Here are just a sampling of stories we'd like to share with you. Got a great story that you'd like to share with us? Send it to :
its4littleredridinghood@gmail.com and we'll post it on the blog!
We'll continue to post your stories on the blog from time to time, so keep them coming!
First, a few memories from the Organizers and Volunteers who put our ride together.
From Penny Perkins
"It was Little Red 2001 and we had about 200 women riding. We arrived at the Wellsville Park and the restroom was locked. We had 200 women needing to use the restroom and the city office was closed. In desperation we called 911 and let them know we had a real emergency and 200 women needed to use the restroom! Soon after, the restroom was unlocked and the ride went on."From Don Banford
"Two years ago at Little Red I was driving from the start to the Amalga Rest Stop. I was the Lead at the stop and in charge of getting it set up. I spotted an elderly lady with a cane walking down the road. I had my bike on the roof rack and she signaled for me to stop, which I did. I rolled down the window and she leaned in and said, "What is going on today? How come there are so many cars on the road? Is there a funeral??!"And what would Little Red be without Our Riders?
From Cecilie Prine
"I’ve ridden in the Little Red Riding Hood the past two years. The first year was to do something fun with my friends as I got back in shape from having my babies. Last year, the meaning of the Little Red Riding Hood took hold of me as my friend, my mother-in-law, had discovered a lump in her breast and was waiting for her diagnosis. All the riders, with their jerseys and signs of survivors, and those lost, brought tears to my eyes. Every pedal stroke became a prayer. A prayer for all of the woman and their families, who have experienced the fear I was feeling. The diagnosis came back as Stage Two breast cancer. The fight began that week after the LRRH." "It’s been a long winter; first the chemo, then the double mastectomy, an infected implant that had to be removed Christmas Eve, now radiation with reconstruction to follow. My mother-in-law, Cindy, is a survivor. She is now cancer-free. Prayers are answered. She will join me this year at the Little Red Riding Hood. Each pedal stroke will be a prayer of thanks, of gratitude, and of love. Thank you for the medicines that have healed her. Thank you for the researchers and scientists who never give up. Thank you for saving the lives of our friends, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
From Angie Vincent
"My first Little Red ride. I'm about 40 miles into the century ride when I have a flat tire. I stop to fix it. A kind gentleman stops to see if I need any help. He's out driving in support of his wife. However, he tells me that he knows absolutely nothing about changing a flat tire. So he just watches me as I continue to change my tire. Unfortunately, I can not find anything in the tire that may be causing the flat; so I just put in a new tube, thank the kind gentleman, and begin peddling on my merry way."
"I peddle about a mile or so, and as you guessed, I have another flat.... This time, I am near a house and 2 men are in the yard and come over to see if I need any assistance. Again, they know nothing about changing a flat. So they continue talking and just watch me as I put a patch on my tube. This time I must patch since I've used my spare tube already. Just as I'm ready to pump up my tire, the SAG vehicle comes to my aid. He pumps me up in about 2 seconds and I'm on my way again! Success this time. And, it so happened that I was fortunate to have had the delays because I was able to miss a rain storm that was just in front of me. Riders that were about a half hour ahead of me were soaked by the storm! Yippee."
