End of the week thoughts (or TGIF!!!)

I've had a fun week. There have been many good wishes from friends that I'm home safe as well as pokes and prod's by my buds. I'm glad to be home but I miss the road too. I replay the days over and over and I remember how much fun it was. I even got a handwritten card from our CEO, Dr Jon Bates. I'm framing that one! What an honor!

One story that I hadn't put in the blog was the panty bridge! There is a bridge in south Arkansas and I was riding along and there were a bunch on panties hanging on it. I couldn't really tell if it was a recent prank or not. If you folks down in South Ark are missing your drawers off the clothesline, I think I know where they are!

I did get out and ride with Rance (yep, the trainer and dater of Kim). I just thought we would ride the LR side of the river but nah, we headed straight for the Broadway bridge over the Arkansas River at 5:20. The last of rush hour was poking along and we got to wait through a couple of lights. I know, I know, I should have dropped down and zipped through the standing cars but my luck has been good lately, let's not push it! Down the north side of the river and back to Rance's house and I just couldn't stand it, I dropped him off, slapped him a high five and headed toward the park for a longer ride.

Competitve Cyclist Team were doing repeats of Overlook Drive. That's a tough cookie to do repeats on. I watched for a jiffy then wanted to do a little hammering so I got my speed up to a nice 21 mph and held it all the way back to Alltel offices and then back down to behind Rance's house. Legs felt good and the burn was going on. I felt pure freedom!

One thing I realized I missed on the tour that I didn't expect was the soundtrack that comes and goes. I'm talking about the kids that love to thump their music. My son is one of those thumpers but he is over in Denver. I always find my head bobbing to the beat. I know sometimes when you sit beside them in traffic it is a pain in the tail but admit it, you love the free spirits! Next time you're in the car, crank it up! Jazz sounds good loud!

Funny story! I called Chainwheel bike shop to schedule a tune up/clean up for Tuesday and my friend Sara answered the phone! We had a good laugh because her father in law heard me on the radio talking about my adventures and I had talked about the train track wreck. Sara is a great rider and I'll ride with her and her husband Aaron anytime. Yes, Sara was the one that had the honor of crashing with me that day.

I'll head out for a ride in the morning since Terri is getting into a fitness kick and back into the walking/running that she enjoys. She said she was going to walk in the morning then pick up fresh farm veggies from the LR Farmer's Market in the River Market District. Yum! I can't wait to have a country veggie dinner. She makes the best!

A lot of folks have asked me what my next big adventure was going to be and it will happen October the 23 in Austin, Texas! Rance and I are heading down to ride with Lance Armstrong! The Ride for the Roses is that weekend and we're going to go have a boys weekend out! Plans are to ride the century and cheer on those who are fighting and those who have beat the odds against cancer. We'll also remember those that the disease has claimed. Wear your yellow wrist band and show your support!

Also I was asked to speak at the BACA meeting in September! Another huge honor! BACA is a great group here in LR that promotes biking. Go visit them at www.bacar.org It stands for Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas.

Returning to "normal"

So it’s been several days now since the trip and I have had some rest and starting to get in the mood to ride after dinner again. Since it’s for pleasure and not training I don’t feel the need to wolf down a banana and a glass of water 30 minutes before riding but it is a good thing to do. I’ll drag a friend or two out this week, listen to them whine about how hot it is then see if my legs will find themselves and go zoom-zoom!

I had almost forgotten about the phone on my desk. Man, that thing rings a lot! I think I’ll go on another trip so I can forget the phone. That was nice!

Rance and I have decided to go to Austin in October and be a part of Lance Armstrong’s “Ride for the Roses” event. You know those yellow rubber wrist bands? Well, this is grand central for those. There will be thousands of cyclist there riding different mileage lengths. We are going for the 100 mile (century) ride. I’m excited!

One thing that I found I like to do (call me sick!) is climb the hills. It’s hard but when I pace myself and just take my time, the reward of overlooking the valley’s is the best!

The day after (it's called withdrawal)

And what does one do after 14 days of riding? Mow the yard! That was my first thought this morning. Ok, that’s a lie! My first thought was what day is this and where do I ride to? Then I realized that I was in my own bed and had been asleep for almost 11 hours. Got up and saw Terri off to the River City 5K this morning and then I really did start working in the yard. I could have sold the backyard as hay and I mowed it the day before I left.

Honest, I’m lost in K-Mart today! I have taken the bags off the bike and will remove the rack so it looks like the bad boy road bike that it is. The frame is filthy and the chain needs major work but we made it for 14 days. So Specialized bikes are champs in my book.

I’ve been eating like I’m still riding. Everyone has said that I should take a week off. Something tells me that I’ll sneak out at first light in the morning and ride before church.

My aunt Beck passed away in Alabama this morning. Mom told us we’re not supposed to have favorites but she was mine! Funniest southern lady I’ve ever come across. Lived on the TN River and had a boat house that we would jump off of. They owned a grocery store so after we swam we could go to the store and load up on candy! Her kids and husband are good as gold. Aunt Beck, thank you for some of my favorite childhood memories! I’ll miss you.

Day 14: Home sweet home!

The dawn of the final day was here and I wasn’t really sure if I were excited or anxious. I guess some of both. The feeling I had was close to the same as day one in Fort Smith.

I picked up Ron and we headed down to the river for a final 11 miles to the hospital. The warm sun and humitity was present and the river was great to see. I was becoming at ease because I know every crack and bump in the road. I started to realize I was really home. We met up with Rance and Keith under the bridge and got going. At Murray Park we met up with several other cyclist and I was honored that they would take time out of their Friday to join me.

As we passed the state capitol I got my first glimpse of the hospital. A wave of relief hit me. I knew at that moment the final chapter was well in the process of being written.

We did as we were told and made it to the Nutrition Center just past South Campus and I was greeted by friends! They loaded up in the ACH version of the Pope mobile and as we pulled out to ride the to front I looked up and saw indeed the street was lined with people. My bike’s front wheel took a couple of jerks because I was becoming overwhelmed fast. I looked back to see where the other guys were and told them to stop treating me special and get up here and ride with me. They laughed.

The first wave was the kids from our child care center. What an honor! They were singing to me and I thought I could cause a little chaos so I reached down and pulled out the water bottle and sprayed it their way. I missed! HA! One little boy had his hands over his ears!

All the way down the street were friends and coworkers cheering. Honest, it was almost too much. I knew that there were going to be some folks outside but nothing can prepare you for this! I saw friends from the clinic, friends from patient accounts, friends from the main hospital and at the end of the rainbow, I saw my friends from my office!

I got a bear hug from Andree’ and spotted my family in the crowd. I hugged my dad and mom and winked to Terri in the crowd. There were so many people, and I really wanted to hug and say thank you to each and every one and in time next week, I will.

I was presented with the yellow jersey (which is given to the winner of the Tour de France). I was not expecting either. I couldn’t be happier that my boss Jerry presented it. He is a cyclist himself and gave me tons of pointers before I left. I was supposed to say some famous words and all that stuff but it left me. I have no idea what I said. I probably said something like, “Thank you, it was a great fight and I will be whipping his tail again in the rematch.” If I did then I hope Jermain’s speech went something like, “It was a great ride and I can’t wait to do it again!”

After I said whatever I said then I asked how much we got and was floored when Mr. Gordon said it was over ten thousand!! I knew at that moment that the ride for the kids was a success. I knew that someone's life would be a little better.

After a few interviews, I was off to Cracker Barrel in NLR to eat with all my family. As in the words of the small town social sections of the newspapers, “A good time was had by all.”

So I’m home now, tummy full, showered and in clean clothes, I’m trying to reflect on the trip. My niece Shannon who climbed Mt Rainer told me that it would take months to process what I had just done. I think she’s right. I can’t believe that I rode a bicycle around the state of Arkansas. Actually, it hasn’t hit me yet that I did it … did I?

Ok, now I know that there are a lot more people reading my blog than I ever imagined and most days when I would write it would be just after I got in so folks wouldn’t be worrying and know I was safe. Of course that was the worse time to write because I looked back over some of the day’s entries and scratched my head and ask myself if I really went to school? What lame grammar and spelling. So to everyone out there that slaved through my horrible writing, thanks for sticking with me!

