A Ride for Three Reasons

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Ask 5 Times
2007-04-14 21:52:00
By Bob Lee   Ride date: April 13 Wilmington, NC to Sneads Ferry, NC -  51 miles Some golf clubs you can never throw away!  This morning Richard Salinetti, the owner of Front Street Inn, told me of just such a set.    Richard is pictured here along with his wife, Polly and his son, Chris. At breakfast, Richard shared with me that six years ago he and Polly lost one of their sons, Mike, to cancer.  It was devastating to watch cancer take the strength and life from Mike.  Richard is constantly reminded of Mike through their 15 year old grandson, who a clone of his father.  He also thinks of Mike every time he pulls a club from his bag. The clubs he uses are at least 15 years old and belonged to Mike. Richard related a story to me he has only told to a few people.  One day while shooting a round of golf, Richard had four miserable holes —one right after another.  He just couldn’t sink a putt. The results of the next hole...
More About: Time , Times

Make It Count!
2007-04-14 05:50:00
By Bob Lee    Ride Date: April 12 Bald Head Island, NC To Wilmington, NC   32 Miles There will be good days and there will be bad days.  I have certainly had a string of good ones! I slept well last night.  Remember the picture of my bed at the Marsh Harbour Inn?  Well I am a touchy-feely  type of guy —and I loved these sheets.  To me it is the sign of elegance. I am a little hard of hearing and sometimes get things mixed up.  On this, I have been confused most of my life, though.  I slept well because of the sheets, so I asked the Innkeeper, "Pam, What are these sheets?”  She said they are 400 Count Egyptian cotton.  I wish my picture was clearer so you too could count my sheets.  Why am I confused ?  Growing up, I always thought if I was having trouble sleeping I was to count sheep.  Now I know I should count my sheets – all 400 threads. 1, 2, 3, 4…     After gazing out ...
More About: Make

Video From The Veloist
2007-04-12 17:30:00
Great video of Bob from The V eloist —The social network for cyclists.                                            www.veloist.com
More About: Video

Hanging Around Bald Head Island
2007-04-12 10:28:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: April 11 Around Bald Head Island – 6 miles Since there is a saying, “You can’t go back,” why don’t we have one that says, “I can’t go forward.” for days like this. I wouldn’t mind spending the next 5 months right here on Bald Head Island.  Does someone want to volunteer to ride the bike while I will sit here and write blogs? This is the view from my bedroom window.  A tough way to wake up in the morning.  Then, to go downstairs for a breakfast like this. Why was I reluctant to go forward? It wasn’t the weather forecast of a half-inch of rain with strong winds… It wasn’t the fact that I had been up until 2:00 AM the last two mornings… It wasn’t that I need to catch up on many loose ends…It WAS the aroma from the kitchen and seeing Pam cooking Chocolate chip cookies. The final straw! I knew I couldn’t eat all those cookies in one day, so I decided to stay.  I was happy to know th...
More About: Land , Round

Southern Hospitality & The Secret of the Shrimp
2007-04-12 09:17:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: April 10 Sun Set Beach, NC to Bald Head Island, NC   50 miles Last night I finished my blog at 2:00 AM and sent it to my “editor-in-chief”.  When I woke at 8:30 it was already posted.  Jim, you are amazing. And what amazing nice people there are.  I really appreciated Nelson and Nancy Kirk offering me the use of their condo last night.  I even went to their club this morning for a short workout.  No –not on a spin bike. Want to know about some wonderful people from Summerville, South Carolina? Read this article from the Lake County News Sun.A gift of mobility is coming to a Grayslake family from Summerville, S.C., this week when Ronald Fox and his two sons and grandson deliver a wheelchair-equipped van and top-of-the-line wheelchair. Fox read about Aimee Chamernik of Grayslake and decided that he was going to donate the 1998 Dodge Caravan and wheelchair to the 37-year-old Chamernik, who has ALS.  &nb...
More About: Hospital , The Secret , Hospitality , Secret , Shrimp

