Biking Beauties

I met two new friends this week. Linda and Coreen are both in their sixties, retired, and crazy about cross country biking. They challenged themselves to ride across the southern tier of the United States from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida. After seven weeks of cycling, they came to Milton, Florida and spent the night with my husband, Al and me.

There’s an online organization in the cycling circles called “warmshowers.org.” which my husband joined a couple years ago before his own cycling trip down the eastern coast of Florida. The purpose of this group is to extend hospitality to cyclists who need a comfortable bed, a home-cooked meal, and laundry facilities at no charge to them. Members post their cell phone numbers and a profile.

More than once, I’ve come home from work and Al has greeted me at the door with the announcement that we’re having guests for supper. Kinda like that movie in the 60’s called “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

We’ve met couples from Norway, two newly weds who took a year off work to cycle to all 50 states, a young man from Hawaii, women who had the courage to bicycle alone and retired men who were fulfilling a wish from their ‘bucket list.’ They’ve come from all walks of life and it has been a joy to hear about their life experiences.

I admire the dedication and positive attitude they display; especially, since my exercise routine amounts to a walk around the neighborhood three times a week—if it doesn’t rain.

Thank you all for adding a special dimension to my life and may God bless you as you cycle on.