All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia cycling team reported that they were the only team they knew who had such enthusiastic supporters coming out at all hours of the day and night to greet them at several time stations throughout the country during last week’s Race Across America.
Wearing orange and blue team colors, waving banners and balloons, supporters greeted the team, sometimes waiting for hours at a time at the time stations to show their appreciation for the riders.
“Our riders and crew were exhausted at the end of each day, but to see the people with fibromyalgia waiting for us at the time stations, especially in the middle of the night, was amazing,” said rider Denise Stone. “They really gave us that ‘oomph’ to keep going!”
With all the warm cheers and encouragement, is it any wonder that All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia finished in first place in the 4-person mixed category and second place overall? (First place winner was a professional team!)
The AW4F cycling team, consisting of 4 riders and 12 crew members, started their non-stop, coast-to-coast ride in Oceanside, California on Saturday, June 12 and ended on Friday, June 18 in Annapolis, MD in record time of 6 days, 5 hours and 21 minutes, with an average speed of 20.12 mph.
AW4F partnered with the National Fibromyalgia Association and select sponsors to raise funds and awareness of fibromyalgia. From Oceanside, California to Bloomington, Indiana, Teutopolis, Illinois and Ellenboro, West Virginia, the team was met by people with fibromyalgia who heard about their efforts mainly from the NFA’s Facebook page and website.
But, members of the team were also keeping up with the fan posts on Facebook. “My wife, Janna, would read us some of the posts and messages, and we were very moved by them,” said rider Karl Wianecki. “It was just overwhelming to know that we really touched people, and that they would come out for us like that. It was a very powerful experience for me!”
During last Saturday’s awards banquet in Annapolis after the race, AW4F rider Gernot Wolfram also gave an impassioned speech at the podium when asked by the organizers to say a few words about the NFA, the team’s charity of choice and their cause. News of the “midnight” fibromyalgia supporters drew the loudest cheers from the attendees.
“I talked for 15 minutes about what it meant for us to get the support at time stations, and what it meant for people with fibromyalgia to get out of their homes in the middle of the night,” Gernot Wolfram proudly recalled. “The audience was really moved. Other teams didn’t have fans showing up for them!”
As for raising awareness for fibromyalgia?
“We talked with many people at time stations about fibromyalgia,” said crew member Brenda Weaver. “We handed out information and brochures from the NFA, and people were always asking us about fibromyalgia after seeing it on our jerseys and shirts. We got numerous media coverage thanks to our supporters and bloggers. And, many RAAM members couldn’t even say fibromyalgia before the race, now they actually know what it is!”
You can still help All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia reach their fundraising goal of $100,000! Click here to donate.
Coming Soon! Stay tuned for an upcoming video and more in-depth articles in FM AWARE magazine on the amazing race of All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia!
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