The Best Roads, With All The Comforts Of Home
2007-04-10 10:03:00
By Bob Lee   Ride date: April 9 Conroy, SC to Sun Set Beach, NORTH Carolina!   40 miles They say, “You can never go back.”   But who are “they?”  And why not?  Since I am writing the blog, it is my prerogative.  And at my age I should have the right to forget things occasionally, so… …I have received a number of emotional e-mails about Jon Blais who we discussed in the 4/7 blog.  I failed to give you Jon’s website which is www.alswarriorpoet.com. You will be impressed with what this young man has done with “the rest of his life” to help find a cure for ALS. In addition, I would like to share what Jon and I were discussing when the picture was taken of us in San Diego.  I was telling him about the “gift on loan” locket I wear which represents Rich Crane and all PALS (People with ALS). …I would like for you to go back and read the comments on the April 8th blog post.  I had asked the question, &...
More About: Home , With , Forts , Best , Road

Drive By Sermonettes
2007-04-09 07:31:00
By Bob Lee   Ride date: April 8 - EASTER SUNDAY Andrews, SC to Conway, SC   54 Miles Please look at this first picture.  Yes, two chapters of the same book and two weather patterns that are interchangeable. I did watch myself as I crossed the bridges.        I know many of you had white stuff on the ground this Easter morning and we did as well. The temperature dropped below freezing.  I feel sorry for the farmer who planted his corn early (above right). We might have had a cold egg hunt, but to lose your crop is much more serious. . I am glad this bunny used plastic eggs As I rode by a cemetery, I saw these two young ladies placing some lilies on a gravesite.  I turned around and went to visit with them.  “Who are you mourning?” I asked.  They told me they were visiting their father who died just this past Thanksgiving at the age of 48. “And what was his cause of death at such an ...
More About: Drive , Sermon

Don't Leave Your Dreams In Bed
2007-04-09 03:29:00
By Bob Lee   Ride date: APRIL 7 Moncks Corner, SC to Andrews, SC - 48 Miles What a change in the weather over the last two days. I hear it is unseasonably cold in many parts of the country, but you didn’t need to send it to South Carolina.  This morning it was in the low 30’s, windy, but we had a blue sky.  Actually, it was one of the bluest skies I have seen in a long time.  Maybe I had my eyes open wider.  Last night was the first night in months that I had close to 8 hours of sleep.  For the last 3 months, I have been going to bed between 1:00 and 3:00.  So a good night’s sleep was a treat. The first few hours of today’s ride were through a National Forest. The road was straight and from front to back all I could see were pine trees. There is an advantage to riding solo that I appreciate. It's a time you can let you mind cleanse itself of all the “chatter” and go on its own journey.  Today my mind did not...
More About: Dreams , Leave , Your , Dream

The Bee City Petting Zoo and Other Signs
2007-04-07 10:41:00
By Bob Lee   Ride date: April 6 Walterboro, SC to Moncks Corner, SC Yesterday I started the morning off by meeting a woman named Peach —and she was a peach.  I am glad this morning that I somehow missed seeing this girl. As I pedal down the road, I take note of the street signs.  Some of them encourage you to turn, others don’t, and some just do not make sense.  What are Heavy Feathers?   Does anyone know? At times, I think our federal government should have a department just to police the accuracy of our street signs.  You may not think it is necessary since you probably pass most signs at 50 MPH or greater. When I am in a car I usually cannot read the whole sign because I am a slow reader.  However, on a bike I can be a slow reader because I am a slow biker.  Now I have time to really read and think. And to think about what I read.         Anyway do you really think the little man mad...
More About: Other , Signs , City , Sign

