Goose bumps and teared eyes were the order of the day at the opening ceremony for this ride. After opening remarks by Nancy Eckerd, each rider introduced themselves to the audience. Two recipients of blood products told their story of how their lives were saved. Then we rode down a gangplank and started the long journey. A police escort led us out of town, sirens blasting and lights flashing for 25 miles. Such an emotional rush. Indescribable!
100 miles of long uphill climbs into a 20 mph headwind the entire trip. A real challenge, to say the least. When we arrived in Hattiesburg we were taken to So. Miss campus, to meet a few of their athletes. We talked to them about the need for them to get involved by donating blood, signing up for bone marrow donations, and for having "organ donor" placed on their driver licenses. A long windy day for all. Dinner was pizza, eaten on the lawn of the campus of So. Miss. Here are a few pictures from yesterday (Mobile skyline and tunnel, seafood restaurant) and today.
Tomorrow's ride will be from here to Brandon, Miss. We have an engagement at 4:30 so we will not be as late tomorrow night. Stay tuned!
1 comment:
Skip:
The photo of you with your tongue hanging out proves just how hard this ride is for you. Stay the course, man!
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