Pedaling through a Postcard

As my sweet Grandmother Nell used to say, “Today was a bluebird day.” What a fabulous October 2nd to be on a bike in Ripley, TN. I feel like I should be playing up the challenge of riding 65 miles to generate some sympathetic donations for the cause, but dang, what a stellar, fantastic day of riding with Go Jim Go.

Brisk temps and hot coffee compliments of Mayor Rod Schuh greeted us on the beautiful downtown Ripley Town Square at 0730.

A 0800 roll out and a quick first stop at Ripley High School for a donation to the kids of Le Bonheur. Thanks Tigers! Then after a couple of quick turns we were out in the Tennessee countryside.

Beautiful backcountry rolling roads with little traffic, surrounded by miles of farmers fields full of fall soy beans, corn and so much blooming cotton you’d think that a snow storm had just rolled through.

About 30 miles of bike bliss to Walls, TN to a new gem of an establishment that is now Go Jim Go family. Charlene’s Colony of Shoppes where we had lunch compliments of Charlene in The Divine Tea Room. A bunch of sweaty road hard bikers not the usual clients of the absolutely lovely tea room (did this so called tough guy just say lovely?), but they showered us with hospitality, lunch and deserts so good we did not want to leave. For the rest of the day we drank from our water bottles pinky up. When in Halls, TN you must visit this charming local with all its unique shops. Hey Charlie, we will be looking for you to ride with us next year!

A post lunch stop at first time GJG school Halls High School for a very loud reception then back to piling on milage.

Another 30 miles of a cyclist’s dream back to Ripley for about 65 miles for the day and a running total of 284.

Blessed to be able to enjoy such a “bluebird day” in such beautiful all American postcard country. If I ever need an anger management therapist and the therapist ever instructs me to go to my happy place, I will think of this day.

Wet, Grey Day turns out OK

What was expected to be a soggy march of misery in Forrest City actually ended up being a beautiful day of fall weather cycling.

After seeing the forecast for today, I had been frantically searching every distant corner of my house for any scrap of cycling equipment that was remotely water proof. I almost had to pack a second bag and Wayne almost ran my credit card for the standard $25 baggage fee when he picked me up to head to Arkansas this morning at 0545.

The trip over we practically needed a periscope. It was dumping the whole way. I just kept reminding myself that the very worst day on the bike is better than a day at the office. Right?

We arrived and met the rest of today’s team. The rawhide Jim Jaggers regulars without Donna and just two additional riders, Bill McDonald and Dan Chianella of FedEx from the Thursday ride.

By the time we suited up into full storm gear the rain had slowed considerably. With barely a drizzle we rolled a block and a half to our first and only school stop of the day at Forrest City High
School. This is the first time we have ever had a school in AR participate. Thanks Colts!

Off we went out onto the open, wet road, north on 284 into the wind but merely a misty drizzle. It surprises me to say, but it was actually a nice change from the sun and heat of last week. It was also a refreshing shock to the senses that fall is here, my favorite time of year. Everyone did really well on the foul weather prep and gear as we were all dry and cozy. With the RV following close behind I mean how could anyone really be concerned about hypothermia?

Simply a pleasant ride all the way to Wynne, AR. A few runs of rotating pacelines. Smooth, competent riding with a skilled group. No mechanicals just a lot of snot and groddy bikes.

As you may remember from previous years, Forrest City is the realm of local farmer and Le Bonheur Arkansas angel Steve Roberts. In 2009 as we rolled by, Steve handed Jim $40 on the side of Hwy. 284. The next year, Steve went on a fund raising rampage and raised over 10k, the following year he did 40 thousand and in 2011 he collected over 50! Today at lunch at Kelly’s Diner, a bombshell was dropped, not the peach cobbler with soft serve vanilla, but a check from Steve to Jim for 60 thousand dollars! However, as Steve stated, “I still got a day and a half”. So tune into the telethon on Wednesday night for more Steve Roberts fireworks.

A few more stops in Wynne and Colt, AR, such great, kind people just to our west, then it was a cyclists nirvana as we motoed back to Forrest City with a brisk tailwind and clearing blue, sunny skies.