Why You Riding The Bike? Nothing To Do?
2007-04-07 05:58:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: April 5 Point South, SC to Walterboro, SC I knew there wouldn’t be any hills today since I was riding through the “Low Country” of South Carolina.  Over the last day or two I would see signs for Beaufort and Hilton Head.  This morning I remembered that my spin instructor from the Advocate Good Shepherd Heath and Fitness Center was going to be at Hilton Head on her honeymoon.  Carol and her husband Val were married in January, but waited to the beginning of April to go on their honeymoon. Val had convinced Carol not to bring any “bikes” but he never said anything about a “biker.”  Carol helped spin me into shape for my 2001 ride, as well as this ride. She has always been so supportive.  Before I left she called one night and invited me to stay with them in Hilton Head, if I was in the area.  Now that’s a true friend!  Who wants to offend a friend?  So today I thought I would deviate from my ...
More About: Bike , Nothing , Thing , Riding , To Do

Sheep In A Flock
2007-04-06 07:45:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: April 4th Point South, S C. 75 miles Yesterday I talked about some excellent people who helped make what could have been a disastrous day into a memorable day.  I forgot to mention Jeff Sully who previously donated the yellow Ortlieb waterproof panniers, which carry all my gear, and the Tubus racks.  When I lost my bike yesterday, I really  did lose the map case that snaps onto the front handlebar bag.  This bag is important since it is waterproof and allows me to read my maps on the road.  I would feel lost without it, so with just one call to Jeffery yesterday he had one on its way to me to pickup at a motel tomorrow night.  Great service and wonderful panniers. I left the Joiners at about 9:15 for a good day’s ride.  Since I raised sheep as I was growing up, this sign caught my eye.  Well, I had been a shepherd, though never a sheep, so I parked my bike to contemplate the true meaning. Shee p e...
More About: Flock , Lock

Should I Hitchhike The Rest Of The Way?
2007-04-06 05:08:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: April 3 Well, I am a day behind, but I guess I can’t skip yesterday since you are probably wondering about the "cookies I almost lost." I created my own April Fools —on April 3. Are there any rules to say you can only be a fool once a year?  The day started just as if I was at home —greeted with a smile, or on this day smiles.  No, not from Anne, but from Samantha and Courtney Joiner. What a wonderful family they are!  Such warm Southern hospitality.  They are so easy to be with I decided to stay an extra night.  I hope I didn’t wear out my welcome.        Did you ever have a day all planned and find at the end of the day you haven’t touched your plan? Well, I decided to take a day off the road to rest up for the long ride coming on Wednesday. I needed to catch up with e-mails, phone calls, customer calls and so on.  I also wanted to work on my “things to do before I...
More About: The Way , Should , Rest , Hike

Visit Bob and A Ride for 3 Reasons on MySpace
2007-04-05 21:06:00
Bob and A Ride for 3 Reason s are now on MySpace . Be sure to visit the 3 Reasons page and add The Ride as a friend! Visit A Ride for 3 Reasons on MySpace
More About: Myspace

The Home of the Sweet Onion
2007-04-05 04:54:00
By Bob Lee   Ride Date: April 2 Who turned back the calendar to April 1?  It is April 3rd and I am still feeling like a fool.  I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish the RIDE after the way the day started if.  I almost lost my “cookies.” (Parents- you don’t have to censor this blog.  Those who tuned in early on April 1st might get the meaning of this last sentence.) Well, I am having a hard time keeping up with myself.  So I am going to backtrack to April 2.  The day started with a visit to The Glennville Sentinel.  Glennville is The Home of the Sweet Onion .  I was just 2 days late to see the Georgia Sweet Onion Pageant.  I am sure being around all those onions would have made me cry. Mindy Adams who was crowned the queen looks really sweet.  Really, she is beautiful. I didn’t get out of town because everyone wanted to ride my bike.                   ...
More About: Gathering

Pickled Eggs and Hope For The Future
2007-04-04 06:22:00
By Bob Lee  Ride date: April 1 After being a fool on the morning of April 1st, I headed out of town.  Railroad tracks are never fun for a biker, but these men must have thought they would pull an “April Fools” joke on me by pulling up the whole track.  Click pictures for a larger view.   Today was Palm Sunday and a good time to reflect on death and NEW HOPE                 Some people feel dying is “Crummy” while others feel it is just a passing phase. I passed by another cemetery, which was a study of floral arrangements.  I hoped all those graves were empty as well.                           I have heard some people say, “he will be late to his own funeral.”  Well this cotton farmer is a little late in picking his cotton.   I like the picture of the cotton with the clouds behind it. ...
More About: Eggs , Future , The Future , Hope , Pick

