Dad at The End of The Parkway Record

My dad passed away before I committed to Ride NC 2010. I know he would be in total support of this venture. When I accomplished the Parkway record in 2000, he was there encouraging me in that fatherly way. I recall dad hugging me and telling me he loved me on the Pway record when I was at the breaking point. This was the first time I can recall those words coming from his lips (even tho his love was understood). Dad loved to be a part of any ride I attempted and I new he was around close by when I needed him. I know Dad is going to be with me on Ride NC 2010 because I feel him in every training ride. Training for the BCH ride has given me a time to grieve for him. I miss my dad, and shed a tear every bike ride for him. Below is what Dad wrote to the local paper after I set the Parkway record for Hospice of Mitchell County.

Dear Editor,
   As the father of Chris Boone, I have sat, more or less in the background as Chris pursued and accomplished his goal for Hospice of Mitchell County.
   Needless to say, I am very proud of my son. I am not one to brag, but in this situation I feel I have the room too.
   After meeting Chris at McKinney Gap in Spruce Pine and following him thru to the finish, I saw how he faced and overcame the most grueling circumstance to accomplish this record; one could see the sacrifice that occurred in doing so.
   After seeing Chris overcome these circumstances, and as his father, I placed the situation in relation to what God the Father did when he sacrificed his son for us... one can only imagine what God saw when he did so.
    I could only follow Chris for a short distances at a time...I didn't want to see the agony and suffering of the situation as it unfolded, except for a few fleeting minutes at a time.
    There is only one conclusion that comes to mind for me and this is: How far are we willing to go in challenging ourselves as Christ did for us... so that in some way, "our being there and doing that" would help and ease the burden of someone who is going through difficult perils and trials, even to the point of dying?
   Sure, I am proud of what Chris did in setting the record, but I am more proud..."with God's help" of why he did it!!!

Paul M Boone
Bakersville, NC


I miss my Dad,
Love, Peace and Happiness in Gods name,
Chris Boone