In Honor of...
 

I will be riding across Florida from Crystal River to Titusville on 14 Nov this year. I'm not raising money, or looking for a handout.

Last January, I lost my sister to MS. 6 weeks later I lost my mother-in-law to cancer. I have been battling depression and the other issues survivors deal with. I started riding my bike to divert my energy into something positive for myself. A friend noted that I should share my story with people that they might know they are not alone when suffering from a loss.

So there it is. In Honor of Sheila and Rose
14 Nov 2010
Crystal River to Titusville. 123 miles.
1 day ride. Anyone who wants to go is welcome.

Best regards to all
Bob

What a wonderful way to honor loved ones.

Sorry I can't join you. It's a little too far to drive and way too much for me to ride in one day.

Great idea! I found that when those blue days come around for me, the only medicine that works is exercise. And of course for us the best exercise there is (besides sex) is bike riding. I can come back from a long ride with spent muscles. But overall, I always feel GREAT!

Good luck on your ride. I would go, but you are a long way from Nebraska.

What Beverly said!

I tell people the bike is a miracle machine, bringing us physical and emotional health.

Ride well.

If I was in Fla. I would join you.
It would be a good ride to do.

May the wind be at your back.

Me too... would join you as well. Cycling has meant far more to me than mere exercise - it has a hugely positive impact on mental health, and I am using it as a "lever" to improve my life in many ways.

Kudos to you, Bob. May your ride be everything you want it to be.

--
Jim

Don't get bit by any gators. And have a fun ride.

That is a great way to honor the memory of your loved ones. Have a great ride.

For anything special that is occuring- we used to do a virtual "Forum" ride so we can participate.

Not all of us will be able to do the distance- or even put in the time- So the suggestion is that those that would like to participate- do a ride of 14th November to share the ride with Bob.

And Bob-Just do the ride and think of why you are doing it- But not for too long. Save the energy for the hills.

May you have "tailwinds and sunshine" on your RIDE, may the memories of those loved one's bring you some level of joy, in this time of rememberance, have a most excellent ride!

Thanks for all the positive responses! It's great that a relatively new person can get this kind of support.

I will keep you posted. 100 mile training ride this coming Sunday. My last big ride before the 14th.

Best regards to all
Bob

Tomorrow's the day! The truck is loaded, the bike is tuned, and my body is ready. Kerlenbach is driving from Mims to ride with me. Friends of my son are riding along. My friends at work are very supportive and my family totally behind me.

To the "virtual" riders that will be with me, I appreciate it!
I will post pics, etc tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks and best regards to all.
Bob

I'm riding with you in spirit. I'll have time to squeeze 25 miles in between work shifts tomorrow.

I'll be thinking of you and the suffering your sister and mother in law endured. I'll also be thinking of all the suffering and challanges faced by M.S. patients world wide. I know some of them personally and it seems to me that they do the equvilant of a century every day just trying to live a normal life.

Ride safe!!

What a positive way to honor your loved ones. I wish you a wonderful ride tomorrow.

We started our morning at 6:50, leaving the boat ramp at Crystal River and heading into a beautiful sunrise. Left to right: Kory, Mikey P, me, and Kirt. Mikey P and Kory are riding FIXIES! Kirt's wife Susan, my wife Laura, my son Nate, and Mike (a friend) ran SAG for us providing all the necessities we needed.
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On the first leg of the trip, Mikey P's bike broke down. He racked it and rode the rest of the way with my son Nate. Note for next year...make sure everyone has DETAILED maps of the route...the SAG's got lost!


Thankfully, the ride was uneventful. The truly impressive part of the whole trip was Kory riding his fixie. Not only did he keep up, he PULLED his fair share! As we approached the 100 mile mark in Deland, he sprinted up a hill leaving Kirt and I behind in his dust. He earned the right to cross the 100 Mile mark first, and he earned our respect.
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Leaving Deland, we headed toward the last third of our journey.

As we crossed the 116 mile mark, the temperature cooled from the sea breeze, and we knew we were close. A headwind all the way to the end and one last hill to go. I looked at the brisge and thought, "Easy Money!" As we crested the hill, I noticed the railroad tracks under us and got that sinking feeling...the Intercoastal bridge showed itself and we all felt a little sick. Damn that thing was high and steep. Kory noted that this would finish his legs. I looked at Kirt and asked "Who came up with this idea?" Onward we went, each at our own pace. Kirt topped out first, then me, then Kory. WE MADE IT! Down the hill a quick left and we ended up at Flagler and Columbus and The Ocean!


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Each of us celebrated our achievements and the first statement was, "I can't wait untill we do this again next year!"
My thanks to everyone who made this ride possible: My lovely wife for the sacrifices she made helping me get ready. My family, friends, co-workers, my riding partner Pete, and Forum-mates who prayed for our safety and success.

My thoughts after completing this ride? Life goes on though our loved ones have passed on. Everyone dies. Don't be sad they are gone, celebrate how they lived and be happy to have shared in their lives, if only for a moment. Pray. Ask for help. Believe in Guardian Angles. Share yourselves with others and enjoy their friendship.

Best regards to all,
Bob


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