An emotional day

Here's today's Google Earth file: http://tomerceg.googlepages.com/GreatBendks.kmz

The group has had an emotional day. We had two riders abandon the tour yesterday for health reasons. Robert, who I really never got to know, had not been able to ride much. He wasn't able to have the kind of experience he was looking for as a result, and decided to pack it in. Guilly, also known as Bob, is one of the Pile Drivers. He was already scheduled for spinal surgery after the tour and hoped to be able to make it, but the pain of the daily stress on the bike proved to be too much. He had no choice but to abandon. He made a speech about how much the ride and the folks he'd met had meant to him. I think we all got a little choked up listening to it.

Then we went to dinner at a really lousy Mexican place. I pretty much love anything food related, so that'll give you an idea about the quality of the place. Lisa has severe food allergies, told them so, and specifically requested no beans or guacamole. The first attempt came with beans. The re-try had no beans, but they hid the guac down inside what passed for a fajita.

The last time she had gaucamole she was in the hospital for 3 days. Needless to say, after accidentally eating some, she freaked. She was angry, upset, and scared. There wasn't much I could offer, other than a hug, which helped a little I guess. She took the medicine to counteract the food allergy, but that usually knocks her out. We all had to wait until the morning to see what would happen. Either she'd be dressed and ready to ride, or she'd be in the hospital.

This morning I got up and saw her dressed, and then I exhaled. This would have been a terrible way to possibly end the trip. As it was we didn't know how her body would react to an 86 mile ride. A bunch of us had told her the night before that we'd shelter her as much as we could to help her along.

Early on it wasn't an issue. She charged out of the gate like there was something to prove. We had a giant paceline pulling along at 20 MPH, and she led most of it.

After the first SAG she started feeling groggy and lethargic from the medicine. Joanna and I made ourselves into a windscreen of sorts. Joanna blocked the wind from the front and I blocked it from the side. We could only do about 13 MPH, but we were at least making progress.

At the second SAG she thanked us both for helping. I told her that I could either check out the incredible views, for example

or say,


Or I could help a friend. I'd rather help a friend.

She found the right combination of food at the 2nd stop, and from then on rode strong the rest of the way. Lisa has a small litany of health related issues, but she refuses to let them slow her down. We were all very proud of her today.

Similar sorts of stories can be told from several other riders on this tour. As this group continues to bond and to learn about each other I become more proud of what we're accomplishing each day. We challenge each other and support each other. I'd feel comfortable asking for help from anyone on this tour. We've become a kind of rolling family.