by Arthur Hernandez
On Friday night, consistent with my training regimen, I had Fruit Loops, a bag of “banana chips” (what do you expect, my parents are from Ecuador) and a coke as my pre-race dinner. I figured I’d covered all the essential vitamins, minerals, food groups and caffeine.
Saturday morning I arrived at the World Golf Village in traditional Hispanic time, only five minutes after the race was supposed to start. Those who know me would say that I got there early. I was making sure that I had all my equipment ready, which consisted of the “Ehrhardt on Evidence” audio tapes for my journey as I desperately needed the CLE credits.
About 1,500 cyclists left the World Golf Village, traveled south through the potato and cabbage farms on the back roads of western St. Johns County, just north of Hastings. A few riders were inspired by the natural beauty of the fields, with the sun rising in the background.
After bypassing the first rest stop — I didn’t make the same foolish/masochistic mistake again — I stopped at the second rest station and loaded up on Advil. The bike route took us east on State Road 206 into a slight crosswind all the way into St. Augustine. We then traveled south on U.S. 1 for 30 miles through Bunnell. At this point, I learned the “art of drafting” like in NASCAR. I got behind a group of Mayo nurses that had formed a chain and were pedaling at about my speed. I shamelessly followed these ladies to the lunch station. I now know how greyhounds feel when they chase that bunny at the track.
After we got back on the road, I lost the nurses and was on my own. I completed the last 25 miles in an “Africa Heat,” just the opposite of last year’s torrential hurricane-like downpour. Fortunately, I had the wind behind me, amazingly the first day only took five hours, just in time to see the Florida game.
Once in Daytona, a my doctor friend and I crashed, er were cordially invited, to the Hospitality Suites of Cody’s Challenge, Bank of America, St. Vincent’s and Mayo Clinic teams. Those doctors/nurses were very generous with their shrimp, chicken wings and beer. After getting thrown out (Dr. Antonio is with another hospital) I walked over to my hotel. Last year it was hosting the International Model Competition for Venus Swimwear. All of the women in the lobby were shaped like Barbie dolls and the men looked like extras from “The Sopranos” or “Miami Vice.” I had visions of becoming an “Honorary Judge” at the competition this year. When I arrived the only models I saw were for AARP. After being disappointed, I decided to go to my room and take a quick nap before dinner.
By the time I woke up (after 10 hours later) it was 5 a.m., Sunday morning. I thought it would be appropriate to have the “Rocky Balboa breakfast” of eggs except that I added home fries and sausage. I needed to make up for the fact that I’d missed dinner the night before. I took two Advil and got on my “Iron Horse” (a modified beach cruiser) to begin my long trek home, fortunately we had a 10-mile per hour tailwind. The last 25 miles of the ride was difficult as I couldn’t keep up with the Nuns or the small children. My only source of inspiration on this second day was remembering that great Italian Philosopher, saying, “Yo, Mick, I just wanta go the distance!” plus knowing that I could have a gourmet hot dog at the end of the race. I finished five and a half hours later at 12:30 p.m. I also think I got eight hours of CLE credit for the evidence tapes.
Although the race was difficult and grueling, I commend those attorneys and staff who participated in this event: Mark Eckels, Susan Haag, Jay Floyd, Woody Wilner, Stephanie Hartley and Harry Shorstein. I’m sure there were other attorneys who rode that I might have not seen. I also saw at the water stations, secretaries and staff from the State Attorney’s Office, Holland & Knight and Rogers, Towers. There may have been others, again who I didn’t recognize due to my delirium. To all of you who rode and supported this great cause, thank you!
I would like to thank all of those who supported this great cause. A special thanks to Theo Johns and Drew Prusiecki for their generous contributions.