Ride with Me — Chapter ~18: Leadup to Building a Touring Bicycle— Part 1

After completing Air Force basic training and technical school, I started work at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. But my bicycle remained parked in my mom and dad’s garage back in Minnesota

Honor guards prepare for a retreat ceremony outside of the headquarters at Moody Air Force Based in Georgia. The author was stationed at Moody in 1981 and 1982. Public domain photo by Airman First Class Joshua T. Jasper.

I dragged myself out of the sleeping bag. Then, I emerged from the tent as the sun rose, yawning while I stretched my arms upward. The sky in Minnesota’s North Woods shone a brilliant blue.

The date was Friday, July 5, 1996. I imagined the 400-mile bike route ahead as I warmed myself in the campfire’s glow.

Steve, Joel, Andy, and I enjoyed Steve’s breakfast. The pancakes, bacon, fruit, and coffee nourished and energized me for the long ride ahead. After breakfast, I filled my water bottles and pumped the touring bike’s tires. Finally, I loaded the bike and luggage into Joel’s car.

“McDonnell Douglas built the F-4 Phantom II for the US government to strike fear, destroy, and kill.”

The United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force started to deploy the F-4 Phantom II fighter jet in 1961. The supersonic interceptor and fighter-bomber had two…