Sunday brings the very special Memorial Ride for Karla McVey. So we won't have the usual Westhaven ride and instead encourage everyone to come over to College Grove to honor the numerous things Karla did for our club for many years, as well as the amazing love and care that Mike and Patty Willman devoted for Karla when she became ill.
Our HBC President Emeritus Bud Curtis, who lives in Huntsville now, has suggested that we wear the Harpeth River Ride jerseys to honor Karla's many contributions to our club. Mike says the Gold men's and Blue women's jerseys would be perfect for those who have them. It will be nice to put them on again! Otherwise, any of the HBC jerseys will work -- with the oldest version being the best! It looks to be cloudy and still windy, so you'll have to wear the jersey over your jacket!,
Also, Karla loved her coffee and sweets so we will have both at the Memorial Ride. Mike and Patty will be there at 8:00 A.M to set up, so the coffee and sweets will be available shortly thereafter.
While the Memorial Ride starts at 9:00, a group is going to leave from Trinity Park at 8:00 and ride over to College Grove to join the Memorial Ride. All are welcome to begin at either time and place! Here's the route from Trinity to College Grove:
Trinity to College Grove - 27.5 miles round trip - GPS
Sunday, Oct. 15 - 9:00 A.M.
Karla McVey Memorial Ride
College Grove Elementary School, 6668 Arno-College Grove Road, College Grove 37046
This Sunday brings our ride in memory of Karla McVey. We won't have the regular Westhaven ride that morning. Instead, Mike and Patty Willman are going to lead the Memorial Ride of 21 miles in Karla's memory at 9:00 A.M. They will ride on their triple that Karla so often rode. The ride will leave from College Grove Elementary School and go over to Eagleville and back at a conversational pace. (In the fall, these were some of their favorite roads on the 3X.) All who would like to attend the ride are welcome. Of course, this route is well suited for our collegial riders as well.
Here is the route:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/136209501
Afterward, a Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 P.M. at East Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Minister and HBC Member John Hilley will officiate, along with Les Wooldridge.
For those new club members who didn't know Karla, she was a long-time HBC member who recently passed away after battling a long illness. Karla was more than a friend to all of us who knew her - she was a most vibrant part of the Middle Tennessee cycling community. Her leadership within the Harpeth Bicycle Club, particularly as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Harpeth River Ride, was remarkable. During that event's tenure at the Nissan Corporate Campus, it was tough to say “no” to Karla as she regularly enlisted over 200 club members to staff the ride.
Karla also played a pivotal role in the HBC Adaptive Athlete program, which provided tandem cycling rides for the visually impaired. Before her illness, it was not uncommon for her to pick up a group of disabled cyclists, drive them to the Fairgrounds track, help them complete their ride, and return them safely home.
Everybody loved Karla! Her zest for life, sense of adventure, and wonderful sense of humor were contagious, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Equally impressive, when Karla became impaired, Mike and Patty took care of her as family and kept her engaged with our club. Until very recent years, she could often be seen on the middle seat of their triple. Everyone should have such wonderful, caring friends!
Here is a more formal obituary for Karla, courtesy of Fredia Barry:
Our dear beautiful and vibrant friend, Karla McVey, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Maristone of Franklin after a prolonged illness. Her zest for life, sense of adventure, and wonderful sense of humor were contagious and have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. We will carry her memory in our hearts forever.
Karla was born on December 29, 1955, in Miamisburg, Ohio, to Dr. Carl M. and Marilou (Daily) Becker, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Clay Williams and Emilee (Brian) Fuller, sister Ann (Don) Niess, brother Mark (Denise) Becker, nephews Drew Niess and Dennis Becker, nieces Laurie Conder and Annie Niess, aunt Peggy Critzer, caregivers Patty and Mike Willman, and a host of devoted friends.
She had a long and successful career in information technology, over the years working with Nortel Networks, ACS, Healthways and Hewlett Packard where she cultivated many lasting friendships. She was an avid cyclist and long-time member of the Harpeth Bicycle Club. She served for several years as Volunteer Coordinator for the club’s annual Harpeth River Ride and played a instrumental role in the HBC Adaptive Athlete program. She also loved to travel and experience different lands and cultures. In the past few years, she visited over ten countries traveling with friends and fellow cyclists, her second family.
Karla was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Please join us for a celebration of her life on Sunday, October 15, 2023, 2:00 P.M. at East Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 9000 Concord Road, Brentwood, Tennessee. Pastor (and HBC member) John Hilley will officiate.
Please join us for this special and most appropriate event!