The forecast was for severe thunderstorms on Saturday and winds of 20-30 miles per hour. No sane person would venture out on a bicycle in such weather. The week’s weather leading up to that November morning had been magnificent. Autumn leaves still arrayed banks of trees in golds and reds. Pre-dawn chill warmed to mist with the rising sun. An idyllic biking ambiance that had lured me three times already that week to Mill Inn. From my home in Liberty by various routes I had made my way to Excelsior Springs to join the breakfast regulars. And to make final plans for my birthday breakfast party on Saturday.
Hardly ever do I pay attention to the weather forecast, preferring instead to plan my day and then do it, come h--- or high water. But I had invited everybody who ever rode with me on Saturday mornings—more then 200 good folks—to ride to breakfast with me on my 70th birthday so I could buy their breakfasts. I knew that some might not come if the weather were bad. So I went to my computer and sneaked a peek at the long-range weather forecast. The whole week was predicted as divine. Until Saturday!
So I sent emails to everybody. I told them of the dire forecast. Then I guaranteed good weather. Saturday comes! No rain! Little wind. We gather on our bikes in front of Biscari Brothers Bicycles. Clouds are rolling in. On his Blackberry, one of our riders shows me the storm around us. Off we go. Out H Highway. By 9 AM we are standing in front of Mill Inn for pictures with the big yellow and black banner my son, Brian, has brought. In case of bad weather, come in your cars, I had said in my emails. Bring friends. But come. Thirty-two of us have. We are soon seated. The whole staff comes to greet us and make us welcome.
No gifts. That was my instruction. But Kevin White surprises and pleases us all by bringing, Brian Busby, Channel 4 weatherman. Brian’s grandmother lived for years with Multiple Sclerosis, and Brian is a familiar figure to many of us from riding with him in the MS-150 every September. Kevin has also brought a bright yellow CAUTION sign, like those we use in the MS-150. All riders and their guests and the Mill Inn staff sign the sign, and Kevin gives it to me.
David Andrews and Kevin White rode with us this morning. Their wives, Linda and Brandi drove to join us. Steve and Sharon Hanson are regular riders. But this morning Sharon has driven here to join Steve and the rest of us.
I had asked earlier in the week for two birthday cakes. Owner Evelyn Cowsert and Manager Kay Stewart, won’t let me pay for them. After biscuits and gravy, bacon and eggs and basketball-size pancakes, the 32 of us can’t put away much cake. We leave it for others. We’ll be gone. But they can help celebrate my birthday.
Kay’s grandson, Scottie, busses tables here at Mill Inn. “Could Scottie have his picture made with Brian Busby?” Kay whispers in my ear. Brian is happy to oblige. My son, Brian, takes the picture and promises one to Scottie. Everybody’s happy.
Ken Fousek is a familiar sight out and about in Excelsior Springs in his motorized wheelchair. Ken infectious grin and his buoyant personality have served him well in his adopted hometown. Active in politics and civic affairs, Ken writes a column for the Excelsior Springs Standard. I had talked with Ken on one of my earlier rides this week to Mill Inn and invited him to join us for breakfast. As an office holder, he doesn’t want to let me buy his breakfast. He has only a cup of coffee.
Brian and Cindy Harvey’s daughter had a soccer game this morning, and Brian and Cindy couldn’t ride. But before we are served, they appear. By car. With their two daughters and a daughter’s friend. We have eaten and folks are moving from table to table to talk with each other. Brian has come to where I sit. As we talk, he gives me a gift. “We couldn’t miss your 70th birthday,” he says. “Some of us have been talking, and we want you to know. This may not happen for five or ten or twenty or more years. But if that time comes when you can’t ride by yourself, we’ve arranged for you to ride with us on a tandem. There’s no way we’re gonna let you not ride.”
Rich Groves monitors the weather and plans his riding accordingly. So he has come today in his car, stopping along the way to take pictures as we ride by. I love to ride. But I don’t want to leave this good place and these good people this morning. So Rich and I sit. Son Brian has come in his car, bringing that huge birthday sign he had made. Dale Ahle and daughter, Emma, have driven. Dale is home for the weekend from his job in St. Louis. A long-time friend and our HateBusters and Greater Liberty webmaster, Dale doesn’t often miss one of our events.
“You bring your bike rack, Rich?” I ask. “Yes,” he says. “Let’s put my bike on your car. I need to get home for more birthday festivities my family has planned.” We’re almost home when a few raindrops fall. My guarantee was good.
The complete list of those whose breakfasts I’m privileged to buy. In the order they signed in: Ken Fousek, Steve Hill, David Wood, David and Linda Eaton, Gary Dewitt, Rolland Yoakum, Rich Groves, Rodger Suchman, Kevin and Brandi White, Brian Busby, Easel Roberts, Aaron Sims, Jeff Dema, Petra Toye, Steve and Sharon Hanson, Ann Dahl, Michael Calabria, Mark Krouse, Rachel Palos, Brent Hugh, Milhayla Roe, Heather Miller, Micheala Rouse, Brian and Cindy Harvery, Dale and Emma Ahle, Brian Chasteen and Ed Chasteen.
HateBusters
Box 442
Liberty, MO 64069
Phone: 816-803-8371
e-mail: hatebuster@aol.com
No Boundaries On Our Soul!
