May
Entry#407. 5/18/2025.
I want to add something about two organizations/companies from the experience of Amway River Bank Run 25K handcycle race.
Creative Ability Solutions (CAS)
https://www.creativeabilitysolutions.com/
Mr. Steve Chapman is the director of this company. Ms. Patti Bills is the Chief Operating Officer.
We learned and will learn more from their knowledge, experiences and resources. We are grateful for knowing their new company. And the connection with them made the epic group ride happen.
The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Rec
https://www.thebridgeadaptive.org/programs-2024-all/calendar
The executive director is Mr. Danny Meyer.
Our beloved nonprofit organization in Cincinnati. They gave us many adaptive sports opportunities in past years.
Mr. Danny Meyer had an idea (= a pilot project) in his head when my husband told him he was attending to Amway River Bank Run 25K handcycle race. He wanted try to bring some of his Bridge handcycle athletes from Cincinnati area for the race. They don’t have transportation system for their handcycles. Mr. Meyer planed to transfer them with his Bridge van. 4 Bridge adaptive athletes registered (besides my husband) as the original plan. Unfortunately two of them couldn’t make it.
They did a great job at the race. It was their longest distance race ever. I was proud of them. I hope they felt good and satisfied with their great effort out there on the course. The out-of-the-state ride is something special, so as I believe.
Also I’m grateful for Mr. Danny Meyer, his determination and dedication for his adaptive athletes. Without his help, transportation system, it wouldn’t happen.
This time, The Bridge did meet CAS officially out of Ohio. It was wonderful.
My husband is willing to keep representing “The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Rec” more and more in future. Their brand new bike jersey looks great and wonderful, don't you think?
Entry#406. 5/18/2025
I’d love to attach information about each great handcyclists that we met and my husband competed with in Grand Rapids. You can see how awesome and how amazing they are literally. (They are super fast.) It was meeting “movie stars” to me, personally. They became my heroes. It was an epic experience with them. It was honor to meet them.
The 2nd place at River Bank 25K handcycle; Mr. Casey Falkner
Watch the video. The article is wonderful.
The 3rd place at River Bank 25K handcycle; Mr. Todd Richardson
I borrowed this photo from the social media post. I labeled with white arrows. One of them is Mr. Richardson.
The 4th place; Mr. Dan Stietz.
This article has both names of Steve Chapman and Dan Stietz.https://www.usparacycling.org/news/features/2022/july/10/champions-repeat-on-day-two-of-national-championships
The 5th place; Mr. Steve Chapman
The 7th place; Mr. Jared Fenstermacher
https://youtu.be/zyAqzx46YHc?feature=shared
This video was filmed by Mr. Jared Fenstermacher. Amazing sights.
That's why this photo is so precious to me.
5/18/2025.
Another day, another life with deer. You have to laugh. I was totally off guard because Iris was safe from deer always. I was doing happy dance for Yellow irises. Then a few minutes later, yellow flowers were eaten. By deer. German iries are still safe, though.
I have a question. You have an answer, maybe? Do you call German Iris, Iris sanguinea, and Iris ensata (=Japanese Iris) differently and separately??
These different iries are my favorites. The small white-purple ones are totally safe from deer. Interesting.
Is the last one Japanese Iris = Iris ensata?
Another day, another ride. You have to laugh here, too. Once the semester is over, my husband's summer starts. That means handcycling everyday as long as the Sun is up. And I need to pump efficiently.
Entry#405. 5/17/2025.
My husband told Mr. Steve Chapman that we were coming to Grand Rapids to attend the Amway River Bank Run 25K handcycle race beforehand.
We got a good connection through his job. He and his partner visited our house to set a power meter in a handcycle in January 2025. See Entry#350 (1/18/2025).
Then Mr. Steve Chapman said that he would have a group ride after the race day, my husband and I could join. That made us so happy and excited.
That was a rough idea at that time. That was why we made sure to bring two bikes with us just in case, whatever it would happen. So guess what?
Yes, the group ride happened the day after the race day. I was a little bit nervous, as you can guess easily, that I had to make sure two bikes were ready mechanically and technically.
