1st Annual

State Advisor Challenge

HOSA National Service Project -

Autism Speaks

Gulf to Ocean Brevet

Monday, March 3, 2008 - Post-Brevet Update

         Unloading bike                          Tire in the Gulf                              On the road                    Christian joins the fun

        On the right path                             Break time                        Another section done                  On the road again

     My mind was willing, but my body said, "That's enough for now."  After biking 81 miles, I had to stop the brevet (I will be completing it at a later date...please read on).

     We got a late start on Saturday leaving the house at 6:30 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m., so I wasn't able to get on the road at Horseshoe Beach until 8:10 a.m.  It was about 45 degrees with a light headwind, but I had dressed warmly so it wasn't too bad.  Approximately 1 mile into the trip, the back of my neck was in pain, most likely because of my head position.  At the first rest point, Lisa broke out her ibuprofen and I took a couple which helped after about an hour.

     We made it into Cross City at 11:30 a.m. and I needed to let my body recover for longer than the 5 - 10 minute rest periods I had taken between Horseshoe Beach and Cross City.  We stopped at the Cross City Recreational Complex by the Cross City Airport for a break and some lunch.  After eating, while I rested, Lisa took Jordan to the playground and Christian went with them.

     Feeling a little better now that I had time to recover, I got ready to complete the next leg of the trip - Cross City to Trenton on the Nature Coast Rail Trail.  Since this Rail Trail was separated from the main road, I asked Christian if he wanted to join me.  The distance would be about 18 miles.  He was a bit hesitant at first, but then decided to join me.  It was very nice having him with me; he was able to help me keep my pace up, although I did have to ask him to slow down a few times.

     We went across the Suwannee River on an old train trestle.  As we were crossing the bridge, I asked Christian if he wanted to stop and look; thankfully he said yes.  About 3 miles later the Rail Trail started to parallel State Route 26 heading straight for Trenton.  Christian and I made it to the old train depot on Main Street at 3:30 p.m.  By this time, my legs were aching quite a bit so I needed another lengthy rest period.

     At 4:00 p.m. I thought I had rested enough to try a little more.  The next part was a packed dirt back road which I figured would be safer than riding on heavily traveled State Route 26 that has a narrow shoulder bike path (the Nature Coast Rail Trail ended in Trenton).  While the dirt road was fairly well packed, there were still some soft spots in it, as well as bumps, which taxed my riding.  At approximately 4:30 p.m. I had to stop; I had biked 46 miles.

     On Sunday morning, I was able to get on the road a little bit earlier at 7:50 a.m.  Before I started this time, I had taken a couple of ibuprofen to prevent another neck ache like the previous morning.  Even though I was thinking ahead, I didn't take them far enough in advance.  The neck ache became so bad I had to stop for a good while before starting up again.  The ride this day was considerably slower and interspersed with many more rest periods.  By the end of the day, however, I had managed to add another 35 miles to the tally.

     A total of 81 miles in two days...while I had hoped to make it all the way across Florida this past weekend, I still feel good about making it more than ¹/₂ way (only 1.5 miles past halfway, but still...)  Both days were beautiful for bike riding; I think the best word to describe them would be "perfect."  And although my legs and hip joints were aching most of the time, it was not enough to stop me totally; the neck ache, however, did sideline me for a little while.

     I will complete the brevet in two more 40 mile stages.  The people that were thoughtful enough to pledge to the HOSA National Service Project - Autism Speaks can know they will be getting their money's worth.

     I sincerely appreciate the very kind support of this endeavor by all those who contributed!!  More importantly, the families and children affected by autism will benefit by your most generous giving!!   Thank you!!!    

I will be attempting to bicycle across our wonderful state from Horseshoe Beach to St. Augustine on March 1st and 2nd to raise funds for the HOSA National Service Project.  While more advanced (and better conditioned!) bicyclists might scoff at this, the only similar undertaking I have made in this arena was when I was 17 (many moons ago!) as part of a group that biked from Findlay, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio then back to Findlay in one week; a distance of approximately 200 miles.  The route that I have planned for this trip will be 159.02 miles, from Gulf to Ocean, and completing it in two days - rain or shine; hot or cold (let's hope that there won't be any snow!).

The reasons for creating an annual challenge for myself (and hopefully all other State Advisors that come after) are fourfold:

          1.  To help support the HOSA National Service Project; currently Autism Speaks.

          2.  To raise funds that challenge the Penny Wars tally of each Florida HOSA

              Region at the State Leadership Conference (the amount I raise against each

              Region's amount) which will hopefully spark better competition, thereby

              allowing Florida HOSA to give a greater amount to the National Service

              Project each year.

          3.  To promote an active lifestyle.

          4.  And to serve as an example - not only for our HOSA members, but for my

              sons as well, so they can better understand that there is no higher calling than

              serving others.

If you are interested in supporting this endeavor, please contact me at LDeVault@SRAHEC.org or Florida HOSA State Advisor Challenge, 14646 NW 151st Blvd., Alachua, FL 32615.  As supporters contact me, I will list their names and contributions on this webpage.  Please make checks out to "Autism Speaks" or "Florida HOSA."  All proceeds will go to the HOSA National Service Project - Autism Speaks.

Thank you for your consideration and kindness!