SAMMYRIDES DAILY BLOG APRIL 20, 2011

Today was not an easy one.  The riders left Fort Walton Beach after stopping for pictures with a large delegation of well wishers who gathered in front of the Chamber of Commerce.  Today's destination was 63 miles away in Panama City.  The roads were clogged with heavy traffic, the weather was blistering hot and very humid....but it was not a surprise to the bikers because this is now Florida, after all!  So, after 63 miles of sweat and grit, the bikers pulled into their Panama City hotel.  Along the route, they drank 20 bottles of water and ate countless energy bars.  Special heroics go to John Bear and Adolf Lex who gutted out every single mile of the long, long ride.  The two Mikes had to share driving duties today and each did half and half.
A note on driving the van in this traffic.  It is similar to playing a pin ball machine when quite by accident, three balls are released at once.  Hazard lights are flashing, trucks whiz by at breakneck speed and it takes the skill of a New York cabbie to negotiate the mess, or, a former van driver/EMT who handled it the first month, with only slight difficulty!!!! (Remember I 10?)  See, they do miss me!!!!!

However, all went well and the bikers are looking forward to biking to Port St. Joe tomorrow and a big event with Relay for Life.
Until tomorrow and only 10 more days to go, Michael, Adolf, Mike B. and John, send their love and best wishes to you all....from Lois