Endurance cyclist and
Bakersville resident Chris Boone will attempt to break the North Carolina
cross-state record by pedaling his bicycle 564 miles in less than 40 hours
Sept. 7-9.
In addition to his goal to
set a new record, Boone is using the opportunity to raise support for the boys
and girls living at Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH).
“Chris’ efforts are an
inspiration to every child and every staff member at Baptist Children’s Homes
of North Carolina,” said BCH President Michael C. Blackwell.
“This ride is a testament of
will, desire and the incredible lengths one is willing to undertake to make a
difference in the lives of children.”
BR file photo by Norman Jameson Chris Boone |
Boone’s endeavor is being
promoted as “RideNC2010” and is organized as a part of BCH’s 125th anniversary.
He will leave the post office in the mountains of Murphy and travel non-stop to
his finishing destination of Manteo located at the Outer Banks.
Boone currently holds the
city-to-city/point-to-point record, as certified by the Ultra Marathon Cycling
Association, for riding the 470-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway from
Cherokee, N.C., to Rockfish Gap, Va., in 29 hours and 36 minutes.
“I believe God has given me
a gift for riding a bike, and I don’t want to use that gift selfishly,” said
Boone, 44, a member of Rebels Creek Baptist Church.
“I hope the children at
Baptist Children’s Homes are inspired to find their own gift, run with it, and
use it to make themselves better.”
As Boone trains for the
ride, BCH staff is securing RideNC2010 sponsors hoping to raise $250,000 or
more. BCH operates residential homes in 18 communities across the state.
“I hope everyone who hears
about Chris’ efforts will root for him, pray for him, and show financial
support by becoming a RideNC2010 sponsor,” Blackwell said. “It is through that
financial support that we can offer hope and healing to Baptist Children’s
Homes’ boys and girls.”
Boone’s riding team will
include as many as 20 support staff members and a caravan of vehicles.
One of his most important
team members is his wife Lisa who is director of nursing for Hospice of
Mitchell County.
She will oversee her
husband’s health and nutrition along the ride literally handing him food and
beverage through her vehicle window while he is cycling.
“She was with me for my
Parkway ride and knows what it takes for me to get across the state,” Boone
said.
“My riding team will
experience everything I experience and be right there with me.
“They will be my family
during the ride.”
To meet the time goal of
less than 40 hours Boone must maintain an average cycling speed of 15 mph
through both mountains and flats.
This includes all scheduled
stops for quick bike maintenance, bathroom breaks, and a clean change of
clothes. At that rate Boone would complete the ride in approximately 36 hours.
At ride’s end, Boone hopes
he will be hold a new cycling record, but most of all he hopes his efforts will
succeed in transforming lives.
“I want the children to see
that there are people out there who are willing to help them by stepping up to
meet their needs,” Boone said.
To support Boone’s efforts
call Ride-NC2010 coordinator Lewis Smith at (828) 421-9300 or give online at
Baptist Children’s Homes
will provide updated news and information during the ride on its page on
Facebook. Every 10 minutes the radio will send GPS coordinates of Boone’s
current location allowing individuals with internet access to track his
whereabouts at the following web site.
What is RideNC2010?
Chris Boone, below, plans to
break a state cycling record by traveling 564 miles on bicycle from the North
Carolina mountains to the coast in less than 40 hours. He hopes his efforts
will raise at least $250,000 to help children living at Baptist Children’s
Homes of North Carolina’s (BCH) statewide homes. Chris’ ride, named
“RideNC2010,” is a part of Baptist Children’s Homes year-long 125th anniversary
celebration.
BCH was established Nov. 11,
1885, with its first campus in Thomasville. Today, BCH provides residential
homes in 18 communities across the state.