On the road with SammyRides

This is the last installment of updates on the SammyRides quartet — Michael Libenson, 73; Mike Brown, 62; Adolf Lex, 71; and John Bear, 64 — who started pedaling from Sun City, Ariz. March 2 back to Sun City Center, arriving May 1. The ride has been done to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, which claimed the life of Libenson's 9-year-old granddaughter, Sammy Rotman, who died of the disease in 2008. Updates have been posted by Mike's wife, Lois Libenson, via emails and www.sammyrides.com.

In addition, there is a Sun City Center Softball Cookbook with recipes from members, family and friends of the Sun City Center Softball and SammyRides organizations. The 156-page, $10, 200-plus recipe book includes hints with notes for reminders. It can be purchased by calling (813) 944-8989.

The Outreach Ministry at The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center has joined in the SammyRides homecoming celebration set for April 30, at 4 p.m. Residents can meet the riders at Publix on East Del Webb Boulevard for a final five-mile bike ride to the ending location at the United Methodist Church, 1210 W. Del Webb Blvd. Participants will be organized between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Some people will join the ride via golf cart and SammyRides encourages others to do the same if they don't ride bicycles. At approximately 4:45 to 5 p.m., the SammyRides team will arrive at the church to share fellowship, join in activities for children, have hot dogs and chat with the visitors.

April 13

The riders left Bogalusa, La., early this morning and biked the short 30-mile trip to Picayune, Miss. The ride was pleasant and uneventful for the most part and the roads serviceable and weather pleasant. The riders arrived in Picayune early enough to eat a hearty lunch at Don's Seafood Restaurant and then they attended a community-wide meet and greet event prepared especially for Sammyrides.

The event took place in the Senior Center of South Pearly River County. There were over 50 people in attendance, including local celebrities: Sandy Kane Smith (Pearl River County Board Supervisor) and the sheriff. The mistress of ceremonies was Darlene Adams, the executive director of the senior center. Chaplain Jim Prator opened the event with a prayer and Gladys Vaughn led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. This was then followed by Kathleen Penton's introduction of the Sammyrides' bikers, with each one getting up to the microphone to describe his connection to the Sammyrides project.

After the riders spoke, Sandy Kane Smith sang a special song which was made famous by Rascal Flatts. Coincidentally, this group was one of Sammy's favorite groups and when Kane met them personally at one of their concerts, they each signed a special guitar they presented to her as a special gift.

The meeting ended with Darlene Adams thanking the local volunteer team who had worked exceptionally hard for Relay for Life. The riders were also well-fed with a wide assortment of finger foods and pastry. Special thanks go to the St. Joseph Hospice of the Senior Center of South Pearl River County for sponsoring the wonderful refreshments.

The hospitality and affection which was showered on the riders was truly exceptional. Following the formal comments, Gladys spoke of her personal battles with cancer, and, after the meal, many others who attended the meeting shared similar experiences.

This was an evening which the riders will long remember and the desire to combat pediatric cancer was as loud and as clear as a thunderstorm.

April 14

This morning, the riders biked from Picayune to Bay St. Louis, Miss. The 40-plus mile ride was uneventful. The road was flat and the traffic sparse. After the challenging hills of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, the flat roads of Mississippi are a welcomed blessing and thankfully, no flat tires.

Tomorrow, the riders will leave bright and early in the morning to ride to Pascagula, Miss., where a full day of events have been planned. Hopefully, the weather will hold up, although the forecast is for thunderstorms possibly accompanied by hail. Even a tornado has been mentioned — Let's hope none of this occurs.

Tonight, in Sun City Center, the annual softball banquet was held. The softball league took on Sammyrides as their charity of choice this year and we are most grateful for all the support members of the league have given us. And, might I add, how great the players look in those fashionable Sammyrides T shirts when worn for those specific fundraisers!

The cookbook, put together by Diane Lawrence, has been a huge hit here in Sun City Center. We are truly grateful to her for putting so much time into this project, in what has turned out to be a most successful fundraiser.