Now, I promised some of the funny and dangerous stories from the road so here we go …

Funny:

The first morning I was so nervous that I got sick at my stomach and hid in the bathroom in the lobby.

One of the first nights I was on the road I was in a small motel and the people in the room next to me were … uh … how could I say this in a nice way … happy to be together! It was raining and I was so glad that I found a pizza delivery place and while I ate and watched the recap of the Tour de France they were “being happy”. Y’all know I’m hard of hearing but geesh come on, it’s barely dinner time folks! I heard them about to leave and I couldn’t resist so I looked out the window and locked eye with the guy and I busted out laughing. The girl realized what had just happened and hopped in the car very fast, embarrassed (I hope!).

I stopped at a look out point and some guy in an 18 wheeler pulls over and gets out and starts to take a whiz! I’m not looking in that direction and didn’t even realize that the driver had gotten out. I was taking photos of the mountains and was going to try and piece together a panoramic style photo series. Next thing I realized was that I’m pointing the camera almost straight at the guy doing his business, he sees me, I see him, I try to turn away, he tries to get zipped up, I start laughing really loud, he no doubt thinks I’m some whacko. I try to be nice and hop on my bike and leave the parking lot. But of course it can’t be that easy. He starts his truck and we both head for the drive at the same time! I see him moving, he turns and sees me right outside his truck and boy, I had no idea that you can make a truck take off that fast!

McGehee: Oh now I really thought I had lost my mind that day. The wrong turn which made me drive an extra approximately 40 miles, my hearing aid shut down, storms were brewing. I was so tired that when I checked in I got in the shower with my hearing aid on and didn’t even realize it until I was washing my hair. My hearing never smelled so clean after that. Didn’t work worth a flip either!

South Arkansas c-store: I was getting water and a lady asked me how far I was riding. But she thought I was lying. I mean she really thought I was lying. She told me there was no way on God’s green earth that a normal person would ride a bicycle all the way around the state. I told her it had been done before and she told me it had not or she would have heard about it. She kept rolling her eyes. I finally got my change and left. A few minutes later another customer went in and came out just as I was leaving the parking lot and the guy looked at me and shook his head like I can’t believe you would come up with a cock-a-dooley story like that and expect anyone in our town to believe you!

I was riding along one day and there had been a lot of tire pieces all over the place. This is something really common from about central Ark south. Anyway, I riding along and just dodging them was a chore then one of the pieces of black rubber came to life! It was a big ole snake! I thought I could get around and thump … right over him! Someone asked me what kind it was and, trust me, the snake nor myself care to ever see each other again! It was black and it wiggled, you narrow it down!

There is a food store outside of Jonesboro called Food Giant and there is a sign on the ground that's bigger than the store sign that say's "Get your guns and ammo here". Honey, I need to run down to the store and get a gallon of milk and a new 12 gauge shotgun! Be right back!"

The dangerous:
The day I thought the trip was going to come to an end was the very first. Vince is a great rider and can fly down the hills. We were going down some big hill before we ever got to the mountain and Vince was in front. I was going so fast that the bike started to vibrate to the point that I could not focus. I mean I really could not see. I was trying to slow down but I didn’t want Vince to think I was a loser. Finally I hit the brakes a little and straightened out. Later that day as the club riders met up with us the light changed red and half the club got through and I was in the half that didn’t. I applied the brakes and nothing happened. I was either about to take out half of this club or I was going to fly right into the line of oncoming traffic. Somehow, the brakes locked at the last moment and I slide right to the front of the line. One of the guys said, “Wow, a power slide!”

Riding in Hurricane Dennis. Rained so hard I couldn’t see. Trucks sprayed me and I couldn’t tell when it was a water puddle or not. I rode a lot that day without being clipped to the pedals.

The pack of dogs outside of Mena. There was a pack of dogs that came charging out and this was the first time that one actually seemed to be intent on eating me. I was about to give the dog a shot of water to the face when out of no where comes a red pick up driven by a Hispanic lady. She was honking and carrying on and I thought it must be her dog but she whipped the truck toward me and chased the dog honking and flashing her lights. I was very grateful and started singing Gretchen what’s-her-name’s song “Redneck Woman”.

Just outside of Mena the shoulder of the road disappeared and it’s raining and no place for trucks to move over if another car was coming. I was riding along and a truck came from behind very fast and in the lane. I was coming up to a very narrow spot in the road and there was a creek that goes under the road with no guard rails. The truck flew by, sprayed the skin off of me and the air caused a vacuum that jerked my bike and sent me about an inch from going off. It would have been the end if I had. I stopped and looked down at the creek and rocks and said a prayer of thanks.

Ok friends in Employee Health, this one’s for you! The day I went to MeGehee, I really ran out of water and stopped sweating. I thought strange thoughts to the point of I wonder what would happen if I stopped and got in this family’s swimming pool? Could I tell them I was in danger of heat exhaustion? Would I get arrested or shot first? I thought the same about a creek I passed. I sort of remember a junk dealer stopping to ask me if I were ok. I remember the U of A Argi Center truck stopping to check on me. I remember the police kept going by over and over. I remember singing Lucy in the sky with diamonds. Those are the things I remember. Who knows what I forgot!

There were days when my left arm would be completely numb by the end of the day.

On highway 1 outside of Jonesboro are a lot of folks with FL license plates. There was an RV that got so close due to a small shoulder that the mirror went right over my head.

Ok, there you go. You know if I would have included the danger notes that people would have begged me to abandon the ride. I knew I couldn’t stop and, honest, many times when I felt lonely or pain, I thought of our patients. That’s what the ride was about. Feel their pain and fear. Some days I was the rider, some days I was the patient.

Day 13: Booneville to Perryville

Top right: Ron Rizzardi and myself after the 73 mile ride. Happy we made it!

Top left: Ron in the city park in Ola, AR. Small town with a great city park!

Right: I glow when light hits me.






Start: Booneville 6a
End: Perryville: 11:30a
73 miles

Ron and I started riding a little after 6 this morning. First stop was the c-store to load up on ice, water, and Gatorade. Great riding with a true friend. We had tailwinds pushing us along and it times we were moving along at 20 mph with ease. The miles were flying by. We laughed and talked and Ron got to hear one of my songs. I was singing to the chickens in the chicken houses. Ron was in front and started riding faster, and I just kept singing louder! We had our share of the dogs today and funny thing happened! One came running out, Ron's in front, and lo-and -behold out came the pepper spray and sprays right at the dog ... hey buddy, uh, I'm behind you!!! He sprayed again and I'm thinking, ok, I'll feel this in just a moment, aim for the grass. I kept waiting for the sting but it never came. The dog of course ran off. I laughed at my, once again, good luck! The day became hotter and hotter. We lucked upon a c-store here and there but by the time we got to Ola, water was getting low. Perry was only 6 miles away and we knew there would be water. Not much in Perry except for one fine Tire Shop. We stopped and Ron got the guy to give us water ... the best kind in my book ... out of the garden hose! Wasn't cold but did the trick! Off we go again and just need to knock out 3 more miles to Perryville and we'll stop and cool off and eat. No problem, oh crud, big momma hill! Let's go, just knock it out! I had told Ron that I had learned not to look up while climbing because to me it was a mental game! I can pedal great but if I look up then all the sudden it hits me that I'm climbing and I think I need to down shift. If I don't look at the top and just work to get there then I make it up a lot easier. We stop at a place called Ezells which is a great place if you are going through Perryville. Everyone knew each other and they made us feel welcomed. After a lengthy cool down we ordered and I called Terri to let her know where we were. She was going to leave her office around 1 but it's only about 11:30 or so. Said a big storm is around Pinnacle so we call it the end. I sat there letting the words bounce all around in my head ... it's over. Terri picks us up and we drive through the rain and lightening to Ron's house and then home. Emily comes running out and gives me a big hug. The other Emily is there as well as a couple guys that are the present "dates". Tony is the guy in Sherwood that has the really cool truck that is solid camo (he's the other Emily's guy). I knew I was home with 3 teenagers more than I'm supposed to have but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Tomorrow I will pick up Ron and we'll be under the 430 bridge to ride the final leg to the hospital. Should met up with Rance and Keith around Murray Park. Look forward to seeing friends and family after two weeks of riding. Am I a changed man? You wouldn't believe. After tomorrows ride, I'll tell some of the REAL stories that I couldn't tell that have happened along the way. Some wildly funny, some wildly dangerous! So come on back and prepare to laugh your tail off as well as say, "I'm glad we didn't know this until the ride was over!"

