Today we traveled into our second state in our route northward – the beautiful state of Virginia! As everyone knows, Virginia is for lovers
Feel the Love!
and we just happen to have the cutest couple with us on this trip. Meet the beauty, Isabella Henderson (standing proud at 2 feet, 5 inches, she rocks some wavy light brown locks and the most fun-loving, heart-warming smile you’ve ever seen) and the love of her life, her Dad, James S. Henderson IV, MBA (no description necessary…the name says it all).
The WfW team is certainly thankful for the Henderson family! Jim is our Wheels for Wells Driver & Volunteer Coordinator and his wife Rita manages social media updates for the trip as well as ground support for the riders. Isa also has many roles and responsibilities during this week, including, but not limited to: being the official team mascot, the source of endless fun and the cause of many smiles!
This 2012 tour is fully supported with the appropriate personnel to manage all of the riders’ needs. We are grateful for such a wonderful team that has come together to make this week possible. In addition to the Henderson family, we’d also like to introduce you to our medical staff: Rachel Carr and Nadji Gilliam. While they are not active in their duties as emergency responders, they are busy assessing the weather conditions, determining road safety and monitoring the riders’ hydration and overall health. They also serve a crucial role in assisting with navigation for the support vehicles as well as ground support for the cyclists.
Beth, Nadji & Rachel shared some shelter under an umbrella during the heavy rain.
With them in the photo (they are pictured here, taking advantage of the umbrella-covered picnic tables at our lunch stop during the rain storm we encountered today) is Beth McMillen, who serves both as a navigator and the treasurer for Wheels for Wells. Beth is the co-director of the non-profit, Compassion Corps, which is the backing organization for the Wheels for Wells event.
TUNE IN LATER in the week to
MEET MORE of our SUPPORT STAFF!
The day’s ride started out wonderfully as the riders completed a strong 20 miles in the early morning and caught the scenic ferry ride from Currituck to Pungo. Afterward, however, we did run into – or perhaps we should say “cycled into” – a bit of rain in the afternoon. After taking a longer break for lunch and to waiting for the storm to pass, the team was able to safely finish their ride into Virginia Beach for a successful completion of nearly 60 miles on Day 2! Congrats team!
The team preparing to get on the ferry
Thanks to John and Corrie Mannion, friends of the group who live in Va Beach, we were able to arrange to meet and eat dinner on campus at a local school, Regent University. This turned out to be a perfect spot and dinner was followed by an even more perfect treat: smooth, creamy frozen yogurt with an amazing variety of toppings from a favorite local joint: Skinny Dip in Kempsville! Our group would like to give a special shout out to the staff and managers at Skinny Dip. They were so kind in facilitating our group and were extremely generous in their donation.
5 of our cyclists enjoying their frozen yogurt!
Check in tomorrow for an update on Day 3: Virginia Beach to Chincoteague!