The Joy
2022 The Witches Ride | Asheville on Bike's "Pumpkin Pedaller Event" at New Belgium Brewing Company
My bike group decided to do something crazy. We decided to do a "witches ride" in October. We thought, Why not? Let's go back to being kids and ride a trail imagining that our bikes were our brooms. In 2022, we decided to go where others were in costume, so we found an event in Asheville, NC, that fit the bill!!!
We pulled out our costumes and gathered all kinds of garnishments so that when we got to Asheville, we could work our magic on making our gear as crazy and lavish as we wanted to. Until that day, many pictures were shared with crazy glasses and store selfies of getting "the goods."
Taking bikes to a trail is something we girls have figured out .... it ain't pretty, but we get it done. Laughter and high-fives all the way with this team. I have learned how to double-strap my bike so it doesn't fly off the back of my car. Yes, it happens. Buy the straps.
The News
The week following up to the ride is one that didn't work out as planned for me. Two days before we embarked to Asheville, I got the call. Ms. Riley, this is UNC. I'm sorry to inform you, but your biopsy came back, and you have cancer. When you get "the call", you kinda go into shock. And then I was mad. I mean, I have this ride this weekend. NOT the best time for cancer. But as all who have gotten "the call," we know it is NEVER a good time.
After I told my family and a few in the group, I decided I would go forward with the plan. I mean, there wasn't a darn thing I could do about it. I also decided to not tell anyone until the last day. I didn't want this thing to be a damper on our fun together. PLUS, I decided I was NOT going to give this cancer power over my life. It was something I got ... but it sure would be something I would get rid of, too.
The entire weekend was everything I needed at this time. There was joy, laughter, and normalcy. I was able to escape it. As I rode the bike, I was zero-focused on the kids. I thought of my girls and how I could not wait to ride with them one day. At that moment, my words would be, "I am working through the process." At each step of my cancer journey, I would keep reminding myself. Cancer is something that requires me to work through a process. I do the process. It was nothing more than that for me. I had to go through a process to get back to my healthier self. Take that cancer.
And then it happened ... The rainbow happened. I looked up and just smiled. For those who are believers, you know that a rainbow is a sign from God. He had this already. Breath ....
My bike group, family, and friends all showed me amazing support and grace during the process. All I can say is I felt the love at every single step!
My bike .... my bike was what I looked forward to getting back on when everything was healed. I knew I would have made a huge checkmark if I could get back on my bike. It was a long year, but I got back on.
My message to you: if you ever get the call, and you have a type of cancer that with treatment, you can be cured, don't let cancer hold the reins. Instead, choose joy, choose laughter, choose the silly. It's a lot more fun, and it's a powerful way to reclaim your life.
Let's close the door on THAT and get to the fun ride below!
The Event | Blog Contributor, Carolyn Ross
New Belgium Brewing Company is on beautiful land along the French Broad River. Each year, Asheville on Bikes organizes the Pumpkin Pedaller ride at New Belgium Brewing Co. The event is an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit, whose mission is to advocate and educate for better biking and walking infrastructure in Asheville, NC, and the surrounding Western North Carolina region.
The event was packed with so many riders in fun costumes! Our first stop was to check in and get our group photo taken for the costume contest! The crowd's energy was incredible, and the event organizers were terrific. It was beautiful seeing families and groups unite for a worthy cause.
The ride ran along the river, up some gentle inclines, and along some city streets. It was crowded with over 700 participants, but all the riders respected each other's space and pace. It was a gorgeous ride along the water, with the beautiful fall colors providing the perfect fall day. Our group rode between 4 and 15 miles on different routes and met at the brewery to enjoy locally crafted beer and delicious food truck entrees as we celebrated our accomplishments. This was a great time to stop and donate to a cause that helps build safe roads for riding, educates the community on safe riding, and gets kids on bikes!
Outside of the joy of riding in this beautiful city on a perfect fall day with a group of amazing friends helping a worthy cause, perhaps the icing on the cake was when our group was announced as the winner of the "Best Themed Group" category of their costume contest! There were so many creative costumes that day! My favorite had to be the couple in a caterpillar costume. Two separate bikes connected by a long costume. How they managed to stay together all day was incredible!
This was a very well-organized event that was fun for all ages. It was such a fun day! Total riding time/miles varied by person depending on the route chosen, but I know we were all ready for that fantastic hot tub back at the condo! In a swimsuit or costume….either way! Are there supposed to be that many bubbles… or is it just a bunch of hocus pocus??
The Pumpkin Peddaler Ride | Learn More
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