September 10-13, 2008

I completed my 4 day 320 mile ride at Fletcher's Boat House Saturday afternoon at 3:45.

Summary

Day 1 - Mike Epperson dropped me off at McKeesport, PA at 7:20AM. I completed the 71 mile ride to Confluence, PA at 1:45pm. Overall I felt ok, legs were a little sore.

Day 2 - Mike dropped me off at Confluence, PA at 7:15AM. This ride was extremely difficult as the first 40 miles was uphill. In fact the first 110 miles of the course was uphill. I completed this ride when I arrived in Cumberland, MD at 2:30PM. At the end of day 2 I was still feeling ok, legs are sore. After I got into my room at the Holiday Inn the first thing I did was to turn on the TV to see weather forecast for Friday. The forecast called for showers all day. At this time I am very concerned about the possibility of not completing the ride.

Day 3 - The day I over came my fears. I started my ride at 7:15AM and I rode the entire 103 miles in the rain.
This ride challenged me both physically and mentally. I can honestly tell you that quitting crossed my mind a lot this day. After missing Mike at one of the rest stops I found myself without enough to drink and eat. I left my wallet and money with Mike seeing that it would get wet if I kept them. When I finally met up with Mike 50 miles since the last time I saw him I was tired and worn out. At this time I said something out loud to Mike that I have never said in previous 4 years, that is I think I am going to quit. Nothing else was said for a minute or two, then Mike said so where do you want me to meet you next, dam 5? I said that sounds good. By the time I got to dam 5 I noticed that I had a slow leak in my front tire. At this point I am in no shape to change a tire; my hands are so numb I barely could hold onto the handlebars while I was riding. I asked Mike if he could change the inner tube for me. With a smile on his face he said sure. Remember it is raining the entire time Mike is doing this for me. After Mike fixed my tire I was on my way. I finally made to the mile marker 85 at 7:30PM.

Day 4 - I started my ride at 7:15AM the towpath was still wet and muddy. I knew after another 8 or 9 hours the ride would be over. During the first 20 or 30 miles my legs were hurting a lot. By the half way mark my legs were feeling a little better. When I arrived at the Mouth of Monocacy at mile 42, my wife Linda and my mom met Mike and me for our quick lunch break. Linda brought with her a subway sub for both of us. The rest of the ride went well and I was able to arrive at Fletcher's Boat House at 3:45PM.

All I can say is that I am glad the ride is over and I did not quit.
Thank you for all of your support.

I could not have completed the ride if it wasn't for Mike Epperson. Mike did another great job being my support crew.

Chris Mulford completed his 140 mile 1 day challenge. This is a huge accomplishment as Chris started at 4:30AM, and completed his ride at 6:00PM. Brian Barbazette ran into a ride ending problem when both his inner tube and tire exploded 15 miles away from the finish line. Mike Scalzi was fighting an injured knee during his 185 mile ride that started at 3:30AM. Mike was able to complete 130 miles before the pain in his knee made him retire from the ride.

I also want to thank Kim Greenberg, Brendan Cain and Miyeko Keen for setting up the Family Fun Ride and the after ride bbq. I want to thank all of you that came out to Fletcher's Boat House to show your support.

At this time I've raised a total $68,748. This amount surpassed my goal of $10,000. In total the 4th Annual Ride for Skip will raise $73,825 for the Skip Viragh Charities. The Skip Viragh Charities has already contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the hurricane ravished area of Texas. It looks like we are going to be able to grant 11 wishes.

Since the 1st Ride for Skip the ride has raised $158,825. To see pictures of my journey please send me an e-mail to rideforskip@comcast.net

Mark Hornbaker

What began as one man’s commitment to honor the memory of a friend and employer has evolved into one of the longest off-road and most challenging bike rides benefiting charity.

In that first year, Mark Hornbaker, the ride’s founder, rode 100 miles and raised $20,000—money he gave to The Skip Viragh Charities. Now an annual event in it’s fourth year, the ride attracts a number of dedicated riders and volunteers. In its three years, $85,000 has been raised for The Skip Viragh Charities, and wishes of 10 Make-a-Wish children have been granted through the efforts of numerous riders and volunteers.

