Another dinner with old friends

On the Wednesday after The Ride, Mary & had dinner with college friends near our hotel in Arlington, VA.  Karen & John Burnette live in Herdon VA, a few miles north of Arlington.  Bev & Bob Smithson drove up from Chapel Hill, NC -- 270 miles south!

The ladies are sorority sisters from Kappa chapter of Alpha Xi Delta, University of Illinois.

John, Karen, Bob, Mary, Bob, Bev, Dick 

Bob & Bev

John & Karen

Another night out -- Coal City, July 24

Out on the town two nights in a row with friends & family!  Coal City is just 40 miles east of Ottawa, where I grew up.  Ron & and Barb Dodd, Stan & Ruth Gaul, and my sister-in-law Norma Willy picked me up at camp.  Ron & Stan are high school classmates of mine.  Ron & Barb live in Joliet, Stan, Ruth & Norma live in Ottawa.

One of the local "delicacies" when I lived in the "hood" was a pork tenderloin sandwich.  We went to a restaurant in nearby Morris that still serves them.  Yum!

Stan, Ruth, Norma

Stan

Norma, Ruth

Barb, Ron, me, Stan, Ruth, Norma 

Dinner with the Diserio's -- July 23

Our route went through home territory -- northern Illinois, where I grew up and went to college (U. of Illinois).  Our first stop in Illinois was Garden Prairie, near the home of John & Vivian Diserio, college friends of Mary & me.  They met me in camp and we went to dinner in Marengo, about 10 miles east of our campground.  Catching up with old friends was special, and the food was great, too!

Meet Ruby -- the best cook in South Dakota

So she claims.  From the taste of her bread pudding, Noel, Bernie & I agree.

We met Ruby in an unlikely place, a bar & grill in Midland, SD, one of those small towns whose business district, as  common in the upper Midwest, has been decimated by the gas station convenience store on the highway.

Noel & I would often look for local places to have a mid-morning “second breakfast”, so we detoured into town in search of a spot.  The bar & grill was not an obvious choice.  Noel inquired at the hotel whether there was someplace to get coffee & a snack.  As it turned out, the left door of the bar & grill was for the restaurant.  We entered and met Ruby.

Every day she works, Ruby uses the day-old bread to make her bread pudding.  Otherwise, it gets thrown away, which upsets her.

Bernie arrived after Noel & I had eaten.  We convinced him to try it.  He was sold, too.



The finish line

The Big Ride is over, but in the coming weeks I'll be posting pictures and stories of the trip and people we met.  So, keep looking from time-to-time.

Noel Gilbrough & I were privileged to cross the finish line first.

We were presented with commemorative medals -- very cool -- made of bike chain & a rear cassette sprocket.

Thanks to our ride director, Charlton Durant, for his leadership, dedication and support.

It's been a long ride.

We later hoisted bikes over the Reflecting Pool in front of the Capitol Building.

The finish....

Well...it's over.  Part of me says "Thank God!", but another part will miss being part of an incredible adventure and the company of new friends, many whom I'll never see again.

I'm sore & tired, and need some rest.  Sleeping in is wonderful -- no more standard 5:15 alarms.  My bedding & clothes are no longer damp.  These are very good things.

Re-immersion into a "normal" life is an abrupt change from our Big Ride cycle of eat-ride-eat-sleep and total focus on  riding the day's route.

The last two days of riding were fairly easy: 60 miles, and 40 miles.  On Saturday everyone was riding strong & fast, anxious to meet up at our lunch destination -- a Greek pavilion in the Old Post Office food court owned by a 1998 Big Rider.  We made great time, and were all there by 10:30.  Food was great & portions were huge.

From there, we paired up and rode to the finish line at the Capitol Building end of the Mall.  Noel Gilbrough & I were privileged to be the first pair to cross.  Mary, Kate (daughter), Spence (son-in-law), and grandsons Jacob & Tom were there.  Some ALA ceremonies followed, of course.

And, then the Big Ride 2011 was over.  But, it'll always be indelibly printed in the minds of 26 Riders, three support staff, and Cindy Gilbrough, our informal fourth staff.  We are forever changed.

Gettysburg

Paxton Hall, our dorm in Gettysburg.        

 Gettysburg College.

 View north from Little Round Top along Union battle line to Gettysburg.

Confederate artillery on Seminary Ridge, looking  across the path of Pickett's charge on the Union forces atop Cemetery Ridge -- a confederate disaster and a turning point in the Civil War.  Lee's push into Pennsylvania failed here on Jul 3, 1863.

