Death Valley Ride

Heeren Brothers Inc., is a proud supporter of the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

October 20, 2007

Once again, Team West Michigan had a great level of participation at the Death Valley, 105 mile, JDRF Ride for a Cure. Just last year, most of us that participated had thought we encountered the toughest conditions that have been endured by past riders over the years. Well, that chapter on challenging courses and conditions was re-written on October 20, 2007.

Palms

Unfortunately, Mark & Terri Heeren were unable to cycle the event this year but instead provided West Michigan with it's own SAG vehicle as we suprised the team and arrived Saturday morning to cheer on the team. While we traversed the course checking on our Ride Team members, it was great to see that everyone was doing so well up to the mid-way point on the ride. Many of the team would arrive at the base of Jubilee Pass nearly an hour ahead of the prior years time. As the afternoon wore on, it became clear that mother nature would not let that pace continue. Wind gusts to 40mph and road temperatures in the upper 90's to low 100's would soon test many of our team members and many of the 320 other cyclists too. These conditions became a huge factor for everyone late into the day and some 70 miles into the ride. In the end a large number of the 350 riders would need some type of assistance. Either from a SAG vehicle for a ride to the next check point, or assistance from the health and safety staff from AdventureCorp.

We are thankful to each and every rider in this event. It is your competative and tenacious spirit put forth in this ride that will eventually lead to a cure for diabetes.