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- Drew’s 2019 Salsa Warbird prepares for ‘Battle’
What does a fully loaded, self-supported bike look like? This Salsa Warbird gravel bike is just about ready to roll. Just a few more adjustments and she’ll be ready! - Ready, set, weigh!
Everything is packed except for water. 1 liter weighs 2.2 lbs. Ouch! Not loaded, the bike is 34.2 lbs and with clothes, food and ‘home’, we’re at 72.6 lbs. Lucky for me, as we consume the food and turn it into energy, the weight gets lighter! Until we restock! So excited! - Trans America Adventure Tour Shakedown Ride #2
We had a blast riding in the desert on Sunday. Everything was going perfect, until out of the blue my Di2 simply stopped shifting. First thought was dead battery, but I know I had just finished a recharge after the Joshua Tree 55 • Joshua Tree 55 – Another unScripted61… . So we modified the route home and I speed pedaled like … - June 1 – The day has finally arrived, Let’s go!!
June 1 – The day has finally arrived!! Let’s go!! After all the planning, packing, dry run rides, and anticipation, we are on our way.. One hop away to Portland. - June 2nd – It’s not about us.
It’s not about us. I am reminded of a picture hanging at our Coldwell Banker Kivett-Teeters Associates office: “Don’t count your blessings. Share them”. And that is what we have set out to do. There are so many people who would love to ride a bicycle across the United States but, for whatever reason, it’s … - Trans American Adventure 2023 – Tire Dip in Astoria – On the road to RAGBRAI L (June 2nd 2023)
Well we are here, what an excellent adventure already. We met up with my son and met his amazing girlfriend. The flights were uneventful, and of course the people watching was so fun. Picked up a U-Haul to get us and the bikes to Astoria, where we did a bit of sightseeing before turning it … - Jun 3rd – Day 1 Trans America Adventure Tour
We started with breakfast at the Uptown Cafe in Warrenton. Annie was AMAZING!! And the food delicious! It powered us through the day! Thank you Annie!! - June 4th – Day 2 Big Eddy to Portland
Another incredible day with gorgeous sunshine and wind at our backs most of the day. Had an amazing breakfast in Vernonia and then met the most awesome person-Happy Herb- at ReBike - June 5th – Day 3 Portland to Carson Wa.
We had a wonderful breakfast at the Best Western Plus Portland where we met Peras Hodgkin. So much fun chatting about the area and things to see. Staying there felt like home. Amazing staff. - June 6 – Day 4 Carson to Maryhill State Park
Unscripted. That’s how we roll and today was a great example. Another fantastic day with some surprises! The sound of a hummingbird. Once you know it’s distinct chirp, you can easily identify it. At 4 am, several were visiting the trees around our tent. What an incredible way to wake up! Our night was so peaceful. Feeling rested, we were up just past 5. The forecast for the day included wind and temps in the nineties so we thought it might be a good idea to get up and rolling early! - June 7th – Day 5 Maryhill to Crow Butte Campgrpound
Today’s lesson is brought to you by mosquitoes: it doesn’t matter how big you are, if you’re persistent and obnoxious, you can motivate others. And that they did. Once outside the tent, Drew and I broke camp in record time! - June 8th – Day 6 Crow Butte to Kennewick
Our friends in the trees bring in the new day with their lovely songs. The trees are calm, there are clouds in the sky and we are ready for the next best day ever! I’m getting pretty good at this oatmeal thing and I think I could probably write a cookbook on all the different things you can put in it to change things up! lol! - June 10th – Day 8 – Kennewick to Lewis and Clark State Park
We came across beautiful waving crops. “Drew, what is this?”. He looked at me inquisitively, and replied “Honey, that’s wheat.”. I realized I’d never seen wheat fields before. Boy, did I feel naïve! Having been born and raised in southern California, it’s not something you see there. - June 11th – Day 9 – Lewis and Clark Trail State Park to Pomeroy City Park
Lewis and Clark Trail State Park to Pomeroy City Park Day 9. June 11, 2023. Sunday 42.72 miles. 1,887 total ascent Awakening to the sound of birds singing is such a lovely way to transition from the deep slumber of the night’s rest. It is 4:29 am. The morning light is beginning to cast shadows … - June12 – Day 10 – Pomeroy to Hell’s Gate Campground
1:11 am. The light from the gazebo was still shining brightly over our tent. I looked over at Drew and witnessed his REM sleep–eyes moving rapidly to and fro under closed lids. He has been on alert most of the night. I, too, listened to all the sounds of the night. I reached for my phone to check the time–1:11. A deep sense of peace came over me and I breathed a sense of relief. Everything was going to be okay. - June 13 – Day 11 – Hell’s Gate to Orofino
44.1 Miles 775 ft. Elevation4:22 Hrs. 10.1 Mph Little did we know how this might change One heck of a Sprinkler! Dianna’s got better numbers 🙂 Click to watch the Crazy rain in Orofino Yup that’s Cleetus alright - June 14th – Orofino to Wild Goose
Once packed, it was east on Highway 12 again. Not before long, we came across a road construction area and we were waved towards the front. The flagman and the pilot car spoke and we were told it was safest to load the bikes into the bed of the truck and ride to the end of the road closure so up went our heavy stead’s. Drew sat between them on the ice chest as I climbed into the cab. - Jun 15th – Final day along the river
Yesterday was such a special day and its experiences have changed me forever. I feel such a sense of peace, spirituality and connection with the earth. Disconnecting, unplugging and being off grid is something many of us never experience. As we prepare to leave our beautiful campsite at Wild Goose, a pair of ravens glide above. Today will be the Next Best Day Ever! - June 16th – Lolo Pass here we come!