We drove up to Mr. Steve Chapman’s house in Cedar Springs. Then my nervousness hit the top when we found out all the members in this group ride and how many miles we were about to pedal together.
See the photo here. I labeled them with the placements at the 25K race. These handcyclists lineup is fabulous. This was something.
They said “It’s a recovery ride. We will do 30 mile.”
Oh, okay, you say “30 mile recovery ride”. My eyes widened. My stomach was a bit dancing.
Do you remember my experience of GOBA in June 2024. Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure.
See Entry #270 - #274 (6/21/2024 - 6/23/2024)
We joined two handcyclists and 5 cyclists to pedal 36 mile. At that time, I told them it was my husband’s dream ride. Yes, it was. On that ride, I barely survived.
This time in Cedar Springs, Michigan, we were with 5 handcyclists and 1 lady-cyclist. I was way too happy and excited. I told Ms. Patti Bills (the lady cyclist) “This is my husband’s dream ride!” It was true. Riding with TOP handcyclists, 5 of them(!), is our dream ride indeed.
I couldn’t believe that happened for real. I had to focus on following them with a good pace and finishing 30 mile without any trouble.
We pedaled on their everyday routine route. It was beautiful, nice, perfect and joyful. I was thankful and grateful for their invitation for a recovery group ride.
All 6 handcyclists finished 25K ( = 15.5 mile) the day before with their maximum power. Then we pedaled 30 mile. Which ride would be the main event to them?! We laughed.
We made it!! I was very relieved. I was happier and satisfied. It was obvious that I made their pace slower down. But I believe everyone had a great time together.
On this trip, extra stuff gave me joy. Can you guess what?
I saw and met top handcyclists’ wives and a partner. I saw how they support their athletes. What they do at the race place. In which parts they take care of them.
However the time in Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs passed so fast. In the blink of an eye. I wanted to chat with them more. I couldn’t make it this time. Maybe next time.
Thank you for the wonderful ride and meaningful time. I believe this was the beginning of many future gatherings. I do hope so deeply.
Entry#404. 5/16/2025.
When my husband shared his plan to Grand Rapids with me, he said “We will bring your bike this time with my handcycle, there is a chance to pedal together somewhere.”
This made me feel excited and at the same time nervous. If I could bike in Grand Rapids, that’d be my very first out-of-state ride as well. That’d be wonderful! I love that.
On the other hand, I’ve never done a road trip (with hotel staying) with two bikes (his handcycle and my roadbike) yet. Never.
Do you know why I’m so nervous about it?
Usually I use a nice bike rack inside a van. I really love this item. However it takes a bit of space. See the photo?
We have stuffs for 2 nights staying including his shower chair and catheters. Those are not small.
And don’t forget the extra space for his wheelchair and a front-wheel (a travel must-item. an attachment gadget).
I don’t want anything to touch his handcycle at all (especially to wheels, chains, shifters and handles).
I was told that disc breaks of my bike were delicate and I should be very careful with them.
All of these stuffs made me nervous. See? How do I take care of everything to fit into our van?
I had to remove a front wheel from my bike so that there was an extra space. I put my bike upside down and secured it with two strings. I practiced to sort and set everything in it, several times. Once I felt comfortable to take a front wheel off and to put it back on, it made me feel better. Funny? I am still a beginner cyclist. I was glad at least I was able to do this process finally.
In the morning we were head to Grand Rapids, I was relieved that everything fit in the van.
I made it to bring two bikes to another city out of Ohio. Now do you think I biked with my husband in Grand Rapids?
5/15/2025.
The new page is up now. Here is"Amway River Bank Run 25K handcycle race."
There are part1-3. I will add more topics here later on. I have tons of stories to tell you.
5/14/2025.
My Christmas cactus update. It's blooming gorgeously in May. You might not believe it but it's my view right now in a rainy day. You like it?
5/13/2025.
Coming up (hopefully soon) Title: Whoa, there are more and more amazing people in the world! New experience in Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs, Michigan!
I'm going to make a separate page about Handcycle 25K race in Grand Rapids. P.S. We found the Blue Bridge.
Entry#403. 5/13/2025.
When several events happen almost at the same time, both my brain and my mind overwork and have to shut down. Right now, my body system is at that stage, yes.
