The 28^th Annual Tour de Forts Classic was held on Sunday, April 28, 2019 in beautiful St. Augustine, FL. This long running event is put on by the North Florida Bicycle Club and supports routes of 25, 40, 57, 70, and 100 miles. There were multiple rest stops, SAG vehicles, motorcycle escorts, and support from local law enforcement to ensure cyclist had a safe and enjoyable ride.

This was my first-time riding in this event and I have to say it was an awesome experience. I have visited and driven around St. Augustine more then a dozen times over the years but touring our nation’s oldest city on my trike was truly something special and an experience you just cannot get in a car. There were some great views of downtown as we pedaled passed the Castillo de San Marco on S. Castillo Drive, before turning left over the Bridge of Lions, headed southbound down A1A for Fort Matanzas.

My riding experience was enhanced even more by a fellow triker, Antoine Perrier, a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, who drove over from Alabama for the ride with his Catrike 559, the same model trike I ride. Antoine and I met at the starting line when we were heading out and we rode the entire 40-mile route together. We had great conversation along the way, shared plenty of laughs, (particularly when he shared his encounter with a dog story), and Antoine even gave me some gearing advice on how to ride more efficiently, which made all the difference, thanks for that Antoine!

Every time I take a ride on my trike or participate in one of these events, I have such a feeling of fulfillment, not only because I am exercising, but I am also out in nature enjoying, as Bagger Vance so eloquently stated, “some of God’s glories.”  I meet new people who are enjoying the same experience and every now and then, make new friends.

On our route, Antoine and I met an older gentleman who was participating in his first ever long ride; he was doing the 25 miler. I would say this gentleman was easily in his 70s and as we rode past him, he had a few questions about the trikes that we were more then happy to answer. I see a guy like that and realize that you are never to old to get out and try something new and the smile on his face told me that this would not be his last ride.

As Antoine and I crossed the finish line together, this would officially be the longest ride I had taken. God willing, this will not be my last cycling accomplishment as I have a goal of riding a century ride one of these days, even if I only ride one, that would be a great accomplishment for a guy who not that long ago, was still learning how to properly walk with a new prothesis. Oh yes, God is good!