June 16, 2023 Friday Miles: 62.37. Total accent: 2,267 Totals: 737.6 miles. Accent: 26,204. 63.35 hours in the saddle The dawn of a new morning…blessed with another day to live. The tent brightens as the sun begins it’s climb into the sky. We huddle closely as it is chilly, thankful for a down quilt. Our … - Jun 17th – A Rest Day in Missoula
It is so different waking up in a hotel room. It’s dark-no morning glow. The sound of doors shutting-not birds. And while the mattress is comfortable, our set-up in the tent is amazing. Yesterday, over breakfast, we had a great conversation with Neil and Rett. They have been cycle touring for nearly two years! How … - June 18th – Unplanned day off
While we had hoped to ride today, mail and weather dictated we stay one more night. I am getting caught up with communication albeit it takes all day. I slept late this morning. The mosquito bites from Thursday night are tormenting me. They swell and itch so much, it makes it hard to sleep. I took a benedryl last night to help calm the itch. I’m not used to taking medication so it really looped me. But, it did help with the itching. Thankfully, I have one more day to recover in a non-mosquito environment. - June 19th – Missoula to Darby
It’s Monday morning and time to push on. We are reminded that we grew up in a much simpler time- no computers or cell phones. “Be home in time for dinner.” And truly, what happened in the field, stayed in the field. You were swown to secrecy and if you were a tattle…well, I can’t tell you what would happen!! Starting the morning with spaghetti westerns on TV brought that all back! And shows like Big Valley, Bonanza, Gun Smoke and Davey Crockett were set in areas that look like the roads we’re traveling. It is so easy to replay scenes in one’s mind while the miles tick off. - June 20th – Day 18 – Darby to Wisdom
Rested and ready, today we summit two passes- Lost Trail Pass (elevation 7,014) and Chief Joseph Pass (elevation 7,241). Setting out, the landscape is beautiful with meadows between mountains. We are beginning to see more wildlife, especially deer in pairs. Off to our right, we spotted what appeared to be two adult deer about 1/4 mile away. Drew made a clicking sound hoping to get their attention and boy did it!! They glanced towards us and took off in flight like Santa’s reindeer! White tails on high alert and feet barely touching the ground. And they were gone. - June 21st – Day 19 – Wisdom to Dillon (Bike Walk Camp)
We awakened to frost on the tent this morning. It was cold last night. Lois Volkening stopped by to check on the campsite. She and her husband Larry run this camp and one in Dillon. It is an all volunteer non-profit. After chatting a few minutes, we make plans to met at a local coffee shop, the Hook and Horn. Lois is a fountain of information about the area and has agreed to allow us to video her. Once there, we enjoyed coffee and learned so much from her. We are SO fortunate. - June 22nd – Dillon to Ennis
Day 20- we break the 1,000+ mile barrier!!!! Dillon to Ennis, Montana Miles: 72.99 Total accent: 2,668 Totals: 1,006.79 miles. Accent: 36,57687.58 hours in the saddle Today, we ride to Ennis, Montana. - June 23 – Day 21- Ennis to West Yellowstone
We are headed to Quake Lake that formed based on a 7.5 earthquake in 1959. I had never heard of it. 28 people died in the Night of Terror. The visitor center had wonderful information. They offered books about the area and events. My brain is so hungry to learn more but for now, I just want to capture enough so I can come back. A quick stop at the ladies room and an ant appeared, rather spent, on the leg of my bike shorts. Did you just drop from the ceiling or have you been a hitchhiker since the road relief stop outside of Cameron? Ant in my pants?? Ant or mosquito? I don’t care! Just stop biting me!! - June 25 – West Yellowstone to Grant Village
We head to the entrance of West Yellowstone. It is such a beautiful park. We see bison in the distance and several fly fishermen. Old Faithful did not disappoint and we saw a bison cross the street in front of us 30 yards away. We crossed the Continental divide twice and had so much fun with a raven who entertained us while we waited in a construction zone. He was the size of an eagle and showed no fear of us. - June 26 – Grant Village to Colter Bay.