At least I can report about my husband's Lab gathering. It happens every end of the semester to celebrate their accomplishments and cheer for undergrad students' final exams. Plus celebrating to students who graduate. We had one student this time.
You can re-read here at Entry#340 (12/18/2024) about my thoughts about our party.
There were several highlights this time.
1. We found a fun gift for the student. Of course, it's from the Charley Harper store. It is a Memory Game box. I used to play Memory games a lot when I was a girl, using just a plain "Playing card". As I am getting older these days, I don't play this game much anymore. But when we found this box at the store, my eyes were twinkling.
At the same time, I didn't expect that we would play the Memory game with these Charley Harper cards at our house at the party time. Well, we DID! And it turned out to be a lot more fun than I imagined. I was super happy for everyone.
https://www.charleyharper.com/animals-memory-game.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqi-oo83m-5x8jqLabV0b0sSvCyaQ4ffTKdYaqSoqQ3jzU0j6Ra
2. I asked all my husband's crew "bring your favorite chips" beforehand. Funny? I thought it would be fun to taste them at the party since I don't buy chips much. It was fun.
One of them got an extra bonus point! Can you guess?
He brought this!
Poker CHIPS!!! He made me smile. Everyone was chuckling, too. What a clever idea.
3. One student surprised us very much with this. Have you seen this kind of thing??
Picture1 and Picture2 are the same thing.
I am learning new things now. It's called Lithophane. She explained to us that it is a 3D print from a photo. A 3D printed object that appears as a picture when light is shone through it. Yes, only when LIGHT is shone through it. Wow.
I am grateful more and more each time at the Lab gathering party when these things happen.
Entry#402. 5/12/2025.
In these past few days, I told my husband "If I made it through all this and I survived, it would be a miracle." And tonight, I am relieved very much. I made it. We made it!
This photo is meaningful (to me). I'll explain more later. I want to frame this picture. This was yesterday in the town near Grand Rapids.
"This is US" picture 2025 Spring. Our tradition happened safely (!) and there were tons of laughter. I was satisfied with whole atmosphere with my husband's students.
I was proud of my meal prep. We were biking in Grand Rapids yesterday. Then I provided these meals today. See? It feels like a miracle.
Entry#401. 5/10/2025.
This day is one of the most unforgettable days. I want you all to feel my excitement and joy. How lucky we are. How epic everything is.
Let me put pictures here chronologically so that you can see why my adrenaline level is so super high. My husband finally made it to attend Amway river bank 25K handcycle race to compete with some Michigan local "legends" and some "national level legends"!!!
You need to spot same faces of handcyclists in each photos.
How it started. (Sep 2023 @AFM Dayton)
How it went. (Sep 2024 @AFM Dayton)
Between then and now, @Boston Marathon 2025.
(A photo from their team/company posts.)
How it’s going. (May 2025 @Amway River Bank 25K Grand Rapids)
5/09/2025.
Guess where we arrived at??
An Extra!! 5/09/2025.
Here are snapshots from the gathering after 10K race. I feel so fortunate that I got to know about them through handcycle.
Entry#400(!) 5/09/2025.
See the number of my entry of writing? It’s since March 2022, I’ve kept writing randomly and casually. Themes are anything around me. Some stories are related to paraplegic and spinal cord injury (SCI). Some are related to my favorite things. Some are related to awesome humans out there. 400 is a big number to me, anyway. I’m smiling. Hurray!
Here is the title of #400.
(One 1st timer participant was from Lexington, KY!)
“Everything you want to know about My husband’s handcycle 10K race in the rain” Flying Pig 10K 2025. His 3rd time of Flying Pig.
5/07/2025.
In honor of "Mother's Day" coming up, I found this quote. Guess what I did next? I sent it to our son by texting. Funny. My husband expected his response as receiving a text of "WOW". Do you think he did?
5/07/2025.
My Iries are up. How about yours? Purple and yellow are coming late always. Interesting.
And at the end of the day, purple is UP! Hurray.
5/05/2025.
It is almost the time! Our tradition. My husband's Lab gathering. The end of the semester party! Just because my husband and I will travel for 3 days and will be back home the day before the party. I am a bit (maybe even more) nervous than usual. Well, at least I put this one.