The top of the Alleghenys.

Aug 4

Yesterday was a long, tough day.  101 miles and 6,900' of climbing.  Fortunately, it was overcast with showers, so the temperatures stayed in the mid-70s.  Noel, James Lynn & I rode together.  Took us 12 hours, with around 3 hours for rest & food stops.

Today we have a rest day in Gettysburg.  My roommate Stan Howell & I took a bus tour of the battlefield -- always a moving experience, and I always learn something new.

My dorm "roomie", Stan Howell -- from Chimacum, WA, west side of Puget Sound.

Only 100 miles to go to Washington, DC.  Tomorrow is 60 miles to Clarksburg, MD.  Then, 40 miles on Sat. to DC and all the finish line festivities.

It's hard to believe we're almost done.  My body says "thank God", but I'll miss the other Big Riders & staff, some of whom I may never see again.  Nevertheless, we'll be forever bound by a shared experience few will ever know or understand.

I will appreciate waking in the morning at a civilized  hour (not 5:15), with dry bedding and no wet (from dew) tent to pack away.  I'll enjoy a few days off the bike.

Seeing Mary, Kate, Spence, Jacob & Tom on the Mall will be special.  We plan to tour DC until Friday, then visit Antietam National Battlefield.  From there, Mary & I head north to Maine for a few days with Gilbroughs.  Then home to Seattle from Boston on the 20th.

Aug 2

Today we rode from Confluence to Bedford, PA, a distance of 82 miles with 4900' of climbing.  The first 30  to miles were on a Rails-to-Trails route, in a treed corridor and nearly flat -- but after awhile, pretty boring.  Tomorrow we ride to Gettysburg -- 100 miles and a well-earned rest day.

A highlight of today was a visit to the Flight 93 Memorial near Strongsville. The permanent memorial is under construction and scheduled to open 9/11/2011.  Very moving experience.

Jul 29, continued.

I probably won't get many pictures published until after the ride.  Keeping up with blogging using free wi-fi has been difficult, especially with as little time as we have.  Our experience is a continuing cycle of eat-ride-eat-sleep, and all else is secondary.

Weather last week was "varied": heavy rain, wind, sun & heat.  Fortunately the terrain has been very flat.  Northern Indiana & NW Ohio is former Lake Erie seabed -- there are no hills worth the mention.  That will change next week as we move into eastern Ohio & Pennsylvania.  The day into Gettyburg is reported to be very difficult climbing.  Hopefully, I'll get back my "Cascades" legs by then.

That's all for now.

Update Jul 29

Yes, I'm alive.  ;o}  Last week was very long one -- 7 days in a row on the bike, 645 miles total.  Started the week in Madison WI, ended yesterday in Burton (Cleveland) OH.

I missed one complete day (Coal City, IL - Valparaiso, IN) due to lack of sleep the night before.  The night in Coal City (camping) was hot, humid, with no air movement. I managed to get only 1 hour of sleep and was in no condition to ride, so drove with Cindy Gilbrough.  I took a sag halfway through the next day, still catching up on sleep.  The rest of the week went well.

Yesterday I stopped my ride at daughter Kate's house in Lakewood, west side of Cleveland.  It's been great to have a rest day with family.  They'll take me to the Burton campsite tonight, and we'll hit the road again tomorrow AM.

Last week I was able to spend time with old friends:  John & Vivien Diserio in Belvidere, IL (college friends) and at Coal City with high school classmates Stan Gaul & Ron Dodd and the spouses, along with sister-in-law Norma.  Coal City is only 40 miles from Ottawa, where I grew up.

Next week (starting tomorrow) we ride five days into Gettysburg, PA where we'll take our last rest day.  Then, i't two easy days into Washington, DC.  More in next post....

Rapid City, SD - New Ulm, MN Jul 10 - 18

It was a tough week -- 6 days biking, 513 miles, strong headwinds, rain, heat.  I was really struggling on day 5 and decided to take an extra rest day, skipping the Tyler - New Ulm leg.  I rode with Cindy Gilbrough in their Toyota pickup pulling their Burro trailer.  It was difficult to sit out a day but it's exactly what my body needed.

After two days rest, I rode comfortably today -- 72 miles from New Ulm to Owatonna, MN.  It was hot (low 90s) and humid, but a 10 mph wind at our right side tempered the effects of the heat.

The countryside is pretty flat, with rolling terrain and few significant hills.  Crops are predominately corn & soy beans, generally very healthy.  Some fields show crop damage from the rains & flooding.

