The Greg LeMond Ride for Education
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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Riders and their sponsors helped raise nearly $10,000 to benefit students and teachers at Orono!

This amazing event grew from the generosity of three time Tour de France winner and (Orono parent) Greg LeMond who donated his time to help raise money for the Orono Schools. Two dozen riders signed up to join Greg in a 30 mile ride through the challenging hills and around the beautiful lakes of Orono, Mound, Minnetrista, Independence and Maple Plain. Neither threats of rain nor flat tires could keep this amazing group of riders from completing their journey.
Read Lakeshore Weekly's article


"What an incredibly magical event!
Did I say magical? Think back to how threatening the weather was and how it cleared just when we needed it to. Think about before the ride started, Greg casually fixing his bike and talking with us as if we were old friends. Think about Greg fixing flats for our riders during the ride. Think about our kids meeting us at the end and riding us home, a hodge podge of bikes and scooters and sheer joy. Think about Kevin O'Conner of Gear West bringing the Canadian Olympic triathlon team over. Think about all of us just hanging out and talking and laughing, as comfortable as if we did this together every week. As a friend of ours said when she learned that we were all going to go on a ride with Greg, "Oh my gosh, that's like singing with Pavarotti!" And it was."
- Orono Alliance co-President Barry Knight


Eric Bowen volunteered his time to take photos, some are posted below, and more are available on his website at Eric's Greg LeMond Ride photos. If you want any shots for yourself, you can order them from him.
   

Blogs about the ride:
Eric Bowen's photo blog
tri-athelete Joel Filliol
tri-athelete Paul Tichelaar


The only celebrity I have ever wanted to meet is Greg LeMond! To have the opportunity to meet him and ride with him was just fabulous - and to fix my flat tire so I could continue - WOW That's really over the top!
- Tour de LeMond rider Dave C.


From the Orono School District's Staff Newsletter Extra, Sept 2008:
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