I was first introduced to Beth Wald and Trish Karter about 2 months ago on a very busy Saturday at Belmont Wheelworks. I was already helping customers when someone came up to me and said that there was a couple of gals waiting for me that need some help going over there new GPS. I had no idea of the Mother's Day Ride and had never heard of Dancing Deer.
I figured that the best place to go over the little bicycle mount GPS was to go into our shoe area and have each of the women sit on ether side of me to see the little screen. That's when I first heard of this incredible idea and what they were about to find themselves doing. I had the feeling that after our little session in the shoe area that the only thing they got from the tutorial was how to turn it on and off. I told them if they ever had any problem to please call me, anytime. What I got was a since of two wonderful people with a wonderful idea.
My name is Scott Chamberlain. I'm what Clint at Wheelworks refers to me as his "Front Line Quarterback"
I have been at Wheelworks for 10 seasons, International Bicycle for 11 seasons and before The Bicycle Exchange in Harvard Square for 10. I have lived cycling for over the past 40+ years as a dally love and have owned over 175 bicycles. I was involved with off road riding back in the early 70's and now Recumbent's. I ride a Tandem about 75 miles a week and have ridden across France and Spain off road. I sometimes ride as many as 3 different bicycle a day and have a huge collection. Dealing with bicycle customers dally, ( yes, I take calls on my day's off, ask Trish,,, ) I have never heard of such a Beautiful ride idea. When I talked to the girls the other night, they just thought I was joking and trying to make them feel good after another very wet and trying day.
Think about it: Ride your bicycle, alone, up the East Coast of the US, riding into major city's on City Streets and guess what? Meet people with a cause to make there life's better!
Rides I have helped and heard of over the past years have always avoided the citys.They always finished with a good dinner and a good nights sleep. Trish "shuts down" around 12:30 am and wakes in the middle of the night planning the logistics of the next day. That's Trish. All for the good of someone she has never met. Think about that one and compare it to what you have heard about bicycle tours and benefit rides in the past.
When Trish asked me after we had ridden together over 300 miles before the start of the first day if I thought she was ready for the ride and if I thought she would be OK, I hesitated too long for her comfort. Her eyes opened really wide and stared into mine with this intense Trish Karter style and said , "Too long of a wait to answer!" I told her that the only thing I was worrying about was the drivers, not her and her physical strength or determination to pull it off. She knew what I was talking about and asked me to just say "YES YOU'RE READY!!" next time she asked.
I got a ride home in a car that night and talked to my good friend Rob Delisle about Team Dancing Deer. I said to Rob about how the weather will be wet and by the time Trish gets back to Boston, everything will be Spring, I figured wet snow and lots of wind like we have seen before at the end of April, first of May. It was what was to be expected.
Trish has been riding in the rain for the past 6 days.
Tomorrow morning I will be riding down to Old Lyme, Ct in the rain to see my new friend back home. We will be leaving Old Lyme at 5:00 am to be in Boston by 2:30. Anyone wanting to join along are welcomed to come along. We will be crossing into Massachusetts around 10:00 and stop in Douglas Center for food around 10:20. We will be passing Newton City Hall around 2:00 and will meet with anyone who would like to see Trish on the final 8 miles to the finish.
We will be on Boston Common hopefully by 2:30.
Any Questions, Call me at 617-489-3577 today from 12-8, Or email me at
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Good Luck Trish and see you Wednesday Morning for what looks like a beautiful day!
YES!
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