Epilogue

How can the journey of a lifetime be summarized in a few words? Before this trip began I read the diaries of riders from previous FPOL rides. Each rider shared their personal thoughts about this life altering event. I did not realize how true this would be.

There were good days and hard days. It seemed that every time I or someone else needed help during a ride, one or more of the team would recognize this and lend a hand without being asked. As Bruce so accurately stated in his brief talk at Cedar Key, family members look out for other family members in times of need. And we had become a family!

Who would have thought that 12 people with such diverse backgrounds could travel for so long without dissention?

This journey of almost 2000 miles was a physical challenge, to say the least. However, in many ways, it was also an emotional and spiritual experience that overshadowed the physical.

I know I will miss the people, the one who would burst into some foreign alien language song as we were struggling up a hill, or the person who was able to state they were having fun when fun was probably the last way to describe how I felt at that moment.

And there was the U-tube guy with a huge inventory of music for every possible human emotion. He also happens to be a Phillies fan, and most likely is celebrating today.

And there were the two "non-competitive" riders who always managed to find a reason to race!

And how about the person who would claim to be willing to ride at a certain pace, only to deviate from this and blame it on a defective odometer?

What about the most senior rider? More than 50 gallons donated and still going strong!

To the rider from Palatka who saved my sore butt on more than one occasion, who shared some very special moments with me along the way, thank you!

To the quiet one from Brandon Florida who rode along side of us yesterday, reminding us to stay focused until the very end. He was right, it was necessary to stay focused.

Finally, to two other riders who, in their own way, contributed to my enjoyment and respect for their efforts on this journey.

I was asked at the end if I would do this again. That is a hard question to answer at this time. I need time to reflect on the entire journey. I hope to keep in contact with team members. No one really knows what the future holds for each of us. I can say it was well worth doing, and it was not about the bike. It was about the people, and message we carried, the need for people to donate blood and blood products. As it was stated many times, if we helped to save one life, it was all worth the effort.

To family and friends, to those who donated to help support me on this ride, and to all of you who followed this blog for the duration, thank you all. To DOM for the inspirational thoughts and readings, and personal writings, special thanks! Give me a few days to unwind, then meet me at GRU for a spin!
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Cedar Key! It's over!!!

With temperatures in the 30's we began the day with a police-escorted ride to PKYoung school in Gainesville. There we entered the gymnasium to the sound of marching music, riding our bikes in circles around the gym while students cheered us along. It was another emotional moment for all of us as we were introduced to the students.

Rodney Ford kicked off the presentation with a rousing series of cheers by the students, then had them treat our out of town visitors to the "wave". Bruce Stechmiller and Tracy Walker then spoke briefly to the students. Once the ceremony was completed we were transported to the Life South Corporate heradquarters for lunch and more presentations. Friends and family of some of the riders, myself included, showed up to mingle with the other riders, and to show their support for our efforts. Then it was onto the bikes again for our last journey of this trip. Seventy miles later we arrived at Cedar Key to the sound of blaring fire engine sirens and marching bands. We rode our bikes one last time through a path of cheering people, then stopped in front of a stage. There each rider spoke of their personal involvement with the FPOL, interjecting some personal notes of thanks to family, friends, and patrons who have made this trip possible. It was a bitter sweet time for all of us. On the first hand the riding was over. On the other, it would soon mean parting and going our own ways, back to jobs and families at distant points away. Riders were presented with medals for their participation in the Five Points of Life ride.

Food and drinks were available at the ending ceremony, and the heavy food was served at Froggs Landing later that evening. It is safe to say that a great time was had by all.

St. Augustine, Palatka, Gainesville

The end is near! Today we rode to Gainesville, with a stop in Palatka. Richard Brinker, resident of Palatka and team member, was honored by Life South of Palatka. We entered Palatka with a police escort. Shortly after that, we were met by a ROTC honor guard, which led us to a side street where we were picked up by a marching band complete with their flag guard. We slowly made our way to the campus of a junior college where we were honored by a proclamation by the Mayor of Palatka. Then Richard spoke of his involvement in the FPOL, and what it meant to him to receive this personal recognition from his town. Following this ceremony we were again escorted by the marching band to Life South headquarters, where we ate lunch. The marching band and honor guard performed several musical pieces for us.
A strong cold wind made for a challenging ride to Gainesville later that afternoon. As we approached Gainesville we stopped at the corner of Waldo Rd. and 39th av. to await a police escort. This escort led up to our motel off Archer road. Unfortunately we had to stop for all traffic signals. I never knew how many street lights were found on University Ave. and 34th St.!
That night we attended a ceremony at the Touchdown Terrace, University of Florida. Perry McGriif was honored for his lifetime record of blood donations. In addition, he presented each of the FPOL team, adding a few personal comments about each rider. Tomorrow it is off to Cedar Key and the end of a month long journey.

