Our good friend and fellow Hen Mike Pearce passed away suddenly at the age of 54. Mike was a dedicated school teacher and counselor for thirty years and a devoted father as well as a kind and compassionate man. He was an avid cyclist – a strong rider and an exemplary Hen with a great sense of humor and engaging smile. . Many Biking Blue Hens would ride with Mike on weekends and usually stop at Buckley’s near the end of the ride to ward off dehydration. Mike would have as much fun as the rest of us during these stops but at least once a month, he would finish the ride and miss the stop for liquid refreshment in order to visit a paraplegic he had befriended. Twice a month, he would work the Friday overnight shift of the Crisis Hotline for Contact Delaware. Mike also called every morning a 90 year old man who live alone just to make sure everything was alright.
Mike participated in several RAGBRAI adventures and we had come to expect to hear his patented response to many outrageous situations (and some not so outrageous) and that was “Sweet Jesus”.
In fitting tribute to Mike who brought so much to our lives and those of others, we have christened the annual Hen Christmas Ride in honor of Mike. The ride precedes our annual fundraising social. Holiday costumes are encouraged for the ride and social. The ride and social are held in early December in Wilmington. Mike will also be remembered by a decal on the club’s big blue bus “The Hen Haus”.
Proceeds from the social will be donated in Mike’s name to his favorite charity - the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens With Cognitive Disabilities.
Mike participated in several RAGBRAI adventures and we had come to expect to hear his patented response to many outrageous situations (and some not so outrageous) and that was “Sweet Jesus”.
In fitting tribute to Mike who brought so much to our lives and those of others, we have christened the annual Hen Christmas Ride in honor of Mike. The ride precedes our annual fundraising social. Holiday costumes are encouraged for the ride and social. The ride and social are held in early December in Wilmington. Mike will also be remembered by a decal on the club’s big blue bus “The Hen Haus”.
Proceeds from the social will be donated in Mike’s name to his favorite charity - the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens With Cognitive Disabilities.
Blue Hen Hat $12
Hat Unstructured one size fits all – royal with the Hen embroidered on the front and “Blue Hens” across the back – currently on order and accepting reservations – last order of gold caps sold out quickly.
Tank Top $10Tank top 90/10 cotton/poly blend in heather gray with the Hen logo in royal and gold. Perfect to show off those cycling muscles at the beach!
Thirty five years ago, two reporters from the Des Moines Register wondered what it would be like to explore their entire home state of Iowa by bicycle and RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) was born. Now joined every year by 10,000 of their closest and dearest friends, including a hearty band of Hens every year for the last twenty three, the ride has become an institution. Even some guy named Lance Armstrong dropped by last year and had so much fun that he vows to ride the entire week this year.
During the last full week of every July, the cyclists make their way from west to east across Iowa, celebrating with the townsfolk in every new town they pass through and at every overnight stop.The Henhaus transports our bikes and equipment and serves as the headquarters throughout the week, and locals are kind enough to open their homes and offer us places to stay. Every year brings new adventures and new friends.
Visit www.ragbrai.org for more details or contact our RAGBRAI coordinator, Beth Culley at MaryBeth.Culley@state.de.us to join us.
During the last full week of every July, the cyclists make their way from west to east across Iowa, celebrating with the townsfolk in every new town they pass through and at every overnight stop.The Henhaus transports our bikes and equipment and serves as the headquarters throughout the week, and locals are kind enough to open their homes and offer us places to stay. Every year brings new adventures and new friends.
Visit www.ragbrai.org for more details or contact our RAGBRAI coordinator, Beth Culley at MaryBeth.Culley@state.de.us to join us.
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Active Blue Hens Members!- Please email me so that I can invite you to the new Google Emailing Group (say goodbye to the old Yahoo Group). If you don't have my email you can click HERE. Thanks and continue to check our page out as it will constantly be changing- Cheers!
