The above clip shows highlights from the ride. More highlights will be shown at the NCCUL Annual Meeting!
Despite a 388 mile distance, four dog chases, multiple flat tires, a vehicle in the ditch and a tropical storm, Team Little Guy successfully completed its ride across NC on Sunday. The six day odyssey raised more than $20,000 for the rooftop renovation project at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte.
"With the tropical storm in play, it wasn't easy," said NCCUL President/CEO John Radebaugh, "but we had a great time riding for a terrific cause." Radebaugh was joined by NCCUL EVP/COO Eric Gelly and Freedom FCU President/CEO Jeff Jones for the entire six day, 388 mile trek. First Carolina Corporate CU President/CEO David Brehmer rode the first two legs of the NC trip - about 120 miles.
Carolinas CU Foundation President/CEO John McGrail provided rider support for the week. "It was a great time for me to provide the support vehicle for stops along the way and getting the Team from point to point when needed," McGrail said.
McGrail is coordinating the fundraising campaign for the Levine project. He praised the riders for their hard work and commitment. "Team Little Guy is a great example of what can happen when exceptional people come together toward an exceptional goal. It has been a wonderful time for me to be a part of the team!"
For the most part, the weather was cooperative, with the not-so-small exception of Tropical Storm Beryl, which swept into NC on Wednesday - the second day of the ride. Braving torrential downpours and 30-40 mph winds, the team trudged north through eastern NC.
Beryl did cause a minor glitch when the support vehicle slid into the ditch. Fortunately no one was hurt and a kind passer-by pulled the vehicle out quickly.
By Thursday, the weather had cleared and the riders had smooth sailing the rest of the way. Their spirits were boosted when State Employees' CU in Dunn provided breakfast to the team and the other Community Tour Riders.
The ride coincided with the 2012 Community Tour, sponsored by Cabot Creamery Cooperative. As part of this tour, a Co-op-A-Fair event in Durham allowed the team to mingle with cooperative employees and fair goers on Saturday, June 2nd.
The team shot extensive video footage on Gelly's "helmet cam" through the week. A video showing the week's events will be shown at the 77th Annual Meeting of the NC Credit Union League in Pinehurst.