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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