Spinning Wheels to Bring  Relief to Musicians in New Orleans

Phat Boy Riding’s Pedal with Purpose Tour to raise Money for Katrina Relief Fund.

By Steven Stills Freelance Writer

6/9/06: Atlanta GA, Before there was Forrest Gump running across the country, there was Phat Boy Riding  aka. Bob Carter riding a trike around the block .

When Bob Carter sets his bike tire in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in August at Tybee Island GA  he will begin a 3 month long, 3,500-mile winding journey across the country.

Carter, 46, will retrace the path that other cyclist have made over the years but with a twist. He will be riding a Recumbent Trike, A tadpole to be exact. Tadpoles are trikes that have two wheels in the front and one in the back. This is not your father’s trike. Carter, will be pulling a two wheeled trailer adapted to carry his canine companion Brandy, a four year old Chocolate Lab.

 Carter’s trike is yet to be determined, he really likes the GTO manufactured by a company from down under called Greenspeed. Carter will be a rolling ambassador for the High Sierra Foundation’s Katrina Relief Fund and  for the Musicians devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The odyssey will have Carter pedaling through 11 states. Carter will pedal west after dipping his back tire in the Atlantic Ocean. He will pedal through Georgia , Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California and make key stops at the Tahitian Noni Lifestyle Centers in Atlanta, Dallas, and Provo.. He'll dip his front tires into the Pacific Ocean before winding back across the country.  If you see him on the road ask about his favorite healthy beverage and Brandy’s favorite supplement.

Carter will have a "sag wagon," or a car that accompanies him carrying his supplies. It will be him, a trailer with Brandy and a cell phone and a laptop for approximately 60-75 miles a day, six or seven days a week. At least that is the plan.

For Carter, who is looking for corporate  sponsors , the trip is threefold: He wants to promote the High Sierra Foundation’s Katrina Relief Fund that is aiding Musicians from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region.  The region was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita last year. He also wants to raise awareness about living a healthy lifestyle; and enjoy the pure adventure of this odyssey on three wheels. More information is available at www.phatboyriding.com.

"Since I recently had a health scare, somewhere I came to the agreement with myself that I had to do this ride across the country and it had to be about more than just me," Carter said while getting ready for a ride.

Carter has tackled equally monstrous tasks before. He has traveled to over 28 countries, living in three, his travels even included witnessing first hand a coup of the Fijian Parliament while on a trip to Fiji. He welcomes this adventure.

Carter will get a proper ship-off in August from the Tahitian Noni Lifestyle center at the Atlantic Station in Atlanta, and then will transport his unique rig to Tybee Island to begin his three wheeled odyssey. The Pedal with Purpose Tour’06 is a series of rides with the Cross Country ride being the cornerstone. Phatboy Riding’s Pedal with Purpose Tour ‘06 is also an outreach of the Circle of Harmony Project, a concept created by Futureman of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to engage musicians and other artist in becoming social entrepreneurs.

Carter will be accompanied by his canine friend, Brandy the Mold dog,  who will ride in a trailer at least a couple of hours a day. Carter says, “ We will have to see how Brandy adapts to riding in the trailer. I also do not want to keep her in the heat all day.” 

There is a groundswell of support developing of folks across the country and with the magic of the internet around the world that will follow Carter's journey.

"I’m already getting emails about all this and I’ve only told a few friends. I reckon they have told a few people.” It’s Simply Amazing" Carter said, with his slight Southern drawl and signature grin. "I want to see the  real Americans and how they welcome a fat boy on a trike; It will be amazing to see how kind they will be in helping those that are in need." “I believe the American People are looking for opportunities to help and serve others,  the High Sierra Foundation’s Katrina Relief Fund is one opportunity that they can demonstrate the  spirit of generosity that has made our nation so great”  

 Multi-Grammy winning artist Futureman from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones has taken notice.  "Bob, is on a mission that expresses the heart of our Big Country." , says Future Man of the Flecktones.

“The occasional aches, hunger pangs and loneliness won't bother him, Carter says. His trike is a people magnet, and he loves meeting people.” He expects to tell his story many times and to raise support for the Katrina Relief fund. Plus Brandy will be a long for the ride.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta media are eating up the news of  Carter's trek, as well as  Musicians such as Futureman from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and local groups BlueGround Undergrass,  and the legendary  Col. Bruce Hampton and the Code Talkers.

For more information check out Bob at www.PhatBoyRiding.com  or by e-mail at Bob@phatboyriding.com

The High Sierra Foundation is a  not for profit organization  (501(c)(3) corporation)

Steven Stills may be contacted at  stevenstillwrites@hotmail.com