Jackson Free Press

The first time I rode in Bikes, Blues and Bayous, I thought that I was going to die. But, as I peddled slowly over the Tallahatchie River near the end of the ride, I saw the tree-shaded Grand Boulevard, and it was a vision. I likened myself to a desert traveler spying the oasis in the distance.

I had a mile or so to go to the finish line, but I was done. I told myself that I would ride into the shade, stop and get rid of this torture machine and call my son (who was way ahead of me) to come and get me. As I prepared to stop on the Grand Boulevard, I saw an auxiliary policeman step out into the road and block traffic for me at the first intersection.

'Shoot,' I thought. 'I can't stop now.'

At the next intersection there was another officer blocking traffic and another after that and with each successive intersection I felt my spine straightening and my pedaling become more sure. My son waited for me at the finish line with a beer, and it sure tasted good.

This August, come ride in Mississippi's largest bike ride, through the Delta. Meet some great people, ride past Hilly Holbrook's House (from the movie "The Help"), ride by cotton and soybean fields and take a rest stop in Money and read the sign commemorating the Emmitt Till murder and contemplate life.

The race begins at 7 a.m. Aug. 3 in downtown Greenwood. Visit bikesbluesbayous.com, or call the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce at 662-453-4152 for more details.