Pierre, So. Dakota's capital, is still suffering the effects of a flooding Missouri River.

That's all for now -- falling asleep..

Jul 9 - Rapid City, SD

It hardly seems possible that we've come 1,350 miles  -- 40% of Big Ride 2011 is over!  We've crossed Washington, the Idaho panhandle, Montana, the Rocky Mountains, the NE corner of Wyoming, and entered the Great Plains in south Dakota.  We've also climbed an incredible 41,000' and become acclimated to cruising at mile-high altitudes.

The change this week will be dramatic -- flatter terrain, heat routinely in 90's, and increasing humidity as we head east.

Last week was a tough one for me.  First day,, Jul 4, Billings MT - Hardin WY was fairly easy at 56 miles, but most found it more difficult than the distance would suggest -- me, too.  Seemed like our bodies didn't want to work after a day off.  Hardin - Sheridan (85mi), Sheridan - Gillette (112 mi) and Gillette - Newcastle (76 mi) we're physically painful.  I finally realized I hadn't been stretching as I usually do, and my back & arm pain we're the result.  That night I stretched really well. That and a couple of other changes made and huge difference the next day.  See next post for Newcastle - Rapid City via the Black Hills.

KOA, Hardin, WY

Noel & Cindy Gilbrough's Burro trailer , "Baby".  Cindy drives the route, they sleep in the Burro, except rest days where we have indoor accommodations, like university dorms.  Cindy visits all of the quilt shops en route.

Cindy & Noel

Jul 4, Hardin, MT KOA

Lazy day....  Only 56 miles, and most were in camp by 11 AM.  Noel, Brian, Kenny, Gabe & I stopped in town at Taco John for some "real" food -- other than PB&J.  We were in by noon..  some riders haqve gone to the fairgrounds for the rodeo -- others, like me -- are chillin', blogging, etc.  There will be fireworks tonight at the fairgrounds & by a FW dealer's business.. Too late for most,though. We have an early departure planned for tomorrow - maybe more days, too - to beat the heat & possible headwinds.

Dinner tonight by "Beyond Basil" caterers fro Billings.  Yum!

Jul 3, Billings, MT

Last week was one of highs & lows: four days of riding in a row, including two centuries & one 90+ miler.  We crossed over the continental divide at 6,300 feet - the highest altitude on the Big Ride - on a beautiful century through country reminiscent of Bonanza and High Plains Drifter with most of the day spent at mile-high altitudes.

We had fabulous dinner in Harlowton at the home the owners of a soon-to-open restaurant in town -- I had the buffalo burger.

Yesterday the ride started fast and strong, as riders rode to beat forecast PM head winds & high temps.  The road in the AM was slightly downhill, and Noel I m made the lunch stop at mile 47 averaging 18.6 mph!    But, the next 45 miles was composed of many long uphills, temps rising to 90 deg and a slight headwind.  And, I bonked badly about 20 miles out of Billings, only able to pedal at 10 - 12 mph.  Our average fell to 15 - still our fastest day yet.

Our dinner was catered by "Beyond Basil" and was the BEST food yet: three great salads, yellow tomato gaspacho, the tenderest steak I've ever had (Montana organic raised beef), cupcakes, and homemade ice cream.  They will also be catering our dinner in Hardin!

MacDonald Pass - 6,325' - the 

Continental Divide 

The descent to Helena

Crossing the Missouri above 

Townsend & Three Forks, where the Galatin, Jefferson& Madison merge to form the Missouri

A "Big Sky" scene

We've crossed the Rockies, done three centuries in four days, rested today in Billings, and will ride to Hardin on the Crow Indian Reservation tomorrow.

Sandpoint - Thompson Falls 6/26

 Glacial Lake Missoula near head of current Lake Pend Orielle.

Noel explaining the great flood when the glacier holding lake Missoula collapsed thousands of
years ago creating the landscape of central Washington.

Lake Pend Orielle moose habitat.

Pretty ride past Lake Pend Orielle and the source of the great floods from Glacial Lake Missoula, tens of thousands of years ago.  84 miles, uneventful.

Update Jun 30, Townsend, MT

Free internet service has been spotty, even in Missoula.  So, I'll try to summarize highlights from time-to-time, rather than give daily highlights.  Our first century ride was Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula -- 101 miles.  Hot, head winds and a significant climb at the 75 mile mark.

