....the last blog, and went down the I-4 bridge ramp, I met an older gentleman on a mountain bike, and he asked if this was the trail to the bridge (it is NOT marked on the north/south trail).
I told him it was, and he asked what kind of bridge it was, and if it was safe. I assured him it was, but he seemed hesitant, and he said, "maybe I'll catch it next time."
I told him, "No, you've made it this far - I just came from there - I'll go with you! "Then he said, "well, okay," and we proceeded up the west ramp (it IS a suspension bridge, by the way, but with steel beams and braces, and a tightly woven wire fence on both sides - VERY safe.)
We made it up to the top, and again were amazed at all the traffic on I-4. He decided to continue down the other side, but first he thanked me, and I told him, "see, now you can tell everybody you MADE IT!"
He seemed contented.
My ride home was pretty uneventful. Went a different way - on the very busy 436, Forest City Road, and John Young Parkway - so I surely got a lot of attention!
One couple at a stop light asked me if I was tired. I said, "a little" (but it gets GREAT GAS MILEAGE!).
Home a little before 6. Total mileage about 43 miles, average mph - 13, time - about 3:20. This is about the distance we will be going each day this summer. Gotta help EARLINE start training for our "Mission Possible."
There are promotional opportunties available for those individuals or companies, that might be interested in helping support a GREAT cause, and help in getting Earline on her trike soon as possible.
Going this distance 5 or 6 days a week for 10 weeks is a HUGE challenge, but the opportunties that this will open up not only for the Deaf in Central Florida, but also up and down the Mississippi River basin from Mpls. to New Orleans are fantastic. I could easily see this being a semi-annual, or even an annual trip down the River Road with the Deaf. (Dr. Sign does a trip every year on motorcycles, right?!....we could do this!!)
But first things first, we have to check it out this summer coming up, and we're looking for team members to come alongside us and make it financially possible. Sponsor one mile, 2 miles, or more, and make possible this 1st annual WiFi Pedalers trip down the Mississippi Trail.
Thanks!!
jon
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