Day 7

Got in about 70 miles today. Had a wonderful ride this morning on country paved roads, rolling countryside, farms, creeks, and huge trees. Had to jump in the van to get across the bridge and cross the Mississippi. Took long lunch break in Washington Park in Quincy, IL and caught up on the local history (Lincoln/Douglas Debates). Left Ron in the park where his family was picking him up to continue their vacation. Lone rider now...

Flatted on some glass outside Quincy and Judy and I were able to practice our pit skills. Fast change then back on the road.

Disappointed to learn Camp Pt., IL does not have a campground!? Staying tonight @ the Victorian Inn (small cottage out back). Owners were nice enough to take us in with 20 mins notice and we have both internet AND T.V. Also stopped at a private home with a huge garden and purchased some fresh veggies.

75 or so miles tomorrow heading somewhere between Topeka and San Jose, IL.

So glad Judy has my back as HWY 24 is two lane, without a shoulder.

~peace

Donation Update!

Today donations reached $1570. Again, please feel free to repost, share, email, or gossip about this event. I very much want to meet my fundraising goal.

Last night camped @ Pershing State Park, near the home of General John Pershing. Raccoons depleted our trailmix reserve during the night, but Judy & I never heard a sound. Ron got up and caught one critter just about to make off with my vitamin stash. Camping tonight @ Shelbina Lake.

Having to re-plot our route as 36 shoulder is questionable to HWY 24.

Catching up!

Sitting in the beautiful Carnegie Public Library in Shelbina, MO. Short day so far (45 miles), but plan make up the 12 miles after we set up camp. Lost shoulder near Clarence, and were forced to load up through the road construction.

Now to get caught up on my blogging.


7/24/10

Left Russell, KS @ 5:30 am for a century ride to Abilene, KS. Cool morning helped with our 18 mph average. Ron Leiker will be riding with me until Friday and I am glad for the company. Jim Lemmen helped us out with a much needed SAG stop in Brookville, with bananas, water, ice, Cliff bars and electrolytes. It’s great how bikers support each other.
Met Jerry Brick in Salina, KS and rode into Abilene together. Lisa and Jerry were our overnight hosts where they not only offered their hospitality, but Lisa cooked us breakfast! We met up with Brent and Stacy, ate some Mexican food and were entertained with the story of their crash on the tandem. No serious injuries, but Stacy was proud to show off her road rash
100 miles and one day down.

7/25/10

Rode out HWY 15 North of Abilene with Ron, Jerry & Brent. Riding with friends makes the day go fast. Visited and had some fun along the route. Judy VonFeldt (our awesome SAG HAG) caught up with us in the support van in Clay Center for lunch at the local restaurant. Several miles before and after the town of Linn, the county sheared off the road in what we can only speculate is in preparation for a new bed. I now do not need to wonder what it may feel like to operate a jack hammer. The jarring on two wheels felt like it could loosen all my fillings.
Made it to Washington, KS about 67 miles and camped in their lovely town park. Nice pool, playground, and showers. Stacey picked up Brent and Jerry to take back to Abilene.
Met some lovely folks in the campground from Reading, CA. Anita and Bruce were kind and let us use their two day old camper to wash our dinner dishes. Discussed NYC, musical theatre, their daughter in the military among other topics. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit!

7/26 (see previous blog entry)

7/27/10

BTW, RE: Yesterday, 7/26/10, I mislabeled the county on my last blog entry (I was a bit exhausted and should NOT have been blogging) Marshal County was where the Sprinter (now known as Mr. Mojo Risin) was pulled over due to motorist complaints.

Today started out of Hiawatha, KS on Hwy 35. Beautiful cool early morning to the Missouri River, Judy called in a favor, and just when we were loading into the van, we heard the KC Country radio station announce our event on the air. DJ gave our location and the website, plus a blurb about our cause. Awesome motivator!

Day 3

Washington, KS to Hiawatha, KS. 85 miles of hot pavement. Motivational music: Fat Bottom Girls by Queen. Rode strong despite the heat, total mileage for trip around 260. Could REALLLLLY use a massage. Neck and shoulders burning.....
No camping facilities in Hiawatha, so opted for the local motel. No digital coverage on cell, but will upload pics to Facebook soon.
Pulled over by Dickerson County sheriff about 20 miles west of Seneca, due to motorist complaints. We checked out legal, but were asked to pull over for traffic. We were, but apparently people called us in anyway.
For some unknown reason, the twitter feed on this blog went down. Here is the direct link:

http://twitter.com/erenard

Tomorrow crossing the Missouri river, not sure if we are able to do so, but will give it a try.

~peace

New Jersey of Bust!

Van is loaded up and we're ready to leave @ 5am tomorrow morning. Doing a century from Russell to Abilene, KS. Ron Leiker is riding with me and Jerry Brick will meet us on route. Temps are forecast for mid 90's and hoping for a SW wind.

Hard to believe almost a year planning has gone into this trip. Here we go!

Sweeeet!

Lonnie Claycamp with Insurance Planning came through and saved this ride! Now the support vechicle has full coverage and we're ready to roll Saturday morning.

Bernadette Franks owner of Sunflower Massage Therapy donated my massage & Chinese oil to the cause today. She does an awesome job! Wish she could come along for the entire ride.

So grateful for all the support and phone calls I've received in the last few days. Now I need your help getting the word out and getting the donations up! As of today, we're up to $1350. I'm hoping in the next 22 days I can reach or exceed my fundraising goal.

Feel free to share this blog on your Facebook via the share button, or email the website to your friends and co-workers. Nearly every person I talk with knows someone affected by this debilitating disease. My hope is to inspire others to go out there and make a difference.

Let's do this!!

2 Days...

Yesterday RANS came through with a generous sponsorship and the use of a new Crank Forward Alterra. Thanks to Randy Schlitter for his support!

So much to do before we leave, and consequently not much time for riding. Hit the chiropractor a couple of times, and hopefully can get in with the massage therapist.

Hartford Insurance dropped the coverage on the support van and gave me 30 days to find another company. DISLIKE!!

6 days!!

Only 6 days until I hit the road and begin this adventure. I'm homesick already, but am sure will feel fine once I start riding every day. This will be as much of a mental/emotional challenge as a physical one. For one, I've never left my dog for more than a week!

Just kidding, of course I will miss my family, but looking forward to seeing them at the end of the ride. Now that's motivation!

Ron and Doug put the hitch on the Sprinter Thurs night, so now we have a bike rack. Spoke to Randy Schlitter of RANS Corporation and he said he would lend me a backup bicycle and donate some cash. Never know who'll you'll run into in the grocery store!

Rob Jones helped negotiate the purchase of Boulevard Brewery's's donation of a beer party and turned it into cash with the help of Paceline, Inc. Way to go!!!

Heading out for a training ride in the early am. Temps here have been in the 100's all week....oppressive.

Donation Update!

Today's donations are up to $1250. Please forward this blog to anyone you know who has been affected by Alzheimer's or would just like to support a fellow cyclist.

Heading out for another training ride. Lots of details to take care of before we leave.

Graphics on Sprinter Van!

Perfect Print of Russell did an excellent job designing and applying the vinyl graphics on van today. Thanks for all your hard work. In addition, Perfect Print has agreed to donate 1/2 the cost!

Klema's Apple Market of Russell contributed $ for the ride. Thanks John Birke!!

Today's Alzheimer's donations total $1055, a little over half-way. Please tell your friends, friends and co-workers about this ride and encourage them to donate. Even small donations add up.