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HOT & LOTS OF SMOKE IN SACRAMENTO

I’m fully back, that is to feeling human.  My bike, Isabella, an Italian hottie (my wife is obviously aware of her presence in my life) is back on the rode and I’m trying to settle back into the normal routines of life.

Even though TW’s ride to D.C. is over, we are still on the road to support our heroes and promote their causes towards remission and a cure.  On July 19th, “Team Will”, will be riding to join a “Fun Raiser” for one of our Heroes, Sammie Hartsfield.  I’ll be doing a post on her soon, so be ready to be inspired as she is a dynamic and courageous young woman, a true Hero!!!

Due to weather and pollution conditions, my rides have been short and slow.  However, these slow rides allow me to reflect on humorous memories from our x-country ride, and one stuck out in my mind. 

Well, hopefully you remember my buddy Greg, shift 3’s gastric bomber.  When he fell ill there was significant concern among our shift that we would one by one fall ill to the great crud that leveled Greg so dramatically.  Little did we know that we had a savior in our midst, although he was unaware of the great favor he would bring our way.

  Van, one of our shift riders, had a sudden burst of energy and found it within himself to take all of our water bottles and do a significant decontamination procedure upon them. Coincidentally, he performed this great act of shift kindness on the same day Greg went south. His procedure involved saturating our bottles with large amounts of BLEACH.  Yes, that is correct bleach.  I was fully unaware that my shift mate had received such an inspiration, and had quite a surprise in store later that evening when riding.

So, I’m cruising across Kansas, experiencing one of the few moments where a tailwind blessed our shift with its presence.  I found myself thirsty and hit my bottle with all the gusto I could muster.  Three quick, and very large gulps later, I found my eyes attempting to vacate their sockets and my airway trying to close for business.  I had not expected such a fine mixture of electrolyte supplement, water, and BLEACH to hit my palette and blast me with such brute force. I slowed my bike and pulled next to the passenger side of the van expecting a van load of shiftmates rolling in their seats with laughter, as they had been watching and waiting for me to take a big hit of that great bottle of toxic concoctions.  To my great surprise they were all unaware that I had just swam across the great river of mythology “Styx” and returned to some form of life… all while pedaling my bicycle. 

That single act, three quick powerful chugs, spared me from the avenue of curses experienced by Greg.  So critical was Van’s bleach cleansing of our bottles, that he inoculated us from any germ warfare that might attempt to make its way into our system. So in the end, Van, you’re the man!!!