Our trip started at 7:45 a.m. under sunny skies as Armando and Ilia, Leslie, Liz and I (7NOW Riders) met up with Johnnie and Duke from the Fellowship Riders Florida Everglades Chapter at a Mobil station to head out for breakfast at State Road 84 Diner. There, we met up with the other Fellowship Riders who were heading up as part of the group. We had 12 bikes with 15 riders and toys, all with one desire to unite with other motorcycle ministry members from around the state in community while helping the Angel Tree program.
We left the diner at 9:30 to head west to US27 and then north to Lakeland. I would like to say that all went according to plan, but the Enemy does not like us humans doing God’s work and so he attacks at any opportunity. We were close to Clewiston when one rider, Phil got dizzy and had to pull over. Scott, who was serving as road dog (riding last in the pack), and Phil’s friend Frank pulled over to offer assistance. The rest of the group kept going in accordance with safety protocol to our appointed fuel stop. In the process of pulling over, Scott ran over a nail and punctured his tire. Scott had to call for a tow back to the Rick Case Honda in Weston. Phil and Frank waited with Scott until he was picked up by the tow truck. Phil and Frank indicated to us (via phone) that they would catch up with us in Lakeland. Scott got to the dealership only to find out that they did not have his tire in stock. His ride was over. Needles to say, we were all disappointed, but thankful that the hole in his tire did not wait to reveal itself when he was at highway speed in the middle of US27.
The group continued north through Lake Placid, Sebring, Fort Meade, and then into Lakeland. We stopped along the way for fuel, rest, and water. The temperature was 98 degrees as we got to Fort Meade! The temperature sensor on my bike, which is closer to the ground, read 104 - it was hot! The first thing everyone did when we checked into the hotel was hit the showers and then hang out in the hotel lobby where it was cool. Liz and I split a quart of Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream to really cool down. Soon after, the folks from Prison Fellowship arrived and we all talked until it was time to have dinner.
There was a Macaroni Grill next to the hotel and everyone agreed to go there. I called the restaurant to make a reservation for 16 people and was told that we did not need one, that they could accommodate us right away. I asked the woman on the phone if she was sure – we had 16 people – and was assured to come on in. So off we went, walking across the parking lot to go to the restaurant. When we got there, the place was crowded. I told the hostess that I was the one who called for a party of 16. She asked me if I had a reservation. I quickly reminded her about my conversation with her just 10 minutes past – of course she did not recall the conversation. I verified the number I called and it was correct. Now the manager got involved. I explained the conversation I had when I called to make a reservation. She apologized and offered to seat us – in three separate groups! Needless to say, no one was pleased, but we accepted the circumstance as it was and were seated. I can continue with additional detail here, but for the sake of space, let’s just say we ended up having a good dinner with great fellowship.
We got back to the hotel, hung around talking for a while and little by little, everyone started turning in for the big day.
Saturday rolled around and after breakfast, around 9:00 a.m., we all headed out to the staging area for the start of the ride. We rode about 15 miles to the raceway in Lakeland where the ride was to start. Shade was very limited, it was sunny, and it was hot! Another 96+ degree day. But it was great to talk with so many brothers and sisters in Christ from so many different motorcycle ministries and from different parts of Florida. Did I say it was hot!? At 11:00 a.m., we linked up with Texas, Arizona, and California for a cross country prayer session. Pastors from each location took turns to pray for our ministries and for the event. The editor of Wheels of Grace Magazine was at our rally location and closed the prayer session. It was then off to our bikes to get ready for the start engines cue.
There were a lot of bikes – not near as many as we had prayed for, but I would estimate close to 300. I am sure that the Enemy tried his best to keep many who would have attended from attending. Three bikes from our group left before the ride due to the heat – we were disappointed in their decision to leave. As it turns out, Phil and Frank did not meet up with us. Frank’s bike broke down along the way and was in the shop getting repairs as we were starting the ride. But they did not give up – Phil contacted Buddy from our group (who also helped organize the event) and wanted to know where he could drop off the toys they brought. He was steadfast in completing the mission he started despite the dizziness (he actually has vertigo) and the mechanical problems. That is what I call spirit and determination – God bless them for their efforts and for their hearts!
The ride went well – we traveled about 15 miles to the church where we dropped off the toys, had some lunch, listened to some great talks, and fellowshipped with everyone. As quickly as it started, it was over at about 2:00 p.m. It was time to go home. Before heading out, we prayed for cloud cover and cool wind, but no rain until everyone was home safely. The ride home went well. The bikes ran strong, and God answered our prayer. As we traveled south on US27, we were under dark clouds but no rain and the air was cool (it actually got chilly in a few areas that had just received rain). It was pouring rain and lightning on either side of the highway, but our path was kept clear by His grace! We all had dinner at Sonny’s BBQ in Clewiston and had a great time of fellowship and discussion. We praised God for keeping watch over us and for giving us rain free passage home. We all then hit the highway for the final stretch home.