The 2008 Ride for Skip:
Four scenic rides accommodate different ability levels
Wednesday, September 10-Saturday, September 13 marks the Fourth Annual Ride for Skip as well as the last ride that Mark will lead. The ride will start in McKeesport, PA, and participants can choose from one of five rides, all of which will take place on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail and C&O Canal Towpath:

* A one-day 60-mile ride.
* A one-day 100-mile ride.
* A two-day 184-mile ride.
* A four-day 320-mile ride that will end in Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
* A family fun ride on September 13 at Fletcher’s Boat House in Georgetown (The family fun ride will cost $20 per person—or $50 for a family—and all proceeds will go to The Skip Viragh Charities.)

IT'S MORE THAN A BIKE RIDE
2008 RIDE FOR SKIP
September 10-13, 2008

Wednesday, September 10-Saturday, September 13 marks the Fourth Annual Ride for Skip. In the first three years of the ride, $85,000 has been raised for the Skip Viragh Charities, and wishes of 10 Make a Wish children have been granted.

Show your support and join the first-ever family run ride!

Saturday, September 13 at 2:00p.m.
Fletcher’s Boat House in Georgetown
http://www.fletcherscove.com/directions.htm




The family fun ride is a 10-mile bike ride open to all Rydex associates and family members. The ride will cost $20 per person (or $50 for a family). 100% of proceeds will go toward the Skip Viragh Bike Ride and help grant the wishes of terminally ill children. Food will be provided for all of those who attend.



Ready to sign-up? Please direct all interests and questions to Brendan Cain at x5407

Congratulate the riders and attend the celebration BBQ!

September 13th from 1:00pm-6:00pm at Fletcher’s Boat House
All Rydex associates and their families are invited
Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, desserts, drinks and more
No costs are involved; although donations to the ride are encouraged
If you have any questions regarding the BBQ, please contact Kim Greenberg at x5463

Want to learn more about the ride?
Visit http://www.rideforskip.com/index.html or email rideforskip@comcast.net

Interested in sponsoring a rider or donating to the cause?
Visit http://www.rideforskip.com/index.html or contact Mark Hornbaker at x5227

Last week I received a verbal commitment from Ashby Chamberlin. The 71 year old endurance rider from Bethesda, Maryland told me that he intends to ride the entire 320 miles in two days.

Mr. Chamberlin is planning to ride 135 miles from McKeesport, PA to Cumberland, MD on September 12, 2008. The next day "September 13, 2008" Mr. Chamberlin will ride 185 miles from Cumberland to Washington D.C.

Mr. Chamberlin did mention to me that a few years ago he rode the entire 185 miles of the C&O Canal Towpath in one day with a friend of the family. They started the ride 5am and finished at 10pm.

I am honored that Ashby Chamberlin has decided to take part in the 4th Annual Ride for Skip.

*During the past three years the Ride for Skip has raised $85,000 benefiting the Skip Viragh Charities. This money went towards one of Skip’s beloved charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation®— granting ten wishes to children from the hurricane-ravaged Mississippi. With your support, this year we hope to make even more wishes come true.

On September 9, 2008 we will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express at West Mifflin, PA. This will be the first time at this hotel. After the 1st day of riding "September 10" we will stay at the Ohiopyle Guest Houses. We stayed at the Ferncliff Guest House last year. I personally really like Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania; it is a great place to visit.

After the 2nd day of riding "September 11 - Never Forget 9/11" we will stay at the Holiday Inn at Cumberland, Maryland. This will be the third year that we stay at this hotel. The best part of Cumberland is the section of town called Canal Place. We look forward to eating outside at one of the fantastic restaurant at Canal Place.

On the third day "September 12" we will stay at the Red Roof Inn at Williamsport, Maryland. After riding 100 miles on day 3 it is nice to go to the Waffle House next to the hotel. You can eat as much as you want for $10 or less.

***As we are just a group of bike riders that are raising money for the Skip Viragh Charities we have to have each rider pay for their own expenses.