Gold Wings
Just imagine. You are nearing the end of your 100K bike route. You are tired, hungry and your legs don’t want to keep pushing. You pull off at the last SAG (support and gear) stop and you see a treasure trove of cookies, baked goods and cool water that gives you that last boost you need to keep going.
The Gold Wing Touring Association provides our PedalFest riders a much-needed break during the rides. They go the extra mile by making buckets of baked goods for the hungry riders. They bake 25 to 30 dozen treats each year.
“I don’t stop at every SAG stop every year, so I make sure I know which one is hosted by the Gold Wings,” Monte Shaw, PedalFest rider, said. “Their homemade treats are not to be missed—homemade energy bars, cookies, brownies, the works."
Their generosity starts with their own love of sweets.
“We like to eat,” Treasurer Anita McCune said. “We like ice cream. We like cookies. We just want something different.”
The Gold Wings and their SAG stop have become regular staples at PedalFest. They’ve had a rest stop for about six years, but that’s not all they do. The Gold Wings also help keep PedalFest cyclists safe by riding the route on their motorcycles.
“The Gold Wings are the ‘guardian angels’ of the cyclists in a sense. They watch over the safety of the cyclists by riding in front of and behind the groups and block traffic at left turns,” Special Events Coordinator Hannah Henning said. “PedalFest could not be more grateful for their support and their help in guaranteeing rider safety!”
They’ve escorted the riders since the very beginning of PedalFest, volunteering 11 of the 12 years. The group has at least 10 motorcycles along the route. The motorcyclists follow the cyclists across Wichita, both in the city and on the country roads.
“We like to do things to help our community, and this way is one way we can give back,” McCune said.
It’s a tradition they hope to continue. The Gold Wings are already planning for their next PedalFest so our riders have some friendly faces and cookies to look forward to in August.
