300-mile pedal tests mettle of NFM Rotarian
Local business owner and North Fort Myers Rotarian of the Year Danielle Hall recently completed at a five-day, 300-mile bicycle trek for Rotary charities.
An active member of the local North Fort Myers Rotary club, Hall combined her love for the out-of-doors, cycling and Rotary work in the charity event.
The ride was held in the state of Washington, where her son Andrew lives, and where she learned about the ride several years ago.
It’s called the Redmond Rotary 2009 Redspoke, and was held July 15-19. The 300-mile ride is in Washington, going through the Cascade Mountains.
This is her second year cycling in the long, but picturesque and worthy event, she said.
Hall actually came in tied for third place in individual fund raising, by getting sponsors to support her ride. She raised more than $1,200 for Rotary causes.
Hall is the owner of Bayshore Physical Therapy & Massage, located in Foxmoor Plaza in North Fort Myers off Bayshore Road. She was named North Fort Myers Rotarian of the Year a few months ago.
Rotarian charities, whether they be here or in another state, are near and dear to her heart, Hall said.
She admitted the ride itself was a challenge.
“It was long, it was uphill, and a test of endurance and strength,” she said. “But it’s really about friendship and networking. There were a lot of people that do the ride over and over. I believe this is their 21st year.”
The trek is a long haul, to put it mildly.
“It’s over a mountain pass, the Cascade Mountains, and they were very picturesque,” she said. “The weather was beautiful on the west side of the mountain, but on the east side it was really hot – about 100 degrees, dry heat. I actually wished I had some of the Florida humidity. Just a little.”
It actually also was a dangerous ride at times, she said.
“It can be dangerous,” she admitted. “We were on a U.S. highway for most of the trip and there were semis and RVs going by you.”
But the event had benefits to balance the risk.
“The money goes to help an organization called Hopelink, and other local organizations in the Redmond area that are important,” she said. “They have a lot of different outlets, including a food bank.”
Concerning food, she said supporters made sure riders had plenty on their journey. “All of our left over food from rest stops along the ride went to the food bank.”
She said 73 riders participated in the event. “There were probably a third repeats from last year.”
Hall said she’s a believer in all Rotary charities.
“This is why I chose to do this ride, ” she said. “It’s Rotary.”
The local Rotary Club of North Fort Myers meets every Thursday at 8 a.m. at Del Tura Country Club.
On Aug. 20, she noted that the district governor will be at the local meeting, and a donation will be given to Susie Gillespie of the Suncoast Estates Task Force for her work.
If you would like to see more information on the ride or Hopelink, go to www.redspoke.org.