The end is near! Today we rode to Gainesville, with a stop in Palatka. Richard Brinker, resident of Palatka and team member, was honored by Life South of Palatka. We entered Palatka with a police escort. Shortly after that, we were met by a RPTC honor guard, which led us to a side street where we were picked up by a marching band complete with their guard. We slowly made our way to the campus of a junior college where we wewre honored by a proclamation by the Mayor of Palatka. Then Richard spoke of his involvement in the FPOL, and what it meant to him to receive this personal recognition form his town. Following this ceremony we were again escorted by the marching band to Life South headquarters, where we ate lunch. The marching band and honor guard performed several musical pieces for us.

A strong cold wind made for a challenging ride to Gainesville later that afternoon. As we approached Gainesville we stopped at the corner of Waldo Rd. and 39th av. to await a police escort. This escort led up to our motel off Archer road. Unfortunately we had to stop for all traffic signals. I never knew how many street lights were found on University Ave. and 34th St.

That night we attended a ceremony at the Touchdown Terrace, University of Florida. Perry McGriif was honored for his lifetime record of blood donations. In addition, he presented each of the FPOL team, adding a few personal comments about each rider.

Almost there - Fernandina to St Augustine

A 60 mile day today brought us to the final two days of this FPOL ride. From Fernandina we traveled south on A1A 22 miles to the Mayport ferry. After a short ferry ride we resumed our ride south towards St. Augustine. Seven local riders joined us at the start of the ride, showing us some new routes which took us off the busier roads of A1A for several miles.

The final 40 miles traversed some of the roads in Ponte Vedra and Atlantic Blvd, then more on A1A. Lunch was served at a state beach access area. The final obstacle today was the Vilano Bridge a few miles from St. Augustine.

We arrived at St. Augustine at the public library. There a reception of drink and food awaited us. A liver transplant recipient related his experiences to us. After this reception we retreated to our motel.

The Stechmillers (Bruce and Joyce) agreed to let us visit their beach house in Crescent beach. Joyce and Angela arrived early to set up the house, and joined the celebration. Food and drink were provided by FPOL.

We all enjoyed a walk on the beach. Oskar and Lucy Choate (pet Daschunds) were additional guests.

Tomorrow's events were reviewed, and everyone left for an early night. This was the last team meal for this year's FPOL. Tomorrow we dine at the Touchdown terrace in Gainesville, and Wednesday the ride ends in Cedar Key.

Brunswick to St Marys, then ferry to Fernandina

New shoes at last! One worry taken care of as Angie delivered replacement biking shoes to me at St Marys.
The trip from Brunswick to Saint Marys had one major obstacle, a very long, high bridge on rt. 17, about 7 miles south of Brunswick. This climb split the group into several smaller groups. From that point on each group stayed together for the rest of the ride, approximately 60 miles.

At Saint Marys we were greeted by our wives, Angela and Joyce. They drove from Gainesville to meet us. We ate lunch there, then visited the Spencer House for tea and dessert. This is a bed and breakfast that would be well worth returning to in the future. Angie and Joyce had planned on meeting us at the Florida state line to present each rider with a momento, but the course was changed so they presented each rider with a bead necklace bearing a Florida gator emblem at the Spencer House.

Then they left to go to Crescent Beach to check on the beach house that we will visit tomorrow for dinner.
The riders left for Fernandina Beach via a Ferry. The ride lasted about an hour, passing Cumberland Island where we observed a few of the wild horses that roam freely.

During the boat ride some people relaxed (see picture) while others sat up front and looked at the scenery and wildlife.

At Fernandina Beach we participated in a ceremony where each rider was introduced. The mayor of Fernandina Beach read a proclamation endorsing Five Points of Life. We then returned to our motel to rest briefly before going to eat at a very nice bed and breakfast owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Caples.

Tomorrow we ride to St. Augustine, approximately 60 miles. We will participate in a function in St. Augustine, then travel to Crescent beach to have dinner at the Stechmiller's beach house. Just two more days to go after tomorrow! Palatka, Gainesville, and Cedar Key, here we come!