April 15

Today's bike ride from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula, Miss., was one to remember. It followed Route 90 along the coastline and the road was covered with windblown powder, like sand. The sand would accumulate in rises sometimes at ankle level and the bikers had an enormous challenge in simply keeping their balance. This went on for some 20 miles, past the gambling emporiums of Biloxi and the rough roads along Ocean Springs. After 50 miles of grinding through the sand and the wind, the bikers arrived in Pascagoula. But before entering, they had to traverse an extremely steep two-mile bridge. They did all this and their reward in Pascagoula made the arduous day all worth while.

The riders were greeted in Pascagoula by the Friday Bicyclists, a group of senior bikers who love to pedal around town. There was also a motorcycle police escort into town and right into the open courtyard of the Pascagoula Senior center where the riders were greeted by dozens of wonderful Pascagoula residents holding up welcome Sammyrides signs. The riders were greeted by Melani Caver, executive director of the senior center and she introduced Pascagoula's mayor, Robbie Maxwell, who greeted the riders and praised their mission. After comments by Mike Libenson and John Bear, Melani introduced 13-year old cancer survivor, Gabrielle Spicer, who spoke passionately about her victory over lymphoma and her advocacy for fighting this miserable disease.

After the courtyard speeches, everyone assembled in the senior center's hall for delicious finger foods and punch.

The riders left for their motel, showered, rested and returned to the senior center once more to eat a delicious supper prepared by the amazing incredible folks of Pascagoula. Once again, Mike spoke about Sammyrides.

The wonderful people of Pascagoula showed the riders a day to remember with their tremendous kindness, generosity and warm friendship. Thank you for a fantastic day and memorable experience!

Tomorrow, the riders will leave bright and early to cross the state line and enter Alabama.

April 17

The riders left Dauphin Island, Ala. bright and early in order to catch the Mobile Bay Ferry to Fort Morgan. From there, they proceeded 52 miles to Pensacola in time for a visit to Sacred Heart Hospital, where they were welcomed by Meghan Tealy, who brought them to the rooms of children who were being treated for various forms of pediatric cancer. The children were told all about the Sammyrides mission to defeat cancer, and they all agreed to be Sammyrides soldiers when they get well and tell everyone that we all need to win in the war against cancer.

Each child got a Sammyrides shirt and a medal and wrote her or his name on each of the riders' shirts. The children were told that their names would accompany the riders as they bike across the nation.

Several parents were also in the children's rooms when the riders visited, and words of encouragement were shared with them. They too, are incredible heroes. Letters from the children of Wimauma and Ruskin were also distributed.

Visits to the hospitals are emotionally draining for the bikers, but they are also enormously rewarding. The bikers are able to see first hand how these little heroes struggle with this terrible disease.

Tomorrow, the riders leave for Fort Walton Beach, where they will spend two nights. Each day brings the riders closer and closer to Sun City Center. Obviously, the riders are eager to reunite with their wives, but also to return to the wonderful and unmatched beauty and life quality of Sun City Center.

April 18

The riders left Pensacola early today in order to get to Fort Walton Beach by 3 p.m., which is check-in time at their resort. What a beautiful resort it is, an oasis of beauty and comfort along Florida's panhandle coast. The riders are luxuriating for a change, and loving every minute of it.

The riders were given, free of charge, two incredible suites overlooking the ocean. It is likely that they will be so spoiled, that they will refuse to leave.

This evening, being the first night of Passover, Michael hopped into the van and headed back to Pensacola's Reform Temple Beth El, for a Seder meal. Although there was no public opportunity to speak about Sammyrides, he made sure that lots of Sammyrides cards were handed out and all were encouraged to log on to the Sammyrides website.

April 19

The riders have only 12 more days to go. They have reached the Florida coastline and are enjoying a much needed day of rest. The excitement is building for their return on April 30, what a day of celebration for all of us involved with Sammyrides! We can't wait to see them riding in all in one piece.

If you haven't had a chance to view their route, pictures and lots of other information, log on to www. Sammyrides.com.