Friday, September 2, 2011

Yes, No, Maybe So











YES, we had a beautiful ride on the Orange Beach Trail this past Saturday. Terry took some of these pictures. Thanks, Terry!


NO, we will not have an organized Saturday ride tomorrow (Sept. 3) because the rain and wind we are getting from the Gulf these next few days would not make a very enjoyable ride (also, it would be a Bad Hair day for those of us who still have it). Will anyone ride?


MAYBE SO, if it clears up enough, but since there will be no organized ride, you will just have to call around and have a disorganized bike outing. See you next week, however.


















Friday, August 26, 2011

Orange Beach Trail Tomorrow 8-27-11

Tomorrow we are going to ride the lovely, shaded trail through the woods that starts near the Orange Beach City Hall. However, the starting place for most will be at the Floribama parking lot a few miles east (be there no later than 8:45 AM, departure time 9 AM sharp). Those who want to ride the trail only, park at the trailhead no later than 9:15 AM and look for us to join you by 9:30 or earlier. After the ride we will go for an early lunch!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Saturday August 20th Ride Starts at 7:45 AM

Late bulletin! Tomorrow's Saturday ride will start at 7:45 AM as we try to ease back to an earlier, cooler start time for the next few weeks (except for next week--a plan to ride the Orange Beach trail where we will meet at the Floribama around 9). Look for subsequent ride times to be at 7:30 AM for the next month or so.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

About Our Club

Some of you have asked for more information about our club. I must apologize for the slow response; I do not check for comments very often! I hope to write a few words about the history of Freewheelers soon, but in the meantime: you can find out more about our club by emailing Rachel at seabikers2@bellsouth.net; if you'd like to ride with us we meet at the corner of Chief's Way and Old Corry (parking lot of Subway and Family Dollar Store) at 8 AM Saturdays. But please call first (850-934-6834, or 453-4207) to make sure plans haven't changed because of weather or special route. Thanks for asking!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

A Time to Hold

How can you hold onto time? Some people can't wait for this hot, sticky August to be over with, yet folded into this year's humidity soup have been some beautiful, bike-friendly mornings when you just want to enjoy a little riding, before the heat of the day, with some of your closest friends. Not long ago was such a morning, a good one for a short ride. We had not gone more than a mile or two when David, the picture of physical health, began to weave on his bike, and fell. It was so unexpected that two bikers in close proximity were hit by his bike before they could get out of the way, causing them to go down, also. Those two were okay, other than a little road rash and some bruises, but David never got up.

Care and first aid were given to him immediately by our members, as well as some providential angels who came by, as if called by God--two doctors, a marine, a woman offering towels. There was even a man with a trailer who offered to transport bikes. The ambulance came along with police, and David went to the hospital. But David did not live. We were devastated, knowing that there was no collision with anything, and he was wearing a helmet (required on all of our rides). We found out later that the family had a strong history of heart attacks at an early age.

David's wife was riding with us when he fell, and you can be sure we enfolded her with all the support and love we could (and will continue to do so). After the memorial service she said she was sure that God had meant for David to be with his friends when he died, and to be doing something he loved.

If we could hold time back, we would want to hold onto you, David. But since we had to let you go, you can be sure we will hold everyone down here in our Freewheelers club close together in friendship as long as we're rolling together. Could you start a bike club up there?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Summer of Our Discontent?



Last Saturday...too much rain. Saturday before...too hot. Last month...out of town. So many things can happen to mess up or cancel a bike ride, but we keep on going. Please, do keep on going. It's a slippery slope when weather happens, then travel interrupts, then guests arrive, then you are too busy or toooo tirrrred...and then you show up for a bike ride, and everyone else has been too...something, and you are all by yourself! I confess, this coming Saturday Jake and I are playing hooky because of company coming, but we are determined to come every Saturday we can. Hope you are, too.