Sunday, September 19, 2010

Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream

Day 16 Del Rio, Tx. To Uvalde, Tx. 78 miles, 7 hrs. 59 min. Avg. Sp. 10.1 total miles, 1359.

Ok, here's the deal. I read one of my best friends comment just now. Fred Tate has been a constant, a mentor , a friend, a guitar teacher, a foreign missions partner, and a solace. I live for a visit to Fred's house, and so do my boys. Every time we go see Fred and Nicole, we make a trip to Joe Patti's. Joe Patti's is a fresh seafood market, the likes of which has never been seen. We then head back to Fred's driveway for blackened fish, mine and the boys favorite.
All of that to say, Fred lives one quarter of a mile from the Southern Tier route in Pace, Fl.. I have dreamed of that stopover for 15 days. Fred, I want microwave popcorn. As mentioned in his comments, if you want to join us there will be plenty of food for everyone.

I'm glad to have that inspiration because today was another in a long string of disappointments. Jason and I had planned to a simple 80 and watch some NFL football. To keep this simple check out the stats. It took as long to ride 78 miles today as it did to ride a hundred yesterday. I was punched in the mouth all day long by 20 to 30 mile an hour winds. The shoulder on the highway was the roughest I've ridden on the entire trip. My arms and bum are still vibrating from the trauma. Then, it rained, and drizzled and rained. I was wet and miserable by the time I shut it down. I averaged 10 miles an hour, 10 miles an hour, are you kidding? I suddenly have a new appreciation for Job. My dad sent this.

Job 36:15
"But those who suffer, He delivers from their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction."
Thanks Dad.

I'm tired, but I will ride again tomorrow. You ride too.

Jason and I had communion tonight at the hotel, very cool.

Here's the pictures.
















That's rain behind me.













Another long road.











Where's the top?











For lo, they are with us always.











Do you see which the way the grass is blowing?











More rain on the horizon.











Do I look tired yet?











The trusted steed ready and willing, as always.











A cactus growing 10 feet up in the air in a tree.











Ok, that's a great shot of an east wind, punching me in the mouth.











Those are wild pig heads on a game ranch fence. Eat your heart out Mike Patterson. Wait, Jason just decided those might be catfish heads. Come on make up your mind.











Ummmm, I'd watch the kids.











That's rain.











Yep, I'm wet.











Downhill, top speed 10mph.











Jason climbed another rock pile for this one.











Drizzle, drizzle, drizzle.











That's the smooth shoulder I'm riding on.











Wild turkeys.











Are Emu's wild?











Let's climb.











Do I look tired yet?











I'm tired of rain.











I'm tired of making captions on pictures.











It might as well be 115.











Nice shot crossing a bridge. Jason had to hike a quarter of a mile for this one.












At last, Uvalde!

I have strange dreams every night, thanks Fred.

Lincoln

P.S. To load this many pictures I have to publish and then edit and add photos, so if the first time you see the blog it looks incomplete check back in a few minutes for the final copy.

P.S.S. Will somebody tell LaNette Bass to take a chill pill until I finish.


Location:Uvalde, Tx.

12 comments:

  1. OK, some of these pics need a comment!! Especially the last one! It looks like giant mutant catfish heads!! And then there is the cactus 'up a tree'. Just finished up small group, praying for you. Not specifically for your 'vibrating bum' but for your entire 'vibrating self'!! Be safe and keep on pedaling!!

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  2. Well I am sure you will have microwave popcorn!

    I went to Campus to church with my folks today in Atlanta - wow what a service! Talked about the Ancient Foe and the Armor of God. You know the challenges before that body of God's people. These are some of the excerpts.

    "God is strong and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.
    This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own.
    Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over you'll still be on your feet."

    You are showing so many by getting back on your bike every day that God will be with us - no matter what.

    We'll all keep pedaling brother! Your head is covered in prayer.......

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  3. Lincoln,
    Love the pictures, the captions, the commentary and especially the inspiration. It’s absolutely amazing to think about the ground you have covered.

    In fact, it seems like you must be getting close to the half way point. If so, when you get to that point, consider finding a big stone (should be plenty) and then like Samuel, raise an Ebenezer and proclaim loudly: “Thus far has the LORD helped us”

    May He continue to provide the strength and protection,

    Blessings in Him my brother,

    P.S. I really can’t picture me telling LaNette to take a chill pill

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  4. Our group prayed for your bum. Miss you. Have fun, be safe. Learn alot.

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  5. It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle. ~ Ernest Hemingway

    Just think of how much of our great nation you are experiencing. Thanks for taking all of us along for the ride!

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  6. I woke up just to read tonight's blog on my phone and then decided I should get up out of bed to leave you a comment. You are amazing the socks off of me and giving me a whole lot of stuff to think about. I can't help but wonder who else is out there having their own inner conversation who isn't joining in the fray here.

    You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

    I leave you with this earworm, courtesy of Freddie Mercury. May it keep you company on the road:

    I want to ride my bicycle
    I want to ride my bike
    I want to ride my bicycle
    I want to ride it where I like

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  7. This is Margie, not Bunny

    Sorry about the constant headwinds, sounds a little like life, doesn't it? Talked to Kolton today and he told me he would see you Tuesday! Hope they have a good trip out and that ya'll can have some quality family time.

    Tell Jason we miss him. Prayers and good wishes.

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  8. Continued prayers for you Lincoln and your family. Winds are the toughest during any ride, but you are making good headway across the country. We don't think about all those hills when we drive cars on it, but on a bike they really stick out. Looks like you are hanging tough as usual, so keep the faith!

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  9. I still can't believe you haven't taken a rest day yet. I rode a long ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway on Saturday and a recovery ride on Sunday and I'm sore in numerous places. I can't imagine 16 days solid. You are amazing.

    Jason is quite the photographer. He's captured some great shots! I love the one of you crossing the bridge. Please tell him hello for me. I know I speak for all the Vanns when I say we miss him, Valleye and their beautiful girls.

    And oh how I miss Mr. Fred, Pensacola and fresh gulf seafood! If my guess-timates are correct, you'll be hitting AL and the panhandle right after the ride I'm training for and right before Beth and I head to FL for a long weekend so I just might have to find a way to ride with or support you for a bit in there. Would love to help in any way I can and visit my P'cola friends. We'll play it by ear.

    I'm so glad you'll get to have Amy and the boys with you for a bit. I'm so excited for your boys to see you in the middle of this epic journey. It will speak volumes into their lives. Your life has certainly done that for me in so many ways...how much more so for your own sons?!? Enjoy that sweet time together.

    Talked with Mom and Dad last night and the whole Vann clan is following and praying for you. Keep crankin' and know that we love you.

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  10. Ok Lincoln, This is my first comment. I will keep it short. I left Uvalde at 9:30 am Sunday just ahead of you after Dove hunting for the weekend. The wind will get better later in the week. I will call you. I am going to meet you when you get to east Texas. See ya! Jeff Wyatt

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  11. Tell whoever is driving the support car to get in front of you and block the wind so you can draft!!!

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  12. I tried to suggest the drafting thing last week, but Lincoln was not interested. I think there is a purest sense about it. The road is to remain exactly as it is intended, or as closely as possible. Of course, it could have also been the concern for a freak mis-timing between the bike and the car and that emergency medical services could be hours away. It also could have been my driving!

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