PA. TOUR
By Rev. AL Paquette
I just got back from an exciting 3,400 mile bike ride. It was exciting because this was the 4th year I have been invited to help out a place that is run by Rick Beatty called the Hope Center. But sad because Sharon could not join me this year. Sharon has a friend, Flo, who she helps out. We have been planning this trip all year and as the time to leave came closer Flo’s health became worse. As a matter of fact we really did not know if Sharon could join me until the night before. But God did. You see for our 35th anniversary on June 7th we bought a couple of bicycles and joined a gym so we could get back in shape and lose weight. But little did I know that I would have to make this 3,400 mile motorcycle ride to PA. But God did.
On that Wed. morning I had my bike packed and headed out the door at 5:20 AM. I will be honest with you. I have not taken a long ride since before the accident last June so I did not know if I was ready physically or emotionally. I headed out on I-4 and the traffic was minimum. As I blasted down I-95 the traffic started to pick up and after soaring through Jacksonville, FL. I knew that I was regaining my confidence back. I was getting into the groove of kicking back and enjoying the ride. As I passed the Georgia state line I felt the presence of the Lord and I knew that this was going to be a journey that was fruitful. I passed the So. Carolina border at 10 AM and took I-26 east to I-85 north. I took 601 out of Charlotte, N.C north and this road was not as congested as the highway. I was very excited when I made it to Mt. Airy by 6 PM. I wanted to make it there but did not know if I had it in me. 680 miles the first day was not too bad of a ride. I got my room and called Sharon to tell her how much I missed her.
I got up the next morning and headed to downtown Mt. Airy. This is the Mayberry town. I went to the souvenir store and got my bobble head Barney and took some photos. All I could think about is how it is not the same without my best friend. I was ready to leave and jump on I-81 when I ran into another biker, Fred. He told me that I-81 to Roanoke, VA. was a very busy highway so he gave me a map and showed me a better route to take. I headed out of town on 89 to 704 and I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway by noon. Thanks Fred. I then took 221 to 220 to 581 to 81 to 11 which all had some great scenery to look at. As I was heading down I-11 it started to rain so I figured it was time to stop and get a room. I planned on making it to Bellwood that day but it was 5 PM and I did not like to ride in the rain in the mountains. Now you had to be there. I pulled into a motel in VA. and I walked into the lobby soaking wet with the grime of the road all over me and the people in the lobby just froze. I could tell the one desk clerk was comfortable around bikers but the other gal was scared of me. The one gal told me it was so cool that I was riding in this nasty rain. And she was really impressed when I told her that I just rode all the way from Orlando, FL. She told me not to worry because the other gal was not comfortable around bikers but she loved bikers. I broke the ice and told them that I was an ordained minister on tour and I was heading to PA. to do some prison ministry. The scared gal then told me, “Oh, I go to church!” I asked her if her pastor ever preached about judging a book by it’s cover. Me and the other gal had a good laugh and she gave me $40 off the room for riding on a motorcycle.
I got up the next morning and after talking to Nancy she told me that a bad storm was heading my way so I took I-81 to I-77 to 522 to I-81 to I-99 to Bellwood, PA. and arrived at Ricks by 11 AM. I saw a red fox along the way and had a great ride. 1, 158 miles and safe and sound. As the slogan for Harley Davidson says, it is not the destination rather it is the journey. And what a journey it was. 1158 miles and only 5 miles of rain. Thank you Lord.
The next morning, Sat. we had the bike run to benefit the Hoper Center. It seems that the weather was not cooperating with us and there were some storms in the making. That would explain for the small number of bikers that showed up. 28 in all. We fed the bikers a breakfast with the help of volunteers from Logins Baptist Church and the cream puffs and raison squares that were made by Clarabelle and her husband were very much enjoyed by the bikers. We started off and the skies were clear for the scheduled 100 mile run. After about an hour it started to rain on us and we cut the run short so we would not have anyone getting hurt. When we got back to the Hope Center I gave my testimony and invited the bikers back the next day for a Bikers Sunday. I guess they enjoyed our company because almost all of the bikers came back the next morning and many of them never attend a church. I spoke about values and how their soul is the most valuable thing so we they must invest in it for eternity. After the service we went for a fun ride and ended up going to a great place called Hinery View which was 93 miles one way.
On Monday I made a visit the local motorcycle club in Altoona. That is what bikers call protocol because this time I was riding my bike and wearing a club patch so I need to make my appearance to them in person. I new that they owned a tattoo parlor and they would be there so Rick and I rode to meet them. 
We rode by the shop and it was one way street so we had to circle around the block so we did and then parked in their parking lot. Well I did not know but they later told me that they saw me ride by and saw my patch and that they did not know who I rode with. So when Rick and I walked into the shop there were 6 of them and they were all members of this club and you could cut the tension with a knife, I approach the counter and ask who was in the club which I got a response, “Who do you ride with?” I explained that I was an ordained minister from Orlando and that I was the chaplain for the NFLCOC there and that I was in PA. doing prison ministry and that I wanted to meet them to make sure that I would be safe riding with my patch on. That was all it took to make friends with the local M/C that day. Of course I got a souvenir tattoo and when I left we were friends. He invited me back anytime and assured me and Rick that we would be welcomed riding our colors in Altoona. That Mon. night we had a benefit night at the Chili’s in Altoona for the Hope Center and there was a good turnout there. 10 % of the meal tab went to the center.
On Thurs. and Fri. night I taught a bible study in Cresson Prison and the attendance was great. Chaplain Ladd is always a big supporter for us going into his prison. I then preached 2 sermons on Sunday morning. We had 2 first time decisions for Christ. When we pulled up to the prison we saw 3 deer so I knew that was a good sign. On one run we saw 4 black bears. That is when you know you are in the country.
After an awesome time and staying at Nancy and Ricks house all week I had to head to Woodstock, VA. on Labor day to preach at a local church. It was hard to leave and the goodbyes are not easy. I pulled out of their driveway knowing I had another mission to complete before my tour would be done and I could get back home to see Sharon. It rained most of the way and I got to Woodstock by 1 PM. I called George and he and Kevin meet me at the motel and we headed to their church where they had fixed a chicken dinner. PTL. We then had the service at 7 PM and there was good turnout.
I got up the next morning and rode 600 miles on Tues. and 500 miles on Wed. to get home to a much missed wife. Now I know what the life of an evangelist is all about. There will be times that I will have to leave home and be alone but just knowing that my wife Sharon, supports me and all my friends pray for me and that God approves of me going I will always be ready for the open rode.
3,400 miles with the wind in my face and Jesus by my side is always a good tour. PTL