Noel & I had a hard day, especially that last 75.  We found an art gallery in Arlee that served smoothies, which helped us cool off (90 deg). We eventually got to the UM dorms at 6 PM.  Luckily, they held the food service open for us -- and we weren't the last.  Two more riders followed, the latest at 7 PM.
The next day was a welcomed rest day: lazy breakfast, lunch with some local ALA associates, some shopping, dinner & bed.

We're now in Townsend, MT.  The 90-miler Wednesday went much better -- Missoula - Avon, 99 miles, 3,600' of climbing, following the Blackfoot River upstream.  We arrived about 4:30 (?).
The trip from Avon to Townsend was "short" -- only 60 miles.  We started with a 1,500' climb over MacDonald Pass on Hwy 12, crossing the continental divide at an altitude of 6,300'.  The altitude effect on breathing has been noticeable.

I'll add pictures when we get to Billings Sunday -- I hope.

Spokane WA to Sandpoint ID -- Jun 25

An uneventful day -- which is good.  76 miles, 2,190' of climbing, temps in the 60s with breezes at our back.

We're staying on the grounds of a very nice athletic club, with full use of the facilities.  We hiked to downtown Sandpoint, about a mile, for dinner at Ivan's --excellent Italian restaurant.  I had lamb t-bone with pasta, veggies, minestrone, salad & beverage.

Tomorrow we're off to Thompson Falls, MT, a ride of 88 miles.  From there its a 101 mile day into Missoula; our first century ride, followed by a rest day.

Stay tuned..

Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie rest stop

Mayor Mike McGinn & local chapter ALA CEO Renee Klein -- ride kickoff

Mary at the kickoff dinner, Sun 6/19 -- her birthday!

Spokane -- rest day

The final run  into Spokane was uneventful.  Except Noel & I had our yougest rider (Gabe, 16 yo from NYC, lower eastside) very "agitated".  We picked him up at the last checkpoint getting a flat fixed by Richard, our team machanic.  Noel & had planned to scout a possible route through the city to Gonzaga U. using the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River.  As we started deviating from the daily route sheet, Gabe became concerned. Since Noel & I didn't know the exact route -- we were scouting, after all -- we had to make up the route as we went, poking in here & there to see where the path led us.  We were sure we'd find our way, both knowing where we were and where were destined, with some knowledge of the city.

Gabe wasn't buying it, but had little choice but to follow, reluctantly.  We eventually found a route -- of course.

Today was relaxing.  Breakfast at Starbucks, shopping, lunch at Anthony's, Thai for dinner, soon to bed.  Tomorrow is 76 miles to Sandpoint, ID.

The second half....

See my previous post for days 1 & 2.

Wednesday was our hardest.  It  started easily enough with long 4 mile climb along I-90 up the east side of the gorge -- not steep.  At George WA (really, there is such a place) we took to the backroads on to Odessa.  The trip covered 83 miles -- but the hard part was temps in the low 90s.  Not something most of us are acclimated too -- yet.

Overnight accomodations were at the Odessa High School.  Dinner was prepare by parents raising money to send their kids to Fla for a business-themed competition.  Great food; chicken Parmesan, penne pasta, Caesar salad, brownie & chocolate ice cream, watermellon.  Yum.  Bernie & I followed up with a beer at the Rolling Thunder Saloon.

Yesterdy was our easiest through rolling dry land wheat fields into the pine woods approaching Spokane.  77 miles, temps in the 60s and a tailwind.  Sweet!    Continued in my next post,

A great start.

We're on our first rest day in Spokane -- scattered clouds, lots of sun, cool & breezy.  Time to do laundry, shop for items forgotten or not, leisurely lunch at Anthony's looking at the falls, clean the bike, update my blog, etc.

So far we've ridden 323 miles in 4 days with no major mishaps.  Personally, I feel stronger as the days go by, although I'm dealing with some saddle sores -- not unusual.

Day 1 (6/20) was overcast & cool (60's).  Great weather for the climb to Snoqualmie Pass.  4,216 ft. that day.  Our campsite was Lake Easton State Park, east of the Summit.  Total riding distance was 84 mi.  We were treeated to dinner prepared by Big Ride alumni from the puget Sound area; burritos, beans, fruit, cookies, cake,etc.  It really hit the spot.

Tuesday was an early start day, 7 AM, to beat the heavier traffic on the 4 miles segment of  I-90 we rode before taking backroads of the Yakima valley through Thorp, Ele Elum, to Ellensburg for a "lunch" stop.  Our standard lunch  is PB&J sandwiches, plus some other snack items.  Time to water up, put on more sunscreen and stretch out a bit.

