by Mark Holt
More than 25 volunteers from Congregation Sha’are Shalom staffed the rest stop at the Thomas Stone Historic Site for the annual Indian Head 100 bike ride on September 5. Working in shifts from 8:30 am to after 4 pm, the congregation volunteers served Rita’s Ice, water, Gatorade, and snacks to 672 riders.
Although the congregation helps with the bike ride every year, this was the first time Sha’are Shalom was put in charge of the Thomas Stone rest stop. It is one of the busiest stops and remains open most of the day because it serves all the long-distance riders during the event. In gratitude for the hard work required to operate this stop, the Oxon Hill Bicycle & Trail Club, which organizes the ride, made a generous donation and asked us to operate the Thomas Stone stop again next year.
On a beautiful, sunny day, the bike riders clearly appreciated the drinks and snacks handed out by our volunteers and the chance to rest in the shade (as well as the availability of two portable toilets with wash basins).
Riders at the stop used about 70 gallons of water and about 4 gallons of Gatorade mix, in addition to about 200 pounds of bagged ice. The four tubs of Rita’s Ice (mango and blueberry) proved so popular that they ran out around 3 pm, so an additional tub is planned for next year. In addition to handing out drinks and snacks, the volunteers conducted traffic control to allow the riders to safely enter and exit the rest stop.
Many thanks to coordinator Mark Holt! Volunteers included George Gazarek (working the entire time), Suzanne Darby, Linda Thomas, Joan Troncoso, Lee and Madelene Weinberger, Victor and Judy Marmer, Stuart and Susan Richman, Pat Myers, and the Kanter, Chernoff, Hertzbach, and Nabors families. Thanks to everyone for their great work!