Our ride home Friday was amazing. We were joined in Crossville by Elizabeth Black who is Director of Permanency for the TN Department of Children’s Services. We were honored by her presence and moved by her show of support. The road home was long and winding. Highway 70 East of Crossville begins the gradual descent from the Cumberland Plateau into the Tennessee Valley. The foliage was in full color and the wind was cool and crisp.
Arriving in Maryville the riders were joined by several other bikers and the Maryville City Police escorted us to the Harmony office where the staff and their families awaited. As the riders crossed the finish line balloons were released and music was plaid. Hugs were given and tears of pride and joy were shed.
We are overwhelmed by the success of the Adoption Tour. The people we met along the way identified with our cause and supported us as we passed through their towns. In our own community the response was great. The mayor’s office and the city of Maryville showed their support as well as several of our state congressmen and their staffs.
Because of the sacrifice of the riders hundreds more people are aware of this reality. Next year is already being planned. It will be bigger and involve more people, but the message remains the same, “There are children in the state of TN that need loving homes.” We will ride for this cause any day.
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pok·ka dot jer·sey
pokka dot jersey [paokka daut jersee]
1. A symbol of strength that is given to the tour rider whom exhibits the best skill in climbing mountainous terrain.
2. A popular outfit for Marti Gras
3. Robert Morgan Tennessee Adoption Tour’s champion hill climber
Today was by far the most grueling and challenging section of our course. Thankful once again for pristine weather conditions our riders left Lebanon in high spirits. There were however foreboding thoughts of the difficult climbs to come. The mission today was to summit the Cumberland Plateau and to survive its daunting grade. As the sun began to warm our skin the hills came into site. Water and Power Bars can only prepare a rider so much for what he knows will be the truest test of his mental and physical preparation.
Our team banded together for the feat and pulled every last ounce of strength and will to beat the course once and for all. At times it was skill and at others it was spite, but whatever thoughts passed through their minds none was greater than that of their reward. At the end of the most difficult stage each rider knew they had done what most deem impossible. Climbing the plateau, pushing each other, and surviving our team finished with honor.
Tonight they find themselves nursing broken bodies, longing to see their loved ones again. The reality of their accomplishments reveals itself to each in unique and awesome ways. What once was a fleeting thought is now nearly truth. Champions they are alone, but epic heroes they ride together.
We are coming home.
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fan·ny-pack (object)
fanny pack [fannee pak]
1. An filled apparatus strapped around one’s mid section protruding over the buttocks. This item was very popular in the late 1980’s through the early 1990’s. However quickly lost popularity do to its lack of cool. A closet fanny-packer can be spotted on occasion by the keenest observer.
The beautiful weather was back and hopefully here to stay. The cool crisp air of the park made the colors off the trees even more vibrant than when we arrived. The riders were driven out of the park to the exact spot they stopped at the afternoon before. Making their way east to Nashville the team could not help but admire the countryside.
Our ASAP partner Catholic Charities in Nashville went all out for lunch. Arriving at their campus shortly before 11:30 AM we were cheered by great fanfare. Lunch was served and the riders were interviewed by the press. Thanks to the First Lady’s office for sending representatives and thanks to the DCS employees who drove so far to show their support.
After lunch we were escorted through downtown Nashville and out of Davidson County by three of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department Deputies. We could not have done this safely without them. They donated their time and gas to the effort.
We arrived in Lebanon before 4:00 PM and the team once again was interviewed by a local paper. After a few minutes of photographs we headed toward the hotel for rest and relaxation.
Thursday’s ride has been slated as the most difficult of the week. The riders will spend the day climbing the Cumberland Plateau. However, the reward is great. You see it is all down hill from there.
As the team nears the finish we are amazed by the continual outpour of help and support for this tour. People have been generous with their time and money. So thank you to all that have supported us on every level. Thank you to those at the office that are keeping everything in place.
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bonk (verb)
bonk [bonk]
1. To exercise or work ones self to a point where they cannot continue
2. Figuratively: To hit a wall
3. To loose control of one’s legs
4. AKA: Jim Norwood
Day two of the ride and the weather has taken a turn. Cold temperatures, drizzling rain, and 20 mph crosswinds winds greeted our team in their morning start. Agape is to be thanked once again for a hospitable sendoff. The banner was a nice touch (see photos below). We were honored with the presence of several DCS staff members who shared words of thanks and encouragement. There was more media coverage at the Agape office and several participants were interviewed about the ride and its purpose.
We said goodbye to the flats of West Tennessee. The cotton fields were replaced with vibrant foliage and the familiar undulation of Tennessee highways began to challenge the riders. They were immediately grateful for the months of training in the foothills of Blount and surrounding counties. The hard work of the team is paying off and they were able to cover the course of 105 miles on schedule.
Our day ended with the safe arrival of all team members at the entrance to Montgomery Bell State Park. Celebratory hugs and congratulations were exchanged as the riders mentally took in the reality of what they had just accomplished. Bathed and fed, all will rest in preparation for tomorrow’s leg. On Wednesday we will continue on HWY 70 into Nashville and join the Catholic Charities ASAP office for lunch. Wednesday’s course is more urban than the previous two days. We thank the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department in advance for the escorts they are providing through the city’s most heavily congested areas.
We were once again welcomed by communities who identified with our cause. Our purpose is to raise adoption awareness and it is happening. People are asking the right questions. What begins as why are you doing this progresses to what can I do? However small our impression it is certainly measurable.
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sag·wag (adjective)
sag·wag [sagwag]
Abbreviation of Sagging Wagon
1. A leeward drifting vehicle tasked with the aiding of bicycle riders pursuing unreasonable distances.
2. A blue Honda van or grey Ford truck
3. Chad & Leigh Ann
Agape Child and Family Sevices, Memphis, TN
Leaving out of the Agape office on time the team of riders and support vehicles were escorted out of Shelby County by five of Memphis’s finest. In full escort formation the motorcycle officers kept the screaming crowd at bay as Michael Yates took the helm to lead the ASAPers on to Jackson. The riders took formation and found their pace making the first pit stop on time; 17 miles in less than an hour. Powerbars and Gatorade were an early favorite giving the team the energy they would need for the 85 mile ride.
After two more stops the bikers arrived safely at the hotel well ahead of schedule. Tomorrow the team will continue on HWY 70 to Montgomery Bell State Park and then through Nashville on Wednesday.
A special thanks to Agape and its staff for a wonderful sendoff this morning. Thank you again to our sponsors for their efforts and donations, and thank you to the people we have we met along the way. West Tennessee has been most hospitable. Your words of support and your stories of the kindness of adoption are fuel for our bodies and encouragement for our spirits.
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