“Hello Diane,” The two kids echoed.

Hi Maddy, Drew. How are you two?”

“Great, where are you headed?” Drew inquired.

“Well. I usually ride in Charlottesville on Saturday. It isn't a race but they do ride hard, how much time do you have?”

“We have a little over two and a half hours, and then we have to get ready for a group trip.”

“Well I tell you what. We will just forgo Charlottesville and I will just ride with you two, Derek, I know you don't have your cycling clothes so why don't you ride Sag. Just follow behind us.”

Diane stripped down to her cycling clothes, changed into her cleats, and started stretching.

“Kids we are going to hit a big climb today, take as much of the hill as you can, and we will turn around there and head back.”

Diane hopped on her bike and took off, Drew and Maddy in tow. After Diane got warmed up Drew took the lead with Maddy behind Diane. It was easy to see that Maddy was good but not as good as Drew or Diane. They alternated taking the lead with Diane taking double shifts in front. They were really burning up the pavement Diane noticed, and shortly they turned for the climb. Maddy dropped back some about halfway up the hill but Drew pushed on. Diane was ahead of Drew when she came to her turn point. Drew was really huffing and looked glad when Diane turned to go back. Maddy turned in behind them about two-thirds the way up the hill still on the way up. Derek drove ahead to the intersection to check the traffic and wave them into the turn. Back on the main drag Maddy finally caught up to Drew and Diane and they started taking turns at the lead again. We had to slow down for Maddy some but she made good time. When we rode past my place, I saw that I had ridden my best time. We rode a little more to cool down and returned to my place.

Derek and I helped the two kids into my place. The kids looked wasted I got several Gatorades and passed them out and saw Drew massaging Maddy's legs on the couch a look of concern on his face and a look of bliss on hers as he worked.

“Sorry Maddy didn't mean to push it so hard you did bril though.” Drew commented.

“No problem, that was great. It really helped riding behind you two.” Maddy groaned as Drew worked. “That feels so good.”

“I was surprised Maddy, it took me two months of serious riding to make it as high up that hill as you got.” Diane added, “How are the legs feeling dear?”

“Rubbery but I will survive I think.” Maddy said as they switched places and she worked on Drew.”

Diane saw that Maddy really cared for Drew as she worked on his legs. Drew looked to be in Heaven.

“Leave your bikes here kids, and let Derek take ya to your homes so you two can get ready in time. I don't think you should ride more right now. I will put them up for you.” Diane passed the two, sweet rolls to help get some energy into them.

Derek had a digital camera and had taken many pictures of the three riding. He showed them to the three while they recovered.

Finally it was time for them to part. Maddy and Drew both hugged Diane as they left. Derek took them home and returned to Diane's. She had showered and changed after putting up the bikes.

“Those two seem like pretty nice kids Diane. You made good time today, Drew really pushed you.”

“I pushed him too, I think. It seems he is in a different world when he is riding, he seems so focused.”

“That Maddy kept her focus on you. I think she didn't want to be shown up by you. Toward the end it was plain to see she was wasted but kept pushing on. I had to all but carry her in here.”

“Drew wasn't in too good shape either, but he took care of her first. I think Maddy also wanted to show off for Drew too. We slacked off some so she could catch us after the turn. It's funny, she pushes Drew to dress up I think, but she cares the world about him. He really cares about her too. I just wished they talked more. I fear they are carrying a heavy burden.”

“It's his mom, right. Something just isn't right is it?”

“I am afraid that is what it is Derek. What exactly, I am not sure. Maddy knows too I think.”

“I think I will give Patricia a call and maybe get together with her Diane since it is too late to go to Charlottesville. Take care girl.” Patricia Adams was Derek's main squeeze from Waynesborough.

“You too, big boy. Be sure to give your girl a big kiss.” Diane giggled.

Derek left Diane and headed home.

It was during the times she was alone, that the loss of her father was the hardest on Diane. She missed his cheerful whistle and demeanor as he went about the house, his loving smile as they talked. She headed for her shop to work, even though it was a Saturday. You never really forget about the loss of one you love but life goes on, Diane thought, but still it was good to be alive…

Diane was surprised at how much she had accomplished. She had finished two frames, all they needed was sanding and paint.

Back at the house she was starting to fix her dinner, when her phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Hello Diane, this is Drew. Sorry we interrupted your ride today, Maddy just wanted to ride her bike and it felt good to get out.”

“Don't worry about it Drew. I loved riding with you two. Maddy is really a good rider herself. I enjoyed the company.”

“Tomorrow is a free day for us, are there any serious rides near here?”

“Well there is a 32 mile ride in Washington. It is a pretty fast ride, and there are some very good cyclists that come. It is mostly a flat ride with a few hills. It is a good ride though. It starts at about nine in the morning. I usually leave here between five and five thirty.”

