Friday was a big day on the road and I’m really pushing my limits. Normally I land in a community and make it my home base at 4 p.m. but after grinding out 68 miles I though I had 20 more miles left in my tank.
I’m riding on a bit of emotion as well. Midway though directions from the locals I realized I got myself into trouble.
This was a Friday afternoon and everyone wanted to start their weekend which can make for a dicey situation on the road.
A narrow shoulder combined with heavy truck traffic was not a good recipe.
That’s when Dr. Todd Gray came to my rescue – literally.
“Wisconsin,” he said. “I went to medical school in Wisconsin.”
Dr. Gray didn’t mind that I stunk to high heaven. He was patient with my putty for brains and dragged me to a safe place in Iowa City.
“I just can’t see leaving you here,” he said.
I reassured him that feeling was normal.
That didn’t seem to help him as he checked on me three more times before he left.
Just a quick reminder and some reassurance…. there are great and caring people, especially in an environment when we are wary of what might happen next.”