Day 12: Fort Smith to Booneville

Top Photo: Heading into Booneville! Hunch down and screeam "Weeeee" all the way down the hill!

Welcome to Greenwood sign! What a royal welcome! Thanks Greenwood!

The view after the climb outside of Greenwood







I loved the Hampton Inn so much that I slept late and really took my time leaving. As I was leaving the front door and man in a suit asked about my ride and I asked him the quickest way back to Hwy 71. He told me and then looked at the map in the entrance to be sure. He was right on the money. The way he gave me was right to where I needed to be and cut some time. I was on my way to Hwy 10 and home! First stop would be in Greenwood to visit the paper there. Greenwood has a special place in my heart due to it being where my buddy Geoff Hartmann lived before cancer took him from his sweetheart of a wife and 2 beautiful daughters, Gracie and Christy. I still miss him and his laugh and true since of adventure. This guy would go to places like Peru to go trout fishing! Anyway, I'm coming into Greenwood and I have to get into the turn lane to get to the town square. I stop and look around a second waiting for traffic to pass and suddenly burst out laughing! There, right in front of me is a big Greenwood Chamber of Commerce sign that says "Welcome to Greenwood George Cobb". Bless the citizens of Greenwoods heart! Here's a middle-aged guy in skin tight black shorts, funny shoes and bags on his bike that now look as if he's a homeless person ... in the middle of a busy street laughing by himself! But they took me in and loved me like their own! Martha Cole is the sweetheart of Greenwood! We sat out of the sidewalk bench and she brought me some grade juice in a box (Hey Shannon Boshears, I thought about you!) and it was the best grape juice I had ever drank. We talked awhile and she took a couple of photos. Another lady came by and she said she heard that I was in town. She is the secretary of the Mercy Medical Bicycle Team. These guys are awesome and I told her I was a big fan of theirs. Soon I was one my way to Booneville but first stopped by the c-store to refill water bottles. Within that short time, I heard 8 different stories of how ACH has saved a child or improved the child's health when others could not. 8 stories in about 45 minutes!

The trip over to Booneville was a good one with a couple of Jim Dandy climbs but once to the top the view was well worth it. I'll load photo's of these views as soon as I get them back. A couple of dogs ran along with me for a bit. Not the threatening type at all. They were just bored and wanted to play. I got into Booneville and saw a couple of motels I had checked on and was very glad that Terri had asked the folks at the paper which one I should stay at. Countryside Inn is a nice little motel. Very clean and comfortable. It was the first motel room I had on the trip that smelled like fresh clean smell rather than motel room smell. The lady at the counter was one of those you just wanted to hug. Laughed when I told her I was sorry for coming in the office all sweaty and stinky. She told me the same and said she had been outside too. She had a great collection of John Deere ole toy trucks in the lobby and I told her about the quilting ladies of south Arkansas in the c-store/bait shop/restaurant that were putting together the John Deere quilt. Her eyes lit up and she really wanted to know more. If you go to the Inn this weekend, it might be closed due to her leaving and searching the south for a bait shop that has quilts! Good luck honey!

My niece Shannon came up and we had dinner at a local Mexican place. My dinner was out of this world! It's at the corner of Hwy 10 and Hwy 23 or known by the locals as Main and Broadway. When Shannon and I get together we always have a good laugh! She had had a bike wreck a few weeks ago and we had to tell war stories and compare scars. Thanks Shannon, you made my day! Later Ron Rizzardi came up and spent the night and we will ride the final day together.

Day 11: Mena to Fort Smith ** The circle is complete!!!!!!!**

THE CIRCLE AROUND THE STATE OF ARKANSAS
IS NOW COMPLETE!

KID'S WE DID IT!!!!!!
WE REALLY DID IT!!! Start : Mena 6:30a End: Fort Smith 1:00p 83.42 miles As I woke up this morning and looked out the window I could see that is was going to be a broken cloud morning. Much better than rain! I got ready, threw two cups of coffee and 2 honey buns and a banana down. Checked with Channel 7 traffic (Yep, Lisa and Chopper Scott) to be sure there were no pile ups in Mena (Don't laugh, you never know). Out on the road and remember what I was saying about the shoulder of the road being bad, well, what-da-ya-know, just past Mena it's great! Hey Michael and crew at Hampton Inn (Fort Smith), if you are reading this, once again you amaze me with the service and unselfish giving! This room is beautiful! True confessions section: When I got checked in and up to my room I starting laughing so loud. It was one of those laughs that no matter how you try you can't stop. Then I jumped on the bed! Only the full parking lot of Best Buy 4 floors below could see me and I really didn't care! I do feel sorry if there was some business exec next door cutting a million dollar deal because buddy I bet I screwed that one up for him! It's so fun being this excited. If I could have the bed in front of the hospital this afternoon, I would have invited the patients out and we could have all taken turns jumping on the bed and laughing! Laughing is great medicine! My ride was a slow one. Honest, I didn't want it to end. I took more photos today than any other day so far. I stopped half a dozen times to look at the mountains and to just enjoy the beauty. I only had 10 miles to go and I stopped at a c-store and hung with the local boys (ok, maybe not but I sat a few booths from them ... they were talking land movement). I would never stop 10 miles before the end of a ride just to cool off normally. As I was going through the forest area, I remembered what the waitress told me last night during dinner. "You need to be careful, they are having bear problems." Hear I am, solo riding down the highway and pass a couple of houses and they have these trash boxes out by the road. Now these aren't your basic trash bins! These are Binsford 2000 Bear Out trash bins! The things looked like they were made of old jail bars. I thought to myself, what would I do if I saw a bear? Probably laugh and tell him that I just saw some fresh road kill back there and it was already cut up for him. Go get it boy! I also saw where old motorcycles go to die. There was a field of old motorcycles. All sorts of shapes, sizes and brands. I really wanted to stop and take a photo but their puppy got all bent out of shape so I rode on. There was a guy in a white pickup that honked and gave me big thumbs up today! Thanks mister! There was this one home being built and it was one of those stop and gawk moments. Have you ever seen the perfect piece of land and thought about a dream house? Well, this was it for me. A huge log cabin was being built and there were mountains in the background and a good flowing creek running through the property! I envisioned Terri and I sitting on the front porch in the swing, drinking sweet tea and watching grandkids hunt crawdaddy's under the creek rocks. I called my mom and dad after I cut the foolishness in the room to let them know I made it safe. Mom said her and dad were coming up to the hospital on Friday for the arrival. That made my day! Dad doesn't get around so great so this is a big big deal to me. I told her that they would be in the VIP section and no way would they be blended in the background. She began to cry. As soon as they are done they have to go back to Benton and pack and head for Destin with my sister and her family. My family has some wild wild stories about trips to Destin but we'll keep those in the family. Ok, maybe just one story ... my sister Sherry loves to get up very early and she was out on the veranda (pronounced in my family as "VI-randa) and was telling my niece about this couple in the early morning hours making sandcastles out on the beach. Well, friends, they weren't making sandcastles! We'll stop right here! HA! When I got into Fort Smith the TV 5 station chased me through town. I took off through the traffic and haven't heard from them since. Do I get the yellow jersey for that one? HA! Speaking of TV, I guess I need to get on home pretty soon, Terri told me last night that the computer finally died. Guess what she told me today? The TV died too. I think it's a plot to have me knock out all the things I needed to be doing while I was training for the ride. You know, honey-do's. I told her I was excited that the TV died so we can get one of those cool wall mounted plasma jobs! She hung up! Tomorrow is a very short 36 miler to Booneville and my buddy Ron Rizzardi is coming up after work and maybe my niece Shannon. Ron will ride the final long day with me down Hwy 10. We'll be at the Countryside Inn in Booneville. My other niece, Melissa, is coming down from Rogers and we'll eat out tonight! I'm going to Panera Bread!!!!!

