Early Morning Ride

We've had an amazing stretch of good weather and Bill has been able to train every day after work this week. This morning, he decided to do a 30 mile ride. I'll let him tell you about it....

“I got out for a ride early this morning, I thought I would beat the wind and get my 30 miles in early so I could focus on all the items I need to address this weekend. I am down to less than a month before my departure to head to Seattle, WA.

I went outside to check the temperature, it was cool, almost to the point of being a little cold, so I put on a “T” shirt under my long sleeve white shirt, which makes me as visible as I can be.

I got a slow warm-up done on the first 5 miles and as I went past the ball field it was still empty, too early just yet. It was quiet and the sweet smell of freshly mowed lawn still lingered in the air. As I climbed the first hill I down shifted and pushed, it was quiet, just the sounds of me inhaling and exhaling, as I climbed the hill. Once at the top I heard the sounds of a dog barking as I peddled by, and a car whooshed by, one of only a few this early in the morning, a few pick-up trucks pulling horse trailers off to some event. As the road leveled off I saw a Sheriff's vehicle parked on the same side of the road as I was, so I pulled over to say hello. I have been doing this more frequently since I have been training for this trip and have noticed a trend. The first thing they say to me is “Can I help you?” I have been giving it a lot of thought lately, Can…I...Help...You…? When I am asked that question, they have no idea why I am stopping but they are ready to render me help, a total stranger, they do not know my background, financial status, anything about me yet they are ready to help me if I just ask them. What a great question, Thank You for asking me!

But, since I have been doing this more frequently, I have an answer that surprises them. My answer to them is “No, I am here to help you” which I say with a smile; now they are a little confused, how is he going to help me. Then I say, “Thank You, Thank you for all that you do”. At this point he is beginning to think this guy might need some help; who stops by a police office just to say Thank You, (well they don't know me vewy well do they), I do.

We have forgotten how to say “Thank You”, really say it and mean it. Not some cursory, as you run by, thank you, but a real, sincere, honest, “Thank You”. Look them in and eye, and in all honesty say it like you mean it “Thank You”. Trust me, they will know if you mean it or not. It will come across in your eyes, expression, the tone in your voice, and your smile. Over the next few minutes we talked about what I was doing like we were friends, and I asked him if he would spread the word of what I was doing and I asked him to let others know that I would be looking for tokens, patches, coins or whatever they would like to give to me that I could share with other law enforcement offices across the country; knowing that other officers across the country are thinking of them, that they are united together in a job, and that they understand what he or she is enduring every day.

He said, “Wait a second, I have something right here, I don't have a coin but do you want this”, I said sure and he handed me a key fob which had the logo of the Sheriff's department on it.

I thanked him and wanted him to know that I would share it with another office that I will meet somewhere in Wyoming, Idaho, or who knows where and will pass it on to someone just like him. A guy or gal that when I stop by will ask me “Can I help you” and I will respond “No, I am here to help you”! I thanked him again and peddled away. I do not know if I will meet him again but I can tell you he was just the type of man we need, who do a job that many of us would not want to do, but bravely puts on his uniform, gets into his cruiser, and may ask you “Can I help you”. I finished out my final leg of the ride and heard the cheers coming from the ball field, the teams were out on the field with their parents cheering them along, the day was now in full swing. Time to put the bicycle away, 30 miles down and so much more to get done. Thank You for taking the time to read this blog, and Have a great weekend!”