“Tomorrow we ride!” exclaimed Bernard Hinault, five time winner of the Tour de France, as he kicked off a private dinner at The Sole Proprietor with a short speech about winning and motivation – a speech meant to motivate crowds before a big game and ensure victory.
At The Sole, Hinault’s exclusive dinner was more than just a visit to the city of Major Taylor’s glory days, it was part of a charity ride hosted by Bikes and Life, a newcomer to the Worcester market with a long love of cycling. Most of all, the dinner was a childhood dream turned reality for Robb Ahlquist, owner of Worcester Restaurant Group. “I have a passion for cycling and I have been cycling since my early days out of college,” says Ahlquist. “As part of my bucket list, I rode cross-country with a good friend, Scott Russiter. We dipped our front tires in San Francisco and ended in New Hampshire. I just completed a ride in Nova Scotia this past June and two summers ago, I spent two weeks cycling in France. Seeing Hinault here, with us, is an honor. I’ve watched him race growing up. He is truly an icon – he is what Michael Jordan is to basketball.”
“The Sole is a one of my favorite places to eat in Worcester. It complements the eating style of myself and my wife and it is always busy here and that says a lot about the restaurant’s quality.”
With a dinner of 60 intimate fans, Hinault recounted stories of his cycling career, giving everyone a deeper look into his life. As guests asked detailed questions about Hinault’s riding techniques, he reassured everyone that confidence was the real reason for his winnings. “I have a natural desire to win. I do not stress and am confident in winning,” says Hinault as the cyclist cheer him on for his brilliance in the sport. As he charmed the crowd, The Sole delivered a dinner fit for champions. Haddock with lobster newburg, baked stuffed shrimp and North Atlantic swordfish with a serving of roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise were only but a few entree selections gracing the tables of cycling enthusiasts. “The Sole is a one of my favorite places to eat in Worcester. It complements the eating style of myself and my wife and it is always busy here and that says a lot about the restaurant’s quality,” said an attendee. “When I first heard about this dinner, I immediately signed up for the dinner and the ride. I mean, how could I not?”
The dinner was a prelude to the near weekend event. The charity ride tour gave each registered cyclist a chance to ride alongside the greatest of all time. Benefiting the Souffles D’Espoir – a charity dedicated to the fight against cancer and The Faine House – a charity providing transitional housing for youth aging out of the foster care system, the ride was a win-win for everyone involved. “This dinner means a lot to us and we thank everyone for coming to see Hinault – a living legend – at The Sole. This night is unique to the cycling community and to the city of Worcester,” says John Antretter Jr, co-founder of Bikes and Life. “We thank you.”