Support Truck not only supports riders, but their bikes. |
Volunteers - Our Most Important Asset
By Charles H. Pace
Support Truck not only supports riders, but their bikes. |
What made TOSRV the major event it has become is the support of over 300 volunteers from Columbus and Central Ohio who spent the entire year and the Mother's Day weekend of TOSRV to make it happen. We, the riders, are extremely grateful for this support.
3,128 Riders
signed up for TOSRV this year. The weather this year was back to its usual challenge for many riders. Of those who started the full TOSRV, 57.89% completed it. The number of Half-TOSRV tour riders grew nearly double this year - to 314, partially due to the forecast of rain, which proved only too true. There were 680 COP members on TOSRV this year. The average rider has ridden 5.68 tours.
Left: Volunteer at the Chillicothe
food stop. |
The rains started Saturday morning before most riders even started the ride and continued until past dark _ with very few clear spells. Sunday started with a few scattered showers and a great tail wind, but by the time the riders passed Chillicothe, a strong wind developed from the west. 1,325 riders received the gold seal of completion and left with the experience of a truly memorable tour.
If you were one of our volunteers, I hope we can look forward to your volunteer support again in 2004. The dates, as always, will be Mother's Day Weekend. Next year this will be May 8-9, 2004. If you would like to be part of this group, please contact our Volunteer Coordinators, Phillis and Allan South, at asouth (AT) columbus.rr.com or 614/276-0447 Please call and add your name to this dedicated group.
More volunteers prepare lunches for
riders at the Chillicothe lunch stop. |
Charlie Pace is TOSRV's Tour Director. 2003 was the 42nd year of this timeless and classic tour.
All photos from TOSRV 2003 by Jennifer Thurmond.
