This guest editorial is a behind-the-scenes tribute to the heroes of the '07 Moab Century Tour.  Samantha Bonsak, Director of Barking Frogs Production Company, films and produces the Moab Century Tour complimentary DVD.

Greetings,

It is an honor to work with an event where individuals display great kindness to complete strangers. The Moab Century Tour participants are that rare breed who thinks of others first, and themselves second. I witnessed many examples of this while shooting the event video during the extreme weather conditions that took the event organizers by surprise.

Moab is known as an outdoor playground with extreme slickrock, canyon drops, aspen mountains, and a spectacular river corridor. This interesting geographical area creates a mini-ecosystem that can produce unpredictable weather conditions. Because of this, it is a mainstay in the pre-event communications to encourage proper clothing in anticipation of a variety of temperatures. Even with the most up-to-date information from local weather experts, mother nature can still throw a curve ball, or snow ball, which happened during this year's event with the severe cold and snow that 10% of the riders experienced.
It is always a challenge for event organizers to balance the experience participants are seeking. The training and travel involved to challenge themselves physically on an epic ride in the Moab region has to be balanced against the point in which that challenge becomes dangerous to their safety. As we've seen with the Chicago Marathon, it's difficult to predict exactly what is happening to participants as the event is in progress, and much easier to make judgment calls once the event is over and all of the data is received.

In the six years of shooting video for every outdoor recreational sport in Moab, I have experienced a variety of extreme circumstances and, on occasion, the results of an unprepared staff. I am extremely impressed by the small heroisms of so many during this event. From the decisiveness of the event organizers to close 6.5 miles of the hill climb course and evacuate riders, the instant response of the Moab community providing support vehicles to transport riders safely to lower elevations, the Sheriff requesting a precautionary ambulance, event crew who offered their cars for warmth, participants who shared clothing with those in need, and to the law enforcement who chased after riders who's common sense departed them as they continued passed the barricades in an effort to brave the snow and reach the top. All of these acts combined together lead to the end result of not a single rider needing serious medical attention, and the ambulance returning to town empty.

But for me, it was the attitude of the participants that left the greatest impression. Those few riders who were in the worst of the snow, who were descending in freezing temperatures against an uphill wind, trying to retain their body heat were the ones who brought back the very purpose of this event into focus.  In interview after interview, these riders saw the unexpected conditions of the snowy weather much like an unexpected diagnosis of cancer. It made them reflect upon the fight, on how difficult it is to keep a positive attitude when every turn is darker than the one before. It made them reflect upon the importance of perseverance, in retaining hope against an endless stream of bad news...or an endlessly snowy road. The analogy seemed to drive the riders forward, with the realization that weather conditions were nothing compared to the battle of life for a cancer patient. If someone can fight through that, surely these riders could fight through the severe weather conditions.

Of all of the Moab Skinny Tire Events I have been involved with, this was by far the most inspirational. The true emotion and dedication of each individual concisely encapsulated the purpose of the Moab Century Tour, and displayed an inspirational example of what each person can accomplish. Collectively dedicating that energy towards enforcing a change in the fight against cancer is what will ultimately save lives.

  As Margaret Mead so eloquently reminds us, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; for indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Heroes come in many shapes and forms, and it is up to us to have eyes to see them. My personal thanks to those riders who endured the conditions, retained such amazing attitudes and provided such inspiration for all.

-Samantha Bonsack
BarkingFrog Productions

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