Pago 10
Dally Ncbraskan
Wednesday, September 26, 1834
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Cycle feeli
Mutgs
Octobertrek, in it 's fifth year,
is an annual ride sponsored
by the American Lung As
sociation of Nebraska. The 67
people who participated in the
ride solicited at least $125 each in
pledges before the tour. Thecyclists,
ranging in agejrom W to 49,
came from several Nebraska com
munities, including Grand Is
land, North Platte, Plattsmouth
and Omaha.
Iff ost of the bicyclists partic
ll ipating in Octobertrek, a
ViL 100-mile ride for the Ameri
can Lung Association of Neb
raska, had already left Parker's
Steakhouse in Denton. They were
on their way to Wilber, about 25
miles away, where, hopefully, they
would arrive in time for the start
of the Nebraska-UCLA game.
Inside Parker's, a few bicyclists
remained, either eating hambur
gers or drinking pop and cold
beer. They seemed to be in no
hurry. The game would go on
without them.
Two women, in particular, sat
at a long table cluttered with
dirty dishes. Kris Dewey, 18 and
freshman at UNL, slowly ate a
hamburger and french fries.
Bonnie Gilpin, 43, from Grand
Island, munched a snack she had
brought along on the trip. They
had met just minutes before as
they bicycled into Denton.
It had been a tough ride so far.
The wind was gusting out of the
south, making the uphills diffi
cult. On the downhills, it seemed
as if the wind was trying to blow
the bicyclists backward. It looked
like it might even rain.
Kris said she had come on
Octobertrek because she thought
it would be an easy ride. Bonnie
was riding, she said, because if
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her bad knee gave out, at least
there would be a sag wagon she
could catch a ride on.
Finally, after a long rest, it was
time to move on. Everyone had
left, except for Bonnie and Kris.
Bonnie was having a good ride.
Her knee felt fine and she knew
she would be able to make it to
Wilber without catching a ride.
Kris, on the other had was having
a difficult time. Of course going to
the Elton John concert and stay
ing out late the night before didn't
help.
Both women left Denton with a
purpose. Kris wanted to make it
to Wilber on bicycle, despite her
weary legs, and Bonnie wanted
to do everything she could to help
Kris make it. Bonnie said she
knew how important it was to
have someone to ride with when
the going got tough.
And the going got tough! The
hills south of Denton seemed more
like mountains and Kris' legs
reacted as if they agreed.
Several times the women came
to hills that were too difficult for
Kris to ride. If she was to con
tinue, she would have to walk up
those hills. The sag wagon passed
by frequently, like an eagle stalk
ing its prey, waiting for Kris to
give up. But Kris did not give up.
Instead, with the help of Bonnie,
who also was walking the hills
even though she could have
bicycled them, they pressed on.
Eventually the hills turned into
flat prairie and the wind died
down.
It took several more hours until
Bonnie and Kris made it to Wilber.
but Kris had not succumbed to
the sag wagon, and Bonnie had
given of herself to make sure Kris
would make it.
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Photoo and etory by
Bill Coiiradt
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