“Okay I will see about going, call you back in a little bit.”

“Okay Drew I will be here.” Interesting Diane thought.

About twenty minutes later the phone rang. “Hello.”

“It's me again, Diane. We got a few peeps coming with us, let's go for it. Maddy wants to ride it too.”

“Ok I will get things ready here too. Later.”

Diane called Derek and told him to get here early they were going to DC for a ride.

Diane took a nice hot bath and hit the sack early setting the alarm for four am.

Morning came and Diane got ready. She ate a high carb breakfast and got plenty of sports drinks ready. She packed some extra clothes in her bag and dressed in her cycling clothes, and carried her things to her truck. Derek showed up, with Patricia at his side, dressed in his cycling gear.

“You riding too Derek?”

“Yep I thought I would give it a try. I have ridden the distance before, not as fast as this ride will be, but why not.”

“Good. You can look after Maddy, she is riding also.”

We were pulling the bikes out of the shop when vehicles started arriving. A few people? There was the school bus loaded, and five other cars. Derek ran into the office and printed out maps for everyone. Miss Bell got everyone organized and we all traded cell phone numbers. It was 5:45 am before the caravan headed out. Derek and Patricia rode in the bus since he knew the way and I had a truck full. A few people turned into 48, with four riding.

We arrived 45 minutes before the start. Maddy and I registered the riders as Derek and Drew got the bikes organized. We pinned on our numbers, and passed out energy drinks and bars. There was a large group of eighty riders Diane recognized a few and saw a few of her bikes here also. We had a meeting together and talked.

“Maddy and Derek, stay with us as long as you can. I will stay with Drew and Maddy will stay with Derek if Drew makes a break.”

“Let's keep a tight group and slipstream as much as possible. Just follow my lead,” Drew added.

Everybody nodded; Derek knew what Drew was talking about.

We got saddled up and warmed up on the bikes about fifteen minutes before the start. Drew got us lined up at the start, near the edge of the group about five minutes before the start and we just listened as the starter counted down the time. I was in front then Drew, Maddy and Derek brought up the back.

“<Bang>”

Everybody was off; we kept our position on the edge. The pace was quick and the pack was tight. It stayed that way for several miles before things loosened up. After the faster riders started to pull away Diane pulled to the side and caught the tail Drew pulled everyone with the fast pack. After several miles, he pulled wide and Maddy took the lead, and then Derek took his turn.

At about twenty miles the pack split again, and Diane pulled the group with them. Everybody in their group was still with them but it was obvious that Maddy and Derek would not be with them much longer. At about twenty-five miles, Drew motioned for Diane to come with him and for the other two to hang with the pack. Diane tucked in behind Drew and at twenty seven miles Drew made a break, and about five others from the main pack followed us. Diane knew many of the riders in this group; they were the best of the group. The pace picked up for several miles as everyone took their turn up front.

At the one mile mark Diane was determined to get Drew out front and gave it my all. Drew followed, but so did two others. At the half mile mark, Diane was spent and the three passed her. She kept going but failed to see the finish. She was passed by two more riders before she crossed the line. Some one caught her bike and helped her to the ground where she vegetated drinking what ever it was she was handed.

It was five minutes before Diane made an effort to get up. Riders were still crossing the line. Drew found her; he was all excited and jumped into her arms in hug.

“That was bril, Diane. I finished second overall and you were sixth. Derek and Maddy are still out, though. In fact there they are.” Drew pointed.

Diane followed to where Drew was pointing, and about 200 yards out she saw a small group of riders. To one side she saw Derek with Maddy behind. Derek dropped off and Maddy passed him. She came in at twenty third and Derek at twenty fifth. Diane saw the Grottoes group, recover their riders and bikes, and take care of both.

She and Drew made their way over to them. Poor Derek, he had never given this kind of effort before, but Patricia was taking good care of him. It was fifty minutes more before the last of the riders came in and the sag wagons had cleared the course. Sixty five riders had completed the ride and trophies were passed out. It wasn't a sanctioned ride but that didn't matter to the Grottoes group. Diane noticed a bunch of cheerleaders from Grottoes and the Sherwood Foresters cheering as Drew received his 2nd place.

Diane noticed that a couple of reporters and a group of riders had cornered Drew as he came down from the podium, and were asking him questions and shaking his hands. Maddy made her way over to Drew and hugging him, jumping up and down, congratulating Drew.

Everybody from Grottoes got together, and plans were made for the rest of the day. They went to a place where the four riders could shower and clean up. Diane found herself drug all over Washington eating and seeing the sights. She was not given a choice about participating. It was all a blur to her, she felt good that she had helped Drew, and she enjoyed being around these kids and their families.

(to be continued)

Paula Dillon 13.04.05 © 2005
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