News Stories

As event director for the HOW100, I have had the pleasure of directing the greatest team of volunteers ever assembled.  The majority of HOW100 volunteers come back year after year to continue the wonderful traditions of Hope on Wheels and their efforts are the reason our bike ride continues to be a perfect day of celebration in Leiper's Fork. A great example of this dedication is that each of our rest stop captains has served in this capacity since our opening year in 2005. 

You may be surprised at how many people it takes to put on this wonderful event.  I have copied in a table below identifying our volunteers, along with their positions. If you scroll way down the page, I have also added some great photos highlighting some of the outstanding efforts of the team. Please join with me in thanking these dedicated Individuals.  HOW100 would never be the same without our great volunteers!

Vida Greer, Event Director

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Volunteer	Assignments
Julie Berkau	Registration
Sabrina  Downs	Registration
Julie Foss	Registration
David Hutchison	Registration
Julee Jones	Registration
Becky Pommer-Jones	Registration
Paul Dougherty	Registration
Kate Dougherty	Registration
Ben Paty	Registration
Kurt Andress	Registration
Debra LaComette	Registration
Tom White	Registration
Stephen Carr	Motorcycle Support
Neil Johnston	Motorcycle Support
Jason Nelms	Motorcycle Support
Rick Stewart	Motorcycle Support
Phil Verble	Motorcycle Support
Steve Wells	Motorcycle Support
David Bird	SAG Support
Harris Gilbert	SAG Support
Skip Stowe	SAG Support
Mac McCabe	SAG Support
Mark  Fleishman	SAG Support
Stephen Huffman	Start Area
Ralph Culver	Rest Stop Supply
Suzanne Gilliam	Photographer
Angela Karnes	Photographer
Gwen Berkley	Lunch Hostess
Wendy Humphrey	Lunch Hostess
Todd Binkley	Foxes Grocery Rest Stop
Paul Dougherty	Foxes Grocery Rest Stop
Kate Dougherty	Foxes Grocery Rest Stop
Ben Paty	Foxes Grocery Rest Stop
Paul Cogswell	Foxes Grocery Rest Stop
Anne Cogswell	Foxes Grocery Rest Stop
Chuck Dunn	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Bill Summers	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Bob Campbell-Smith	Margaritaville Rest Stop
JV Crockett	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Bud Curtis	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Shelby Monroe	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Betty Monroe	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Phil  Scharre	Margaritaville Rest Stop
John Toney	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Greg Turner	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Kurt Andress	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Judy Morrow	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Debra LaComette	Margaritaville Rest Stop
Tom White	Godwin Chappell RS
Gerrell Haynes	Godwin Chappell RS
Morris Haynes	Godwin Chappell RS
Cathie Allanson	TVD Rest Stop
Mac McCabe	TVD Rest Stop
Rick McElroy	TVD Rest Stop
Trent Boysen	Photographer
Kathy  Entsminger	Photographer
Haley Holdcraft	Photographer

(The table above is compiled from my volunteer sign-up forms. If you were a volunteer and you did not complete my form,  your name may not be listed above, but I can assure you that your efforts are appreciated and you are not forgotten...)



 This cute little woman who was manning the rest stop at the Godwin Chappell United Methodist Church in Athendale, Tennessee is my favorite volunteer - she's my mom! Please note that the snacks are offered in a variety of baskets, we have a tablecloth, and flowers adorn the table. My mom understands that Hope on Wheels is not your ordinary century ride. Participants repeatedly thanked me that this stop on the 100 mile course offered chilled turkey sandwiches. Thanks Mom!



The man behind that blender is Chuck Dunn. He is the mastermind of the Margaritaville rest stop. For five years Chuck and his dedicated friends, known as the Brothers of the Spinning Wheel, have created the most spectacular rest stop Central known to any charity ride. These guys bring in generators to run their fans, power the stereo playing Jimmy Buffett songs, and of course power the blender for the virgin margaritas. Their portable toilettes are complete with potpourri, and the only problem we have with their rest stop is that it is sometimes hard to get the riders to leave...