This morning, as we broke camp, a squirrel became quite curious about our activities. Trying to bring it closer, I tried mimicking his sounds and before I knew it, he was so close I thought he’d jump on me! What a fun way to start the day! We learned the one minute-two minute rule today. While stopping for a quick break and get off the saddle, one minute is perfect. At two minutes, the legs have already gone cold and starting again is uncomfortable! The legs are stronger now. The body adapts to it’s activities and we are now able to climb in bigger gears. It feels so good! - June 27 – Colter Bay to Jackson, Wyoming
It’s easy to get used to hearing birds sing at 4 am. The early morning goes from silent to song in a matter of moments. It was brisk last night and it rained after tucking into the tent. We are in a camp where all food/toiletries must be stored in a bear box. I will be glad when we’re out of bear country. - June 28 – Jackson Hole to Hachet Campground
We are nearing a month on the bike and could not be happier. The bikes have handled amazingly, we have been blessed with great weather with minimal rain and we feel great. Drew has dropped some weight adjusting his belt loops a number of times and my arm sleeves keep falling down. We expected this would happen so we’re not concerned. Our legs/hips seem more muscular and we seem to be able to climb in bigger gears. So very grateful! Last night, we went through all our ‘stuff’ and are mailing home things we no longer need like the Adventure Cycling Adventures maps, receipts and a bird’s nest. Thanks to all our friends who have shared their experiences on their TransAm rides. We have not found ourselves wishing we had something or carrying anything extra. Like Goldilocks ” This bed’s just perfect!” - June 29 – Hatchet to Dubois Wyoming
Up we go. In the first four miles and nearly one hour, we climbed nearly 1,000 feet. With the bikes loaded, we want to pace ourselves. Pushing harder serves to make us lightheaded. The last thing we need to do is pass out on the side of the road! More Beware of Bears signs. The camp host sent us off this morning with this advice: Just remember to go downhill. You might be able to outrun them that way. I keep surveying the terrain. Which way is downhill? As vehicles pass us, we can hear the engines working hard…shifting down gear after gear. I think about what I’m experiencing. I never would have imagined I would have the opportunity to ride my bike here…to see this beautiful country this way. - June 30th – Dubois to Lander Wyoming
Set under the trees and near a river, the tent was a perfect serene setting for a peaceful night’s sleep. The sun rose and birds sang. Time for the next day’s adventure. Breakfast at the Cowboy Cafe was even better with Dick and Nancy Riddle nearby. They are from the area and share many insights into its history and local activity. We are still at 6,000 feet plus elevation. We roll out into a beautiful sunny day. About 10 miles out of town, the National Museum of Military Vehicles is to our left. We stop by and discover what an amazing collection it has. We are told it takes hours to see everything. It looked amazing. - July 1 2023 – Lander to Jeffrey City Wyoming
July 1, 2023 Saturday Day 29. Lander to Jeffrey City Miles: 59.84 – Total accent: 2,682Totals:. Miles-1,456.01Accent- 54,014 feet – climbed 126.50 hrs in the saddle Our day began by meeting Chuck and Cindy Kenyon at breakfast. Chuck taught IT at a community college, volunteered for the fire department and is the emergency management coordinator for … - July 2 Jeffrey city to Alcova
We travel along several historic sites: Split Rock, Muddy Gap, the intersection of the California Trail/Oregon Trail/Pony Express/Morman Pioneer. Martins Cove. As we get closer to Alcova, we are riding along a huge ranch-Pathfinder Ranch. There are signs identifying the ranch about every mile. It went on forever. And along the way, on both sides of the raid was a type of brush blooming with yellow flowers that smelled sweet, like honeysuckle. What a joy to have a sweet smell to enjoy! - July 3rd – Alcova to Casper Wyoming
Today will be a light day so we can make lots of stops, photos and play more! We get to the North Platt river bridge and Drew launches the drone. Within seconds, the swallows from the nearby overpass go crazy and storm the drone. The flight lasts 90 seconds, bringing it down before an incident occurs. We can’t wait to share this with you on our YouTube channel. - July 4 – Rest day in Casper Wyoming
