Bumps and Blessings

Yesterday I transported my bike, Bob trailer, Bob bag and saddle bags to Atlanta. Brad will pick everything up on Monday and take it to Kingsport, TN. On May 1 Brad will begin the drive to Flagstaff, AZ with all of my stuff and his. We will meet up on May 3rd.

Now I am back in Gainesville and it feels weird to be without the bike and equipment that I have spent so much time on and with over the last year as I was getting ready for the Ironman in Clermont and the upcoming Go the Distance ride. Fortunately I have my mountain bike so it will serve as my local mode of transportation for the next two weeks.

The past few weeks have been full of bumps as well as blessings. Last Thursday I began a 2 day ride to St. Augustine Beach and back. The first day was tough. A bit of a headwind. Hot. I was struggling. When I got to Putnam Hall I stopped to get a drink at a convenience store. As I pulled up I saw two identical touring bikes. I got excited. Trek 520's. Good looking bikes and good looking equipment. I looked at the bikes then I looked inside to see a man looking at me smiling. I went inside and met Jeff then his wife Nike (http://www.jeffandnike.com/). They left their driveway in San Fransisco on February 7th and now they were just a day away from dancing in the Atlantic.

We talked for an hour. I asked them all kinds of questions that would help me on my ride. Then we mounted our bikes and rode to Palatka. They would spend the night there and then ride to St. Augustine Beach the next day.

I rode over the bridge in Palatka then stopped for lunch. I had PB&J for lunch along with a cold Vault. I figured the Vault would pep me up. Wrong. I rode out of Palatka then stopped again for some energy products. After this stop I felt better and rode the rest of the way to the Starbucks in St. Augustine. I was hot so I craved an ice coffee. At that point I was only 2.3 miles from the KOA I was going to be camping at.

I arrived at the KOA and found my assigned camping spot. I quickly set up my tent and then went to take a refreshing shower. After the shower it was time for dinner. I boiled some water on my new one burner camping stove and poured it in my Beef Teriyaki and Rice camping meal. It tasted great, for the moment. I felt it later.

I had a good night's rest after the kids finished their games. I woke at 5am and took a wake up shower. I packed everything out and headed to Starbucks for some java and reading. After a few conversations with folks who wondered where I was headed I began the trek back to Gainesville at 7am. Right before Hastings I heard a "ping". Oh no, a broken spoke. There wasn't anything I could do so I kept riding. In Palatka I stopped at a Wendy's for a baked potato, salad and frosty!

Feeling good I made the turn toward Gainesville. Only 44 more miles! As I got away from city into the country I was enjoying the nice road and scenery. All of sudden I heard another "ping". Oh no, a second spoke. This one was close to the other one. The wobble in my wheel was too much. That was it, I was done. I called Celeste and she came to get me.

After getting home and getting cleaned up I went to the bike shop and explained what had happened. They were going to do some research and make a decision on how best to correct this problem.

I showed up Monday to find a whole new wheel. Stronger rim, stronger spokes. They wanted me to test it out fully loaded so I put on my bags, hooked up my trailer and headed out. Thirty miles later, no problems whatsoever!

Over the past two weeks there have been several bumps that were discouraging but there have also been many blessings that lifted my spirits.

I now feel good about the ride to come. I actually am excited about the ride home that will begin in 20 minutes. Gotta go!

One Month Later

It's been almost a month since my last post and it is almost a month from the start of my "Go the Distance" fundraising bike ride. Alot has happened over the past month.

March 8-15, 2008 was spent in Alajuelita, Costa Rica with 12 others from UFCCH. There we taught English in an Elementary school, served at a Feeding Center for kids, participated in Children's Church in Juan Pablo, served and shared with "the least of these" in the Park several days, took a day to climb to the cross and spent the afternoon in downtown San Jose. It was an action pack week that changed many hearts and lives.

March 20 began a 2 day practice ride to Tampa, FL. The first day I rode 75 miles to a friend's house in Lecanto, FL. There I set up camp and spent the night in my new 1person tent. It was great. The only problem I incurred the first day was at 50 miles. The spokes loosened on my new rear wheel. After obtaining information on the nearest bike shop (Inverness) I determined it was too late to get there so I rode easy to my friend's house. The next day began with an easy 10 mile ride to Inverness. Within an hour Steve had my rear wheel trued up. Steve also pointed me in the right direction so I could get back on course. At mile 46 I met my wife in Brooksville for lunch. It was hot so I was craving a large, cold sweet tea. It hit the spot! At mile 56 I reached the Suncoast Trail which runs alongside the Suncoast Parkway. With 12 miles to go on the trail I realized that I would be at 85 miles for the day when I reached the end. That was my goal for the day so I called my brother in law and he met me at the end of the trail. It was a good 2 day trip that helped me further prepare to "Go the Distance".

On March 26 I embarked on a 75 mile ride to Tavares, FL to attend Board Meetings for the Christianville Mission in Haiti. What a tough day! I got a late start, had a headwind off and on, had a flat just as I pulled into the Marion County Humane Society and endured warm temperatures. As evening set in I was happy upon happy to see the Holiday Inn Express sign lighting up the night. After a shower and Cracker Barrel chef salad I was all good. Two days later I had a good 40 mile to the Holiday Inn Express in Ocala. I met my wife there. Sunday morning we worshipped at Ocala Christian Church.

Before and after the mission trip and in between the long rides there was alot to do and alot going on at the Campus House. This cut down my time to ride but since gas prices are so high and Gainesville is very biker friendly I ride my bike to and from the Campus House. This allows me seat and training time each day, even if it is only 10-15 miles.

What did I learn in March? I learned that Costa Rica is amazing and 6:8 Ministries is doing amazing ministry among the poor. I learned that communication is a must when times of trouble occur along the way. I learned that you have to keep your spirits up when the elements beat you down. I learned that there are lots of good people who don't mind lending a hand to someone in need.

I look forward to learning more as I pedal from Flagstaff, AZ to Gainesville, FL.

To God be the glory, bob g.