I was very glad to get my ride done in the morning today. Not only because of the heat, though that is a definite factor. But also because of plans I have. For a number of years now, I've observed the June 20 birthday of my good friend and fellow Tigers fan, Tom Brown, by going to a game with him. The last two years, we've been adventurous, doing road trips to Cleveland and Minnesota, respectively. But tonight we're headed for Comerica Park in Detroit to watch them take on the Seattle Mariners.
Anyway, I went out at 9:00 in a temperature of 78° and rode 3 consecutive round trips to Marsh Park, in a fairly slow time of 3:03. When I finished it was up to 87°. The balls of my feet were really burning by the end, from the pushing out against the pedals that I need to do, but I'm glad I stuck with it, finishing the 26 miles.
I was rewarded, also, by seeing two friends. In the middle of my second round trip, Doris Granum, who is recovering from surgery a few weeks ago, but seemingly doing quite well, passed me on the trail, beaming a big smile and throwing up a friendly wave. Earlier, though, on the first round trip, a man rode up beside me on our way away from the park, and complimented me on my new trike. I asked, "Are you Ron?" Sure enough, it was—I met Ron one time at Marsh Park last summer, and though I've emailed him several times, I believe that is the only occasion when I've seen him. So my confusion may have been understandable. We rode slowly side by side for close to a mile, and conversed as best we could.
I was glad to learn some detail about Ron during our talk. After being married for 50 years, Ron was widowed in 2013, but then this winter down in Florida he married a woman named Donna. He said he had shown her the article I gave him about me, and they both find my story "amazing." I told him, "Yeah, I'm a lucky guy." He likened me to a cat with nine lives, "Only you used up one of your in that accident!"
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