11:30am Ray began
his ride into Willimantic at 10:30 am from Foodshare of
CT in Windsor. This starting point actually took Ray and the
three other riders who have already joined him another 12 miles out
from where they finished up last night. (He just doesn't want
to quit riding!)
They have
crossed the Connecticut river and so far, the cyclists have
ridden for 12 miles and have 6 miles yet to travel before they reach
Manchester, which is where the 25-mile ride will begin.
1:30pm The 25-mile
ride was underway with dozens of riders making their way towards
Hebron in spite of the rain.
The rain was moderate enough that
it did not affect the Community ride, but it did force us indoors
for the final-mile celebration. Instead of meeting at Heritage
State Park the celebration was held at the Loading Dock at Windham
Mills.
2:37pm The riders,
led by police escort, left Gay City State Park at about 2:10 p.m.
headed towards the Savings Institute in Hebron where they would
begin the 10-mile leg of the Community ride. The rain, although
it picked up and slowed their pace a bit, did not discourage rider
participation.
4:15pm The pack
of riders was 2 miles out from EastConn which was their 5th and
final leg of the Community Ride. The rain slowed the pace
of the group that had hoped to arrive at EastConn at 3:45, but it
definitely didn't stop them. The rain seemed less intense
and all hoped that it would remain calm until all of the riders
made it indoors safe and sound. With only 4 miles left until
they peddled their last for the day, their excitement continued
to rise.
They Made It!!
What happened at the Party
Ray Aramini, the Bike for Bread crew and about
65 to 75 bicyclists who participated in the Community Ride arrived
safely by escort of light rain, to a crowd of 300 to 400 people
gathered at the Windham Mills Site at 4:25pm.
Despite the off and on rain showers,
the friendly, multi-generational crowd grew steadily throughout
the afternoon and then swelled in size as the anticipated 4:15 pm
arrival time grew near. People lined both sides of the fence
surrounding the front of the refurbished thread mill. The
bicyclists passed the lines of cheering crowds as they made their
way towards the loading dock, which was now a converted band shell
and food court.
After individually greeting a large
number of the group, Ray brought Aaron and Eric on stage and introduced
them to the crowd. Windham's First Selectman John Lescoe read a
Proclamation declaring today to be Ray Aramini and Bike for
Bread Day in the Town of Windham. State Representative Walter
Pawelkiewicz read a Commendation from the Connecticut General Assembly
to Ray and those involved in Bike for Bread. State Senator
Edith Prague, a long-time friend of Ray and his family, was also
in attendance to welcome the group back.
Hartford Channel 61 covered the
Community Ride and the Welcome Home celebration. Channel 61
aired both a brief interview with Ray and a reprise of the campaign.
Ray shared that the emphasis of Bike for Bread would now shift from
the cross-country trip, which was completed to draw attention to the
plight of our less fortunate neighbors, to addressing and meeting
those needs.
Channel 30 also aired a spot
on the event. In the interview Ray continued to stress the needs
of the poor and his hopes that those needs would be the focus rather
than his ability to bike 100 miles a day.
Thank you to everyone who so generously
gave of your time, prayers, and your hearts to make this years ride
such a success. Please check back with us as often as you
like! The 2000 ride is completed but Bike for Bread
and its efforts to meet the needs of the hungry continues.
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