Randy's Biking Adventure

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
FREMONT, CA

Randy Takes on a Tough Task

Randy is ready to roll!

      What is it that propels a woman to challenge her body to the limit, train arduously for months on end and take on a new and scary task that takes her to new physical levels?

      In AAUW Randy Fewel’s case it was, of course, her strong desire to do something special for the community.  In this instance, it was to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

      But it was more than that.  Randy wanted to personally take on something tough, something demanding and something athletic.

      “I saw myself mirroring the experience of so many older women in AAUW and elsewhere,” said Randy, “and doing the easy thing, living a sedentary life and making excuses for not taking on any daunting physical challenges.  I thought it was time for me to do something for my body, my spirit and the community all at the same time.”

      There were other reasons as well.  Randy’s brother-in-law died of lymphoma and her dear friend has had it and is now in remission.  Doing something for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a cause she truly believes in.

      The tough adventure that Randy has signed up for is to cycle 100 miles (a Century Bike Ride) that will take place in the Solvang, California area on November 14, 2009 starting at 6:30 a.m. and pretty well cycling all day.  What has made it especially difficult is that, while Randy knows how to ride a bike, she’s never tried any distance cycling before.  And she had to start from square one.

      “First,” she said with a laugh, “I had to buy the right bike.  I felt, in terms of athletics, just like a little girl and so I needed a mature and ‘adult person’ to help with my selection.”

      She is grateful to AAUW member Becky Denevan, who has participated in the 50-mile Worldly Wanda Tour of Fremont and is an experienced cycler, for holding her hand through the process of getting an up-to-date road bike and taking the first steps.  “I really admire,” added Randy, “all the women who participate in the Worldly Wanda Tour.  Those able to do that seem to exude such an aura of confidence and self-assurance.I wanted to share in that feeling.”   (Click on the picture to enlarge it.  Randy is to the far left.)

      Now Randy is training hard every day and every weekend which may be the reason she hasn’t participated in as many AAUW events as she would like.  She tries to do something physical every day like walking or swimming and she’s climbed Mission Peak to get her heart and her energy pumped.

      She’s also managed to cycle about 65 miles to date and still has several weekends before the event to train for the full 100-mile Century ride.

      Randy reminds herself continually, especially when she’s weary from cycling long and hard, that she’s learning so much in the process of training and preparing for the November deadline.

      “For example I learned to change a tire and to put the chain properly in place on my bike’s wheels.  It also takes quite a monetary commitment to do this.  You need clip-on shoes, helmet, special food, arm and leg warmers.  But I’m so excited about the mission and I’m feeling stronger every week.”

      What does Randy hope will come of this cycling endeavor when all is said and done?

      “I want to help fight cancer of course.  But mainly I want to undertake a difficult task, complete it and feel good about myself for both trying and accomplishing it.”

      And, she laughed, it wouldn’t hurt if she ended up with legs of steel.