Relay for Life – 7,000 People Starts time: 8:45 A.M. Distance today: 63.9 miles Average speed: 15.7 mph End time: 3:30 P.M. Top speed: 42.6 mph Temp and weather conditions: Cool at the start, but as the sun rose the temperature warmed to a very comfortable and nice day. Total trip distance: 1,675.0 Miles (since start on April 2, 2000) We departed Winfield, KA earlier than normal because we needed to complete our ride early so we could make a 72 mile drive, after our 64 mile bike ride, to the Relay for Life event in Pittsburgh, KA. The beautiful, rolling roads we drove were lined with green and exhibited abundant wild life. In fact, we saw colorful pheasants, a pair of Bald Eagles, and a deer with her doe. They crossed quickly in front of us when we were coming down a hill. In addition we saw many herds of horses dotted with scampering colts. At the end of three plus hours, Floyd pulled over to wait for all the riders to catch up. It was in the town of Moline, KA. While waiting he caught the aroma of a BBQ smoker. So he left a note on the trailer saying he was at the BBQ restaurant. The service was quick, the prices fair, and the food very tasty and filling. We arrived in Independence, KA just in time to check in, take a quick shower, and head to Pittsburgh for the Relay for Life meeting. Danny was the first speaker. He did a wonderful job. Once the walk around the track began, Lydia made several laps. She met some people and they became "friends". It’s amazing how life and death situations impact people and how close that brings them together. The Relay for Life is a mammoth event and takes place throughout the USA. The event begins before dusk and ends at 9:00 A.M. the next day. Teams solicit funds and keep a walker on the track the entire time. The track is lined with thousands and thousands of lumens - candles in white bags - often in four or more rows. It is a very somber and impressive site. We all enjoyed the fellowship and the new friends we met.