Place: Fowler Festif, the roads around Orefield, PA
Ridden: August 2014
Click on video to play
This past weekend Joël and Cliff were the mechanical support and sag wagon for a local charity ride called the Fowler Festif. The ride is put on by a friend of ours, Elizabeth Allen, to benefit Valley Youth House. Valley Youth House is a counseling and life skills program for troubled youth.
The idea behind this ride was the celebration of family, fun, friendship, and charity. The ride typifies the Valley Youth House ideology of Challenge by Choice. There was a 40 mile "Festival of the Hill", 20 mile "Cardio Cruise" and Family Friendly 10 mile fun ride. All riders were given cue sheets and routes were well marked. There were ride leaders and sag support (i.e. Joël) on each ride.
A super awesome thing about this ride was the after party. Instead of riding, eating, and then leaving riders were encouraged to stay for the day. After the ride, it was time to party. There were showers available, a pool to swim in, a zip-line, and a BBQ advertised as "one of the best BBQ Buffets this side of the south". Family was welcome, there was even a Bike Rodeo and Skills area for the kids to ride in. If food and family fun was still not enough, there was live music all day supplied by a DJ and by singer/songwriter Kayla Avitabile.
So what did Joël do for the day? His role was to make sure riders stayed safe and sound out there on the course. He looped around the course helping with mechanical issues, offering encouragement and support, and if anyone needed a car ride back he was there to offer that. Cliff went along for the ride, offering tail wagging along the way.
- words by Jess
- video by Joël