Multitasking the day’s events, we also included a walk to downtown. Being a holiday, almost everything was closed. We did get lunch and a cup of coffee. Once back, we indulged in an afternoon nap. Sometimes you don’t realize how tired you are until you slow down. It was a little slice of heaven. Now late afternoon, we plan a low key evening, repacking the bikes and preparing for the morning. The weather is predicting headwinds tomorrow so it may be a tough day. - July 5th – Casper to Douglas Wyoming
Riding a bike is a lot like life: some days are harder than others. You just have to dig deep and keep moving forward.We are riding into the wind all day. Our progress will be slow with lots of energy expended. It is what it is. - July 6 – Douglas to Lusk Wyoming
The food was really good- burger and fries/ chicken salad. The next two hours were spent doing the usual-phone calls, charging items, setting things up for the morning and then the alerts started coming over the phone. It’s 8:48 PM. TORNADO WARNING!! What?!! This is really foreign to me! Within minutes, it starts to rain. The sky is filled with thunder and lightening. The lightening is so frequent- every 2-3 seconds, it reminds of a kid playing with a light switch. And the downpour and heavy wind followed by hail. I have never seen anything like this!! We watch and try to capture as much footage as possible. This lasts about an hour. Then is all stops, as fast as it started. Wow! Just wow! We turn in for the evening, grateful for a room over our heads and a dry place to sleep. - July 7 – Lusk to Edgemont South Dakota
Deep in the pedals, we continue on Hwy 85 turning on Hwy 18 not not before seeing the most amazing site ever!! So, we have begun a pattern of taking short breaks by turning into side streets and driveways since the roads we are traveling don’t have stop signs or traffic lights. It gives us a chance to get out of the saddle and relax a minute. Off in the distance, we see a pull out but there’s are vehicle there. Not terribly unusual but we are always watchful. As we get closer, the two people are waving. And I realize it’s Mark and Roxanne from home!!My legs are no longer tired and we pull up to wonderful hugs! They have traveled out of their way just to see us and say hello. - July 8 – Edgemont to Custer
The trail had a fair number of people riding. Since it is a rail trail, the grade never exceeded 4%. Flowers were blooming on both side of the path and oftentimes, we found ourselves riding through the forest. We met a lovely couple-Scott and Kristen- who are riding the trail as well. They shared they were relatively new to cycling. How exciting to see someone discover the magic of the bike! - July 9 – Custer to Deadwood
Leaving our little cabin nestled in the woods was bittersweet. The trees smelled so good and were teeming with birds. The campground had a few baby goats and a donkey for the kids to pet. The goats thought everyone was there to feed them. They were adorable. Should we return to the Michelson Trail for our return or take the highway? The trail guarantees no grade greater than 4% but the road is a smoother surface with less rolling resistance. We chose the highway. Oh my! Within 1 hour 11 minutes, we had traveled 6 miles and climbed 1,304 feet! Now that’s a way to start the day!! It was fun to ride through the towns we saw yesterday from the trail. - July 10 – Deadwood to Hill City
Riding the trail presented some of its own unique challenges. On a bicycle, one needs to carefully pick a ‘line’-a course that is least likely to have debris and hazards. Avoiding deep ruts, crossing cattle guards and railroad tracks at 90 degree angles and watching for stickers that can puncture a tire is paramount. But this morning, there was a new hazard-multiple piles of cow pies! It was like an obstacle course! lol! Not before long, we came across a herd of cattle traveling along the trail. One cow-the matriarch-was traveling in the opposite direction bellowing at the others. A few responded with comments but for the most part, they and the babies continued forward. - July 11 – Hill City to Hot Springs
Up and out early, we decided to try riding without morning coffee and breakfast. We are still traveling above 5,000 foot elevation. Custer is just 10 miles away so we thought we’d try it. We made it!! Had a quick, delicious breakfast at Calamity Jane’s coffee Shop. While there, a bee is trapped inside and travels along the window searching for a way out. After 15 minutes, I lifted him onto the coffee cup lid and took him outside. There were several children in the coffee shop. How do you find out that your child is allergic to a bee sting? After their first sting and they have a reaction. I’d prefer not to experience that his morning. - July 12 – Hot Springs to Chadron NE