In the afternoon we rode over the Kittitas ridge, followed by a long descent intoVantage on the Columbia river.

This was the most beautiful ride so far, with temps in the 70s and gereat scenery.  Not much climbing -- only 1,500 ft over 72 miles. Noel & I arrived in camp at 2 PM.  Dinner was in the restaurant at the campground ordering from the menu.  Evening was very picturesque with excellent evening light for some photos.

Next post will cover the rest of the story up through yesterday.

Last night at home for two months

I've got my bags packed (stuffed) nearly to the weight limit, and my bike's tuned & ready to roll.  Tomorrow Noel & I -- and any other Big Riders who might come -- will attend the 10:30 mass at Trinity Episcopal Church.  Fr. Paul Collins will bless us on our way, and bless our bikes, too.

After coffee hour and some lunch, Mary will deliver me to the Emerson Dorms at Seattle Pacific University for the 2 PM orientation meeting, where we'll meet the other riders, most for the first time.  Following orientation we'll have dinner at the dorm with spouses & other family members.

Then, it's early lights out.  Well -- there may be a beer at the Nickerson, first.

On Monday it's an early wakeup, eat breakfast, load the bags, take group photos, say goodbyes -- and start riding at 0730.  The first leg follows the Burke-Gilman Trail around the north end of Lake Washington and south to Marymoor State Park.  From there we follow SR-202 over the Sammamish Plateau, continuing east to Fall City, Snoqualmie, and North Bend.

From North Bend we hop onto I-90 for a few miles to Denny Creek, then onto the old highway up to Snoqualmie Pass.  Noel, Daria & I rode this section, 71 miles, a week ago Friday.  It was easier than we expected, although the traffic noise along I-90 is "annoying".  I'm wearing an  ear plug in my left ear on Monday.

From Hyak, 2 miles east of the Summit, we'll be ferried around the highway construction along Lake Keechelus -- 10 miles.  Then, it's back on the bikes for the 10 mile downhill run to Lake Easton State Park, our first campsite.

Monday's dinner will be prepared by local alums of the Big Ride, a great tradition of the Big Ride.  Which reminds me, one of our local Riders, Kate Montana, is the daughter of a Rider from '88.

Well, I'll be signing off for now.  Hopefully, my electronic gizmos will let me keep the blog up to date in a reasonably timely fashion.  Wish us well -- add a prayer, if that's in your tradition.

Training update Jun 6

Last Friday Noel, Steve, Daria & I rode form Enumclaw (elevation 800') to Crystal Mountain ski resort (elev. 4,600'), a distance of 38 miles (76 round trip).  The last 2,000' elevation gain is in the last 6 miles, a representative mountain climb.  The only bad part of the trip was the discovery that the Snorting Elk restaurant at the resort wasn't open on Friday's, so we ate at the Naches Tavern in Greenwater on the way out.  Great day, good workout -- a welcome respite from the miserable Spring weather we've had.

Training update 5/27/11

Weather this Spring has been pretty miserable -- wet, cold....  Today was no exception, with temps in the 40s & 50s, and rain squalls moving through.

Noel Gilbrough (fellow Big Rider), Steve Foster (riding buddy) & I rode from Enumclaw east on SR-410 to Mud Mountain Road, then west to SR-410 south of Enumclaw.  From there, south through Buckley, Wilkeson, and Carbonado toward the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier NP.

Noel & Steve both flatted about a mile short of the Carbon River Ranger Station.  After fixing tires, we decided to head back downhill.  Thankfully, we had discovered a country restaurant in Wilkeson with hot soup, biscuits, cookies, hot apple pie ala mode, and COFFEE!

We made it back to Enumclaw after 56 miles on the road, 4,000' net elevation gain, and soaked.  We figured that if we could deal with this kind of day, the Big Ride wouldn't throw us anything we can't handle.

Training update

Just finished 2,000 miles of training since January.  About 900 to do before the start.

A big "thank you" to all of my supporters, who have donated over $10,000 to the American Lung Association.

American Lung Association's "Big Ride across America" -- 2011

Why?  To raise awareness and money for the ALA's advocacy and research programs to improve respiratory health.

So, some stats on the Ride....

• Seattle, WA to Washington, DC by bicycle
• 3,300 miles
• 48 days
• through 12 states
• 29 riders
• Departure date -- Jun 20
• Arrival date -- Aug 6

Learn more at:  http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR/BikeTrek/ALAMP_Mountain_Pacific?pg=entry&fr_id=2541

I'll be reporting in from the trip as time and connections permit.  So, follow along!