What riding 100 miles for JDRF is really like…
Ever wonder what participating in a JDRF Ride is like? Read below to hear a champion JDRF Dallas rider, Russell Hoppenstein, describe his experience in La Crosse, WI this past weekend!
My JDRF ride was in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was “unseasonably” warm in the northern state with high humidity. I was promised cooler temperatures than the 100+ temps in Texas. But on ride day all of that stuff is blocked out. I was poised at the start alongside 450 other JDRF riders at the bank of the majestic Mississippi river. Once the ride began I smoothly got into my rhythm and weaved myself up to a quick-paced Northern Wisconsin team. “Who’s that back there?” a rider called out. I stated my name and where I was from as I pulled alongside of him. He was a Packers fan and we talked Cowboy’s football for a bit until the group slipped into rest stop #2.
After the rest stop the Wisconsin group slowed their pace and I felt strong, so I pulled away from them and latched onto a passing Minnesota group. I learned that the rider in front of me had three daughters, one with Type 1. We shared our stories of our kids and our passion for this cause. The Minnesota group pulled off at the third rest stop and I kept going, toward the most challenging part of the course. I started at the Mississippi banks at 650 feet above sea level. Then I rode up a series of rollers with each peak higher than the previous. By the last peak I had climbed to 1150 feet. The hard work paid off with a fun descent that brought me back around to rest stop #3 where I did stop to rest and visit my wife, Stacey, who was working hard in the heat volunteering at the rest stop to help cyclists get food and re-fill water bottles.
By this point I was 56 miles into the course and feeling pretty good. I pressed on North on the second half of the course. Before I knew it I was passing rest stop #2 and moving forward to the loop-back. You see, the actual route was only 97 miles, so they put in a turn-around point for you to double back a bit to squeeze in the extra miles to ensure a full Century. I was determined to roll the odometer to triple digits.
On the loop-back I got a chance to see and nod to my fellow riders that I had previously passed a few miles back. I was hitting rest stop #2 again (3rd time) and decided to stop to fill up the bottles. At this point I am 70 miles into the course, and yes, the legs were getting a bit weary. I remind myself that this is supposed to be hard and I press on.
I begin to pass riders that opted for shorter distances. They too are on their return path and it gives me a quick chance to say “hi” to some of my new friends that I met over the weekend. Rest Stop #1 comes into view and I welcome a break. It has gotten up to 95 degrees and I was definitely slowing down a bit. The rest stop was beautiful with a large beach and plenty of camping, swimming, and boating activities going on. I, however, was more interested in the cold towels, Gatorade, and a rock to sit on. I was 85 miles into the course at this point. The home stretch. 15 more miles…that’s nothing…so I press on.
The last 10 miles of a Century are tough. Everything hurts. Legs are jelly. Neck is stiff. Backside sore. I remind myself of why I ride. I have a son, Lance, that has had Type 1 Diabetes since age two. His bravery in the face of this disease gives me a dose of strength to spin my legs a bit faster. I pass the bridge across the river and weave through the downtown area to the finish. The odometer rolls over to 100 miles and I cross the finish line with hundreds of cheering spectators waving signs and ringing cowbells.
I did it! But I did not do it alone. My supporters helped me along with their donations and encouragement. Thanks to their support I individually raised $16,416 for JDRF to put towards critical research related to curing Type 1 Diabetes. This put me as the #7 fundraiser among 450 riders in La Crosse. La Crosse riders in total raised over $1.3 million dollars for JDRF. It was a great weekend at La Crosse and a challenging but satisfying Century Ride.
I am grateful for all of the new friends I made up north. Is it time to prep for next year? Death Valley perhaps…
–Russell
Go Team Lance-a-lot