The ride was no shorter this year, it was still 140 long and hilly miles. Nor was the time of year any less trying in terms of the weather conditions. But for David Patterson, this year's trek for Camp Smile-A-Mile, dubbed "The Ride of Love" by founding rider Stephanie Wilkins, went a little easier.
And the start time, 6 a.m. from the IHoP in Tuscaloosa, didn't get any easier to take, but this year, Patterson knew exactly what awaited him, not only along the ride, but also at the end. He knew the wonderful feeling of riding those last 500 yards into the camp and being greeted by the campers, youngsters dealing with cancer.
"It's a tremendous feeling to cross into the camp and see them there waiting for us," Patterson said. "It makes every mile of training and every mile today worth it."