Day 10: De Queen to Mena

"When your mind tells your body to stop and your body tells your mind to shut up!"
Lance Armstrong

That was what today’s ride from De Queen to Mena was. Geesh! What a ride. I had rain, mountains, construction, heavy traffic, 18 wheelers that couldn't change lanes to keep from whipping me, it was dark, there where dogs (a pack). And I'm not in the farmland anymore ... no wavers. Not to whine but today was the toughest day of the tour. Luckily, when I got to Mena to the Limetree Inn, my room was ready. The Limetree Inn is a nice place. Everything is right here. Wal-Mart, McDonalds, onsite restaurant, etc. Hat's off to Marty Harvey and staff! Thanks for the room!

When I ate at their restaurant tonight, which by the way was a great home cooked buffet, my waitress told me about her daughter and how she loves to run. From what she told me the girl is a serious runner! The dinner crowd made me feel as if I were in Sherwood where everyone seems to know each other and laugh and tells stories. It was like a safe haven. As I was about to leave she told the folks at the table next to me about my adventure and the next thing I knew I was sitting at Rich Mountain Community College's TV production studio being interviewed. It was actually one of the best interviews so far mainly because the guy interviewing me had a daughter that was one of our burn patients years ago. He knew the compassion of the hospital. To Rudi Timmerman and the crew at Rich Mountain ... thanks, it was an honor!

I did have to go to the Wal-Mart and there was an award on the wall from that Wal-Mart for contributions to the hospital. There was a photo of Dr. Arrington holding a little baby. So here in Mena I've already come across the dad of a burn patient and a Wal-Mart that helped us be who we are! Thanks Mena ... we love you too! I did see some neat stuff today. There is an architectural outlet place just outside of Mena with so really cool stuff! So many times on this trip I wished I had a truck and my bank account thanks me that I don't! HA!

I saw the headquarters of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. It's a pretty big office on top of Iron Mountain. Even though it was raining I still pulled over and took a photo. I wondered if the headquarters is a big place for motorcyclists to stop. Reason I ask that is because there were a lot on Hwy 71 even with the rain. Now most of them did that cool motorcyclist hand down and out by the knee wave.

Just outside De Queen is a trailer park with a huge marijuana leaf painted on a big piece of plywood with a big red circle and slash through it. That's also where the pack of dogs were. Really pretty spooky place.

I know there are no kids in the town of Grannis this week. They all left for camp or at least that was the way it appeared. The whole crop had on bright orange shirts. I bet some mom's and dad's go out of the town in Grannis this week! The kid's are gone! HA!

I'm in Tyson-ville. Saw lots of chicken houses and several times I saw 18 wheelers with chicken crates pull into very small dirt roads. I also passed a processing plant that was right on the highway. Oh man, when you aren't ready for the smell, it can wake you up good. I got it in my nose hairs and I kept rubbing my nose. HA! If I could have gotten off my bike and run with my nose on the ground like I've seen dogs do I would have done it but people in little towns already give me the look. Guess I best not push it, huh?! Watching the weather here, I guess with the rain and now the sun, it has kicked the heat index into high gear. They are saying heat index for this afternoon could hit 110?! Whoa! It doesn't feel like it right now.
(late entry here: it didn't get that hot and is comfortable at 7:28pm)

Tomorrow is a 79 miler to Fort Smith. I will leave as soon as it's daylight and hopefully get there mid afternoon. I shouldn't have the big dog climbs that I've had; at least I don't think so. Fort Smith is listed as in the river valley. Please tell me that still means you go downhill! Hey Vince, if you're reading this, I can go downhill really fast now. I've had practice. Wednesday night I will be in Booneville and I got some great news today! If you've read my other journal on crazyguyonabike.com then you've seen the buddy list. Ron is on that list and he's coming up to ride from Booneville to where ever we end on Thursday. It was just the thing I needed. Several friends were going to ride but life happens and they weren't able to. It was really hard trying to figure out how to get someone to a point then get them back to their car. Just couldn't make it happen.

Hey, I got to see the ESPY Awards and what a great show! I think the best part was the Arthur Ash Award to the two athletes with disabilities. Did you see their stories? Man, what an inspiration! Today's ride is for all those who don't let a disability get in the way of their adventures.

Speaking of athletes...Jerome Taylor rocks!!!! Wahoo!!!! I would love to see the parade Friday when he makes his return.

Oh, speaking of inspiration, several folks have asked me who my inspirations are. That's an easy question! There are several and the first is my Dad. What a cut up! He taught me that you can do whatever you want to if you work at it. He always backed me on this trip. Worried a lot but backed me. Another is my trainer Rance. He's a good man and knew where to fine tune things in order for me to pull off the trip. He was always there motivating me to push a little harder. One other guy, and don't laugh about this, is our governor, Mike Huckabee. Look at what he has done to change himself. I can't imagine having that much to do and basically being able to ask for anything and still pull off the weight loss of the year! I'd be sitting in that big chair asking my assistants for Snickers and cokes all day. He's done a lot for our state and yep, he's an inspiration. Ok Ok, there is a "chick" inspiration too. It's my VP Andree'. And no, I don't have an eval coming up! She's smart, funny, very level headed and fair. She too has been behind me since the first day I thought about doing this trip. And she's a Java City junkie like me!

Baskin Robbins is across the street and it's the closest thing to Java City in Mena so it's time for my afternoon jolt!

Day 9: Texarkana to De Queen

Start: Texarkana (Don't ask me if it was Ark or Texas...it changes a dozen times on the same road)
End: De Queen
52 miles

Today's ride was 52 of the best miles of bicycling in Arkansas! Serious! I will be coming back to ride this road again! I stayed on Hwy 71 the whole time and it's new road with the best paved shoulders so far this trip! I had the wind to my back pushing me along, rolling hills, light traffic. Just the best! I got clocked going through Ashdown on the radar at 22 mph. I laughed and later there was a guy at the c-store that had been coming up behind me and you would have thought I burnt the pavement. "Were you really going that fast?"

The next town up is Locksburg. There are certain little Arkansas towns that have an old town charm and Locksburg was one of those. Not much there, but what they have is nice. Old homes and lazy cats. I stopped at the store there for water and the lady behind the counter ask how far I was going. I had just seen a sign for Fort Smith: 132 miles, so I told her that once I knock out this next 132 miles I would have gone the full circle around the state. The store came to life! It was strange saying that. The full circle is about to happen!!!!! I'm sitting here and I'm realizing that in about 48 hours I would have ridden all the way around the state of Arkansas for the kids of ACH!!!!

Now I gotta tell you honestly I wasn't expecting dooley in De Queen but buddy, I'm in paradise here! Actually I'm in the Palace Motel but I'm great! The room is a basic motel room but the shower is hooked up to the power car wash! Best shower in Arkansas! I have no skin left! HA! There is a restaurant right here and it's almost as good as going to my mom's after church ... I said almost! Can't wait for supper!

Speaking of church, I really felt bad that I wasn't able to go today. To make myself feel better I sang church songs all morning long. My daughter asked me if I just sang them to myself or really sang them. I laughed and told her I belted them out at the top of my lungs! I mean who's gonna hear me? Gee maybe that's why the dog chased me and the cows ran?! I didn't think of that! I also thought about the time of the day that it was and thought of friends back home in Bible class. I know several folks have sent emails to me to let me know they and their family and friends are thinking about me and praying for a safe trip. So I'm riding along thinking of my friends in Bible school, right, so what happens ... let me tell you ... I think someone was praying "Lord, please keep Geo cool" because it started raining! I looked up and said "God, I really don't think that's what they meant!" HA! The rain was just a very short shower.