A day that started off looking absolutely wretched and bleak transformed into an experience worthy of appreciation and gratitude.

Hello DeSoto – Day 3

Friday, Go Jim Go day three, a big day on every level, big group, big mileage, big buffet and a big donation from big hearted rider.

We rolled out of the Olive Branch YMCA at around 0745 with perfect temps, but under overcast skies and the general consensus from the many amateur meteorologists and the one professional was that it “smelled like rain”.

Biggest pack thus far as we were joined by a large group from the Hernando Bike Club, a great crew of jovial guys and strong riders. They have been big supporters of Jim since the early years. Riding today from the HBC was Captain and peleton DJ Bo McAninch, Kevin and Roy McCarty, Mike Smith, Jody Akins and Kevin Bouchard. Other riders today, Karen Lamport from the Methodist Le Bonheur corporate office, Aida Wiese, Mark Underwood, Matt “Fighter Pilot” Wengler and returning from Brown Baptist was Eric White and Vance Smith. As always, Wayne “The Brain”, “Little Steven” Kuhar, Donna, myself and of course the “King of the Cold Fronts”, Mr. Jaggers.

A large group of riders always makes any ride more fun and enjoyable, but very dicey fair when you have such a large group navigating at times some of the heaviest traveled streets in DeSoto County where under any other circumstances no sane bike rider would dare to go. This is all made possible by the thankless efforts of the support team in the pace car and follow vehicles.

Holly Ford, Channel 3 project manager, aka GJG pace car driver not only has to drive the lead car, but has to work with Wayne to navigate the route, constantly keep a safe distance from the lead riders, work the phones with schools and sponsors, keep track of fundraising totals, make sure we are where we need to be in adequate time to meet all the live broadcast details, keep a brand new 2013 Ford Escape sponsor’s donated vehicle safe and not run over any elementary kids. Tough gig, to say the least, but she gets it done and all the riders owe her great thanks.

Karen Malagorski follows in the Bikes Plus maintenance vehicle bringing up the rear of our semi-safe traffic cocoon. Ready to deploy at a moments notice to deal with whatever cycling malfunction that may and does occur with the speed of a NASCAR pit crew.

And shout out to our man Keith who is driving our massive RV from Southaven RV! The thing is huge and he often has to navigate what seems like a barge in a wading pool. Places where you wouldn’t expect to see an RV. Baby got back. These generous and accommodating people have to keep focus and diligence all day long making this event possible and keeping us safe. Thanks so much to all.

I was really impressed with the Friday pack of riders. A sometimes down side to a large group of bike riders coming together for the first time is the many different levels of experience, skills and fitness. A group of cyclists is safer and faster when the basics of pack riding are utilized by the group. Formation riding is not something that just happens; it requires skill, focus and awareness. Failure to respect many things like the distance between wheels, riding smooth, predictable lines or announcing the never ending conveyor belt of road hazards, can instantly result in the high speed introduction of bare skin to hard asphalt or worse – destroyed carbon fiber bike parts. Our group was very conscientious and despite a very minor spill resulting in nothing more than a few expletives, everybody did great on a long, challenging ride. Una punta del cappuccio di ciclismo! (a tip of the cycling cap)

I would like to offer a sincere thanks to the team at Country Ford for the tremendous lunch spread they had waiting for us hungry riders. Energy bars, trail mix and sports drinks can only get you so far. Really appreciate your hospitality and real (healthy) food!

So it ends, after my four straight years of absolutely perfect, dry Go Jim Go weather, Friday delivered on the earlier prognosticated precipitation. Shortly after lunch, the northwest sky turned a very sour shade of grey, but despite looking like we would be slapped with an angry fall thundershower, we were treated to about a 45 minute gentle, cooling shower. We all got doused and the road got a little sketchy, but honestly it was rather pleasant. And oh yeah, my bike is dirty again.

