The 29^th Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride put on by the North Florida Bicycle Club was held on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Fernandina Beach, FL and travelled through the beautiful roads of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. The weather was ideal and the route took riders through a picturesque backdrop of intercoastal and ocean views, many of which travelled under towering Live Oaks, dripping in Spanish Moss.

I decided to challenge myself and rode the 30-miler. My goal is to increase my distance each ride I participate in. To my surprise, there were 3 other trike riders on the ride and a few other upright recumbent riders as well. Two of the trike riders I had seen before on my weekend trail rides and they are an amazing team. They both ride Catrike 700’s (built for speed) and they move at a fairly good click when they get going. The gentleman in the duo is legally blind and stays on the back wheel of his partner and follows her wherever she leads him. He is never more than a few feet off of her back wheel and it is really neat to see their mini paceline gliding down the road; you can definitely tell they ride together a lot.

The other trike rider I met was on a Catrike Expedition (built for touring) and is a member of the Camden Bicycle Club. I had a really great conversation with this gentleman later in the ride at one of our rest stops, as he was considering amputation due to the condition of his leg. He has had multiple surgeries as a result of a motorcycle accident and his doctors are considering amputation. I gave him my thoughts and experience with amputation, as I had basically faced the same decision, albeit, mine was a little more urgent. My decision was made pretty clear when the doctor explained the reality of my quality of life if I didn’t amputate. My leg was almost severed at the scene, so my choice was a little clearer without much time to contemplate a different outcome.

Part of why I do these rides are for interactions like this. I want people to see that having a disability does not have to limit their capabilities. I may not be the fastest rider or the strongest climber, but I am out there putting in the miles and enjoying the ride like everyone else. We all ride the same ride and travel the same roads, ultimately finishing in the same place. And if I can motivate just one person who might be dealing with some type of disability, to get back in the game, then I will consider my efforts a success. Talking to and witnessing that gentleman who was legally blind jet down the road certainly inspired me to turn the cranks a little bit harder. I hope my conversation with the gentleman about the disposition of his leg makes the choice he is facing a little easier, whichever course of action he decides to take.

By all accounts the ride was a success. To my knowledge there were no accidents or medical emergencies and all riders arrived at the finish line safely. Kudos to the North Florida Cycling Club for hosting a wonderful event, the ride support was fantastic with well-marked routes, multiple motorcycle escorts and SAG support vehicles on the route, police and crossing guards at every intersection and roundabouts, as well as well stocked rest stops with bicycle mechanics at the ready to support the riders. I will have to mark this one as a “must do” on my calendar for next year, join me?