Articles

2019 Chilly Challenge Volunteer Request

Written by Mona Will - December 2018

As I’m looking out the window, I see a flock of Canadian geese flying over the tree tops, trees with only a handful of leaves left on some branches and green grass littered with brown leaves. Barely anyone has passed by on their bikes, walking, or running. It’s Thanksgiving Day, it’s cold outside, and I’m realizing how quickly January 1st is going to be here.

The “Chilly” has been a traditional ride for 3RVS members and others for many years. It’s the first day of a new year and a perfect excuse/reason to get the bike out and go for a ride. We offer a few routes to choose from and one stops by the river to watch the Polar Bears jump in. (Crazy people if you ask me.) Your first miles of the new year are always memorable. In years past we have had teeth chattering, cold to the bone weather, and we’ve also had mild, just a medium weight jersey was enough weather. One thing that remains the same no matter the weather is the camaraderie of fellow cyclists sitting down, eating the delicious chili and food, and sipping on gourmet hot chocolate that Joe Bartels is now known for, after the ride.

It’s the delicious chili and food that we always need volunteers to bring to the ride. I have found that we need at least 10 crockpots or instant pots to feed the burgeoning number of people that show up from year to year. We also need people to bring plates of brownies, cookies, cheesy bread, veggies and whatever else is yummy. We need volunteers to help with either set up, tear down, kitchen duties or registering riders. Set up takes about 4 people, same for tear down, and 2 for registering the riders. Each duty is less than an hour tops.

There’s a saying “it takes a village to raise a child.” I’d change that to “It takes a village of volunteers to keep the Chilly ride operating.”

Please private message me on Facebook or email me at mvwillartist@yahoo.com with your offer of food or volunteering. We can’t do this successfully without you, you, and you.