Afton – Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
For over three decades June Curry in Afton, Virginia has been helping out bicycle riders as they make the steep journey up Route 6 in front of her home. An estimated 14,000+ cyclists have stopped by for a rest, and yes, a cookie, in that time. This past Sunday, members of the Richmond Area Bikers Association (RABA) presented June with a surprise proclamation and a check to say thank you for her years of helping out bikers. Members of other bike organizations as far away as New York made the trip Sunday to be there for the presentation. “”I’ve know the Cookie Lady for over 30 years. I did the Bike Centennial trip in ’76 and I decided to come support this event today when I heard about it, from the MPZ group. (Milepost Zero). It’s still inspiring to know she’s still here,” says Stephen DeDalto who drove in from New York City for Sunday’s event.
“The bikers are so appreciative no matter what I do. I’ve met so many wonderful people from all over the world. And, since I never got to travel, which I wanted to do, I got to meet people from all 50 states and about 50 foreign countries,” says June from her porch in Afton.
“June has given so much to cyclists over the past 30 years, and she has touched so many lives over the past 1/3 of a century. With her health failing now and having a tough time getting around, the people in this bike club and across the states have contributed to this,” says Champe Burnley with the Richmond group.
We first told you about June back in July of 2005. (You can download the entire 2005 NCL article by clicking here.) That was before she suffered a stroke and a broken arm a year or so later. Though somewhat recovered, she just recently broke the other arm and it is now becoming increasingly difficult for June to get around.
“I live in Nelson County and Wintergreen. This is quite an institution. I see the Cookie Lady sign out there all of the time as I drive by here,” says Dick Elder, a recreational cyclist who also serves on the board of Bike Walk Virginia. Dick heard about Sunday’s event through an internet news group closely associated with RABA.
A big thanks to RABA and everyone else who thought about June Curry and what she’s done for cyclists over the years!
What a neat story! Sounds like a wonderful, sweet lady and thoughtful of the cyclists to take the time to recognize her. God bless you, June Curry!
Wow, this is a wonderful article. I am new to cycling and think it is amazing to know that there are people like June out there demonstrating such radical hospitality! Thank you June, you rock!
Hats off to Champe Burnley for organizing the effort to collect donations (and the presentation to Ms. Curry). It looks like it was a wonderful event. I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it. -Hugh Aaron, Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA).
It’s amazing when I search for my name online, I wonder what some of the entries are. I didn’t know about the article, so I am glad to see the write-up about the event. And for those of you who didn’t know about June and all she’s done, take a look at Adventure Cycling Association’s Trail Angel Award. It’s named after her. And she got the first one. http://www.adventurecycling.org/outreach/awards/trailangel.cfm
And if you have some more time to spare, you can read all about BikeCentennial (now known as Adventure Cycling) here: http://www.adventurecycling.org/whoweare/historylong.cfm
For what it’s worth, I’m in the middle picture on that page, but it’s from 1976 so don’t even try to find me.
Stephen, we can attest, June (The Cookie Lady) is a wonderful person, with a wonderful history! Thanks for stopping by our site and dropping a comment! Best, Tommy
I met June back in 1981 while riding with friends from Washington, DC to Carabelle, FL. I was 17 at the time, and the impression she made on me lasts to this day. I now plan to take most of that trip again with two of my daughters. I am thrilled that they will have a chance to meet the lady they have heard so much about!