In 2002 I completed a CROSS COUNTRY ride from SAN DIEGO TO ST AUGUSTINE, FL with 12 other women from different states that completely changed my life. Things have changed- in order to write a daily blog I had to find a LIBRARY in each town.

DAY 38-(4/14/2002 SUN) 86 MILES TO DeRIDDER, LA

14.8 mph–started at 7:00 arrived at 1:15-5 hrs 45 min riding time.  Today was a better ride! I think all that standing up I did 2 days ago made my legs tired yesterday. Had a good start–still sore & sitting really becomes uncomfortable after 50 miles–rough road doesn’t help. Pleasant temperature–rode between lots of trees again–not quite as flat as yesterday–smooth road when we hit LA–took break around 64 miles–thought about Armand & Nathan doing LANCE ARMSTRONG’S RIDE for the ROSES–100 MILES–I called Armand when I got in at 1:15 knowing that they had several more hrs to ride. Glad to be in –86 miles & humid–watched tennis on tv–Armand called to say that he & Nathan had biked the 100 miles & were very tired & that there was NO way that either of them could get on the bike tomorrow or for a very long time–they appreciated even more the task we were undertaking calling us MIRACLE WOMEN ON WHEELS!        We have a 92 mile ride tomorrow–& we will all get up & ride away for another day because we are MIRACLE WOMEN!

I have the privilege to bike & be friends with 3 more MIRACLE WOMEN!

MARY RUTH CORLEY (70 yrs young)

We leave the DeRidder sign, 4 bikers in a row with Mary Ruth leading the way. When we get to town, the rd is closed off. Our police escort blares out on the loud speaker-MOVE TO THE LEFT LADIES! We now have police in front & back to take us to our final destination-MARY RUTH’S DADDY’S HOUSE. What excitement-people clapping & on the front porch are THE GUESTS OF HONOR & the reason for our trip-MARY RUTH’S DADDY (soon to be 96) & his OLDER brother ERNEST (97). We even have a newspaper reporter to document Mary Ruth’s dream of biking to DeRidder after all the trips in a car she’s made. We all hug & Mary Ruth summons us for one last prayer-we are so grateful & blessed to have made it here safely. 4 women-4 bikes on the road & in ONE motel room for 6 days (312.5 m. LIFE IS WONDERFUL.

DADDY (96) & ERNEST (97)
MARY RUTH, KAREN , ME, KORY

We clean up & are treated to a wonderful lunch. Allen’s wife Cathy was so gracious & nice-I even got 4 glasses of sweet tea. Mary Ruth’s sister Patrice came over too. We leave at 2:30 because Mary Ruth has to take her Daddy to McDonalds at 3:00 for coffee where he meets his friends 6 days a week. Armand has loaded Karen’s & Kory’s bikes-mine is coming home w/MRuth. We reminisce as we see familiar things & relive our adventure backwards. Kory finally asks Armand if we can stop to use the restroom-been on the rd for 4 hrs. Drop Kory & Karen off & head home at 8:30. Eat at Subway-sure is faster in a car. THANK YOU ARMAND FOR DRIVING & NOT MAKING US BIKE BACK.

JASPER, TX to DeRIDDER, La (10/23 FRI) 52 MILES 7:30 TO 1:30

Last night left room at 9:00-others in bed again. Talked to Armand-good visit w/family-went biking 2x w/Whitney-going to leave early & play golf in DeRidder before we get in. Watch Forensic Files (seen them before) in lobby until 12.

WAKE TO MARY RUTH YELLING, “WE’VE OVERSELPT!!!” She’s already dressed & packing. Kory tells her “IT’S ONLY 5:15!” She is so excited & didn’t have her glasses on when she looked at clock. I’m in a coma & need sleep. Stay in bed-others go to bkft a little earlier. Very friendly worker takes our picture-have group prayer. Lost my light & go back to room-still dark & 60% chance of rain. Good shoulder most of the way, warm, flat-starts to drizzle-stop for turkey picture-Karen bikes off.

Stop again-put on rain jacket-too hot-stop & take it off. Finally catch up to Karen & pass her. Down on aero bars-flat-wait for Karen. Man in truck pulls over-asks if I need help. Yesterday a lady turned around & asked me if I needed help too. Karen arrives & takes my picture w/Andy. He works at a Baptist Camp-has done a MS 150 bike ride-has diabetes-lost 50 lbs-another really nice person.

My new friend Andy

Kory & MRuth waiting ahead-went to Subway for bathroom break-they leave & we stay. Starts to rain-we leave-now I just need to bike. Oh, Oh-dog in my lane-yell-Go home! Starts barking & chases me-that is a very fast dog-I’m going 15 mph. Finally see gas station-Kory & MRuth waiting-where’s Karen W? Back there someplace. Kory goes to find her-makes sure she gets by dog. I’m drinking ch mk-they bike by-NO stopping. Catch up-No breaks today, Karen? Determined to get ride over. I stop & take picture of TX sign & then we take pictures at La border.

took same TX picture-on same bike for cross country in 2002!

Karen W (w/1 shoe off) & Kory at La border-almost there!

We’re all together now-I stop to get camera out-look behind me-cop car w/flashing lights on our shoulder. Mary Ruth-a cop is following us. Her brother Allen has told everyone WE’RE COMING!!! We get police escort to WELCOME TO DeRIDDER SIGN. Armand is there (already played 18 holes of golf) & several other people. Get many pictures taken.

