The final donations are in! Over $5,750 was raised for the new hospital in Bangladesh. This was truly amazing, as I had achieved less overall points than anticipated. At last report, almost the entire $2,700,000 has been raised or pledged for the new hospital.
Much work needs to be done. Something we take for granted at home, and an absolute essential to our technologically advanced society is reliable electricity. Think about it for a minute, how much of what we do at home, at work, at church, or at play or getting between these activities either directly or indirectly depends upon this commodity. At the Memorial Christian Hospital, the electricity from the utility has widely variable voltages and is off completely for varying periods of time. Something as essential as proper grounding is difficult to obtain. This situation has far-reaching effects as the staff struggles to maintain modern hospital services, when even basic telephone communication, let alone sensitive surgical and labratory instruments are ravaged by voltage spikes and outages. This situation even affects the backup generators, necessitating manual switching over to this expensive alternative during outages.
I have decided to dedicate the 2010 racing season to an upgrade of the electrical grid at the Memorial Christian Hospital. You will notice that the bar graph is set to zero once again, and now that you know about how many points I can achieve, please make a generous pledge for 2010. I hesitate to presume upon your sensitivity for this worthy ministry, but most folks would at least like to be given the opportunity to give again.
For you that are interested in the biking news, I have ordered a new, 2010 Cervello P2 Time Trial Bicycle. It is a carbon fiber bike, weighing about 4-5 pounds less than my trusty Waterford. I haven’t abandoned Old Faithful. After all, it has likely carried me over 25,000 miles since I started in 2006. It is currently in Waterford, WI, for a checkup, re-alignment, and brand new paint job. It will serve as backup bike next year.
With some gentle help from Linda, I have reached a decision about racing next year. The limit will be 200 miles, or thereabouts, so I’ll be doing 12 hour or 200 mile races, but nothing longer. I hope to have a schedule up soon with point goals, but anticipate the core races of Sebring, Calvin’s Challenge, Balltown, a state crossing record or two, Ultra Midwest, and the Texas Time Trials. I’m also considering the Heart of the South, the Saratoga 12hr, Fireweed 200 (Alaska), Metamora 4×50 (Iowa), Nightmare 200 (Pennsylvania), and the Adirondack 270. A special treat this year may be the Lewis and Clark 200 in late May. It is held along the Columbia River in Washington. Who know just how many Hyinks will show up? (Joe is in Kirkland, Steve is in Lacey) Just dreaming for now!
Well, once again, thanks to each one of you who supported MCH in Bangladesh in 2009. Here’s for Racing for Bangladesh,
Wendell
A Definite High Point from 2009
