Cycle the WAVE Newsletter

Cycle the WAVE Newsletter

Issue No. 16 The more you train, the more fun it will be. November 2010

Meet the Riders:

F5 Network Connects

F5's 2010 Cycle the WAVE Team

by Cindee Chadwick

If you've read any of Stephen Covey's books, you know that finding that "win-win" outcome is a goal we should all strive to achieve. Here at F5 Network, we achieved that goal by coming together with Cycle the WAVE. We started with a small group of women here at F5 getting together to raise money for a great cause and ended up with an ongoing revenue stream that will continue to raise funds for "Women Against Violence Everywhere".

Through our F5 Connects program, employees are given the opportunity to raise more money than they could have through donations alone. The F5 Cycle the WAVE team asked for support through this program and we came up with the idea to purchase four bicycles that could be used as "rentals" for employees! For $1.00 an hour rental free, employees can go to Pike Street Market for lunch or get a little exercise around Myrtle Edwards Park on a break, with all the proceeds going to Cycle the WAVE. This also gave employees that didn't own a bike the chance to participate in the Cycle the WAVE ride event that took place on Sunday, September 19th. Not only does this fun idea generate additional money for the program, but now we have a great new "perk" for our employees and a continuous cash generator for this great cause.

Cindee Chadwick & Kim Skillicorn

From the staff who participated in the actual event and from those who donated their time, we want to thank Cycle the WAVE for the great camaraderie they have helped us generate here at F5, as well as with all the women across Seattle. We would also like to acknowledge the incredible work that the Cycle the WAVE team supports. F5 will continue to be part of this great event in the years ahead.

Real Men Sweep!

Lakemont Cycling Club Volunteers

By Steve Anderson

How do you get a bunch of guys out on their bikes early on a Sunday morning with the promise of rain a sure thing and ask them to help fellow riders with minor mechanical and flat repairs?

Tell them it is for more than 800 women who will treat them like heroes.

Lakemont Cycling Club was proud to support Cycle the WAVE this year. Decked out in Lakemont Cycling club gear we had six guys on bikes and eight in vehicles cruising all three routes. Another twenty club members were posted along the route for safety and encouragement. We changed over 30 flats, helped with mechanical problems and anything else riders needed to make sure their ride was enjoyable. We wanted everyone to finish in style. We also swept the course to ensure no riders were left out on the routes and alerted the organizers at the finish line to wait so everyone could experience crossing under the finish line.

Our goal was to provide gold standard service, be encouraging, supportive and appreciative of all 801 riders who supported Eastside Domestic Violence Program in this third year of Cycle the WAVE. This ride continues to be the best organized and supported ride in the state if not the nation, and we were happy to add to the celebration. My team was so pumped up with the experience that most have already thrown their hat in to be counted on for next year's ride.

We are so proud of the success that the women's division of our club, Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club, is having with this world-class event. We can't ride, but we can sure support such a great cause and provide services that hopefully made your ride a day to remember.

See you next year and if you see the yellow, green and black jerseys out on the road during the year, give us a big wave, we'll know who you are!

We love hearing from our riders and sharing their stories with you!

"This is the 10th race / ride I have done this year and by far the most organized and supported. The volunteers were amazing, especially the "handsome helpers" who fixed my flat and helped my buddy who took a nasty tumble. The snacks and food were also excellent! I will definitely be participating next year and taking it to the next level!"

Let's hear your story!