kathryn!

Ok, by now you know that my mom, Kathryn Hess, is an incredible woman! With the same steady dedication and “can do” mindset with which she has tackled life, Mother rode back and forth on the farm lane until she achieved her goal of riding 5 miles! Pedaling beside her with equal enthusiasm were her great grandchildren, Dylan (6) and Mia (4). I was pleased they took over after my mid-course victory lap with my mom.

Fog, Whistles And Rowdy Fans!

Saturday dawned with cool air and cloudy skies, providing pleasurable riding for the first few hours. Due to morning fog, the start of our ride was delayed until 6:15 a.m. Ten miles into our ride at the first water station 4 more friends joined our growing entourage which by day's end reached 60 riders. At the crest of the hill on Kraybill’s Church Road, we enjoyed a momentary time warp when we passed a horse-drawn crop sprayer on the road. And one mile later we were greeted by a huge crowd of cheers, whistles and fanfare at the end of the farm lane where I grew up. Notable among them was Mom, who sat perched on her adult size tricycle wearing cutest riding bonnet and her 60 for Hope T-shirt. She was obviously ready to roll!

See additional ride day adventures in next blog

Fog Lifts Before Mile 42!

The fog was nearly gone by the time we pedaled the first half of the ride. After giving hearty hoops and hoorays for riding companions who finished their ride with mile 30, Harley and I refilled our water bottles and headed out for the second leg of our adventure. We were a riding two-some for most of the sunny trek back to my childhood home. As we pedaled up Airport Road several parachute jumpers floated overhead rekindling my girlhood memories of lying in the grass on sunny afternoons to watch colorful figures such as these drift from the sky. At the water stop we paused with another group of fans to watch them land.

It was great fun to ride to the end of Airport Road with our grandchildren, Dylan and Mia! Although they didn’t understand all the implications of this ride, they certainly caught the vision of something larger than grandma and grandpa was going on here. Inspiration for the final 15 more miles ahead came in part, from new riders who joined us here – my Uncle Dick, who traveled from Goshen, IN and teenage cousins, Isaac and Reuben Zeigler, who had early morning farm chores! Midway between the next water stop, Reuben turned off to the home of a friend and Uncle Dick pedaled a route of his choosing past landmarks from his boyhood neighborhood. But Isaac remained a committed riding partner to the end of our 60 mile adventure!

Victory Lap!

By now the full heat of the mid-day sun urged us to find shady spots for quick sips for water. And I knew that Stackstown Road, the most tedious part of the ride, was just ahead. This road leading into the village of Maytown is a great road to drive if one enjoys the sensation of a roller coaster ride! Just 5 more miles to our final destination! My stamina was waning as I’d crest one hill, thinking it was the last only to see another up ahead! My speed dropped to a near crawl until I sailed downward again!

With Route 441 just coming into view, a driver in an oncoming car shouted, “Yeah, Kate, you did it!” It was Jamie Bricker and her husband Matthew who had already finished his 60 mile ride. Just one more mile, making it 61, Isaac, Harley and I rode across the finish line to the whistles and cheers of family and fans! Adrenalin still pumping we rode a second victory loop with Dylan and Mia under the celebration arch!

PARTY TIME!

A crisp evening breeze welcomed guests to the perfect setting for the post-ride celebration in the Keefer’s barn. A buffet of freshly roasted pork, baked beans and assorted salads drew the crowd to the “feeding troughs” like cattle in bygone days. Cousin Bob Hess roasted an absolutely amazing pig which was served with an over-the-top sauce made by his wife Sharon! I was overwhelmed when I learned that Bob stayed up all night to roast this pig to perfection! Later guests enjoyed four fabulous flavors of Carmen and David’s ice cream, three options of cake and assorted cookies made especially for this day by my dear mother.

Before serving dessert, Bridge of Hope board member and ride committee chair, David Hollister, recognized lead ride sponsors by name and presented gifts of appreciation to the three adult riders who raised the most in pledge support Toby Leaman, my husband Harley and my brother Dwight Hess.

David also recognized were two youth riders: Derric Stoltzfus – a 15 year old 60 mile rider who raised $1,500 and Ellen Harnish – a 13 year old, 30 mile rider who was our youngest rider to raise sponsorship support for 60 for Hope.

More party highlights below.

What a Gift!

“Why should I read that?” were the words from my mother’s mouth when she was handed a paper and asked to read the amount of $58,900 written there. Francesca Crane, Bridge of Hope’s executive director, quick explained it was the total raised for 60 for Hope. Truly Mother and I were both shocked by this outpouring of generosity toward our $60,000 goal! Together guests joined in song, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!
And in thanks for all she and done and her example of generosity, I presented Mother with a decorative tricycle filled with a flower arrangement in her favorite colors. Stop by Mother’s house for a visit and I can promise she will treat you to cookies and proudly show you this decorative tricycle filled with a flower arrangement in her favorite colors she was given to remember this day.

