Key West for Kayla

Friday, April 2, 2010

Some Closing Thoughts & Thanks

I have come to the end of the road! Quite literally! I find it surprisingly hard to believe that over the last month I rode my bicycle 1,819 miles from Stillwater, OK to Key West, Florida. It does not feel real to have woken up every morning, get on my bike, and ride it all day long. While pedaling down the road may have filled my days it was definitely not the content.

Nearly every inch traveled was new to me and the distance was not only measured in mile markers but with friends and family. Be they old or new relationships they all seemed to ask the same question: "Why?" As if they expected me to be prepared with some rehearsed, definite answer. They appeared to be satisfied when I replied with a keywest4kayla.blogspot.com charity flyer but I did not begin this journey with an answer to "why." I, myself, am not even sure how this all began.

Maybe it was merely an adventure, a challenge, a test of my physical capabilities, to discover if I was mentally strong enough to overcome the urge to quit something so taxing, to raise some awareness and money for Kayla, to see just how good of a planner I really am, how I would react to all the unforeseeable obstacles that are impossible to plan for, to see just how stubborn I truly am, to uphold my motto of always doing what I say I will, prove I am capable, to find direction in my life, experience some sort of epiphany, uncover the secrets of life, to be someone instead of anyone, because someone said I couldn't, or just to ride to a warm, tropical destination.

And, in conclusion, it is not any one of those reasons, but a combination of them all - woven together in a complicated fashion in which one clear, definite answer can not be separated from the others and stand alone. The depths of my reasons go beyond any explanation. And, I am completely content with that because this has been the most meaningful, un-pointless ride of my life. Yes, it was hard. Yes, it was long and monotonous at times. Yes, there was at least one day I wanted to quit (between Lafayette and Morgan City, LA). No, I am not riding my bike back. But, what I have learned about myself and others, the places I've seen, the people I've met are simply irreplaceable. I can not say I have not lived.

Thank you Ron Meredith, Travis Chipres, Mom, Helen & Jim Reeves, Amanda Hoddy, Mikey & Linda Ratliff, Andrew Atchison, Andrew's Papa, Jenna Plumley, Ashley Crawford, Robert Davenport, John Moon & Niki, the Engeron family, Brittany List, Robert Siler, Robert & Travis, the Tyrone Injury & Wellness Center, Reale Bicycles, Derek Brice & Chris, Levi Branson, Jesse Gaud, Madill Subway, Kayla Nimmo, Cooper's Bicycle, Corey Whaley, Adrian Overton, Jerimy Cottino, Kurt Stebbins, everyone who gave me words of encouragement along the way (Lora, Pearle, Tedric, Mirella, DJ, Beth, Lisa, Robert Green, Tone, Randy, Mo, JC, Rene, Jon, Anthony, Tabi, Barber, Danielle, Brittany Bailey, Kaelyn) and everyone who donated!

P.S. The direction of life is always forward and the destination is only limited by your own imagination.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Day 28: Key West

ARRIVED IN KEY WEST!!

I didn't plan on this being the last day but the wind was not blowing in my face (for once!) and the forecast for tomorrow has the wind in my face with thunderstorms... I did not want to have put on my favorite outfit one more freaking time and ride in that mess! After 28 days on the road I was definitely ready to be done. So I went ahead and rode the last 50 miles to the end of US Highway 1 which made for 127 miles today and 1,819 miles total. It was a long, hot day but not nearly as bad as some of my shorter days! Since the wind was not with me but not against me either I could cruise along at around 20 mph which felt so great! But whoever designed the bike route here in the Keys has obviously never ridden a bike! Tight curves, wavy up and down pavement, tree roots, and dangerous intersection make the road a safer place to ride! Seriously, hitting a tree root speed bump at 20 mph with sweaty hands will bring you uncomfortably close to eating asphalt.

*Donate to the Kayla Smith Fund*My 11 year old cousin has been progressively losing motor function (such as walking or talking) for the last 2 years and has no diagnosis. Her insurance will not work with the hospital, so she needs our help in order to get some answers!

Donations:
Credit Union of America
711 W. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67213
Checks payable to "Kayla Smith Fund"
(800) 256-8049

News Story

Medical Mystery Has Family Asking For Answers And Help

As the Wichita Thunder fought for a win on the ice Sunday, a little girl stood just outside, fighting a much different battle.

KAKE Channel 10 news link:
http://www.kake.com/kansas/headlines/87628997.html

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Day 27: GATOR SITING

Saw my first wild alligator this morning!!! And it was HUGE! Definitely bigger than me. It's a strange feeling to realize you are not at the top of the food chain. But some how I managed to escape the Everglades without being mauled or eaten by any gators, bears, or cougars. I'm kinda over the gators as well... I've seen more than I can count now! In this picture there are two alligators... The monster on the bank in the back ground and a little one swimming.

The roads have been so rough they broke my water bottle holder! I used my stick-to-itself bandage wrap to fix it... Would much rather use it on my bike than me anyways!

I am staying at the 'Gateway to the Keys' tonight! Only 125 miles and 2 days to go!

