Special cyclist needs new gear

East Texas Parrothead · December 9, 2006 7:02 pm

Yes, Dear Auntie. The shoes phit!!!

East Texas Parrothead · December 9, 2006 7:11 pm

Be afraid of this guy. He has hot EYE-talian shoes!

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » December 9, 2006 7:27 pm

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

East Texas Parrothead · December 9, 2006 7:28 pm

One more and I'll quit. I'm sure PHJim is dying over all the bandwidth I've burned this afternoon.

Each of you who helped will be getting a thank you note ... personally signed by Mr. New Hot Shoes himself. A word to the wise: You might want to save the card ... because when Wayland goes pro, the signature will be worth a lot of dough!

Thanks to EVERYONE who made this happen. Ya'll rock my world and reaffirm that the capacity of the human heart to do good things is infinite.

Post by **SMLCHNG** » December 9, 2006 7:51 pm

This has brought my heart so much joy. I can't begin to express how much.

Thank you to all who helped this man.

Yes, Terry - it feels good to do good.

Oh, and I recognize that sweater you're wearing.

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » December 9, 2006 8:25 pm

Burn all the bandwidth ya want to, ETP. You're partying with a purpose. AND you bought the boy's mama flowers!

East Texas Parrothead · December 9, 2006 8:39 pm

Okay, Auntie. Since you mentioned her....here's Ms. Sadie with her phlowers and her cake (baked by Mrs. Wilson -- in the photo). The Wilsons made that photo of her and her bouncing baby boy for today.

Now...I'm going to shut down this machine and s*** up some good Greek wine. It's been a long day!

Mr Play · Post by **Mr Play** » December 9, 2006 9:57 pm

Good stuff!

We've got some nice weather coming and I bet he'll have 100 miles on the bike by the end of the week.

Thanks for including us Terry. You did a really good thing with this project.

And the Fins photo is classic. Wish we could've made it there to see that in person

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » December 10, 2006 12:07 am

SMLCHNG wrote:

Oh, and I recognize that sweater you're wearing.

Hey so do I

Wonderful job Terry and everyone that helped!!!

prrthd1987 · Post by **prrthd1987** » December 10, 2006 1:16 am

I'm just speechless... this is amazing

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » December 10, 2006 10:57 am

Liminone wrote:
buffettbride wrote:There's moisture coming out of my eyes. What is this stuff?

Good job, Terry.
Beats me but I have it too. It's just an allergy or something. Ya that's it.

WOW just WOW!!!

Thanks ETP and all for not only making this Christmas special for Wayland but for my wife and I.
Damn it feels good.
Liminone

Allergies.... yeah, that's it.... I've developed allergies....

I don't even have words for all this...

Terry, what a beautiful thing.

Beautiful job, everyone!

kitty · Post by **kitty** » December 10, 2006 11:36 am

this was such a gift to all of us, ETP!
I am just sorry and embarrassed that my busy life prevented me form getting my donation in to you....good intentions...bad timing!

I am sure there will be things in the future he may need...I can step up then.
You are an amazing woman and I am in awe of you!

txaggirl91 · Post by **txaggirl91** » December 10, 2006 1:29 pm

i have tears... this is such a moving story!

thanks ETP

ladyparrothead · Post by **ladyparrothead** » December 10, 2006 1:53 pm

Gosh, I hate leaky eyes

Y'all did a very selfless thing and I am proud to call you my phriends.

East Texas Parrothead · December 10, 2006 1:54 pm

My mama always said, "All they can say is 'no.' They can't take your birthday." So...here's what I just emailed to Mercier (the company who makes Wayland's new wheels).

*******************************************************

Happy Holidays.

My name is Terry Mathews. I'm a long time cycling fan, but just got a bike for my old self this fall.

A group of us in my hometown of Winnsboro, Texas, have watched a special cyclist compete for the past several years in our Tour d' Trails in the fall. His enthusiasm for the sport is contagious, but his bike and gear has always been a mess. After this year's race, we decided to help him ... one of the guys I ride with said he had a lot of parts. The riders from Dallas (120 miles) said they would get their club together and round up stuff. One of our "hot shoes" collegiate cyclists said he would coach and train him. I put the project up on the internet at several message boards. "A Bike for Wayland" took off.

We couldn't find a good, used frame. We also found out Wayland's story and wanted to do more than just give him a second-hand, put together bike. We raised enough money to purchase a 2007 Mercier Corvus All Road Racing Bike. The Pilot Clubs in our area (who put on races) have waived entry fees and will get some fuel for his trips down here. About 20 of us from Winnsboro made the 70 mile trek to Wayland's home town of Arthur City yesterday and surprised him with the new wheels, lots of jerseys and shorts (he had one jersey and one pair of shorts), a new helmet, gloves (he had none), racing shoes (he has always worn tennis shoes), and a ton of food, gels, goo, and other gear. It was a moment for all involved.

Check out the thread on the BuffettNews website ... if this link doesn't direct you to the link, it's www.buffettnews.com ... discussion board ... latest threads ... "a special cyclist needs new gear"

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... &start=160

or tomorrow on the website for the newspaper I work for.

http://www.ssnewstelegram.com/ - it should be the lead story - Cycle of Love

You can read Wayland's story ... and see what good can be done when there are people with giving hearts and a worthy cause. Wayland's *won* races on that ratty hand-me-down bike. Imagine what he can do with a NEW MERCIER!

Would it be possible to get a Mercier kit and some other gear for Wayland, now that he's going to be riding a Corvus? He's going to ride the Freeze Your Fanny (Longview-February), the Spring Fever (Sulphur Springs - March) and we are working on arrangements for the Hotter than Hell One Hundred (Wichita Falls - August). It's going to take a lot of coordination on our part, as Wayland is directionally challenged and sometimes makes a wrong turn on the course, but we're working on having designated riders with him for the races ... and I'm going to coordinate the volunteers who will get him to and from the events.

My mailing address is:

Ms. Terry Mathews
***********
***********

My phone number is: ********* at home ... or ******** at the newspaper.

I'll make sure Wayland gets the package. I'll be seeing him a lot in the next few months.

Thanks.

Terry

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » December 10, 2006 1:57 pm

I don't see how they can say no.....

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » December 10, 2006 4:59 pm

Great stuff, ETP. If they're smart they'll put your story and pictures on their website...in exchange for some "stuff". Great PR for them and a way to further help Wayland. A real win-win. More good work!

East Texas Parrothead · February 24, 2007 8:33 am

A special shout out to our very own Santa Wayne for covering Wayland's entry fee in the Tour d' Paris (Texas) ...

Haven't heard much back from the corporate people, but I'm not giving up.

ladyparrothead · Post by **ladyparrothead** » February 24, 2007 9:06 pm

There goes those darn leaky eyes again. Santa Rocks (but I already knew that) Thanks for making me read this again!

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 24, 2007 9:41 pm

East Texas Parrothead wrote:A special shout out to our very own Santa Wayne for covering Wayland's entry fee in the Tour d' Paris (Texas) ...

Haven't heard much back from the corporate people, but I'm not giving up.

Well I figure that if I can spend.. $$$ on the things I love
I can Donate $ so that a very Special person can do the thing He loves.