Fair makes historic ride for museum

Today, 70-year old Loa Fair, a resident of Westminster Village, will embark on a 316-mile bicycle tour of the Arkansas Delta to raise awareness and funds for the Delta Gateway Museum. Fair has been training for months for his historic ride to help furnish the museum's community meeting and education room.

"The community room will enable students from Blytheville and throughout the surrounding area to explore the history of the Arkansas Delta from a museum perspective," Fair said. "Students will see history unfold and gain a greater understanding of how our region developed."

The bicycle tour will begin at the historic arch on Highway 61 at the Arkansas/Missouri state line and end at the Arkansas/Louisiana state line. Fair will ride along the Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway and renowned avenue for discovering the Arkansas Delta. He expects the trip to take about a week. His Facebook page, Super 70 Rider, chronicles his preparation for the ride and will follow his progress. His son, Chris, is accompany him in a pickup truck with supplies.

According to Fair, the Delta bicycle tour is part of his "bucket list." He said, "I want to do it while I can and for a great cause. The museum will present a positive image and stable influence for our young people."

Fair said he took up cycling about 10 years ago for health reasons and now rides 10 miles a day.

"I rode 40 miles the other day and wasn't really winded. So, I know I can do this," he said.

Fair has started a bicycle group at Westminster Village that meets every Saturday at 10 a.m.

"There are about five or six of us and we ride through the community. It's a nice time to gather for fellowship and enjoy the area."

Fair said he is getting mixed reviews from his family about his trip.

"My wife looks at me and says, 'I still can't believe you're going to do this.' While my kids tell me, 'Go Dad, go.'"

Fair, who spent 20 years in the United States military and served two tours in Vietnam along with one in Okinawa, said it's important to stay active and have hobbies while retired. Along with the bike group, he also was a part of the 2010-11 Blytheville Leadership Institute, plays guitar and leads a Bible study at Westminster Village.

Fair is asking area residents to make a pledge per mile or simply make a donation to the museum in honor of his ride. Pledges and donations can be made to the Delta Gateway Museum, 210 W. Main St., Blytheville, AR 72315. Phone is 870-824-2346. Fax is 870-824-2347.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com