So Much So Fast
2007-04-02 18:19:00
What would you do if you were 29 years old and found out that you only had a few years to live? Stephen Heywood chose to get married, have a child and rebuild two houses while he was slowly losing control of his body's movement from a crippling disease.In So Much So Fast , airing Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at 9 P.M. ET on PBS (check local listings), Academy Award-nominated directors Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan capture the remarkable events set in motion when Stephen Heywood discovers he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. For more information go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/s omuchsofast/

It's All Kind Of Blurry...
2007-04-02 03:58:00
By Bob Lee Oh what a fool I was today.  The day started with the first hill of the ride and really took a “turn” as the day progressed.  I guess I should have ridden a wooden bike.  Remember my comments yesterday about how friendly everyone was?  Well I should have knocked on wood, except for the fact I am on a metal Co-Motion bike.  Can anyone explain to me why we say, “Knock on wood? Any way I started my ride down the back roads.  And pardon me if I don’t recall everything correctly, but you will learn why in a moment.  My memory isn’t the greatest and today might not have helped it.  I thought I would continue showing that everyone is friendly if you are friendly to them. (Imagine if all mankind were kind to all mankind!)  As I rode I saw a Confederate flag in front of someone’s house, so I stopped to visit.  My theory was correct and we had a nice encounter. I thought I was on to something big and within a mile ...
More About: Blur

To Ask Or Not To Ask, That Is The Question...
2007-04-01 09:28:00
By Bob Lee March 31, Jesup, GA 56 Miles To ask or not to ask, that is the question.  Usually men don’t want to ask directions (me included.)  Maybe I have been sitting on a bicycle seat too long, but I asked this morning and I am glad I did.  If I hadn’t I might have been sleeping along the side of the road, since my route was taking much farther than I could ride in a day —with no beds along the way.  It would have taken me through some of the Okefenokee Swamp and lots of pine forest. I should have studied my maps better before I decided not to bring my tent on this leg of the journey.  At least I know the tent was tested well with our two granddaughters Kendal and Channing who live in Denver.  Thanks Black Diamond for providing a home away from home when needed. The morning began with a delicious breakfast prepared by Jenne Scott the owner of the Folkston House.  I also hope Jenne will provide one of her favorite recipes to be pos...
More About: Question , Hat , Quest , That

To Get Where You're Going You Have To Leave Where You Are
2007-04-01 02:21:00
By Bob Lee The ride will be a journey of hearing advice and learning lessons, but so is life. Last night by phone Bruce Homeyer gave me some advice for my ride today.  The advice was a follow-up on a story I told Judy and Bruce at dinner.  On my 2001 cross-country ride I met a group of lady cyclist who were also riding from San Diego to St Augustine.  I had often thought to myself, what do the ladies do when they needed to go?  So to be sure I am continuing my education, I asked one of the group leaders.  She said at first it is difficult, but within a week they learn that if they squat off the side of the road and shut their eyes, no one can see them.  Well today, I was riding through some low swampy areas.  Bruce’s advise was don’t stray too far from the side of the road and don’t shut my eye.  There are crocodiles in the swamps. There is also a lot of beauty long the side of the road that most people miss. Note the “bike rid...
More About: Leave , Have , Here , Where , Going

Yulee, FL -- From Tears to Cheers!
2007-03-31 00:56:00
Yes, cheers with Gatorade and cheers from a number of the employees at Jacksonville’s Baptist Cancer Institute.  What a way to start the first day of many…     This start could never have been possible without the help and support of Bruce and Judy Homeyer.  If you will notice they are listed under the Yellow Jersey designation as a top donor; but just as important, was their involvement in making my first two days exceed expectations.  From meeting me at the airport with a pick up truck, helping to set up the bike, to a wonderful dinner and a comfy bed, to picking up supplies, to mapping out a bike route, to rallying the support of the community and encouraging WJXT TV to cover the story, it hard to thank them enough.  They are “sweet!”  Actually, Judy served a hot chocolate sauce last night over vanilla ice cream, which was the best I have had.  And now thanks to Judy’s generosity you can have some sweets. 1/2 C light Kar...
More About: Cheer , Tear , Ears , Yule