I meant to say too that while we were in the Palace Restaurant there was a jar up on the counter for a kid that is about to have heart surgery. For a buck you could register for a bike giveaway. Craig is a 17 yr old and the money will go toward his medical bills. Here's the deal folks, if you donate, then put Geo's Bike ride but also put a slash and put Craig's name on there. I know this is for the "Greatest Need" fund but when you are in a small town and you see something like this, you just have to try something. So let's do it for Craig! Donate!!! http://www.archildrens.org/. You can also send a check to Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, 800 Marshall St, Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202 ... Geo's Ride/Craig. Well it's been a fun day! Monday will take me to Mena then I'm heading to Fort Smith on Tuesday ... back to the Hampton Inn on Rogers Ave and the Wal-Mart where it all started.

Mount Everest is within reach!

Day 8: El Dorado to Texarkana

What a difference it has seemed to make having family around! I ate like a horse last night and for the first time since the tour started; I slept all night and didn't wake until 7:50. For those who know me, know I'm always up and going by 6.

It was a fun ride today with more rolling hills and a few dogs. They just wanted to run along side for a bit, not threatening types at all. The attitude of the drivers is different today. I have noticed this before on weekend rides. Folks that are normally at work are on the road. I like it better when they're at work! HA!

I did see some neat stuff today. I went through the town of Maryville. Yes, this is was all Mary's come from! Ok, maybe it's just one of the silly thoughts you have while riding.

There was a big dip in the road and a train track goes overhead and a huge sign that says not to go through when it's underwater. I thought to myself what would I had done if there was a lot of rain and it was my only way through?

Hey, just outside Magnolia there are some farms and I've gotten used to seeing cows and horses but there was something not right out of the corner of my eye. Those animals were buffalo! Big beautiful house with live buffalo yard art. Hey Terri, let's get rid of the azaleas and get some buffs for the front yard!

I went through a town called Lewisville, actually it was just before Lewisville and it was the most depressing area I've gone through. It was just sad to see a little tot in dirty clothes playing in a mud hole. But then, at that age, I would have been happy as a loon if mom let me do that! I guess sometimes as grown-ups we forget to play in mud holes every now and then.

Something I've noticed a lot of over that past several days are the yellow ribbons. Not sure if they are for a certain house or the community. What I've noticed in south Arkansas is that the ribbons are bright yellow. Most I had seen lately have been out there awhile and faded but not in south Ark. It made me wonder if a unit from that area had just been deployed. While thinking about that I also began to think about our service men and women. I thought about the little kids whose parents have gone to fight for us. Not to get political but I don't like the war, no one does, but it's a part of freedom. I thought about my daughter's friend that's with us, you know, the other Emily. Her dad was over in there for a tour and I had just met her before her dad's return. When Staff Sergeant Thomas Grizzard returned she was the happiest child in the world. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have a parent or anyone in the family for that matter over seas. To those that have been in the service: THANK YOU!

I got shuttled through Texarkana due to the high traffic and uh... Texas drivers (I bet my coworker, Julie is rolling her eyes!). We get to stay at another Hampton Inn. This one looks like the one in Fort Smith. Super staff and when we checked in we were telling him about how we have fallen in love with Hampton Inns and he discounted the rate! Su-weeeet!!! This one is a stones throw from the mall. The two Emily's are in paradise and I'm out more money.

When I got here I spazzed out! I had a flat on the bike! No big deal really because I have everything I need to fix it and I can do it in about 10 minutes. It was the front tire but when I started looking at the back, there were pieces of tire missing! How on earth did I not get a flat from that too? I have a folding tire (Thanks for the suggestion Jerry!) but since it was mid afternoon I opted for local a bike shop. I know there are some guys that ride down here so I was fixed up with new tires and tubes in minutes. I got almost 3,000 miles out of those last tires.

I'm really starting to get excited now about the last leg of the journey! Terri and I were looking at the t-shirt and when I stop tomorrow afternoon, I will be on the last column on towns on the t-shirt. It's actually one of those happy/sad feelings. You know the kind of feeling that when you are on a great vacation and you realize that it's now half over but you try and push that thought to the back of your mind? It's hard to realize too that I am only 3 days away from making the full circle around the state.

Day 7: McGehee to El Dorado

Start: McGehee 7am
End: El Dorado 2:30pm
95.78 miles

Yes, I know I said yesterday that tomorrow (which is today) will be an easy day. I got to Crossett at 11 in the morning. No way could I stop so I did a two day schedule today and came on in to El Dorado. So this means that the schedule has changed!!

Here's what's left...
Saturday: El Dorado to Texarkana
Sunday: Texarkana to DeQueen
Monday: Dequeen to Mena
Tuesday: Mena to Fort Smith (The circle will be complete!)
Wednesday: Fort Smith to Danville
Thursday: Danville to Home
Friday: Home to ACH

I had a very touching story today. It came out of the blue in one of the small town c-stores. I was finishing up my buy and an older gentleman approached me and said he had heard what I was doing. He told me about his little grandbaby ... pride and joy! The baby was taken to ACH and lost a battle. His grandbaby died. With all the strength he could, he told me the story. I stood there watery eyes and all. It was his first grandchild. He told me of the compassion that was given throughout the whole ordeal. He told me about the doctors and called them by name. He told me about the other staff members and how they stayed with the family long past when others had left. There is a good part to the story. That was several years ago and the family has been blessed with a beautiful new grandchild. Funny how these stone faced farmers come to life when the grandkids are involved. We shook hands and it was one of the hand shakes that lasted a long time. He was telling me and ACH thank you the whole time. As I rode off, I realized that the water coming down my face this time wasn't sweat, it was tears. This day is dedicated to the little baby that watched me and his granddad from his cloud today. They still love you and miss you little fella!

A TV news crew chased me today. KTVE 10 out of LA chased me down Hwy 82 today. I stopped and gave an interview which we saw on the 6 o'clock news here. Nice guys. Funny story ... they wanted me to be putting on some of my gear as I was about to ride off and due to the cloudy day, I have a bright safety vest that I wear over my jersey. When I put it on, it got tangled around my neck! Of course THAT would be in the clip! Terri and I laughed!

One of the things I meant to tell you yesterday were that ALL the vehicles in the West Helena to McGehee area are white pickups. They must have some weird law that says you can only buy white pick ups. Now guess what happened today? After I left McGehee and took some country roads, all the vehicles were black!!???

There is a great c-store just east of Mist and it's a c-store, bait shop, diner, and quilting ladies hangout. But the girls know how to market! They are the first to have cold Snickers!

I came out of the flatland today into rolling hills. But it was rolling hills with a lot of wind at the end. Storms were brewing. I was fun to change gears and the air seems drier. Read: attitude improvement.

Terri and Emily and one of her best friends whose name is also Emily came down to hang out for the weekend. We will go over to Texarkana tomorrow. I'll ride out early and meet them there early afternoon. They can sleep in.

During today's ride just outside of Crossett and car went by and whoever was in the car had the same perfume that Terri wears. Ok, yes, it made me pedal faster! The faster I pedaled the sooner I would see Terri. And it was so good to see her this afternoon. She and Emily just sort of pecked me but once we got in and I showered they both smothered me in kisses and hugs! My girls!

One more story and this one takes places just west of Crossett. I was about to hit a long stretch of nothing but road and there were no more c-stores to stock up on water and Snickers so I was going to have to go back about a half mile then there was a shaved ice stand! Snow cones baby!!! I asked the lady if I could get my water bottles filled and she gave it to me. No charge. I thought I was in heaven later down the road when I took my first sip! Man, it was the coldest, freshest water I had ever drank. So if you are ever in Crossett and see the Shaved Ice stand, lock those brakes up and order a lot! She's a sweetheart!

Looks to be a fun weekend ahead!

Day 6: West Helena to McGehee (The long way)

Start: West Helena 5:45am
End: McGehee 3:50pm
Miles: 142 (longest miles I've ever ridden in one day)

I went the long way...not on purpose. I missed a certain short cut road and saw lots of country. Of course it helped that I was in farmland where people wave and made me feel safe. So I came to ride and boy, ride I did today!

The morning started early and I slept well, finally, and had a good breakfast and on the road about 5:45. I was told not to take 49 but being that early I knew the traffic would be light and it was. The great thing was that the road construction that was on my side of the road had put down miles of pavement but not finished on that side yet so there was my very own private bike path for miles! What a dandy way to start the morning! Just as my luck ran out, guess what, the road I was taking was right there! Down the country road I went.

