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He rides bike for gift of life

A Carrollwood man will journey to South Africa to join a bicycle rally to promote blood donation.

By TIM GRANT
Published March 18, 2005

A Carrollwood man who pedaled his bicycle across this country last year promoting blood donor awareness will do a similar feat in South Africa this month.

Bob Wise, 53, is one of four Americans who will travel to Johannesburg on March 28 for the Pic 'n Pay National Blood Awareness Cycle Tour.

Six teams of bicyclists with six riders on each team will be stationed around the perimeter of South Africa. Starting April 1, they'll spend nine days traveling toward the center of the country.

The bikers will hold a grand rally on April 10 in Bloemfontein.This is the fourth year for the tour, sponsored by the South African grocery chain Pic 'n Pay.

While Wise considers the South African blood drive a great cause, it's also a great excuse to enjoy his favorite pastime.

"I love riding my bike," said Wise, a Verizon technician, who bikes into town every day from his Logan Gate Village home. "Plus I'm doing something I really believe in as far as blood donations."

South Africa has a critical blood shortage, as people are afraid of needles because of an HIV epidemic. The riders will seek to spread information about safe ways to donate blood.

Wise participated in a similar Five Points of Life Ride in August, which involved pedaling 3,800 miles over eight weeks from Seattle to Florida. Participants educated people along the way on how to donate blood, plasma, bone marrow, organs and umbilical cords.

Wise is the only Floridian participating in the South African bike tour, which focuses more specifically on the need for safe blood.

Tim Grant can be reached at 813 269-5311 or at grant@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 17, 2005, 08:40:12]