Do you get my idea? Now are you feeling you wanna come visit us? Fun! Wish me luck on "cooking".
5/05/2025.
I'm still writing about our Virginia Tech visit a while ago. I put these photos here anyway because I was so proud to wear this pin on the day my husband gave his research talk at the zoology department seminar. Do you see the pin? Can you tell what design/shape (!) it is? You have to laugh. Or maybe you make a face??
5/04/2025. May the forth be with you.
(I am still recovering from the excitement of yesterday's my husband's race. It will take some time to write all about it.)
In the meantime, some joys from my yards and Glee club.
1. My very first Iris of the season. I think this year Irises are a bit slow to start blooming.
2. I missed Miami Men's Glee club Home concert last night. My wonderful friends' son was there to sing. It was his very last performance because he is graduating this month. I watched YouTube video of the concert. It was wonderful. I loved it very much.
In case you wonder, I put the link of their whole show here.
https://www.youtube.com/live/6YzCrpGPUJc?feature=shared
I found my very favorite in the show. Title: Let the River Run. (I put 2 videos from YouTube. It's not the performance of Miami Glee Club. But you can listen to the tunes anyway.)
In their performance video at 1:28, my eyes were wet. It was that good really.
Sending a cheer to my singer-architect friend on his great future journey.
I visite their concerts before in person. Here is a story in 11/04/2023. There is a video of them.
5/03/2025.
He won! at Flying Pig 10K handcycle division.
5/02/2025
I haven't focus on a photo of my backside of the house much. Sometimes sunshine makes me feel so grateful looking at the house at the far end of backyard. It feels so good. On the other hand, I feel bad because my husband cannot have this quick moment with joy easily and casually. But he can, of course. It just takes a bit extra time to do it. I am grateful that we still have this our house. I love it. Here it is. It was several days ago.
And this (below) is the view of our house from the front, today! You like it? I did a quick mowing, beating the shower (stormy rain). It is like a "The peaceful beautiful moment right before the storm coming". This phrase also fits perfectly to my husband's mind status today. I believe so. Do you know why?
Tomorrow morning at 7:00am sharp. He will be waiting at the starting line with other 19 cyclists with disabilities in Cincinnati. Exciting. But.... Guess what? The weather forecast says "it will be raining". He has never pedaled in the rain before. None.
Well, I think I am the one who feels afraid and scared pretty much. A side note. We will do different ways than past 2 years this time. We won't stay in a hotel the day before the race. We will leave our house at 4:50am to Cincinnati. (That means we will get up at 3:00am to do the morning routine to be ready.) Wish him luck!
5/02/2025.
Sometimes I find some familiar faces on social media posts or news articles. This time, it was Farmer School of Business page. I recognized him quickly. It made me smile and I thought back on old times, high school Cross Country times. My son was in the team, as well.
Here is the photo from it.
Then I remember I wrote about him and CC on the Entry#78 (9/24/2022). I am so honor to know him really. I wonder how much young generations including our son remember things from the past? It depends "which memories they loved the most", maybe.
Entrt#399. 5/01/2025.
Happy May 1st!!! The Lily of the valley Day! (and May Day.)
https://frenchly.us/why-do-the-french-sell-lily-of-the-valley-on-may-1/
After heavy raining with some thunderstorms, my Lily of the Valley is full blooming right now. It's just in time. Some people might say "Don't have them in your garden. It's very aggressive and strong to spread, might hurt your other garden flowers." That is very true. I'm gradually getting to know them better in these days, maybe. I just need to be careful and cautious to keep remembering where I have them. And I need to control the amount and areas before it outgrows too much. Basically, I have to admit, they are really easy to take care. It grows without any care, in fact.
I have them in front yard, in back yard and around my mailbox. Well, in future, they might take over entire my lawn(!), maybe?
Do you have Lily of the valley?? I love the smell very much.
This mailbox area is new. I had daylily here. But always, always deer munch them up. Lily of the valley fits better here, I guess. I love it so far.
This area is too far away my water source in my house. So usually I cannot water them. It's a tricky area indeed.
Go back to the last month April.
Go back to HOME.
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