It was a torrid night filled with bizarre lights flashing, swirling against the tent walls. Lightening flashes mixed with the lights from the trucks on the road…the sound of thunder pounding, jake brakes shuttering , tires on the tarmac, the stream nearby…brewed a fitful sleep. Listening to Drew’s breathing wrought with congestion. Light rain pinging. All a bit of sensory overload. Morning could not come soon enough. At the break of dawn, we were up and breaking camp with few words spoken. Our routine has become perfected. Coffee is 5 miles away. Into a headwind. - July 13 – Chadron, a rest day
Rest day? Day off? Catch up day?? Off the bike day-that’s what this is. As we travel southeast, temps will be higher. Having ridden RAGBRAI before, staying cool and hydrated is important. And with the bikes, we can carry more than on a normal road bike. We embark on how to carry an ice chest or cooler of some sort. A postal bubble wrap envelope? A hot/cold grocery bag? Last year, we had a battery box that we used to protect fans we used in the tent. With the fans out, it became our ice chest after the ride. A trip to the local Safeway, we found the hot/cold bag but it wasn’t going to work. There, they had a 12 pack foldable ice chest. It zipped closed and fit perfectly in the trunk over the bike’s rear wheel. Success!! - July 15 – Carter Lake Iowa
Holy Moly!! With blackout curtains drawn, we woke up at 8:12 am! I can’t remember the last time I slept this late!! I have a belief that your body will determine the rest it needs. Perhaps we’ve become a little sleep deprived…a bit fatigued. Maybe that’s the root of Drew’s ‘allergies’. - July 16 – Carter Lake Iowa Day 2
While driving to return the Uhaul this morning, we saw emergency vehicles on the opposite side of the road. There were about 4 bikes laying on the greenway and someone being loaded into the paramedic vehicle on a stretcher. We were reminded how fragile life is and how quickly things can change while on the bike. It doesn’t take much…a rock, an uneven surface, a wet painted line or a change of position in the cyclist in front of you to cause you to fall. You’re up. You’re down. And this feat of physics-speed, angle, weight- cares not who you are, how many miles you’ve ridden in your life or how expensive your bike is-it is just the law of physics. - July 17 – Carter Lake Iowa Day 3
Carter Lake, Iowa Hail storm- check. Facebook inspiration-check. Pizza Bites-check. Bike nap- check. Care package from family- WOOHOO!!!!!!! - July 18 – Carter Lake Iowa Day 4
We decided to try the Spaghetti Works. Fresh salad bar and gluten free pasta available. And the cheesecake! Drew could only eat half so we got a to-go box. On the way home, we saw a billboard saying Chris Stapleton was playing tomorrow night. On a whim, we checked to see if any tickets were available at a reasonable price. The last concert we looked into was at the Acrisure Event center in Palm Desert. The tickets were really expensive. And to our surprise, we were able to get two seats. So excited. We love his voice and down to earth demeanor. Now that’s living life unScripted. What another amazing day!! - July 19 – Carter Lake Iowa Day 5
Tonight we see Chris Stapleton. I can’t remember the last time we stayed up late. We’re typically up at 5:30 am and asleep around 10 pm. - July 20 – Carter Lake Iowa Day 6
Each year I’ve traveled to Omaha, I’m told the zoo is one of the world’s best. Being a weekday, we decide to try it. Last Saturday, it was so crowded, we skipped it. We were happy to get tickets for half price since we are annual pass holders for the Living Desert. It was a beautiful day to spend outside, walking four hours to visit all the exhibits. Our favorite area was the rainforest where there were monkeys, birds and bats. The setting was awesome. - July 21 – Carter Lake Iowa
The morning was spent cleaning and tuning bikes, sorting kits and preparing for our week ahead in the corn. Zachary would arrive this afternoon around 3 and we’re so excited to share his first RAGBRAI with him. We walked to the airport hoping to both surprise and help Zachary with his gear. It was so great to see him walk up the concourse. - July 22 – RAGBRAI L arrival and Expo Day
Saturday, July 22, 2023Day 50Shuttle from Carter Lake to Sioux City, IowaAnd so it begins! Breakfast downstairs in the hotel. Fuel up. And enjoy an extra cup of coffee. Life won’t be like this over the next week!We chack out and say goodbye to the amazing staff at Best Western Carter Lake. They’ve made our stay … - July 23 – Day 1 of RAGBRAI L
Sioux City to Storm Lake, Iowa Day One and you can feel the nervous tension in the air. New riders are uncertain about what to expect and return riders are excited for new experiences and memories! We were blessed with great weather. Off we went and the group flowed easily. After about 20 miles, things seemed to settle and everyone was in a groove. Drew and I are on cloud nine riding the bikes unloaded. They feel so fast now!! And being at around 1,100 foot elevation versus over 7,000 foot elevation, it’s so easy to breathe!! - July 24 – Day 2 of RAGBRAI L
