Note to the touring cyclist: if you’re going to use Google Maps for directions, make sure you enter the correct address for your starting point. The day’s ride doesn’t begin well when you get lost at the very first turn out of the hotel parking lot.
On the other hand, Lakeland is a cool place to wander aimlessly for thirty minutes trying to find a way out of town.
# # #
We’ve picked up a lot of new followers on this trip. That’s great—we love having more folks in the circle.
A couple of people wondered about the apparent gaps in the GPS tracks. It looks to them like I’m skipping stretches. Well…I am.
Some bike tours are what my friend Bob Yokum calls EDI or Every Darned Inch—except Bob doesn’t day “darned.” On an EDI tour you climb on the bike at point A and get off at point B. In between you pedal the bike EDI—no car rides, no break in the line. You get on where you got off until you reach the final destination.
RICH’S RIDE definitely isn’t an EDI tour. My daily 40-50 mile limit combined with accessible hotel locations makes EDI logistically impossible on most days.
Our mission really isn’t about EDI. I’ve said many times that RICH’S RIDE isn’t about Rich and it isn’t about a ride. It’s about sharing a message, so we go where speaking opportunities arise. That rarely happens on a nice, convenient route or timetable.
Some people might argue that my tour isn’t authentic. That happens when you’re following a dream. Critics will question methods, motives, and mission. They’ll expect you to do it their way.
That’s okay. Most people will get it, support you, celebrate your audacity and courage. Those that don’t are free to follow their dream their way.
Don’t expect everyone to get it. Don’t wait for their approval, because you don’t need it.
It’s your dream.
I’ll do my very best to crank 1000 miles and follow the general route we outlined. We’ll talk to as many people as possible about hope and courage and dreams. When we can, we’ll raise some money to help Convoy Of Hope feed hungry kids.
On this tour, that’s what matters. Gaps are okay.
Thanks for being part of this dream. Thanks for getting it.
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I didn’t see today coming. The last few rides have been relatively smooth and calm. Today was tough, and entire day into the wind on high-traffic roads with minimal shoulders. Frankly, I was happy to climb off the bike at the end.
We’re about 662 miles from Jacksonville. Got new tires yesterday, so today we’ll begin with fresh energy—as long as I begin with the right directions.
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We need to offer a special thank you to general manager George Sandona and his staff at the Holiday Inn Express on Galbraith Road in Tampa. They offered us a FREE NIGHT at their hotel in appreciation of what we’re doing. The generosity of strangers continues to amaze me.
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