Day 19: Morro Bay to Buellton
Miles on the Road: 88
Weather: 80's and sunny
Wind: Crosswind and a Tailwind
Terrain: A few climbs, but the grading was great for a day-after-125 miler'
Songs stuck in my head: "Angels" -Amy Grant
"It's a great day to be alive." -Travis Tritt
**See the first picture and the summary below
Why I'm not finishing the last three days of the 2007 Hunger Ride....or returning to Memphis for that matter: I bought a gas station here in Buellton. Soon, Tom's Gas will be a household name around the West Coast. (see pic)
How I felt today after my bout' with dehydration last night: "Like a million bucks"
What I ate for lunch today: 3 pieces of cod and some french fries
Good advice of the day: This morning while we were finishing our breakfast at Mcdonald's (a deluxe breakfast w/ coffee and water) there was an old man in a 1970's Bell bicycle racing jacket that gave us a few shortcuts thru downtown Morro Bay. He said that he used to bike close to 12,000 miles a year. Man, That's huge.
ANGEL'S WATCHING OVER US.........
There is a song that Amy Grant used to sing called "Angels." In the song, she speaks of God's sovereign control over all the universe and the little things that happen in our lives when He watches over us on a daily basis. Today, this song came to mind after an event that happened this afternoon.
Around three o'clock or so we were riding on Hwy 246 outside of Lompoc,Ca. We had a just climbed for about 30 minutes or so and the three of us (Tom, Andrea, and Stephen) were in the middle of a three mile descend. We were spread fairly well between the three of us--at least 30 seconds or so between riders as we raced the swift turns of the downhill. These really can be so much fun. I had stopped to take a picture while Stephen had already made it to the bottom. Andrea passed me as I had stopped to take the picture. Shortly after she passed me, a Volkswagen Jetta was on her tail down the twists and turns of the canyon we were riding down. She decreased her speed, seeing this car was very intent to pass her. She allowed the car to pass.
Literally 1-2 minutes later, Andrea rounded a corner and found this car upside down. The driver, probably driving somewhere between 70-80 mph, had flipped the car and totalled it. He had gone too fast around a corner, overcorrected the vehicle, and crawled up the inbankment before it flipped over. Andrea was the first on site, and I followed moments after.
Unbeliebably, the driver walked out of the car the was totally dismantled and upside down. He was ok, but obviously very shaken. We all were stunned. I've never been so close to anything like that before. It's really in moments like this......in a matter of seconds....you go from daydreaming about the road ahead, what you're going to eat for supper, and that great cold shower after the ride.......to realizing that the only reason that you're still on the road is because of the grace of God.
Scripture that came to mind.....Col 1:15-17, Acts 12
THANKS for the many of you who are praying for this trip.
Tomorrow's Ride: 110 miles to Malibu,CA
SHOUTS OUTS.....
*Hey "Million Dollar Man" Ted Debiase---I want you in a cage match later this summer. Cincy, Knoxvegas, Memphis, you name the place. Me and You, mono y mono.
posted by The Hunger Ride at 6/20/2007
6 Comments:
Hello Hungerride Team, thank you Lord for watching over the team as they journy on to the finish. How exciting to have had and still have other riders join you. Also to have Stephen's grandpa and brother to sag wagon with you. Keep up the good work sag wagoners!
Hey, I didn't realize it was going to be Tom's Gas that was going to keep you in California. I thought it was going to be good old Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. Looks like you'll be passing through pretty quick. They still are looking for a few good men --- women too!
Special to know the good Lord will use your efforts in a mighty way in the country of Ethiopia.
God Bless,
Dad & Mom
PS Tom, glad to see you are growing your beard out. You look like your dad --- but maybe a little older!
I am deeply honored to have been mentioned in the "Shout Outs" section of the blog yesterday. This warm feeling inside me must be similar to the way Kevin McHale felt when he won the Sixth Man award in back-to-back years in the mid-80's with the Celtics. Kinda like, "Hey, you were a valuable member to the team, but you perform better when you've been on the bench for a while."
Actually, the more I think about it, I am more of the Bill Walton role. Even though McHale came off the bench, he played too much. Walton was riddled with injuries and rarely made a contribution. Remember in the '87 Finals when Bird stole the inbounds from Isiah and flipped it to DJ? Who do they always show on the bench? Bill Walton waving that white towel around his head. I am definitely more like Walton (except for the wooden teeth and awful commentary - "That's Hoooorible!").
I am sitting here at work waving my towel around for Rand and Stephen and for the other riders who were either coerced, physically threatened, or guilted into riding with them. Maybe next year I can move off the bench and into the starting lineup.
I like the fact that you're growing your beard out Tom...It makes you look like the aforementioned Travis Tritt.
Slappy
Tom, please don't kill our friend Andrea. Her sister is getting married this weekend.
Glad you are all safe and that you are having some giggles amid all the hard riding. You guys are rock stars. Praying for you -- even though you vaselined my car. Yes, that's a word. I learned it in J school.
Wow.... that was a close one.
Stay safe out there team. Know Bolivar, TN is praying for and missing ya.
Tijuana fact of the day:
Mexico's drinking age of 18 (vs. 21 in the United States) make it a common weekend destination for many high school and college aged Southern Californians who tend to stay within the Avenida Revolución. Tom you better keep an eye on Stephen while you're down there.
Know what you're riding for.
Praise for His perfect and amzaing provision. I love that you guys realize that it is only by His grace and mercy that you are riding, and I love that you recognize His hand when it is so very apparent. I pray that as you end the ride, you also see His hand in all the subtle and easily overlooked privisions as well. End well sweet friends.
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