Planning a Big Bike Ride for the Summer of 1976
My friend Mike Gabrials knew that I enjoyed riding bikes, and challenged me to join him on a trip with the deCycles for the summer of 1976. Mike built the dream, and convinced me to start planning for the trip. We would ride from Georgia to Maine, with a special stop in Washington, DC at the Whitehouse to meet President Gerald Ford. The visit to the Whitehouse would be extra special because 1976 was the 200th anniversary of the United States.
deCycles (rhymes with disciples) is a Christian discipleship program that organizes annual, long-distance bicycle trips for teenagers, focused on building friendships, faith, and fellowship — through a shared goal. These high-spirited summer adventures involve riding hundreds of miles, often with the group staying at churches along the route and performing service tasks. deCycles was founded in 1968, and is now based in Bloomington, Indiana.
Other Bike Ride Memories
You might recall that I rode my bike to deliver the Detroit News for several years. As I was growing up, bike riding was fun, but also a necessity. Getting my bike stolen in 7th grade was a huge disappointment, but only increased my resolve to ride further and faster. The bike ride to Ann Arbor, getting mugged on the way to Grosse Pointe, or the Camp Dearborn adventure were just a warm-up for the biggest ride of my life.
Running on the Track Team at Edsel Ford High School
The EFHS track team started training indoors, probably in late February or early March — before the snow melted. Coach Jack Bridges made us run laps and sprints in the hallways after school. In the spring of 1976, after the snow melted, we ran all over Dearborn. Some afternoons we ran 5 or 6 miles for practice. I was running farther and faster than I ever had before. It felt good to be getting stronger and physically fit. My times were improving and I was invited (with my teammates) to participate in the Lahser relays.
A Cold Day and A Bronze Metal
The Saturday morning of the Lahser relays arrived. Mr. Bridges assigned me to the mile-relay team. Each runner would sprint a 440, and pass the baton to the next runner.
It was a cold and rainy day, like many spring days in Michigan. Our team ran hard and captured third place, winning a bronze medal. I was exhausted and started getting chills after our race. It kept raining and it was hard to stay dry and keep warm. As we rode home, I shivered and held on tight to my bronze medal.
When we got home, I told my mother: “Our team did great at the track meet today, but I feel miserable. I’m taking a hot shower and going to bed.” My mother knew something was wrong. That’s an unusual thing for a normally healthy and hungry teenage boy to say.
A Hot Fever and Sore Throat
The next morning I woke up with a really sore throat and developed a high fever. I was lethargic, and it wasn’t something that my mom’s chicken soup would cure. After a couple days my mother took me to the see our family physician, Dr. Michael Iacobellis. This was the springtime of 1976. Dr. Iacobellis’s family medical office was near the 3-way intersection of Carlysle, Pelham and Outer Drive in Dearborn. (Later on – from 1989-1995 – Dr. Iacobellis served as the Chief of Staff at Oakwood Hospital.) Somehow my doctor perceived that this was not a normal sore throat, because of swollen lymph nodes in my neck and armpits — so blood tests were ordered.
Diagnosis of Mononucleosis
Dr. Iacobellis said I had mononucleosis, and prescribed a regimen of complete bed rest and a round of cortisone tablets. Mono is also known as the kissing disease. He explained that I needed to stay home from school (for rest, and to minimize the risk of infecting others). He also sternly warned my mother that I must not be allowed to go on the cross country bike trip with the deCycles — or risk permanent injury to my spleen.
Disappointment and Depression
Staying home, and missing the last 3 or 4 weeks of school would not be difficult. I was happy to have a good excuse to skip out of those responsibilities. But soon the bleak reality of my situation became apparent. I would not be able to finish the season with my buddies on the track team. Even worse — my participation on the deCycles bike tour was canceled. I remember laying in bed and crying big teenage crocodile tears. During the fog of that discouraging time, I don’t remember much. Apparently I cried and slept a lot for a couple weeks.
An Old Gibson Guitar and New Hope
My parents could see that I was discouraged and depressed, so they my must have talked about how to lift me out of my slump. My dad had an old Gibson guitar and a few Mel Bay books with guitar chords. He gave me the guitar and said I should learn how to play while I was healing up. I sat on the edge of the bed and practiced chords until my fingers hurt. C-chord; G-chord; D-chord, A-chord, etc.
After a couple weeks, I started writing music to go along with the chords I learned. One of the first songs I wrote was based on a few verses from Psalm 40. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” (NIV)
Earning My Letter at Edsel Ford High School
During the final week of school in 1976 I was invited to an Edsel Ford High School track team party. Jack Bridges and Duane Machak were the track coaches. The food and fun happened at Coach Bridges house that spring. We ate hotdogs and hamburgers in his basement, and reviewed the results of the season. Since I was still recovering from my bout with mono, I had not attended school at all during those last weeks, and had also missed the final weeks of track season. I was surprised to get the invitation, and was not expecting to receive any awards. However, my teenage appetite was always ready for food, so I was happy to attend and celebrate the season with my team-mates. Much to my surprise, Coach Bridges awarded me the E.F. letters. I felt like I did not deserve the award. However, Coach Bridges said even though I had not finished the season, the 3rd place win at the Lahser relays (and my good attitude) was the reason I got the award.
Dark Depression Fades Away – Bright Hope Awakens
God was working in my life. The darkness was fading away, and bright hope was awakening my heart. This rendition of Psalm 40 is one of the songs I wrote in the spring (or fall) of 1976.
The deCycles Trip Died – But Discipleship Was Alive
My participation in the deCycles cross country bike tour was canceled. The spring of 1976 started out as the biggest disappointment of my life, but as summer ended I told my family and friends that it was the best year ever. I was never a good swimmer. Basketball, cycling, and running were my favorite sporting activities. However, I joined a swim team in the summer of 1976.
Joining the Cherry Hill SWIM Team
Yes, I joined the Cherry Hill SWIM team. But, it was not the kind of swim team you might be thinking of. No swimming pools were involved. SWIM was an acronym for Summer Workshop In Ministries. (I also wrote about this in my post about Deacon Memories, in the section on SWIM Teams and Spiritual Formation.)
Cherry Hill Christian Reformed Church (CRC) was on Cherry Hill Road in Inkster, Michigan. Harold Botts planted the church in 1956. During the summer of 1976, I worked with Pastor Alan Hoogewind, and six girls from Holland, MI on the SWIM team. Working with six beautiful girls from west Michigan was not on my radar. My dad had apparently made a few phone calls and was searching for something useful for me to do while I regained my strength.
TO BE CONTINUED…
See my autobiography for more stories.