It is so adorable to see the little ones with their colorful signs and the team was blown away by the reception at Whitehaven High School. Said WHHS happens to be the alma mater of none other than GJG Team Navigator, Wayne Lichliter. In a move almost as dangerous as riding a bike on Goodman Road, we hurriedly traveled the mirror polished tile floors of the high school hallway wearing our slippery, wet cleated cycling shoes in hopes to locate one photo on the presumably long lost senior class picture of WHHS Class of 1970. A difficult mission considering the tight schedule we were on. Once again, thank you to all the students, teachers and administrators for your efforts for Le Bonheur and the warm welcome we got at every stop.

We found ourselves back at the YMCA where we started at around 1530 with a total of 153.3 miles logged this week. It was there that I found out that today’s rider Michael Smith individually raised over $3000 for the cause. Wow! Mike, had I known you were such a Le Bonheur golden boy, I would have given you full access to the wet bar in my RV dressing room. Guess you’ll have to repeat next year. Seriously, thank you Mike. You can suck my wheel* anytime. (*Note: “Sucking wheel” is not a borderline vulgar insult; it is cycling terminology for one rider to ride closely to the rear wheel of another rider. The second rider travels in the draft created by the lead rider. Since the lead rider is pushing through the air or headwind like a wedge the second rider is doing 30-50% less effort to travel at the same speed. Unless you are held in high regard in the pack such as Mike or Jim, sucking too much wheel can lead to ire and disdain from your fellow riders.)

A sincere acknowledgement to DeSoto County for your incredible hospitality. I still cannot get over how much love we got from all the North Mississippi motorists. The reality of a cyclist is that on any other day, never are the honks a friendly salutation, but quite the opposite, so thank you for your tolerance, smiles, waves, toot-toots and passing safely. Jim really deserves it.

Grey as the skies on Friday afternoon has my mood been since seeing the forecast for the Forrest City ride Monday. We have been on an incredible good weather run, but it looks as if Monday will be a harsh end to our Cinderella weather. Looks like a long, soggy day at the office. Checking eBay now for a scuba suit with chamois pad.

Mission accomplished!

From Oxford to Paris – Day 2

How many times can I possibly use adjectives like; (A) beautiful, (B) awesome, (C) inspired and even (D) emotional in this ediion of Blake’s Blog before you cry or wretch? From the cycling perspective of this old road rider GJG Day 2 in Oxford, MS delivered all of these descriptions in abundance. Therefore to avoid writer and reader redundancy, indicated letter will be used when appropriate for the duration of this blog post. Cool?

Met Wayne-Wayne this morning at 6:15 and we loaded up and headed down to Lafayette County. Really enjoyed talking cycling shop and what’s wrong with these riders today with my good friend while watching the sun come up (A) with a Big Gulp size cup of my power blend (B).

Really comfortable morning temps on the Oxford Square. Same routine different year. We prepped for the day and rolled out of the square at around 0830.

Biggest group yet for our usually surprisingly lightly attended Oxford Day. I guess it is just too early for all those cycling Rebel Greeks there. Today we were 11 riders strong. We looked like a real GJG PRO team. Riding today was a special appearance from Karen Malagorski and Bill Fredrick from Bikes Plus. Don’t tell Fred Smith, but FedEx was WELL represented today by Matt Wengler, Brian Flax, Dan Chianella and Bill McDonald – all pilots. So if anybody had to be air lifted, we were covered. Also, joining us today was a long time buddy of mine, part time thrill seeker, Ryan Niemeyer. Of course the usual cast including “Drops”, “Pops” and “Goldilocks”.

First stop was Della Davidson Elementary School and they were absolutely ready to rock when we arrived with their favorite cycling teacher Cindy Hoag at the front of the group with Jim. (B&C) Thanks Della D!

That was followed by a poignant stop at Le Bonheur patient John Robert Phillips’ school, The Scott Center. Very special kids and teachers. (A,C&D)

From there it was a very nostalgic trip for me across the campus of my alma mater. Including a ride by the Phi Mu house where I was a house boy (one of the unspoken greatest jobs in the world) a few decades ago. RIP Mama Dean.

