Day Five (Final Day) Report

And the rains came. And the wind finally quit blowing. And it rained for 50 miles.

Well, I finally arrived in Natchez Wednesday afternoon, 453.57 miles from our starting point in Nashville. Today's ride was 94.48 miles, including our personal parade through downtown Natchez. Most thought we were just riding through town to get to our car, we were celebrating a mission accomplished.

I started at 9:00 this morning in the pouring rain. And for 50 miles we rode in the steady, often heavy rain. Finally it stopped when we stopped for our second refueling stop. I was not "bad to the bone," I was wet to the bone. But you know, riding in the rain and being wet the final miles was much better than riding into a stiff 10-15 mph wind. In fact, it felt so good I think I could have ridden much more this afternoon. It's about 9:00 pm now as I post this, and I couldn't ride another foot. I have expended every bit of energy I had getting me to this point.

The temperature was also very conducive to good riding. Between 75 and 80 all day, and cloudy after the rain stopped. No heat fatigue which made it much nicer.

I was so thankful this morning that I was able to begin the last leg I became overwhelmed with emotion and that lasted, oh, 10 miles. I finally gathered myself and did OK until the last ten miles then I was flooded with emotion all over again. I get so emotional because I think about laying in the hospital two years ago grossly overweight and out of shape, with excessively high blood pressure. And now I have just ridden 453 miles on a bicycle in five days. Still overweight, but able to do physical activity like I never imagined I could. And doing something I have really learned to enjoy. And doing it with good friends and Preston. And Lori helping the first two days. So many people helped. So many needed to make it possible. And I was able to raise a little money for missions and cancer research.

I'm exhausted, I admit. If I had to ride tomorrow I probably could. But right now, I'm exhausted. And I'm saddle sore. All a part of riding 453 miles in 5 days.

When I have recouped a little, I will post my reflections/musings from the ride. I will post a few more pictures as well. In the meantime, I'm going to sleep and relax. And try to talk Preston into driving home.

There is so many people to thank and I will do it properly later. But thanks to everyone who made the ride possible and gave financially toward the project.

It's been an unbelievable 5 days. Five days of challenge that I never imagined I could accomplish. And I didn't. God did.