Day 17, January 21, 2002
JEFF'S
UPDATE
Warmth!! And the very friendly State of Louisiana! Today was a great ride for me. Although the morning had some brutal headwinds as we headed to the Northeast, having a sunny day with temperatures near 60 really made a difference. We rode hard all day pulling between 22-28 miles per hour over the last 2 hours to finish just as the sun was setting as we waited for a ferry to cross the great Mississippi River! Except for my saddle sores, I feel better than I have anytime in the last two weeks.
Today was special for another reason. The folks from Trillium, one of the two charities we are supporting, sent a camera crew to meet us on the road for a video they are doing for one of their upcoming events and for some Canadian news media. As they asked us the questions about why we are doing this, it really brought into focus the underlying reason for this ride. Thank you Trillium for the support you are giving Kevin and I.
With the sun shining, I had a smile on my face all day long [ok maybe it was the multiple Advils!]. As we rode through the Louisiana countryside, we had children waving to us and people honking their horns in support. It was a wonderful feeling.
I thought about the people we rode for today. Arthur Williams passed away from colon cancer. He was the loving father of my good friend Chris Williams and is dearly missed by the entire Williams family. We also rode for Henry Hilmer and the Hilmer family. If you read the dedication you will see how fast and how tragic cancer can strike with little warning. Michael, Henry's son who submitted the dedication, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I also rode today for a good friend of mine Rolf Holman who was born in Louisiana. Rolf you will know what I am talking about when I say I was thinking of you often today.
Finally I have included a number of animal pictures for Brooklyn and Skylar so you can get a sense of the Louisiana countryside. I miss you both dearly.
Tomorrow we are going to push forward and not go to Baton Rouge but instead push a more scenic [but hilly] northeastern route through Louisiana and Mississippi.
Diane, Mom,
& Dad I love you, and Kenn we are missing you down here!! Jeff
KEVIN'S UPDATE
I look forward to Mondays because Ira, my partner at Gears, updates me on all the latest happenings. Tonight, Monday January 21st, Ira was reading me the latest comments from the coast to coast page over the phone. We got all choked up from all the stories of people suffering, or overcoming cancer, and from all the positive words from our community and friends.
There is so much hope, sincerity, compassion, and resolve in the comments that are fueling Jeff and I to ride our hearts out each day! The only reason we have been successful to date is because of all the support and encouragement we are getting from everyone. Everything from the comments on the website and our emails, to the support we are getting at the Gear's spin classes, to the calls on the voicemail all encourage us to give everything we have so we can in some small way help find a cure for this terrible disease.
One of the comments that struck me was from Madeline who is fighting cancer, and is very positive about what we are trying to do. It makes me want to ride my bike forever until there is a cure for cancer so it does not threaten our friends and loved ones.
Tomorrow I will ride again ignoring my aches and pains thinking about everyone who is presently fighting cancer.
To the Gears spin team thank you Neil, Yvonne, Patricia, Laura, Joanne. Mike M, Jeff B, and Sue C for filling in for me. Keep everyone inspired at spinning; something the team is the best at!
Kevin Wallace