Out on the open road baby! What a morning. Perfect temps, good pavement and a solid group with matched fitness and skills. (A&B)

Let’s see if I can wax poetic. Powered by our own excitement, we guided our stealthy silent veciliopods into the wind, cutting through the absolutely blissful late September air. The colors of autumn are just starting to highlight the countryside foliage like an aritst testing a new color on his canvas. Fall sunlight has that unique quality that makes all those new colors intensify. Blessed we are to be out of a car and on a bike, with every human sense fully exposed to all in a synchronicity of perfection. Oh forget it. It was just flippin’ A,B,C &D!

We rolled to Water Valley Elementary School. A new Go Jim Go school and yet another rock star reception from the kids and teachers. So thankful, Water Valley, for your efforts, contribution to Le Bonheur and your warm welcome.

It was at WVES that we experienced a first in GJG history. Little Cody has been missing his Dad who has been away serving our country in Afghanistan. Jim brought Cody up to the mic and asked him what he loved about his Dad. Cody lit up and said he was so fun to be around, that he was a good hunter and what a great Dad he was. Then Jim asked Cody. “Where’s your Dad”?

“Afghanistan”.

“No, but where’s your Dad?”

(Looking at Jim in the perplexed way that we often do.) “Afghanistan.”

“No, but where’s your Dad?”

(Confused.) “Texas?”

“No, Cody.” Jim replied. “Your Dad’s right here.” Cody turned to look down the long row of kids lined up on both sides to see Officer Lee Woods in full uniform at the end of the row. To the roar and delight of a crowd, breaking into a full sprint Cody ran to his Dad and leapt into the arms of his hero, our hero. King size capital (D). Thank you for your service Officer Woods. So happy you and Cody are together again.

A pleasant lunch in downtown Water Valley under the town square gazebo, then back in the saddle for a postcard ride through the back country with a rest stop in Paris, MS.

60 miles added to bring us to 92 miles total. Simply a fabulous A,B,C,D day. Great group and perfect travels. More great rides coming up. If you are a cyclist and want to experience a truly special kind of ride, get to the website and sign up. We would love to see you out there.

Tomorrow, “Hello, DeSoto!” Hey Beau, you got some new tunes on the iPod loaded up?

Allez Ya’ll!

I Got to Cruise like Jagger

Wow! Did we really just finish the first day of Go Jim Go 2012? Really? Well, based on the Sonic wrappers at the bottom of my jersey pockets and the new sunburn I have from my too short GJG bike shorts, I guess we did. It really seemed at times today that we had just finished the 2011 tour and even a few Groundhog Day moments when I thought, “Wait, what year is this again?” Ah, but then I would get a glimpse of our hero in his new red, white and blue Avenger-esq super suit and it would snap me back to Day 1, 2012. What a day. Lots of logistical, behind the scenes scrambles and at certain moments the teeth of Murphy’s Law firmly latched upon our chamois shorts. Running an event like this reminds me of trying to feed my twin girls when they were 1+. Lots of prep, organization and execution yet still manage to get a little mushy pea in the eye.

I work with the Audio / Visual / Media Team at Le Bonheur and one of our Go Jim Go projects this year was to enhance the PA system that Jim uses at the schools. Our AV Swiss Army Knife at Le Bonheur, Eric Sefton came up with a brilliant vehicle roof mounted speaker system that he finished last night in his garage to be mounted first thing this morning at Channel 3. The set up was tricked out with a small amp/mixer in the backseat of the pace car that had three microphones for the driver and Jim and an iPod connection for music in order to play Jim’s theme song: Maroon 5′s “I Got the Moves like Jagger”. Clever, clever. After getting it all hooked up with about 50 minutes to departure, we tested. As Eric and I were grinning with satisfaction to what we were hearing, the little bouncing green light on the mixer suddenly went to the little no light whatsoever on the mixer and no sound whatsoever. Not good. I could have sworn I smelled smoke.

That sonic boom you heard in downtown Memphis at about 0837 this morning was not Bobby Solberg realizing that he was picking up the GJG team’s lunch tab today. It was Eric breaking the sound barrier to go back to Le Bonheur to grab another amp and mixer. Somehow avoiding MPD, made it he did and when Jaggers did his moves out of the WREG parking lot at around 0925, Maroon 5 was pumpin’ from the rooftop. Thank you E!

