Why oh why, Delilah….
With all due respect to Tom Jones- unless you could hear me sing, then you would say I have no respect for him, I found myself singing the tune named in the title of this post on a recent down hill section of a training ride. (English teachers, I am truly sorry for that first sentence.) I know I should have been concentrating just a little harder on my technique and line, but I was pondering why so many of us are riding the Death Ride for the charity, TurningWheels For Kids. Our numbers have grown from the 4 last year to over 20 this year.
So, why do I do it? Because the kids are worth it. Period. The longer I’m associated with TurningWheels For Kids, www.turningwheelsforkids.org , the more amazing I find everyone who is associated with it. Over 6,000 new bikes to underprivileged kids in less than 4 years! What kids? Our kids of Santa Clara County. Many of us remember our first bike. For many of these less advantage children these bikes are their first bike. So many families struggle to survive, never mind provide for a bike to experience the exhilaration and freedom of pedaling yourself to your own adventures.
Just recently I assembled and prepared a few more bikes to another group TWFK serves. These are the children in the Family Healthy Lifestyle Center, which is a program under the VMC umbrella. These kids are classified as obese and have committed to Dr. Dan Delgado’s program of education, healthy eating and exercise. If bike riding is the chosen exercise and one can’t be supplied by the family, we will provide. Not long ago I had the privilege of viewing some before and after pictures of these kids and their bikes. So much joy went along with the slimmer faces. There were reports of so many children (and their families) moving into a much more healthy lifestyle. This is an amazing, life improving program and we are privileged to be a small part of it.
Although there are many things TWFK does throughout the year, the culmination is the one day in December when over 2,000 boxed bikes are assembled by 700 community volunteers and given to a variety of charities. To be part of this is magical. Did I mention that this all happens in less than 1 day? Can you imagine what 2,000 bikes looks like in one spot?

Those are just a few of the reasons I’m riding the Death Ride this year for TurningWheels For Kids. This is partly why I’ve ridden over 1,400 miles and climbed well over 100,000 vertical feet so far this year. This is why I will attempt to ride 125 miles and climb 15,000 feet in one day in July. There is, though one unchanging reason that I am riding for and volunteer for TWFK~ It’s not just for the kids, it’s more than that. It’s because these children are worth it! If even one finds a healthier, more exciting world because of our efforts, then it is worth it.
Please consider supporting my efforts by making a donation in my name here:
http://www.turningwheelsforkids.org/blog/?page_id=63
Thank you to all how follow and support our adventures.