Ben Farrant Memorial Cyclathon
Despite being among nearly 9000 other riders attempting the grueling 204 mile annual ride from Seattle to Portland, the 32 riders of Team Wellspring managed to leave their mark. The Rwandan phrase “Twese Hamwe”, which was stamped on the sleeves of our vibrant yellow, blue, and green jerseys, accurately described how we rode: All Together. We cycled the long miles with a profound purpose and neither flat tires nor spills nor rain nor clouds nor fatigue nor pain could deter us from reaching our goal. Together we raised $43,000 to build four new classrooms at the Wellspring Academy, which will complete the primary school, and provide a dynamic learning environment for 250 Rwandan children, starting in early 2008. 
The ride was also a Memorial Event for Benjamin Farrant, a Wellspring board member who was tragically killed just on year ago in a cycling accident. Ben’s mom flew out from Milton, Ontario to be part of the Wellspring Pit Crew and she shared about what the event meant to her and her family. “Sometime when you are struggling up a steep hill and you feel a push on your back,” she said, “that’s Ben. I remember numerous times when he would ride right behind me and help me to the top!” We needed that push on several occasions and it was special to know that we were following in the tracks of someone we admired so greatly.
