In the early morning, just before the sun hit the horizon, a group of Coasties were awakened from their sleeping bags by the sound of "Reveille! Reveille! Reveille!" The group departed their camp site on the grounds of Station Islamorada and met up on Card Sound Road in Key Largo, Fla., to make last minutes preparations to their bikes before they headed out on a 120-mile charity ride that began in Key Largo and ended at Sector Key West, Fla.
After adjustments were made and water bottles filled, they began the first leg of the trip at 9 a.m. Riders were instantly pushed to their limits, tackling the Card Sound Road Bridge, which spans over a mile and reaches over 65 feet high, all while heading into 20-mph winds. They rode more than 70 miles the first day, were constantly challenged by wind, rain, and thousands of vehicles that plague the only highway connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland.
Plans for the bike ride, the second of its kind, were first discussed after the successful completion of the first "Ride for the Keys" in January 2004. This event raised $3,500 for Practical Academics Cultural Education and the Coast Guard Enlisted Association. PACE provides girls and young women a better future through education, counseling and training.
"Last year's event was such a huge success that we decided to do another one this year," said CWO Tim Helm, one of the riders.
The Southernmost Coast Guard Enlisted Association sponsored the second Ride for the Keys, which became a two-day event over the weekend of Jan. 13, benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation and Hospice Visiting Nurses Association of Monroe County.
Two months prior to this year's "Ride for the Keys," preparations were underway to make the event a success. A committee was formed to raise money, handle logistics, and create t-shirts for the event. The 30 riders and their committee raised more than $7,000 in cash to split between the two charities. In addition, another $1,500 in prizes was raised for the riders. Half of the money went to Yaileen, a 6-year-old girl with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, suffering from muscular dystrophy. Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, giving them the opportunity to live out their dreams.
The night after the first day's ride, the riders had a chance to personally meet Yaillen and her family. They met the riders at their overnight stop, Coast Guard Station Marathon. Yaillen's one wish was to go to Disney World to meet Goofy, Mickey Mouse and "all the princesses." She was shy, but she smiled brightly as everyone gathered around her to talk and get their pictures taken with her.
Once the crowd thinned out, she and her family were taken on a tour of the Coast Guard boats. Yaileen climbed slowly around the 47-foot motor lifeboat and was carried when she was tired or couldn't walk.
Once Yaileen and her family departed Station Marathon, the riders headed to the American Legion where they were provided with a pasta dinner and drinks. While the famished riders ate, prizes where given out consisting of hotel stays, fishing trips, tackle boxes, and a variety of other prizes donated by local businesses in Key West and in Marathon. With a full stomach and exhaustion setting in, the riders headed back to Station Marathon for a well deserved rest.
The second day began much like the first. Riders mounted their bikes and within the first 10 minutes began to attack the famous Seven Mile Bridge. The winds were as persistent as the riders--battling soreness, aching joints and fatigue. A much-needed stop along the way was at Big Pine Bicycle. People had the opportunity to make repairs, fix flat tires and replace worn and uncomfortable seats with new, gel-filled ones. The support team, which consisted of personnel assigned to Coast Guard Sector Key West, assisted in setting up rest stops along the way. The riders stopped every 15 to 20 miles where they had assorted drinks, fruit, and medical support if needed.
Fifteen miles from their final destination, riders made one last stop at Baby's Coffee. Baby's provided the weary riders with food and refreshments to carry them the rest of the way. As the riders mounted their bikes for the final leg, dark clouds rolled in and lightning cracked in the distance.
By mid afternoon, the riders rolled into Key West where a police escort met them. Within minutes of arriving, the riders were hit with a torrential downpour and gusting winds. "The rain that day was something I've never experienced before. The puddles of water were almost two feet deep on the main street going to Sector Key West, and to top it all off, the rain was a non-stop, in your face," said BM2 Rob Baysden.
As the ride came to an end at Sector Key West, riders were already discussing plans for next year's ride, despite being soaked through to their skin and shivering.
"They came through the gates of Sector and they were smiling and waving! I couldn't believe it." They were drenched, but their spirits were still high," said YN2 Angela Knight, one of the support personnel.
"The two day ride went fairly smooth--a couple flat tires here and there," said OS1 Terri Holster, another Coast Guardsman who participated in the ride. "A few small accidents with no serious injuries ... just a couple scrapes and bruises."
"I liked meeting all of the different people from other 7th District units who were helping out for a great cause," said Baysden. "Meeting people with the same motivation and 'can-do' attitude that are willing to ride a bike for 120 miles is a great feeling."
"We are thrilled to be partnered with the Coast Guard Enlisted Association," said Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida President/CEO Nancy Strom. "Because of their dedication to our mission, Yaileen's wish to go to Walt Disney World has come true."
Story by YN1 Ron Elliott and Ensigns Josh Harrington and Matt Mangun, Sector Key West
COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Coast Guard
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group