Beautiful delta sunrise. Then while I'm wheeling on down the road, what do I come to? A grass farm. I have a good friend, Lea Carnathan, who works at the hospital and she's from Helena and her dad and uncle own a grass farm. No way, can't be! Yes way, and there's the sign. I bust out laughing and whip out the phone and call Lea's office and tell her. She doesn't believe me at first then we both laugh and laugh! I told her what was going on at the farm this morning and her sister-inlaw drove by. I took a picture and will post when I get back.

Next I got to go through the White River Wildlife Refuge. What a place! I stopped on a bridge and looked around and imagined that it hasn't changed much since the Native American's lived there. I saw Moon Lake where my boss, Jerry (he's from Helena too) went fishing a few weeks ago.

Next stop was De Witt to talk with Erin, a reporter for the paper there. Really nice girl. I asked her if there was much news going on in De Witt right now and she said everyone is having vacation Bible school. I love small town news!

Next stop was Back Gate. Great place to stop! They're going to get a few t-shirts mailed to them! They were amazed that someone had their town on a shirt. The guys were all at one big table and I figured it was talk of watching deer grow and getting ready for high school football.

I turned and took Hwy 1 to McGehee and that's where the fun began. There was a short cut road I was supposed to watch for and I was enjoying the day and went right past it. I cost me about 40 miles! Storms were trying to form just as I got to the motel.

The towns:
West Helena: Nice Best Western, private bike path until the roads are finished.
Trenton: Big grass farm and funny dogs. Also has 2 Baptist churches across the road from each other and there's not that many folks that live out there. I guess they go to each others potlucks. HA!
De Witt: Great c-store that will let you fill you water bottles with ice and water free!
Back Gate: Eat there!

Funny stuff:
The giant man made of tires!
The combine that came up from behind me and the big arms went over me! The farmer and I enjoyed a laugh!
The daredevil big yellow birds, otherwise known as crop dusters. No one can put me beside one of those guys and call me crazier! They are fun to watch!
Those 200 dollar blue swimming pools from Wal Mart!!! There is one in every other yard in the delta! I'm really serious!
The momma dog that jumped up and ran across the yard with nursing babies attached. The little guys stayed on!

Oh remember yesterday when I said I liked McGehee? It was a different town. I can see Terri shaking her head now saying, "Yes, honey, it was. But this one has that Baskin Robbins that we ALWAYS have to stop at." I'm checked in at the Best Western and the room itself is nice but for the life of me I can't figure out where all the mosquitoes come from ... I talking about in my room! Killed at least 20-30. Will sleep with OFF on!

Tomorrow is a short day! Aren't all Friday's? HA!! I was going to stay in North Crossett but I'll be going on through and Terri, Emily and her friend Melissa are coming to kidnap me off the road.

Saturday is going to be a rest day and one that is desired if I say so myself. We'll be in El Dorado.

Here are all the questions that everyone seems to want to know:
1) Are you tired yet? Yes, but having a good time.
2) Have you run out of water? No, I'm carrying and extra besides the two I already carry.
3) How much have you raised? Not sure.
4) Your favorite day so far? Springdale to Yellville because of the folks that cheered me up the hill when I was tired.
5) Your worst moment? Other than the mosquitoes in this room, it was today when I realized that I could only keep riding and there were no other ways to get to McGehee. Also had the first thing thrown from a passing car at me. It was just a top of a plastic drink bottle and it missed me. My silent thought, Hey buddy, I hope you miss that trophy deer this season too!
6) Are you going to do it next year? Don't know. Probably not a 2 week trip but I'd like to take a group top to bottom or West to East across the state.

If you want to email me send it to: geoatthehospital@hotmail.com

Day 5: Jonesboro to West Helena

Start: Jonesboro 6:30a
End: West Helena 3:18p
Miles: 103

A cloudy morning to start riding but that was a good thing actually. I was lucky to have overcast until almost noon, then I had a cloud or two for shade. Otherwise, it was me riding through the rice and cotton fields. One of the things I wanted to do on this trip was go slow enough to take notice just how much of Arkansas is farmed. Ok, I've got a pretty good idea! The rice fields are great to ride through because the breeze coming off the fields would be cool on one side and the heat of the road would be hot on my left side. Weird feeling.

I didn't update again last night but Jonesboro has a GREAT Circle of Friends chapter there! They came by and said howdy and gave me a gift card for the Ruby Tuesday's that was a stones throw from the hotel. Thank you very much Jill and Sarah! I told Rance what I had eaten and he said, laughing, "Well, it sounds like you are getting your calories!" I never eat like this but I had the Steak and Crapcake combo with a huge baked potato and broccili. To be perfectly honest, when I got finished and really wanted to ask for another order!

Back to today ... When folks tell you that you would be happy just to shift gears in the delta, believe them! I was riding at times completely zoned out. My pal, Jason Ketcher tried to talk me into an MP3 player before I left. Why do I not listen to my friends? OK, I'll say this in a different way, "Oh why do I not turn up my hearing aid when friends try to tell me something?" HA! I was outside of Marianna and I was trying to sing Sweet Home Alabama and forgot the words half way through. Honest, I almost stopped and called someone to sing it for me. An MP3 player would have taken care of that huh?! By the way, I've made up some of the goofyest songs. Most sound like someone after too many drinks.

Ok, favorite things I've seen today. Rice is not on the list, but it is really pretty in the breeze. When you get to Lexa there is a very old sign and then a house that must have been from back in the days. Lots of Queen Ann's Lace flowers along the way. Old churches. Oh and the little boys throwing rocks at each other. I know that's not sopposed to be funny but, there are these 2 little boys and they are on opposite ends of the yard and both just stood there and one would throw a rock at the other then reverse. Neither moved to keep from getting hit. I really wanted to call Jackie in our ER to see if we got a kid with rock trauma this afternoon. HA! I reminded me of a old west movie except rocks instead of guns.

City stuff:
Wynne has a very nice sports complex!
Cherry Valley has a great c-store but I when I sat down at the pinic table outside the blood sucking blackbirds attacked me! Ok, maybe it was mosquitos. The delta loves their pets!
The 3 girls at the c-store just outside of Marianna are sweethearts! I walked in and there was no place to sit but I had been riding for almost 40 straight miles non stop, in the heat, and after I told them what I was doing and I really needed to stop and cool down for a moment, they let me hang out in the back of the store. Even gave me great short cut directions to the hotel.
West Helena Best Western has the best check in! I walked in and told the lady I was very sorry I was dripping in sweat and smelled like the trash can and she smiled and told me it was no problem, got me checked in and gave me HOT chocolate chip cookies. If I would have died right there on the spot, I would have died happy! I got into the room and attacked them.

It was a long day of riding on the flat lands of the delta, but one thing I really believe now. When the politican's say stuff about the people of their region being great, I beleive them now. You can truly get strength from the kindness of others. Whether it's a honk and a thumbs up, a chocolate chip cookie, or a simple smile ... good deeds and kindness pull us all through the day!

Tomorrow (Thursday) takes me to McGehee. I really do like McGehee because we stop to eat at the Subway whenever we go to see Terri's folks in FL. Oh by the way, they've gotten power back on and have gone back to Navarre. Tomorrow's hotel looks to be Best Western again! Come on cookies!!!!

Y'all will laugh but I have this really great tan but I couldn't be paid to show up in a swimsuit right now! Looks like I've stuck my hands and feet in white paint. Looks like a get ad for Farmer Tan 2000 sunless tanning spray!

One last thing **warning...if you have a weak tummy, don't read it ... but if you like to do the "AWWWW GROSSS!" read on! When I was riding today there was a time when I was on a very small shoulder and lots of traffic. Anyway, there was a road flatten Armdillo and I had no choice but to go through it. I know... Eww! But it gets better!!! I reached down to grab my water bottle and as I was about to drink I smelled and suddenly realized that the road grit on one side of my water bottle was road kill spew! Water tasted like chicken! HA!!!

