T’was the Night Before the Ride

Thursday September 5, 2019

By Liz Vant Erve, Penticton

T’was the night before the Ride, when all through the Okanagan

Volunteers were stirring, making the final plan

The Cops4Kids jerseys were hanging with care

In preparation for the morning sun that would soon be there.

 

The participants were nestled, all snug in comfy Sandman beds

While visions of gel packs danced in their heads

The belly’s full of delicious Relvas catering food,

Put everyone in a joyful mood.

 

When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the curtains to survey a crash?

The sun on the rise over the crest of the hills

Gave the lustre of daylight to the scene below

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a troop of bike riders with a boatload of gear

 

With a little old driver with nary a foe

I knew it a moment it must be St.Julio

More rapid than eagles his riders they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

 

Now Ahvenus! Now Bauer! Now Deane! Now Diddams!

On Crowder! on Francis! On Gardner and George

To the top of the mountain! To the Anarchist peak!

Now dash away! Dash away! This is not for the meek.

 

As do the families of the little hearts in our community

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky

So up to the mountain the riders they flew

With waters bottles full of Gatorade and pouches of Gu

 

Courtney to her team gave a whistle

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle

But I heard her exclaim as they rode out of sight

Safe cycling to all, and to all a good ride!