Joy ride: Cyclists bring smile to friend's face

A humble gesture of goodwill by members of the Meadow City Roadrunners bicycle club brought a much-needed smile to a friend’s face recently.

Club members Doug Hughes and Joe Cooney wanted to do something to brighten the day for pal Karen Bernstein, who has been battling cancer. So they enlisted the help of fellow cycling enthusiasts and coordinated a bike run to the Bernstein home in Ocate. Emblazoned on each rider’s jersey was either a big red heart or a letter contributing to the phrase “F-O-R K-A-R-E-N.”

“We wanted to do something to cheer her up,” said club member John Arnold.

Six riders started from Las Vegas, and several others took off from near Salman Ranch, timing their departures so the group was unified by the time the run hit the home of Carl and Karen Bernstein in the quiet, rural village in eastern Mora County.

While Carl reportedly knew of the group’s plans, Karen apparently didn’t know how many riders intended to show up.

The reaction, Arnold recalled, was priceless.

“Everybody we talked to was really touched,” he said. “She was just beaming.”

The group’s gesture did not come without a price, however, as the riders braved 90-degree heat and stifling wind gusts to make the nearly 100-mile round trip.

“It was just like a furnace,” Arnold said. “The whole idea was that any time we were struggling, we would think of Karen and say a prayer for her.”

“We’re all hoping and praying her cancer goes back into remission.”

The group of cyclists included Arnold, Hughes, Cooney, Ray Finke, Howard Dunbar, Lawrence Bachicha, Scott Atchly, Albert Bourbon, Joe Wickert, Joe Whiteman, Paul Ortiz and Mariah Mahoney.

Note: Those interested in joining Meadow City Roadrunners are advised to contact Arnold at arnoldsan@hotmail.com.