Day 26: Alligator Alley

Welcome to Alligator Alley! Rolled through the Everglades today and it's a hot, humid mess! I was just trying to out ride the smell of myself! I'm still on the look out for an alligator... There has to be one around here somewhere... Stopped in the Big Cypress Bend boardwalk on my search but still no gator! Going to spend the whole day tomorrow in the everglades so there is still hope!

Day 25: 1500 Miles

I don't even know why I bother looking at the forecast for wind any more. I should just know it's gonna be blowing right at me regardless of what they predict. I don't know how they can say SW when it's obviously NW... But by some kind of miracle I make it to 1,500 miles and to Fort Myers. After I put on my special Gator Skin tires yesterday i managed to get a flat!!!! Today was a flash back of Louisiana where I was riding all day, dealing with every obstacle possible, and pulling into my stop as the sun sets!

Day 24: Chiropractor

Busy rest day! Went down to Venice Beach, got Gator Skin tires, went to the chiropractor.....

But still found some time to mess around! I don't have any explanation for this picture... I really don't! HA!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Day 23: Manatees

Stopped in at the Manatee Education Center in Homosassa Springs. I wanted to see a real manatee but the tour was a minimum of 3 hours! No time for that when I got 65 miles of wind fighting left to go!

Excited I made it to Tampa to see my girl, Brittany! She took me out to John's Pass and made sure to show me a good time (I expected nothing less from her)! I love this girl!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Day 22: Century

Rode my first century today! And I thought West Texas was boring landscape... There was literally nothing interesting to look at or take pictures of today. Which made the 102 miles straight into the wind quite monotonous and long. If I understood how sails worked I would take one right about now! I think if I could get a tail wind (or no wind) I could get to Key West in no time! Staying in THE motel in Inglis which means I only have about 500 miles left!

Day 21: Sopchoppy & Outz Too

SOPCHOPPY!!!!! What a name! Made me laugh even though I was riding in the rain and wind.

Oh what a mess! Still looking for a gator... Raptors, gators, bears... oh my!

Stopped at Ouzts Too in Newport, FL for lunch. They have a band come on at 3 every Sunday. Wish I had the time to wait but 93 miles takes up most of the day!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Day 20: Explosives, Bears, & Hogs, Oh My!!

Took the bike in for a check up.

Entered the Jurassic forest... was worried about a raptor or T-Rex appearing then I came across these signs about explosives... really glad I got my bike looked at so I was pedaling at top speed!

AND BEARS?!?!?! Man at home we have deer crossing signs... I don't know about this...

Welcome to Hell!! Considering the day I've had riding 98 miles straight into the wind...

Well I thought it was only worth riding 98 miles for! It wasn't Head Country but it was pretty damn tasty.xt the the ocean. Dinner wasn't Head Country but it was worth riding 98 miles for!

Day 19: Beach Boys

Never a boring moment with these guys!

Finally the sun! Who needs to rent the chairs on the beach when you can make your own?!?

Spent most of the day on the beach reading a crappy romance novel I found in the hotel lobby and being turned into a sand mermaid on the beach.

Every time I breathed my right breast fell off!

I always thought it would be cool to be a mermaid... but I never envisioned being a mermaid with a gigantic belly!

I was really impressed with the detail and effort Derek put into my mermaid body.... It had to be hard to concentration with my whining about having to pee the whole time and how the huge belly was so heavy and pressing directly on my bladder!

Tried to relax before heading back out on the road tomorrow but life is never boring with Don (Ed Hardy model), Derek, Chris, & Brice!

Day 18: Margaritaville

Another cold and rainy day in Panama City Beach. Glad I'm on Spring Break now! 2 days off from riding instead of schooling.

But the boys enjoyed my share of margaritas!

Spent most of the day in the hot tub but made it to Margaritaville for lunch. I forgot my ID in my "club pants" so I enjoyed a nice iced tea instead of a margarita.

I'll get a margarita when I get to Key West. (ceiling at Margaritaville)

Cold, windy day = bored boys = mischievous boys... Derek found some caution tape and we tried to mark off the side of the hotel.

Took a taxi to club La Vela... and got pulled over!!! Then the driver kicked us out about a mile away from our destination... What the crap?

Finally made it to La Vela to dance the night away! They said there were 10 different clubs but someone thought it would be funny to hide them... There were all kinds of secret stairs and passages. I wasn't even drinking and I was confused!

But whatever room I found myself in I just went with it! Rock concert, rave, and blacklight were all fun!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Day 17: Panama City Beach

Thought I should maybe put on a new tire this morning.. HA! I have been riding on this gash for at least 2 days now! Thank goodness I put in a protective liner between Morgan City and New Orleans! By the looks of this tire it saved me a ton of flats and time!

Rode 50 miles in 3 hours to get to Panama City Beach. Didn't want to take any breaks because it was cold and raining and I was ready to see my friends!

Would rather be on the beach hanging out but it was way too cold... don't worry we made the most of it! Tried to make friends with everyone on the 4th floor!