Well, Here We Go!
2007-03-29 10:05:00
by Bob Lee Well here we go!  I am at the airport waiting for a United flight to Jacksonville.  Thanks United and Joe and Kathy Laughlin for providing transportation from here to there and back home again.  I just left Anne with lots of tears, but something would be wrong if there weren’t any.  I hope my phone is waterproof, since after I left a message for her when she got home, I noticed tears running down the keyboard.  These are the times I will pat my locket and talk to my “attitude coach.”  More about that in a minute. Speaking of “Coaches,” that is what Mitch Albom called his professor Morrie Schwartz who died of ALS.  A teacher’s influence goes on forever and ever…  I hope you have read Tuesdays with Morrie.  If not please do so.  It is because of Morrie, I am writing this.  It is because he asked us; to ask ourselves a number of questions.  One was,  “are you giving back to your community?”&...
More About: Here

Finding Significance With A New Web Site
2007-03-28 17:32:00
by Chris Kaufman Many people measure their accomplishments in life by the amount money in their wallets. Bob Lee, however, believes the measure of his life will be how his grandchildren will remember him someday. Bob doesn’t want them to remember him as a successful business man, rather he prefers they remember the 6,500 mile Ride for Three Reasons he will complete at age 65. Though I had been talking to Bob over the phone almost daily for months, when I first met him in person last month he said something that really stuck with me. He said, “It’s more important to find significance in your life, rather than what most people consider ‘success’ in their careers”. Bob realizes something we could all learn from: The most important things in life are not the dollars you have in your bank account; rather it’s the people you touch as you complete your lifelong journey. I feel fortunate to work for Quicken Loans, a company that shares Bob’s values, and the company t...
More About: Site , With , Find , Sign , Web site

Gratitude Reception
2007-03-23 07:19:00
How grateful we are for so many reasons! I wish you all could have been present at the GRATITUDE RECEPTION on March 11 where over 150 supporters and “motivators” shared one of the first warm sunny Sundays to celebrate “phase one” of the RIDE.  An event like this does not just happen! Our thanks to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Health and Fitness Center for providing the location, to the many retailers who provided door prizes, and to our daughter Laura and her friends for their time and energy to make it a memorable day for us all. Our gathering was most special because of the presence of two of our “motivators” who are the “heart and soul” of the RIDE. “Motivators” are our loved ones, neighbors, people everywhere who have been afflicted with ALS or cancer; they need our help, encouragement, and support.  By “joining the RIDE,“ you show that you care and are helping to make HOPE a reality! I personally want to thank Janice Clarke ( a cancer SURV...
More About: Gratitude , Reception

5 Years In the Making
2007-03-22 21:57:00
This journey began over 5 years ago and has been gaining momentum ever since.  While receiving an award for the 2001 RIDE at a National Hospice convention, I heard about a man who was planning to ride the perimeter of the country at age 65 for a local Hospice chapter.  The seed was planted.  Hopefully this 2007 RIDE will help plant seeds to grow dreams and HOPE for many others. For the duration of the RIDE I will be writing journal entries to share the journey- past, present and future. First and foremost, I would like to express our GRATITUDE to each and every one of you who has “joined the RIDE.”  Over the next few months I will covey our appreciation to the many individuals, organizations and corporations who have offered support and encouragement..  Without your confidence and commitment, this would just be “one long ride.”  With your backing, the RIDE is “purpose - full” and “passion -driven.”  The RIDE is about people. ...
More About: King , Years , Maki , Year , Ears

Bob Featured on Community Connections
2007-03-11 19:48:00
Bob Lee was featured on The Community Connection s show. He explains his inspiration for The Ride. Watch it on YouTube.
More About: Muni , Feature , Featured