This man is Mac McCabe. For five years Mac has been showing up at the crack of dawn to grab some supplies and head up the Natchez Trace Parkway to set up the rest stop at the Tennessee Valley Divide. Mac uses his uncanny tailgating skills to minimize the amount of gear that I must provide, yet still have everything that could possibly be needed. Once the stop is running, he sweeps the part of the course that his wife will be riding. His beautiful daughters assist him with his work, and he makes Hope on Wheels a most spectacular family day. He's one of the last to leave, and he pulls away with a truck bed full of whatever needs to be hauled. Mac is the greatest!



Okay, so this is not a great picture of my friend David Bird, but because David is always out on the road working, it is the only picture I have. David is one of my most exceptional sag volunteers. He has a truck that is perfectly outfitted to take care of any emergency, even complete with a ham radio. David is an experienced veteran, having worked for 14 years for the MS 150 ride. Having a volunteer like David lets me know that women are safe and protected on our course. David is one of the first to arrive and the last to leave and he is always in my heart!



To find a picture of the volunteer extraordinaire Dan Belzer, I had to go back to last year because once again, Dan is always out working and may not be captured by the volunteer photographer. Dan works from dawn to dusk on event day, but he also gives up most of his Friday prior to the ride. Dan minimizes our expenses by providing his own truck and trailer to haul all the equipment needed in our rest stops. He always manages to have any tool or supplies that suddenly become needed, and you cannot find him without a smile on his face. Washing coolers, hauling water, bringing in the last rider, it just doesn't matter - Dan is there and he makes Hope on Wheels roll. We love you, Dan!



Savannah Pommer Jones has become the voice of Hope on Wheels. For two years, Savannah has begun our ride by singing a song she has written, "It's a Beautiful Day". Her voice is beautiful and pure, and there could be no better start to this special ride. My friend Katharine Ray perfectly described Savannah's performance, "The lyrics to her innocent song led us all to imagine the possibilities of a world without cancer; to reflect how HOW100 offers hope and awareness for the future so that today’s young girls may live in a world as adults without the threat of breast cancer; and to be reminded by this wise young girl that we should cherish what we have now and live life fully, not fearfully." Thank you, Savannah for bringing the spirit of Hope on Wheels to every heart.



The rest stop at Fox's Grocery is blessed to have an experienced squad, who have been working as a part of Hope on Wheels for five years. The father and daughter behind the table are Paul and Kate Dougherty, a team who shows up for registration and then moves on down the road to run a rest stop. Todd Binkley (pictured from the back) is another five-year veteran rest stop Captain. These names roll into the volunteer sign-ups without fail. Perfectly dependable, always smiling, a pleasure to work with - thank you Todd, Paul and Kate!



The Gran Fondo men - For five years, every man on the staff reports to Hillsboro Elementary at 6:30 a.m. and begins the process of making sure that no one starts Hope on Wheels on an unsafe bike. Checking axel skewers, pumping tires, little last-minute chain lube - these guys take care of everyone with a smile. Forgot your helmet or broke a cleat, go see the Gran Fondo guys - they are princes among bike shop guys and a definite part of the Hope on Wheels character.



 We are so fortunate to be supported by the Williamson County Amateur Radio Emergency Service. This group studies our routes, sets up base stations and insures that every mile of our course can be monitored. Should we ever have an emergency, we know that help would be dispatched immediately. These volunteers arrive first thing in the morning and are the last to pack up and leave. The are a dedicated team and are very much appreciated! 10-4.




And finally, I don't have a picture of him (once again he is always out on the course working), but I need to express a special thank you to Stephen Carr, our volunteer in charge of motorcycle and sag support. Once again, Stephen has overseen this operation for five years. He recruits an experienced team of motorcycle operators to sweep our course. Last year, Stephen had special signs made that we have used to call attention to upcoming turns, further ensuring that everyone makes it in safely, hopefully without any extra miles. Watch for Stephen on our course, he's always riding a super cool motorcycle, but he's not too cool to stop and fix a  flat, or give you a few words of encouragement when you are out there in the middle of nowhere - Stephen is another volunteer extraordinaire!

Our sincerest thank you to all our volunteers!!  You indeed make Hope on Wheels roll!

Vida Greer
HOW100 Event Director