Day 4: Salem to Jonesboro

Start: Salem 6:30 am
End: Jonesboro 3:15pm
93 miles

Special thanks to Becky and Jeff Wade for donating the room for me tonight! Super couple!

What a fun day of riding! I tired but I'm not hurting anywhere. I started the morning in Salem with dark clouds and very cool temps. Got over to, oh crud, I forgot the name of the town ... it's about 6 miles outside of Hardy. Anyway, met with Chris Wulff of Areawide Media. Very nice lady with a great smile. We visited for a few moments then it was on the road again.

Hardy: My new favorite little town! I wished I could have stayed there in the downtown area. I stopped for my morning Snickers (I won't tell you how many I have eaten but it's massive now!) and the folks at the c-store in Hardy are a nice as folks can get! The guys in the eating area thought I had lost my mind! One lady told me that if it weren't for Children's that her granddaughter would not be alive today. She got teary eyed. Those are the stories that make the ride worthwhile. I have to admit, Lisa Adams the fantasic staff of our NICU are second to none!

HWY 412: I really want to say this is a great Hwy for cyclist but I can't. Way to many 18 wheelers, and construction. I did see one other roadie coming from the the other direction. Seeing another cyclist gave me added strength! Don't get me wrong, from Black Rock to about Hoxie turnoff is some prime riding with huge shoulders without gravel.

Hearn's Deli and Produce: My new best friends! I had to walk my bike over the Black River so I was bummed about that and I really had hoped I would have seen farmer produce stand by now but with the rain they weren't out. Hearn's is a place just this side of the bridge and they are as freindly as it comes! Had a HUGE turkey and swiss sandwich and fresh banana. They even had fried pies which I love but figured best not to eat one this time. I sat outside on the bench with the black lab (Yes, Emily, I know you want one).

Hwy 91: I went to Eygpt today! The road through there was excellent with the farmers that all wave. Farmers are great aren't they? The farm dogs would stand up, shake off the dust, look at me and lay back down. I laughed. When this trip is over I might do that too! HA! There was a very pretty little Church of Christ out in the middle of nowhere and it had a small pond beside it. Stopped and had a banana there and told God thanks for the tailwind pushing me along at 24 mph!

Jonesboro: Kim, if you are reading this, bless your heart! I mean it! I got to the Holiday Inn this afternoon and opened the door to a gift package from Kim. I'm going to get shot saying this but it's Rance's Kim (yep, the girl my trainer dates). She lives in J'Boro. Rance had told me to take the access road but I thought it would be quicker to buzz through town. I seem to always get into trouble when I don't listen to the trainer! I spoke with Kim on the phone and now I understand why Rance likes this girl. What a sweetheart!

Another story of the kindness of Jonesboro folks is the guy that not only gave me directions but blocked traffic for a moment in his truck to get me over to the access road. He is a runner.

Media: I might have missed a big media chance but I was determined that I was going to take it easy riding in. Then my cell phone battery said no more juice. If you are media and I missed your deadline, I'm really sorry.

Family: They are doing fine and I talk to Terri a several times a day and Tyler and Emily too. I don't like hurricanes at all but the new Hurricane Emily is a perfect name for Emily Cobb! HA!

Tommorrow takes me to West Helena and the Weather Channel says the wind will be from the north to the south! Possible showers but then said that about today but just got a spit shower or two...or maybe it came from one of those dump trucks (HA!). Who knows!

Day 3: Yellville to Salem

Start: Yellville 6:15
End: Salem: Noon
62 miles

Special thanks to my friend Juanita at Children's for donating the room for me tonight! Love you girl!

I didn't sleep very well at all! The hurricane was supposed to dump rain on north Arkansas, there was a flood light shining right in my window, and today was the first day that I was going the distance fully loaded. I had all the fears of "what if".

Once I got going I was fine. I stopped in Cotter for refreshments and why do they always have to come in when I'm there? I talking about the guys the work outside. NWAR Electric Co-op were working in the area and there I stood in my bike shorts and cleats tapping the floor when I walked. There are times I would give anything to be standing in jeans and a t-shirt. One of the guys had just gotten a mohawk and the co-workers where joking with him about it. It was hidden under a baseball cap. He took it off and the place roared. It was then my turn at the check out and the mohawk had been in front of me, when he turned around I told him I would have gotten one of those too but I was already dressed so bad that I was probably about to get run out of town. They all started laughing again. Just the good ole boys!

The guys had told me I would hit rain about 17 miles down the road. Oh man, I rode across Lake Norfolk and the wind got bad! I was very nervous going over the bridge, even though it had huge shoulders and no traffic. I was riding sideways/titled. Then the rain came. About 30 miles of riding in the rain. It had it's bonus though...need a drink, just open your mouth! I suspect when I get to the Delta, it will be, need a snack, just open your mouth! Eat a bug!

Saw a pair of big deer! Big rack! No, I'm not giving you guys the location!

I got to Salem at noon and David the publisher of the newspaper group up there (Areawide Media) Met me in the parking lot and asked if I wanted to grap some lunch. I was starving but had to change clothes. He came back in 30 minutes and we had a nice lunch at the Dairy Queen there and he introduced me to one of the editors who's name was also George. Nice guys.

I was worried about dinner since the rain was really coming down now but there was actually a place in Salem called Dale's Pizza that delivered! I was saved! I ate big! I thought ahead and ordered cinnamon sticks so I would have something for breakfast. They were great! They are actually breadsticks with and apple and cinnamon filling.

Tomorrow I head for the big city of Jonesboro! Looking forward to that! (Note to my sister Sherry and my co-workers...I need a latte! Maybe I can find one there!)

Note to Rance: Serious bro, Homers fried chicken is starting to sound really good!

Day 2: Springdale to Yellville

Start: Springdale
End: Yellville

Want a great experience? Bicycle in NW ARK!

Today's ride took me along Hwy 412 to Harrison then a shutteled through town due to no shoulder and everyone in Arkansas must have gone to Branson this past weekend. Heavy traffic! You folks in NW ARK are the best! The ride made two papers up here so kids, we were the talk of the town today! Folks were driving by and slowing way down and honking and rolling down their windows and giving me the thumbs up, groups stopped on the side of a big climb and cheered me up the mountain, folks stopped and took photos and cheered! Honest, the "mountain people" are the best! One guy stopped on the side of the road and asked me where he could donate! Just felt like Tour de France in Arkansas! NW ARK, serious, thank you for making my first two days of the tour a great one!

If you are up in NW ARK, Hwy 412 is a good one to ride.

Terri and Emily left this afternoon to head back to Sherwood. Makes it a lot easier to say that they are only a couple of hours away.

Got a motel room in Yellville at the Carlton-Marion Inn. Nice quite little country inn that's very well kept. The plan was really to stay in Harrison but with the threat of bits of Hurricane Dennis, we went further than expected. Glad too because they are saying gusty winds of 15-25 mph. These are going to be head winds too! Hoping they don't blow until the afternoon. If I can get to Salem tomorrow then we will be able to stay on schedule. Mountain Home is the town before Salem so if I have to I can stop there if weather is wicked. The roads here are much like the type that are out in the Scott/England area. Rough which is actually good for the ride if raining. I've gone through a couple of those oiled/slick roads today but they were dry. Wet would spell danger!

Tomorrow will also be the first day with the fully loaded bike. Since I had Terri and Emily (and Melissa), there wasn't reason to carry 12 extra lbs of clothing and such.

Favorite things from today's ride:
Getting to see the mountains from the top. Beautiful!
The cheering section that became my best friends.
The Store in Dry Creek and the farmer thattold me about the road ahead.
How nice the Carlton-Marion is in Yellville!
The blue and orange flowers that grow on the side of the road.

Come back tomorrow for adventures of Day 3: Yellville to Salem

Oh yeah, camera is fighting the computer so I'll upload photos as soon as I can.

