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kUDOs for all cyclists
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My First Blog Post
Yep. It is time for me to share my kUDOs joy with people everywhere. As many of my friends know not only did I complete the Belgian Waffle Ride in 2019 but I was also awarded the kUDOs award. As taken from the BWR website here is the description of what that means:
KUDOS AWARD
The kUDOs award is quite possibly the best acknowledgement a rider of the BWR can receive. The award is bestowed upon the rider (or riders in this case) who exhibit a spirit, a will, an unselfishness, a Belgian hardness, an unwillingness to let anything get in the way of living the full experience… and sometimes these things take on a meaning that transcends the big day’s event and pervades the lead up and the post event formalities…
The kUDOs award is in honor of our fallen friend, Udo Heinz. Udo was tragically struck down by a NCTD bus driver in Camp Pendleton, who took him out from behind leaving a wave of destruction in his path, including seriously hurting or maiming the other riders with Udo. Udo grew up in Germany where he discovered a love of riding bikes and racing cyclocross at a young age. Udo loved to be out on his bike, and he loved the dirt. He had an infectious laugh and a gentle, youthful spirit that always made riding with him a blast. These are the attributes of the kUDOs winners: unselfish, festive, positive, playful and caring. You can’t spell KUDO without UDO!
For me this was a huge surprise as as many know I was actually on a spin bike doing intervals when I started getting random messages congratulating me and I actually did not find out until later that day what the messages were for. And WHAT A SHOCK. Not only was I not expecting this award but when I saw the other award recipients I thought for sure there was a mistake (other award recipients included well recognized names in the cycling scene including Kris Gross, Ryan Dahl, Brian Scarbrough, Alison Tetrick, as well as the Lantern Rouge recipient Sunceray Chamblee Rickard). But nope, no mistake was made and this description of why I was selected for this award is spot on:
KUDOS—MICHAEL MACARE
Michael J Macare loves a good time. He’s not one to turn down a beer, a hug, a ride or a high five. He’s here to bring joy, but even with his predisposition for happiness, the Canyon Belgian Waffle Ride has been anything but joyous for Michael…
Both of the last two years, Michael had shockers (keep in mind, tons of people just don’t finish the BWR). He didn’t finish either event after experiencing every kind of headwind, road block, mechanical and/or physical issue to make finishing a non-reality. Not one to let such silly things get in the way of fulfillment and happiness, Michael dedicated himself to being physically, mentally and equipment ready for the biggest day of his life on the bike. And, as they say, third time is a charm.
While it is commendable to come back, again and again, to finally devour the Waffle, but what matters more is that Michael used his own personal journey to complete the event by engaging with everyone around him with encouragement and positivity. Letting many know, “Hey man, I’m doing this, and you should too, it’s going to be great.
Michael was a regular on the Thursday Rouleur Gravel Rides and all the BWR Recon Rides, as well as all the Gravelstoke rides and his stoke became a staple of the local cycling community.
Udo would have loved riding with Michael!
Well. I am going to keep this kUDOs train going and in 2020 I will be spreading the joy and cheers and inspiration outside of California with my goal to get to Dirty Kanza 200, Steamboat Springs (SBT Gravel), and Rebecca’s Private Idaho 4-day stage race! Follow along on this awesome adventure and if you see me out there let’s share a beer, or scotch, or bourbon, and lots of smiles!
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kUDOs for cyclists everywhere! 