Jim’s weather karma has paid off again in 2012 and we had a pretty good day to be on a bike. A little warm and windy, but I’ll take that any day over a tie, a computer screen and the 74 degree temps in my office.

Riding today was the return of the GJG All Stars, Captain Steve Kuhar, Navigator Wayne-Wayne “Real Steel” Lichliter and Donna “Hoods no Goods” Brown, returing 2011 rider Matt Wengler and freshmen riders, Dylan Vance and Greg Gillaspie. Good group today. No stragglers and lots of laughs at Jim’s expense.

I will propose an event name change for next year to Ready, set…Go Jim Go! Stop! Ok Jim, go. Stop! Now go, but slow. GO! GO! GO! STOP! Not sure how that will look on a T-shirt, but that sums up our Memphis rides. 5 hours and 39 minutes of saddle time and only 32.7 miles. Mostly hard urban riding with countless stop signs, red lights, traffic, railroad tracks, potholes including one route detour due to police activity (you’ll have to watch Channel 3 News for details) but, despite all the hard road hazards, no flats and no splats. All to be expected with 14 Memphis schools to visit! 14! We’ll take it! Big shout out to Stephanie Rainey of the Le Bonheur Foundation and Co-Coordinator of Go Jim Go in her first year with this event. If she keeps this up we may have to extend the ride all the way into November.

So great to again see all the students of all ages. The energy and excitement never gets old. Special thanks to Scenic Hills, Douglas, Kingsbury, Bartlett High, Bartlett Elementary, Ellendale and Appling. You guys brought the noise and that gets a road weary, sun sapped rider right back in the game. Not to mention the cash you collect for the kids of Le Bonheur. Thank you so much students, teachers and administrators.

After some fast riding this summer it’s great to be cruising with Jim again. Overall, great day on the bike and everything worked out due to the hard work of a lot of people. Blessed to have this opportunity. Thanks for everyone’s efforts and support.

Did I mention our RV this year from Southhaven RV? You can see it from space.

See you tomorrow in Oxford, MS! Wayne mentioned something about getting at least 40 miles in hill repeats on Sorority Row. Have you seen that climb? Ouch.

That’s it. Now I got to snooze like Jagger.

El Douglas Diablo!

Munford HS Noise!

As we all know the general rule of thumb is if you want it to rain you should wash your car, well this rule also applies to freshly polished Go Jim Go bicycles too. After reviewing Fridays forecast which was basically summarized as B.Y.B., Big Yellow Ball. I got to our meeting spot Friday morning under skies that looked even more gray and cranky than I was due to the threat of rain. Despite having a connection with a top notch weatherman, my showroom ready ride got drenched with unforecasted morning showers and all the road gunk that goes with it. Thus began the Go Jim Go supplemental ride to visit the Munford High School Cougars.

Stephanie Rainey of the Le Bonheur Foundation has been booking so many schools we had to do this abbreviated ride Friday to visit Munford since we won’t be able to get there during the main event.

Wow! What a reception we got!

Talk about a change of attitude! Thank you Munford Mayor Dwayne Cole, Jennifer Tyler of Munford High School and to the Cougar band, cheerleaders, football team, mascot, students, teachers and staff who absolutely rattled the roof with their reception. To top it off they gave Jim a check for $2000! What a way to start off GJG 2012. Drawn with my finger on the road grime of my dirty bike is a big MHS Rocks! Thank you so much Cougars!

Rolling Again!

Well, somehow we all got convinced to try this Go Jim Go thing again and that includes me doing another blog this year. Nuts, right? The awesome teams at WREG, the Le Bonheur Foundation and Marketing Department have been working hard doing the tremendous amount of leg work so everything will be ready when us cyclists have to do our leg work. As always, compared to what they do those of us wearing the funny, padded pants got the easy job. We had a team meeting at a local “raunt” last week and things are really rolling along, 21 schools signed up so far, routes are coming together, the kits are designed and Jim is looking lean. Just about two months away from the kick off on 9/26. So looking forward to it. Hey, all you Memphis cyclists out there! Hope you will come ride with us! Nothing like the Go Jim Go treatment. Drop me a line if you are interested and have any questions, blake.robertson@lebonheur.org. More soon! BR