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From Sea to Shining Sea: Cyclist Finishes Odyssey
By
Carol L. Spence
 LEXINGTON,
Ky., (July 25, 2007) – There were days when Wayne Hoover didn’t
think he could pedal one more foot. But he persevered for 3,836
miles. And on Tuesday, July 24 he dipped his front bicycle tire
into the Atlantic Ocean, finally bringing to an end a near epic
journey that memorialized and honored his good friend Larry
Turner.
“The scenery up here in New England is just breathtaking… but
you mentally get to the point when you’re ready for it to be
over,” Hoover said, reflecting on 52 days spent on the road in
weather that included snow and sleet, blazing heat and drenching
downpours. “It’s been just an incredible experience…. I’d do it
again in a heartbeat.” He added, laughing, “I’d probably wait a
couple of years before I did it again.”
Hoover dedicated his journey to Turner’s memory and used it as a
fundraising tool for the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and the newly
created Larry W. Turner Scholarship Fund at the University of
Kentucky. Turner was associate dean for extension in the UK
College of Agriculture and director of the Kentucky Cooperative
Extension Service when he perished in the crash of Comair Flight
5191 nearly a year ago.
Hoover took every opportunity he could to tell people about the
kind of man Turner was.
“I tell them what I’m raising money for and what Dr. Turner did
at the University of Kentucky and the impact he had on so many
people’s lives. And they love to hear that story,” he said. “So
I hope, in some small way, it’s getting people to think that no
matter where they come from, no matter how big or small their
dreams are, that they can make something happen if they just go
out and do it. It doesn’t have to be riding across the country
on a bicycle…. Get out of the comfort zone. Make a difference in
somebody’s life.”
The journey has made a difference in Hoover’s life. He’s learned
a lot about himself.
“I’ve learned you have to overcome, but you also have to be
willing to help anybody else in any situation, because tomorrow
that situation could be you. When one of us succeeds, all of us
succeed,” he said, referring to days when a cyclist would ride
with a hand on another rider’s back, lending a little extra
strength and encouragement where it was needed.
Some days, when he was asking himself, “What am I doing out
here?” he learned to break the bigger goal down into manageable
sections, reminding himself, for instance, that in only 10 more
miles he could stop for lunch.
“If I had ridden by myself, I don’t know whether I would have
had the mental toughness. A lot of times all I kept thinking was
Larry wouldn’t quit. Larry would not quit. He would keep on
going.”
Hoover also learned something about this country and the people
who are scattered between its borders.
“I think that’s the one thing that has impressed me so much.
When you live in a city, I guess you just don’t appreciate what
percentage of land in this country is dedicated to agriculture.
It’s overwhelming,” he said. “It’s really quite phenomenal what
these farmers, both big and small, what they do and the pride
they take in what they do.”
He added, “I have really shored up my faith in people. In the
media, all you hear about is the bad guys. But I really believe
that most people in this country would do anything for you. If
we were out of water, we could ride up to a farmhouse and they’d
go, ‘Come on in and we’ll give you some water. Would you like a
sandwich?’ They’re just so wonderful.”
Despite that fact that Hoover’s ride is over, he wants to assure
people that the 2007 Larry Turner Memorial Cross Country
Challenge will continue. Donations to both the Larry W. Turner
Scholarship Fund and Kentucky 4-H Foundation will still be
accepted through the Web site http://imperator.ca.uky.edu/turnerchallenge/.
Because Hoover’s 13-state odyssey was fully sponsored by
businesses and individuals (all of which are listed on the Web
site), contributions will be designated in their entirety to
either 4-H or the scholarship fund.
“It’s a fantastic cause because what it really is about is
making dreams come true,” he said. “And it’s about preserving
the future of this country. And the youth of this country is
where our future is. This is a way to help them.”
When he reached the end of his very long road, Hoover said two
thoughts were uppermost in his mind when he dipped his front
tire into the Atlantic. First, “It’s over.” And then, “Larry,
this one’s for you.”
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Contact: Wayne Hoover, 859-983-1382
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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