We are just about 90 days out from the fourth annual Ride To A Wish Event in Columbia NC. I wanted to take a moment to invite you and your family to this incredible weekend! The Cycling event is a 100/50 and 33 mile ride through scenic Tyrrell County and beautiful Lake Mattamuskeet! Our ride is THE RIDERS EVENT! We have through the years implemented virtually every bit of input from our riders, staff and emergency personnel. Our rest stops are well spaced and well manned, they are stocked with PB&J sandwiches, fruit and pretzels, dill pickles and sports drinks as well as ice cream, candy and power bars. We have 8 roving SAG vehicles, four with trained first responders in addition to the rescue team from Kill Devil Hills Fire and Rescue. SAG teams can help with repairs, bring you back to the start/finish line or get you to a rest area. All riders will get a free ticket to the WISHFEST, the Ride To A Wish music festival!
The music this year includes Tuesday’s Gone (the Skynyrd tribute) Christian Radio Award Winner Eowyn, national recording artist and lead vocalist for the LA Guns Dilana as well as southern rockers Direct Message, Blackwater and all starting with acoustic gospel from Jake Brickhouse!
Back at the hall, your family and or friends can register for our 5 and 8K runs, a run/ride/run duathlon, a motorcycle and hot rod poker run or an ACA sanctioned cornhole tournament. There will be food and drink venders, displays, custom cars and a monster truck. We also have kid’s activities including a bounce house, face painting, a kid’s bike ride and plenty of cotton candy, sno-cones and popcorn. When you get back from your ride, be sure to stop by and say hi to the kids you are riding for!!
The kids, Anastacia, age 6 (will turn 7 in February) is a bubbly, soon to be 7 year old, who lights up the room when she enters. Her father is in the military and we are grateful for his service. Anastacia suffers from several disorders/diseases including an immune deficiency, Von Willebrand’s Disease and Colonic Inertia. Anastacia’s dream is to go to Disney World to be a princess. She chose this dream because she wants to be a real princess. She is such a princess already, it is difficult to imagine her being more of a princess. Zachary, age 5, Zachary is a little shy at first, but then he warms up and becomes a different person. Zachary has a brain tumor and has recently had surgery in the hope of arresting the growth. Both parents are in the Navy serving our country. Zachary is very clear that his dream is not only to go to Disney World and Universal Studios but he wants to meet Captain America, Wolverine and most of all Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. Oh yes, throw in Will also as a favorite character Zach wants to meet.
You probably remember my Dad, he is the guy most of you from the CycleNC event called the Infomercial guy, he truly believes in this event, in our volunteers and our riders, and most important, he will do anything to help these kids out! He has done everything he can to make this the most rewarding event you will ever be a part of and to make sure you want to come back every year! Ride To A Wish is an all volunteer organization, we have NO paid venders, NO paid employees and NO overhead! EVERY PENNY YOU RAISE/DONATE OR PAY IN A REGISTRATION FEE GOES STRAIGHT TO TOBY’S DREAM to make sure that these special kids get to live their dreams!!
There is free camping onsite and reduced rate lodging in both Manteo and Plymouth (see the web site for details) You can register online for any and all of the events at www.ridetoawish.com, please do not hesitate to call me at 919-912-WISH with any questions or concerns!!
Zach Coberly
2012 Ride Coordinator
