More than 1,000 cyclists turn out to honor Kegel
One measure of Chris Kegel's esteem in the world of biking was the long line of bicycles that stretched along Milwaukee's Hank Aaron Trail Sunday morning.
More than 1,000 cyclists from across the country converged on the Wisconsin State Fair Park for a "slow roll" to the Lakefront to honor Kegel, the owner of the Milwaukee-based Wheel & Sprocket bicycle stores who was diagnosed last week with a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer.
"It's just a testament to Chris, to the impact he's had on cycling and to the love that the community has for him," said Dave Wallace, who heads the local cycling club Ride MKE. "There are people here who don't shop at Wheel & Sprocket. There are people who own competing bike shops. But they're all out because he's done so much for cycling."
Kegel, who is undergoing treatment at Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital in Mequon, was not on hand for the ride. Doctors have told him that, even with treatment, he likely has just months to live.
News of his diagnosis spread quickly in the tight-knit world of biking enthusiasts. And Jennifer Grandkoski of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, who came to know Kegel through his support of its Scenic Shore 150K Bike Tour, helped pull Sunday's ride together in less than a week.
"So many people came together to make it happen," said Grandkoski, who has known Kegel for more than a decade. "It really shows what a great person Chris is. … He loves cycling and loves people and loves helping people," she said. "This was the very least that we could do for him."
The outpouring of support was clear even before the bikes hit the road Sunday. Halfway through the registration, the 1,000 T-shirts that organizers ordered already ran out.
"It's truly amazing to see how many people have rallied around one person," said Matt Caron, a colleague of Kegel's.
The 12-mile bike ride, sponsored by Trek Bicycle, ended at Lake Shore State Park, where the cyclists signed banners in support of Kegel before circling back for a block party in his honor at Kegel's Inn in West Allis.
For Wendy Hanisch, director of development and events for the Wisconsin Bike Fed, it was a chance to give back to someone who's given so much, not just to the biking community, but many other worthy causes.
"Every nonprofit I've ever worked for, he's supported ... Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. ... He's been there every step of the way, supporting those charities, along with many other charities," said Hanisch.
"You don't even know how many people know Chris until you try to do something like this," she said. "He's left his impact on this community, and in the whole country and world of biking."