ERIC'S MILES FOR MUSIC, DAY 7, 10/7/2023:
Day 7 of the 24th Annual Cycle North Carolina’s
annual Mountains to Coast bicycle tour
It was with great anticipation that 850+ cyclists departed Kinston, NC this morning knowing that 66 miles later they would complete their journey at breathtaking Emerald Isle. The first stop along the way was at Shady Grove Church where the parishioners provided a full breakfast to participants in raising donations for women’s Breast Cancer Awareness.
Twenty miles onward, we stopped at Historic Brock Mill which covers 122 acres of water and 11 acres of land inclusive of small islands. It was constructed in the early 1700s and during its operational peak (late 1800s) it: a) grounded corn into cornmeal, grits, and livestock feed, b) acted as a sawmill to cut lumber, and c) served as a cotton gin.
Throughout the remainder of the journey (final 30 miles), we cycled by stunning landscapes and historic towns. The pedal cadence of the cyclists increased as we entered Emerald Isle; nature granted cyclists a comfortable tailwind as we approached the coastline. As mentioned in the previous post, Y2M was treated to the traditional dipping of the tires in the ocean after safely carrying its cyclist almost 500 miles.
Just as BRO members receive notes from Milt after rehearsal, there are several keen learnings from the MFM campaign which are worth sharing:
North Carolina is home to gorgeous scenery and warm, friendly, and engaging people.
Cycle North Carolina is a quality organization with an eye on detail and a commitment to safety.
Never limit the challenge – challenge the limit.
Effective and purposeful fundraising requires a committed team.
While the first three learnings are self-evident, the last learning is worth further elaboration. As noted in one of the initial posts, Priscilla Anderson and Deb Kenney have been an integral part of this campaign. Through their encouragement, organization, creativity and ‘can-do’ spirit, they have embraced the spirit of the nexus between music and cycling. My hope is that in the future fundraising projects adopt a similar approach (effective and purposeful) in financially supporting the BRO.
Fun Facts from Eric’s Ride on Day 7:
Total Mileage: 66
Total Elevation Gain: 689 ft
Average MPH: 16.5
Workout Time: 3:56:57, and…
No flat tires over the 7days!