Two weeks ago, there were only question marks. Will Rob be able to handle the heat of the desert? Will his lungs stay healthy as he cycles over the Rocky Mountains? The highways of Missouri are notoriously dangerous. Will Rob safely navigate the narrow highways and speeding trucks? Will Rob make the RAAM time cut-off at the Mississippi River?
This is the beauty of an unfolding story. Step by step, the answers are known.
The desert was conquered.
Rob flashes a thumbs up while riding.
The Rockies were celebrated.
Chris Clemens points out that Rob has reached the summit of Wolf Creek Pass and is about to fly down the mountain.
The highways of Missouri were navigated.
The business of a Kansas highway rushes past Rob.
The Mississippi River was crossed with an hour and 50 minutes to spare.
Rob races his way over the Mississippi River to complete the second time cut-off.
There were also new questions presented during the race. Will Rob’s crew ever get to wake him up in the morning? Will his voice come back? Will his feet heal?
Jamaica, Rob’s mechanic, finally got to wake him up this morning. Rob’s voice is audible, barely, but at least he can speak. His feet look decent.
His mind is alert. His smile is broader than ever. He is working very hard to deal with the adversity and challenge of this race.
Rob waves to his friends waiting on him as he cruises through the last bit of Missouri.
It is beyond comprehension. One gentlemen at a gas station asked me what was going on. When I described the race—3000 miles in 12 days with such minimal rest, he said with a smile, “That’s just wrong.” He is caring well for those around him. He told me to ask people to pray for speedy miles today. He is carried by the answer from God. He always asks for prayer as he sets out on his bike after a rest. He depends so much on the strength that God provides. He told me he likes the line from “Chariots of Fire” (adapted for a bicycle). “When I ride, I feel God’s pleasure.” He attributes his strength, his endurance, his joy to God who has gifted him. Rob is a great steward of those gifts. He invests himself with abandon in his ever expanding community. Rob is a giver.
Chris Clemens preps Rob with a donut and an energy drink before he heads towards the Mississippi River.
As we enter the last days of this race, we have other questions. Will Rob hold up in this heat? Will he be able to keep going on such a little amount of sleep? How will he do in the Appalachians? Will he make the time cut-off in Mt. Airy, MD on Sunday morning? Will Rob be able to raise the full amount of his goal for brain cancer research? And the bigger question. Will a cure for brain cancer be found in our lifetimes? This is the goal of 3000 Miles to a Cure. This is the reason Rob is riding.
This community that surrounds Rob has given almost $12,000. That is 57% of his goal. Let’s work together and finish this off! Please give here.
The Messenger,
Jo Dee Ahmann