On June the 8th and 9th
I did my first MS bicycle charity ride since 2007. I travel to Holland Michigan
to do this ride. I first stop and stayed several days with my daughter who
lives in Westland Michigan.
While staying with her I did some bike riding. The many times I been there I always wondered where in the heck could one ride a bike in a sea of city blocks and 4 and 6 lanes highways. All the cities in and around Westland connect with each other you cannot tell when you go from one city to another, they all look alike. However most all the blocks are surrounded by sidewalks so I rode the sidewalks to roads that were relative safe for cycling, in all I rode about a hundred miles in and around Westland on sidewalks, bike paths along the interstates highway, and parks to as for as Dearborn MI. As I found out one can ride a bike for hundreds of miles in places that at firsts I did not think you could ride 50 feet in safety.
While staying with her I did some bike riding. The many times I been there I always wondered where in the heck could one ride a bike in a sea of city blocks and 4 and 6 lanes highways. All the cities in and around Westland connect with each other you cannot tell when you go from one city to another, they all look alike. However most all the blocks are surrounded by sidewalks so I rode the sidewalks to roads that were relative safe for cycling, in all I rode about a hundred miles in and around Westland on sidewalks, bike paths along the interstates highway, and parks to as for as Dearborn MI. As I found out one can ride a bike for hundreds of miles in places that at firsts I did not think you could ride 50 feet in safety.
June 7th I left my
daughter’s home and travel to Holland Mi. by myself leaving Leila and my two
four legged friends to stay with her. Holland is on the other side of Michigan
beside Lake Michigan, 170 miles away.
Since my injury I never felt confident to go anywhere by myself so this
was a first since my accident. That accident has ruled my life ever since it
happened.
The morning of June the 8th
I was full of apprehension wondering if I was up to doing the longest ride I
have done since 2005. I had a riding partner that my daughter connected me with
and only just met the morning of the bike ride. We planned or I planned to do
the 75 mile route not being too sure I would be able to do that. But as things turnout my performance was good
and we did 80 miles and would have done the hundred mile but we took too much
time sampling wines at three different wineries along the route plus having to
fix one flat tire, not mine. The century route was closed by the time we got to
the turn off for it. The next day I did only the 30 mile route because I did
not want to wear myself out for the long drive back to my daughter’s home. In
addition to the 80 and 30 miles I rode on the MS bike ride I did another 10 to
15 miles riding around Hope College and the town of Holland to see the sites so
about 120 plus miles for the two days I was in Holland.
I am glad I had a riding partner
as that gave me the confidence to do this ride in a place that where I knew no
one. I have to thank my wonderful daughter as she provided all the money I was
required to raise just so I could do this MS charity bike ride as a surprise
gift for my birthday.
The video is a little long but I
decided I did not want to edit it down more as I want to remember this ride. It
meant a lot to me just to be able to do it.
I am planning on doing another MS
charity ride this September provided that I can raise enough money so that I
can. This time I will start right from my home in Lancaster and ride to Sunset
Beach NC.