Me, Karen W, Mary Ruth, Kory & our police escort, John

Last night-much better than sitting on toilet trying to get chip out of nonexistent opening. Left room at 9-went out to hot tub to soak feet & wait for Armand’s call. 1 other person out here. After 15 min he comes over & hands me a towel & asks if everything is alright.  Talk for 40 mins. RAY  is a 23 yr old Hispanic from McAllen. Worked at Burger King for 8 yrs & now has job w/railroad  working from 5-7. Hard work but enjoys it. Get to speak a little Spanish. What an outstanding young person who would even take the time to come over and talk to someone my age. On this trip we’ve had 2 middle age men (1 white & 1 black) come over & talk about past biking experiences. It’s what make biking adventures so special.

LIVINGSTON to JASPER, TX (THURS  10/22) 60 miles 11mph 7:30-3:30

Up at 7 when the 3 walk into room. Packed & out the door at 7:30 after prayer & picture in lobby-DAY 5! Worried about rain 60% chance. MRuth & Kory a team-2 Karens a team.  Good shoulders most of way, lots of logging trucks pass, head wind again, pass 2 lakes, 2m rd over lake-no shoulder, rolling hills, nice temp all day. 1st stop at Indian store-Kory ready to go-can’t go-tire flat. Says I let air out so I can drink my ch milk. Karen & I get head start-Kory is good. Catch up fast. I love today-speed up down a hill-ftiSind places for lots of breaks-Karen does great. Stop in Woodville at Jack in Box-3 outside-1 inside eating grand burrito, hash browns & tea. Town of 2,400 has 15 churches. Almost to Jasper-MRuth & Kory going other way-going to do extra 10 miles so Mary Ruth can bike her age-70. So glad not to be in their group. Sit in front of Holiday Inn & wait for them. Good ride-clean up & go out to eat. Going to get early start for last 50 m into DeRidder, La. Armand is meeting us.

1st flat-Kory thinks I let air out of her tire to slow her down!

My new traveling companion-BIKER BEE (cost $1 at flea market store) with my energy food-CH MILK & COOKIES) Kory is changing flat.

interesting graphics on wall near Jack in the Box in Woodville-bike made the picture

Me, Mary Ruth, Karen, Kory at flea market

HUNTSVILLE to LIVINGSTON, TX (WED 10/21) 44.5 miles  12mph  8:00-2:00

Nights are not fun-all in bed by 9-took 2 benedryl-no help. Upset because of trouble posting pictures. Worse-can’t get chip out of computer for my camera. Get up -go in bathroom-read newspaper-spend hr trying to pry chip out-break pick. Karen knocks on door to use bathroom-I’m sitting on toilet w/notebook-it’s now almost midnight. Still can’t sleep-think about GANDHI. 3 are up at 6-get I up at 7 & pack. Kory takes look at notebook-what’s this? I was  trying to open WRONG opening-did I feel stupid after spending 4 hrs on the problem. Take picture in front of flowers &  pray-start day 4. Leave LaQuinta-use directions out of town that MRuth got from a trucker. Good shoulder-see good downhill. Took off-feel like a biker for 1st time on trip-25 m before stopping at small gas station & wait. Kory takes off.  Ride changes because shoulder changes to rough! Kory & I stop at flea market shop to wait. Kory comes back-have to see bathroom-has everything including Christmas tree & kitchen sink. Other 2 are here-LILLY (78) is a gem-takes our picture-high point of the day. Kory & I head down the rd-get call from MRuth-Karen can’t clip in -still at store-45 min later. Try to bike down hill-almost falls. A man stops-uses all his strength & gets her shoe in clip. Kory & I bike to very nice LaQuinta-she goes back to lead them in-I sit in tub until they arrive. Go to Subway & back to sit in hot tub. I’m now in front of tv-others are gone (7:30 pm) Tomorrow will be longest day-need sleep-will start early.

One of a kind toilet-
Can’t put paper in toilet

 Bryan to Huntsville (Tues  10/20) 51 m 12 mph  8 00 to 1:30

3 up at 6:00-1 @ 6:30-packs & goes to bkft-joins group. Waits for them to pack their 1 bag. Mary Ruth says morning prayer-we are truly blessed.

Kory, Karen, me, Mary Ruth Day 3

Group picture  in lobby w /hotel manager. Good rd to start. 25 m stop for ch milk & donuts. Kory leaves us again-not sure she likes breaks. Very good leader-drank 4 bottles of water-I never finish 1. Now narrow rd w/bumper strips again. Have some down hills. Stop for animal picture-cross rd-horse comes to fence to be petted & have picture taken. Now way behind. Mary Ruth’s next door neighbor sees her biking down rd. & lost her water bottle. Karen W was in lead for 1st time & terrified-not sure where to go. Just like me!  Good day-cool but not cold to start. At LaQuinta tonight-2 full size beds-Karen & I each have our little space. Good meal at Bandera. No tv tonight-all in room being very social.

Chocolate milk & donuts-my favorite energy food

My new friend-can’t believe he came to fence☺

Very fancy room-laundry room across hall-keys  don’t work-maintanance workers gone-managers key doesn’t work.  Wet clothes from hot tub-some try hair dryer-Kory tries her key-opens 1st time. Cheers! Afraid to close door-Karen W volunteers to take her cross stich in & guard clothes. Kory & Mary Ruth are talking on phones. I call Armand-have room to myself. Turn on tv-have choice of lady wanting more plastic surgery-going to QQQ size boobs-already has enough fluid in each boob to =6 pack of beer & has 3 $10,000 butt additions or watching GANDHI. Gandhi wins-3 others come in & go to bed. I continue to watch until 11:30-not over-feel guilty & turn off tv-still can’t sleep. 3 will be rested & 1 won’t .

Karen W-cross stitch & laundry