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Sheep In A Flock
By Bob Lee Ride Date: April 4th
Statesboro, GA to Point South, SC (75 miles)
Yesterday I talked about some excellent people who helped make what could have been a disastrous day into a memorable day. I forgot to mention Jeff Sully who previously donated the yellow Ortlieb waterproof panniers, which carry all my gear, and the Tubus racks. When I lost my bike yesterday, I really did lose the map case that snaps onto the front handlebar bag. This bag is important since it is waterproof and allows me to read my maps on the road. I would feel lost without it, so with just one call to Jeffery yesterday he had one on its way to me to pickup at a motel tomorrow night. Great service and wonderful panniers.
I left the Joiners at about 9:15 for a good day’s ride. Since I raised sheep as I was growing up, this sign caught my eye. Well, I had been a shepherd, though never a sheep, so I parked my bike to contemplate the true meaning.
Sheep enjoy living in a flock and within two minutes up rode two “sheep” to make a flock. Actually, one was not a sheep; he was a Dane. Sven is from Denmark. (No, he didn’t ride from Denmark.) Sven and his riding companion, Tim from Loveland, CO, started on April 1st from Brunswick, Ga. Tim is a retired teacher and plans on riding in every state east of the continental divide. Does anyone know how many states that is? He is working with students in Loveland to share the experience, teach some history, learn some geography and challenge the kids with some day-to-day math problems.
Here is a question for you. Much of the day we rode together at approximately 15 mph. If I stopped for 3 minutes to take a picture, how long would it take me to catch up to them if I pedaled at 17 mph?
I mentioned in a previous blog about all the onions that are grown in this part of the country. Just so you don’t think I am fooling:
It was nice to ride with Tim and Sven. We biked close to the same pace and it was good to have the company. We met another cyclist from Georgia Southern who was out of our class. Actually he was still in school. Notice his waist? That’s my goal for the end of the summer.
As we road through the Georgia/South Carolina countryside, I learned that Tim and Sven met 45 years ago while Sven was an exchange student. Why do so many friendships drift apart? Time? Commitment? My thought and challenge for each of us is to reach way back and rekindle an old friendship. I am serious. Write down a name of an old friend or teacher who you haven’t seen in years and contact them. I know you will be glad you did.
We stopped at a little county store for lunch. Note the sign about No midday drawing of lottery tickets on Sunday. This seems to make sense. With all the churches in the area, it would probably be hard to find someone to draw the ticket.
See the Dr. Pepper can stand on its edge? Try doing it. See what you are missing while not on the road. This was my adult education course of the day.
As we crossed over the Savannah River I am glad no one ventured far from the road.
This shot with the blue tarp is to make Anne feel good. I know I don’t keep the neatest office, but at least our yard looks better than this.
Our ride was mostly on country roads with an occasional logging truck to blow us by. We did pass over I95 to watch the “snow birds” headed home. How did we know it was a migration north? Who else would have a bag of oranges and grape fruits baking in their backseat window?
Preparations for Easter were seen everywhere. This lady must have ordered her bonnet by mail :
Just one last question…
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Hey Mr. Bob, I don't know if you remember me but I am the cyclist from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro Georgia. I just wanted to wish you well on your journey and wanted to tell you that I think you are doing a wonderful thing. Good luck the rest of the way!
Ben
Posted by: Ben Floyd | Apr 14, 2007 2:44:26 PM
EASTER SUNDAY, 2007.
ALS lives in our home. My husband was disgnosed with ALS in 2000. As Christian believers, we know that Jesus' death on the cross gave us a new life. And today, ALS and all, as a result of Jesus death and resurrection, we are sustained and held up by the power of God's Amazing Grace. It's all we need! The grace of God gives us Hope. We are not in this alone. Praise God for the gift of his son. John 3:16
RIDE ON, BOB! Just as God lives with us and guides us, we take comfort in knowing that God is riding with you too as you carry your message on your very important journey!
Posted by: Barb Raymond | Apr 9, 2007 2:32:46 AM
Hi Bob,
Each day as I read your blog, I am impressed by your commitment but more so by the fact that you touch so many lives.
Did you get some grits and biscuits? Nothing better than southern food and southern hospitality. Keep up the great blog and pictures. They are both absolutely fantastic and really offer a good sense of what you see in a day.
I hope that each day is equally as good as the next, plenty of sunshine and that there be a guiding wind at your back.
Good pedaling and take care.
Posted by: Tina Hankins | Apr 6, 2007 4:07:14 PM
Since you missed about .75 miles in the time you stopped, it would have taken you about 22.5 minutes @ 17 mph to make-up the ground you lost.
Another nice blog, the riddles and story problems have been fun so far.
Posted by: Chris Kaufman | Apr 6, 2007 2:28:33 PM
Bob...
Best Wishes on your Journey. I will hang some fliers where I work to let people know what you're doing... to maybe help raise some money... and to maybe inspire some folks.
I wish I could be out there with you. What you're doing is beyond Amazing. And the reasons why... are an insight into your passion for life and for the people around you. You're a humble guy, I know that, but when you get to the end of this 6500 miles... I think it's even going to blow your socks off at what an accomplishment this is.
You're in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Brian Breen | Apr 6, 2007 1:55:24 AM