NUMB 2008--Day 1

More than 120 riders gather outside the Wahoo High School following a pancake and sausage breakfast for the annual group photo. The pledge total is up to more than $35,000 for hunger projects. It's not too late to contribute. Do so by sending a check to the Nebraska United Methodist Conference Office at 2641 N. 49th St., Lincoln, NE 68504. Please make the check payable to NUMB or to the Conference Treasurer with a note on the memo line that says "NUMB."

NUMB Day 1--Wahoo to Tekamah

by Kathryn Witte

Sixty-two miles, mostly north of Wahoo, with the last 20 of them bearing a significant wind, welcomed riders on the first day of NUMB. This year's ride includes more than 120 riders, one of the biggest NUMB Ride's ever says co-director Bill Ritter.

Rider Jim Banister was hit in Blair and was sent to the emergency room and has been released with a bump on the head and some stitches on his arm. His helmet was destroyed making another case for why riders wear helmets. His bike was also injured, but has been put back together again by the NUMB repair crews.

Please keep Jim Banister and his family in your prayers.

Family and friends reconnect on NUMB Ride

The NUMB Ride has become an annual event for many who ride in NUMB. Paul Matson and his extended family are called the "Froggies," with one family member Paul Craig annually making the trip from Alaska. Other family and friends unite as well.

The Rev. Phil Sloat who pastors at Tekamah got to hook up with his son Wesley Morrison Sloat (both pictured to the left) from Fremont. Phil isn't in the ride, but dinner in Tekamah and stay over has enabled them to spend time together.

Long-time NUMB "brothers" Russ Nyffeler and Stan Collins met at noon on Monday in Wahoo, long after all the other riders left to accommodate one of their travel schedules, but still not miss the ride. Myffeler and Collins won a prize for their commitment... a couple of purple ribbons.

The ride continues for three more days, Monday's tour is from Tekamah to Wayne, about 67 miles, and hopefully only about a 4-6 mile an hour wind.

	Nina Clark is the chair of the hospitality and entertainment committee. She sees that time after the evening meal is filled with something for everyone.

Entertainment and fellowship at the Tekamah UMC

The United Methodist Women put on a feast of lasagna, garlic bread, salad, ice cream and rhubarb crisp for the 2008 NUMB riders. Riders arrived in Tekamah late morning through mid-afternoon. Many hit the city pool while others took naps after setting their camp. Still others found their motel rooms.

After lunch on their own, riders relaxed in the afternoon and met at the church at 6 p.m. for dinner and fellowship. Singing and prizes took up the bulk of the evening with various fund-raisers being promoted.

One fund-raiser is the prized "frog." It is a large traveling ceramic piece for which you can buy insurance at a price of $2 so that you don't get the "frog." Those without the insurance risk the likelihood of receiving the frog and then having to pay $5 to get rid of it. Temporary tattoos are also being sold for $2. All proceeds will go to the NUMB Ride hunger projects that include the Heifer Project, Nigerian Hunger Project through UMCOR, Nebraska Food Banks and Bread for the World. One hundred percent of all funds raised go directly to these projects.

Bill Ritter is caught napping at the local eatery following Sunday's Ride.

Even ride directors get tired