Day 1: Ft Smith to Springdale

Photos: Howdy and welcome to Oklahoma! Oh crap! Wrong bridge! Channel 5 News in Ft Smith the night before. Vince Cucco and myself at the Wal-Mart parking lot about to start the ride. Finally heading toward Alma. Start time 6am Start city: Fort Smith End City: Springdale End time: Noon Average speed: 13.7 (There's a 9 mile climb. Longest in Arkansas) Thank you Vince Cucco! I enjoyed the ride!
Honestly friends, I don't know where to start! What a great past couple of days it has been. We got to Ft Smith around 6 and checked in to the Hampton Inn. Oh man, you should see this Hampton Inn. Absolutely beautiful! I asked the girl at check in if it was new and she said it was 11 years old. We all just looked at each other. This is one of the prettiest hotels I've stayed in. I wished I could have said I slept well but didn't, just too nervous. To Michael and the staff of Hampton Inn... 5 stars!!
Saturday morning 5am came and I had butterflies in my stomach. I had forgotten my riding gloves during the packing even though the list was checked 3 times. Lucky for me Wal-Mart where we started carried gloves. Crisis over!
I met Vince Cucco in the parking lot and we got started. The moment I started pedaling I felt all the worries go! I was doing what I came to do ... ride. Ok here's the funny part of the story that folks are going to joke about but I'm going to be honest here. We took a wrong turn! Within minutes Vince and I where riding over the Arkansas River Bridge to see a big old "Welcome to Oklahoma" sign. I was laughing so hard. I told him that this was what makes life an adventure!
We finally got turned around and heading to Alma then toward Fayetteville. The ride was actually fun, yes, even the big ole hill. I dropped down the gears and paced myself and climbed and climbed and climbed. But the views from the climb were worth every stroke! Northwest Arkansas, man you're beautiful!
Got to Fayetteville and there were a group of guys and girls about to head out for a ride. A few minutes later I was surrounded with the united colors of NW Arkansas. There were so many different bright jersey’s and I'll be a lot of money to have had to photo of it. Super nice folks!
Here's one thing I will point out: Central Arkansas could learn from NW ARK!! Did you know that I was on an extremely busy road and only one honk! The cyclist are visible everywhere! We saw them in the mountains, in town, you name it! There are family rides on weeknights, and huge group rides on weekends. Cyclist heaven! To the groups out riding and wishing me good luck, thank you, it was an honor to ride along with you for a little bit.
The ride finished up right around noon. 75 miles with an average spend of 13.7 (Stop rolling your eyes, there was that 9 mile mountain to climb). 2 newspapers and a TV crew filming the end of the first day.
Tomorrow 6am is going to come early. I'll be going from Springdale to Harrison. Shorter hills but steeper.
**Note: My in-laws have boarded up their house (Navarre/Pensacola, FL) and came to North Little Rock to wait out the hurricane. Please keep the FL panhandle in your thoughts. The area cannot handle this again.
***Another note: If the hurricane produces rain during this tour, I will stay put wherever I happen to be. I'm not risking safety.

Hey kid, this ride's for YOU!

Hey kids, this ride's for you!

There has been a ton of publicity surrounding the ride and the show of love from everyone has been awesome. ACH patients, let me tell you, the state of Arkansas and beyond loves you and they are pulling for you! Me? I'm just a guy going for a bike ride to make sure folks think about you and help make you better by donating to help find cures for the illnesses.

Well, got to wrap this up and get ready to head to Fort Smith this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow's start.

Kids ... be strong, be well

If you would like to donate please call ACH Foundation (Amy Brantley) at 501-364-1476 or go online to www.archildrens.org

The Family and Friends that made a difference

This is the page dedicated to all the family and friends that helped me make this happen. To you, I could not have done it without you!

The Family:
Terri, I love you and we really might slow down some day.
Tyler, I'm so proud of you! If there's a reader in the entertainment industry for motions graphics, this guy is really good!
Emily, Butterfly kisses to you!
Mom and Dad (Bo and Peggy Cobb of Benton) You're the best parents!
The Rah-rah sisters (Sherry, Donna, Cathy and Barbie) Oh man, what a family!
The neices and nephews: Always a laugh and good time!
To my neice Melissa: Do you have any idea how many lives your "Geo's Ride" volunteer work is about to change? From the bottom of my heart... Thank you!
Buford and Peggy Barentine (Navarre, Florida) The best in-laws!

The Friends:
The is not enough room for this but I'll be working on it so check back!
Ron Rizzardi, Mike Mason, Kyle McNeese, Doug Childress, Ricky Beale ...

The Coworkers:
Thank you for not throwing me out the window and to Evie and Julie a special thanks for covering me while I ride!

And a very special thanks:
Rance Bryant, my trainer ... Thank you bro!

The Corporate Thank You Page

As with my other journal that seems to have gone to the land of the lost, there was a thank you page so this will be the new thank you page.

To my corporate sponsors: You will never know how much your generous contributions will change a child's life for the better! From myself and all the kids here at ACH, we say, thank you!

Arkansas Stone Importers
Bank of America
bikejournal.com
Del Monte Foods
Dole Food Company, Inc
ECreative Group, Inc
Farmers Insurance Group (Ray Roberts Insurance)
General Mills
Glidewell Distributing Company
Hampton Inn of Fort Smith
Holiday Inn City Center of Fort Smith
Honeywell Consumer Products
Lawrence, Schluterman & Schwartz
Lawson & Company Graphics & Printing
Lexicon
Lloyd Schuh Company, Inc
Luther Stem Pool and Spas
M K Distributors, Inc
Newell Rubbermaid
Pacific Cycle (Schwinn and Mongoose bikes)
Panera Bread
Putnam Lincoln Mercury
Richards & Sons, Inc
Seville Salon
Shell Oil
Statco Hearing Laboratory
TEC of North Little Rock
Walt Disney Company
Wilcox Group

Yep, it's all for the kids!

TV, radio, newspapers ... wow the story is really getting out there! If you're one of those outlet's, thank you!

Here's all the big questions of the day (so far):

1) Are you ready? Yes!! Even if you ask my trainer, Rance Bryant, he's even saying "yes" now! That's a good sign!

2) Are you nervous? Yep that too! It's more the excitment you get just before a big trip. You know, did I remember to pack my toothbrush.

3) How's the donations coming? Looking good but still a ways to go.

4) How's Terri (your wife) doing? HA! She's a nervous wreck! Our son returned to Denver today after being here for a couple of weeks, she accidently bumped the Explorer on the side of the garage as she was backing out (just cracked the rearview mirror, not major at all), she pulled off a great send off party for me last night, her list goes on and on.... the girl doesn't stop!

5) Did you really crash on the train tracks? Yes and it bit me too! I was riding with friends a couple of weeks ago and we were returning and in a pace line and I hit the tracks, which were not straight across, and my wheel dropped in and flipped me going 24 mph! But I'm fine thanks to my bike helmet!

6) Why Children's? Because I work there and I love it! My boss, Jerry, puts it in perspective by saying, go across the street to the main hospital and walk the halls and see how the staff we recruited are working, caring and changing the lives of kids every day! It's really an amazing staff we have!

7) Is the website you had your journal on coming back? I hope so because all the training journal and stories are there.

8) If you are riding down the road during the trip and a child wants to ride along with you for a moment, will you slow down? (Laughing) You bet ... actually the child will more than likley have to slow down for me to keep up! I know some of our little patients can smoke those little trikes in the halls of ACH! They all deserve the yellow jersey!

9) What's your bike song? I've been known to sing "Jesus loves me" before getting to the top of a hill. I like the old rock stuff really. Seger, Zepplin, ZZ Top. The stuff my buddy Kevin plays.

10) What's your next adventure? Well, I've put most of my free time into this ride so I'm thinking my "honey-do" list will be next next adventure!

Head out to the Highway

I'm not sure what happened but the website I was using for the journal of my ride has seemed to have left the building! I have 3 months of thoughts, photos and stories and it's all gone. Ok so we are back to sqaure one. I really like this site better anyway. If it ever comes back, my journal is www.geo.crazyguyonabike.com

So here I am having a mid-life crisis (sort of) and deciding to take 2 weeks and ride my bicycle around the borders of the state of Arkansas. I work for Arkansas Children's Hospital so I thought I would merge my love of bicycling with a vacation slash fund raiser to help make a difference in a child's life.

I hope you enjoy the adventure as much I as enjoy writing about it!