People You Meet on the Bike Trail
I started to ride the Oak Savannah Trail more frequently last summer.
The trail runs between Griffith and Hobart in Northwest Indiana and goes through a lot of natural areas. My favorite section of the trail in Hobart is actually part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
The trail was never crowded. I was more likely to come across a few wayward chickens from a nearby farm instead of other bikers or joggers.
The days I rode the trail varied, but it was a pretty sure bet you would find me there every Sunday. And that also applied to Robert.
It was not a Sunday bike ride without running into Robert, who walked the trail every Sunday and always said “God bless you” when you passed him.
Robert would repeat those words when you went by him again going the opposite way. He was always walking east on the trail. I never saw him going west. And when I did zip by him, it was always after 10 a.m. and usually in the Hobart section of the trail or sometimes a little west in Gary.
I never stopped when Robert said “God bless you.”
“God bless you too” I’d say as I whizzed past.
It kind of became reassuring to hear especially if life was being a little hectic. A bike ride always helped me with that. Hearing “God bless you” was a bonus. It was not about religion or beliefs. It was just cool to hear someone say something nice to a stranger.
Finally one Sunday in early autumn I stopped my bike to learn more about this man. That is when I learned his name was Robert. He told me he lived in Hobart and after church his mom would drop him off at the trail in Gary and he would take it back home. It said it was something he enjoyed doing. He also enjoyed saying “God bless you” to people on the trail. And he usually walked with a rosary. One time he had flowers that he received from church.
Soon the weather turned and I stopped riding the trail. I imagine Robert did the same, as I recall him telling me he usually only walked on nice days.
I’m back on the trail this summer, but I’ve yet to see Robert on my Sunday rides. So no “God bless you” this year. Not yet. Recently there was someone walking on the trail warning me about stray dogs, that “they’ll attack you.” But other than chickens and some chipmunks, I’ve come across no wildlife or domestic animals (except those leashed and being walked).
On a ride a few days ago, with a heat index in the 100 to 110 degree range, I stopped to take a water break. Another rider slowed down to ask if everything was okay. Yes, I told him. I thanked him for checking on me. I didn’t say “God bless you” — but I was hoping Robert was somewhere on the trail to say it to him.