Guess who is 60 on my next blog!

Look Who is 60!

After this incredible announcement, special recognition was also given to Christie Hurst who ran a marathon this past spring to benefit Bridge of Hope. And of course the party included a cake and song for all in the crowd who were turning 60 this year!

Music by Starlite, a delightful father-son duo was the perfect culmination to a fabulous ride day and party!

Thank you to all for helping to build a “community of hope” for fatherless children on this day! Truly the wonderful generosity of each rider, each donor and each volunteer are gifts Mother and I will forever recall! May God be praised!

The 60 for Hope Team

An exceptional team of riders and sponsors carries us into the 60 for Hope ride. As of today, 144 supporters have given $28,815 to end homelessness. Check back Sunday for an update on what additional support Saturday brings. With this kind of teamwork, single mothers can hope again!

Influence in High Places?

Nope, I do not have influence with people in high places. I’m not a personal friend of Bill Gates. Nor have I had an audience with the Queen of England. And I’ve not booked a marketing agent or a 60th birthday campaign committee (well, perhaps I have in the form of riders who are soliciting sponsors). It was with mustard seed faith that the $60,000 goal was set with Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties' Board of Directors.

Wonderful generosity has come from many places in honor of my mother--guests mother has hosted in her home, nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends who admire the woman I call “Mom.”

One day’s mail to Bridge of Hope brought a sizable gift from a volunteer at a charity where my mother donates significant time. Other gifts have come from businesses mother patronizes. Indeed, it is a joy to receive these gifts in her honor, many with notes of appreciation for her and affirmation of the 60 for Hope ride.

Equally inspiring are the stories from those who are riding with me. Last week I was deeply touch to hear the success of a youth rider who has received commitments of $1,500--and it's this rider's first association with Bridge of Hope! The pledge sheet of another youth totals $600. Truly those who have committed to pedal some miles are finding an amazing spirit of generosity in our community.

Likewise I have a host of wonderfully generous friends; believers in Bridge of Hope's mission to homeless mothers and their children. Even in this economic time, gifts have come from Maine to Kentucky, Indiana to Colorado and places in between! Awesome!

Each giver is placing confidence in the goals of this ride. And each donation helps to build a “community of hope” for fatherless children! Maybe this gang of riders does have influence in "High Places.” God be praised!

Together we wait and pray for the unfolding of 60 for Hope and a $60,000 miracle!

Anniversay Day Ride

Today Harley and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. I began the day with an early morning bike ride. At mile 38 I paused to phone Harley to proclaim my love and “Happy Anniversary.”

38 miles in 3.8 minutes per mile… Not! Although my average speed has increased with training, my best mile per hour average is 12.

Harley has been a great encourager as I’ve trained for 60 for Hope. Well, actually he’s been a cheerleader time and again over the years! And he’s come through fabulously once again! He’s going to ride with me next Saturday. And although his average pace is significantly faster than mine, he’s going to ride at my speed. What a caring guy, I’ve got!

I returned from 41 miles, my longest training ride thus far. I was pleased that I had great energy throughout the day. It was a wonderful day as we headed off for quick get-away at a charming B&B and elegant dinner.

Today’s ride solidified my confidence. If I can ride 41 miles and not return home depleted of energy – I can ride 60 – especially with Harley, my best cheerleader riding beside me!

Whose Crazy Idea Was This Anyway?

60 miles? What was I thinking? Non-athletic me, setting a ride goal like this at the brink of “old!” I think I can, I think I can gets me to mile 30. Hopefully ride-day adrenalin and great biking comrades will push me forward for a full 60 miles on July 25th.

60 riders? This goal would be a cinch, I thought. With over two weeks from the ride date on July 25, I just need 3 more people to sign on! I wonder who they will be.

Most people I know can ride a bike. Some are avid riders like my cousin Amelia, a full-time educator, who rides 30- 40 miles every day – amazing woman! I’m so honored she is joining my ride. High school classmates, Toby and Marlin, are distance riders, you know, the ride across PA types. I was confident they’d join this ride. Then there’s Gale, my racing rider, nephew and regular bikers to work, Jean and Philip. New to the riding circuit is my good friend, Barb, my sister in-law Cheryl and my brother Dwight. Horary for their spunk in accepting this challenge! The list goes on – some, like Willean, who haven’t biked for years are stepping on the pedal. Uncle Dick and Aunt Joy are driving from Indiana, cousins and friends are coming from Virginia. The list goes, on - my pastor is riding, friends from church, board members and their friends. Each rider is a special gift to my mother and me and our goals! Special thanks to each one!