Sometimes you just get lucky! Since CBVI’s Bike 4 Sight started in 2003, I have been pleased to volunteer to help out at the event. At the 2006 Bike 4 Sight I was assigned to man the rest stop located on the grounds of the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate.
The weather of the day was spectacularly beautiful as my fellow volunteers and I set out refreshments (fresh fruit, power bars, and hydration drinks provided by Trader Joe’s) surrounded by lush green grandeur under an azure sky. The rest stop was located toward the end portion of a scenic ride through Winterthur and we waited with great anticipation for the cyclists to arrive.
From the first cyclist to the last - all were “breathtaken” –not merely from physical exertion but from the splendor they
experienced on their ride through Winterthur. Since this tour was part of both the 50 and 62 mile routes, most of the participants were experienced cyclists. “We’ve cycled throughout Europe,” stated a pair of very enthusiastic riders, “and this is definitely one of the most beautiful rides of our careers.” Comments were glowing, as highly skilled cyclists pulled into the rest stop greeting us with expressions such as “Wow!”, “Incredible!”, “Awesome!” Roseanne Smith, Winterthur’s Director of Events, joined us and zealously
pitched in to help at the rest stop. Roseanne informed us that having our cycling tour through the estate was a first for Winterthur and she expounded on how pleased everyone was to be engaged in such a worthwhile cause as CBVI’s Bike
4 Sight. An extra bonus to my day was a spin around the Winterthur estate with Roseanne in her golf cart to experience the grounds firsthand!
Personally, I was touched by the concept of having such an inspirational location as an anchor-point for Bike 4 Sight. The addition of Winterthur to our tour served our riders well, raised the public awareness of the event, and made Bike 4 Sight a world class ride and fundraiser for CBVI.