Giving

I would be lying if I said I was doing this ride primarily to raise money for Awaken Africa. I'm doing this ride for further self discovery and taking the opportunity to raise awareness for Awaken Africa, and in the process learning about why, how and when people give money to a cause that may never affect their own well being.

I learned my latest lesson yesterday. I received a text from a good friend of mine last night asking where I was. I told him that I was in Branson, MO. He responded saying that he had just found out that I was cycling cross country. I was sort of confused since he had made a substantial donation last week. His response to that dilemma..."I just saw an email that you were raising money for something in Africa." I am truly touched.

Our friend still lies unconscious in the hospital. There has been some subtle progression in his recovery, but unfortunately his predicament is still quite dire.

I think that everyone's intention on this ride has changed...each day is now a dedication. It's a dedication to our friend, a salute to him getting the most that is possible out of his situation.

We are rolling through the Ozarks. Today's century rolled along beautiful country roads. Unfortunately in cycling the term rolling is not like an amusement park ride, it's a gentle way to say a lot of uphills. But for some this kind of riding is fun.

We are closing in on the mighty Mississippi