Breaking Away, Haiti style

In the middle of a 20-minute climb this morning, Wenson, an 18-year old Haitian caught us in a hurry from behind. We are riding Cannondale F4s. 15 gears, disc breaks, front suspension. Wenson was on a single speed bike that would have been destined for the US junkyard years ago…it was a scene right out of the classic biking movie, Breaking Away.

Wenson’s friend gave him the bike in 2005. He rides it 16 miles everyday to and from his work as a concrete laborer, and he rides it well – very well; so well in fact that he dusted most of us.

So, yes, the Tour d’Haiti team is here to give bikes to orphaned and abandoned children, but does it hurt if we recruit a local rider for our next Tour d’Haiti? He’s riding with us right now to Cavaillon, and easily staying in the lead pack…he’s enjoying his new Tour d’Haiti jersey AND his new Cannondale F4. He graciously gave us his former bike, which will be up for auction at this fall’s BIG EVENT.