There is much more I can write about here. There were so many “God moments” where needs were met and prayers answered. There were other attacks by the enemy as well. But the main thing is that the ride was successful, our mission was achieved, and we are all a bit more energized to continue following the path our Lord has laid before us. God bless all those who rode out and back to attend the Unity rally.
We left the diner at 9:30 to head west to US27 and then north to Lakeland. I would like to say that all went according to plan, but the Enemy does not like us humans doing God’s work and so he attacks at any opportunity. We were close to Clewiston when one rider, Phil got dizzy and had to pull over. Scott, who was serving as road dog (riding last in the pack), and Phil’s friend Frank pulled over to offer assistance. The rest of the group kept going in accordance with safety protocol to our appointed fuel stop. In the process of pulling over, Scott ran over a nail and punctured his tire. Scott had to call for a tow back to the Rick Case Honda in Weston. Phil and Frank waited with Scott until he was picked up by the tow truck. Phil and Frank indicated to us (via phone) that they would catch up with us in Lakeland. Scott got to the dealership only to find out that they did not have his tire in stock. His ride was over. Needles to say, we were all disappointed, but thankful that the hole in his tire did not wait to reveal itself when he was at highway speed in the middle of US27.
The group continued north through Lake Placid, Sebring, Fort Meade, and then into Lakeland. We stopped along the way for fuel, rest, and water. The temperature was 98 degrees as we got to Fort Meade! The temperature sensor on my bike, which is closer to the ground, read 104 - it was hot! The first thing everyone did when we checked into the hotel was hit the showers and then hang out in the hotel lobby where it was cool. Liz and I split a quart of Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream to really cool down. Soon after, the folks from Prison Fellowship arrived and we all talked until it was time to have dinner.
There was a Macaroni Grill next to the hotel and everyone agreed to go there. I called the restaurant to make a reservation for 16 people and was told that we did not need one, that they could accommodate us right away. I asked the woman on the phone if she was sure – we had 16 people – and was assured to come on in. So off we went, walking across the parking lot to go to the restaurant. When we got there, the place was crowded. I told the hostess that I was the one who called for a party of 16. She asked me if I had a reservation. I quickly reminded her about my conversation with her just 10 minutes past – of course she did not recall the conversation. I verified the number I called and it was correct. Now the manager got involved. I explained the conversation I had when I called to make a reservation. She apologized and offered to seat us – in three separate groups! Needless to say, no one was pleased, but we accepted the circumstance as it was and were seated. I can continue with additional detail here, but for the sake of space, let’s just say we ended up having a good dinner with great fellowship.
We got back to the hotel, hung around talking for a while and little by little, everyone started turning in for the big day.
Saturday rolled around and after breakfast, around 9:00 a.m., we all headed out to the staging area for the start of the ride. We rode about 15 miles to the raceway in Lakeland where the ride was to start. Shade was very limited, it was sunny, and it was hot! Another 96+ degree day. But it was great to talk with so many brothers and sisters in Christ from so many different motorcycle ministries and from different parts of Florida. Did I say it was hot!? At 11:00 a.m., we linked up with Texas, Arizona, and California for a cross country prayer session. Pastors from each location took turns to pray for our ministries and for the event. The editor of Wheels of Grace Magazine was at our rally location and closed the prayer session. It was then off to our bikes to get ready for the start engines cue.
There were a lot of bikes – not near as many as we had prayed for, but I would estimate close to 300. I am sure that the Enemy tried his best to keep many who would have attended from attending. Three bikes from our group left before the ride due to the heat – we were disappointed in their decision to leave. As it turns out, Phil and Frank did not meet up with us. Frank’s bike broke down along the way and was in the shop getting repairs as we were starting the ride. But they did not give up – Phil contacted Buddy from our group (who also helped organize the event) and wanted to know where he could drop off the toys they brought. He was steadfast in completing the mission he started despite the dizziness (he actually has vertigo) and the mechanical problems. That is what I call spirit and determination – God bless them for their efforts and for their hearts!
The ride went well – we traveled about 15 miles to the church where we dropped off the toys, had some lunch, listened to some great talks, and fellowshipped with everyone. As quickly as it started, it was over at about 2:00 p.m. It was time to go home. Before heading out, we prayed for cloud cover and cool wind, but no rain until everyone was home safely. The ride home went well. The bikes ran strong, and God answered our prayer. As we traveled south on US27, we were under dark clouds but no rain and the air was cool (it actually got chilly in a few areas that had just received rain). It was pouring rain and lightning on either side of the highway, but our path was kept clear by His grace! We all had dinner at Sonny’s BBQ in Clewiston and had a great time of fellowship and discussion. We praised God for keeping watch over us and for giving us rain free passage home. We all then hit the highway for the final stretch home.
There is much more I can write about here. There were so many “God moments” where needs were met and prayers answered. There were other attacks by the enemy as well. But the main thing is that the ride was successful, our mission was achieved, and we are all a bit more energized to continue following the path our Lord has laid before us. God bless all those who rode out and back to attend the Unity rally.