The beauty of the sun rising over the water is breathtaking. A promise of a new day…a day to explore and experience…a day to meet new people and to feel alive!! Riders were up early and setting out to beat the heat. By 7 am, the Pork Belly Camp was nearly empty. - July 25 – Day 3 RAGBRAI L
Today is a ride day, not a tour day. On ride days, the focus is different. While you see really cool things along the way, stopping for photos is not practical. The time to decelerate, get the phone, take the photo, get back going, especially in a large group where you have to strategically find a safe spot to stop and start…well…it’s just not very practical. Today will be Zachary’s longest ride yet. He’s doing amazing and is embracing the eat/drink regime. - July 26 – Day 4 RAGBRAI L
Woohoo!! A short day! Today was quite crowded. At RAGBRAI, you can sign up to ride all day or one or more days. We hear that the organization is trying to break a record for the most riders ever recorded. It does seem a little more crowded today. Our first stop, we met a young man who is riding a unicycle the entire route. Talk about an inspiration. You can see him on YouTube at WorldofUnicycles. We had fun riding through Polk City…named after my wonderful neighbors! Well, not really but they share the same last name! lol!! We finished riding just after 1 and searched for camp. All the charters are located at Waterworks Park. OMG! People, people and more people!! - July 27 – RAGBRAI L Day – 5
Sadly, We are seeing more and more emergency vehicles. The sun is beating down. There is very little shade and no cloud cover. By midday, I decide to put the water bladder filled with ice into my string bag and on my back. I’m riding in zone 2-3 knowing that the byproduct of metabolism is water, CO2 and HEAT. And what better day than today to enjoy another tradition-Beekman’s ice cream!! Cold and lots of calories! - July 28 – RAGBRAI L – Day 6
Drew mentioned how still the air was. And indeed, not a whisper of a breeze. Looking to the sky, it was crystal clear behind us but dark clouds were forming in front of us. And then the sirens began. I remember that sound from 2014 when I was in Dallas visiting my sister. We were out on a morning run at 5:30 am and the sirens began. I asked “What are those for?” She told me they were tornado warning sirens. “What does that mean?” She replied ” Run faster!”. It was frightening. - July 29 – RAGBRAI Day – 7
The morning after. The promise of a new day…the morning light filters over the camp. The sun is rising. Our roommates are stirring…organizing gear, putting on kits, brushing teeth as if nothing happened the night before. Outside we see riders mounted and heading out. There is a light breeze but today is our last ride day. Okay. Let’s get going. We slept amazingly well last night, not only because of the miles covered over the past 6 days but because of the air conditioning. We prepare the duffles for pickup. But normally we leave them in the tent. Now, the tent is missing. Tents are in trees, the river and scattered everywhere. All the Kybos have blown over and one is in the river. Leaving our duffles at the recommended area, we head out. A Casey’s is just outside of camp so we stop in for breakfast and morning coffee. There we met Chuck from the USAF Cycling team and have a great conversation about RAGBRAI and the teams history. - July 30 – Rest Day in Davenport
We eased into the morning with breakfast at the hotel. The second cup of coffee, lingering just a bit longer…all special treats we’ve learned to enjoy on our rest day. While doing laundry, I encountered another rider staying in the hotel before returning home. This was his and his wife’s first RAGBRAI and sadly, he said their last. The heat and distances were too brutal. The final few days of RAGBRAI, several first timers were saying the same thing. One and done. It truly was the hardest we’ve ridden and we were fortunate to have been well trained and acclimated. I’m not sure how we would have felt had this one of the other years when we hadn’t had as much seat time. - July 31 Davenport to Sheffield (Hickory Grove Campground)
We found the entrance to the Hennipen Canal Trail and hopped on. It was so relaxing to ride along the canal away from traffic. And, with just the two of us, so quite and peaceful. No “On your left!!”. We passed an area where there was red algae growing , saw people fishing from the edge and then the Lily Pads!! During certain sections, they were edge to edge of the water and in one place, nearly a mile stretch! The pad were huge-about 3 feet across. It was breathtaking! - Aug 1 – Hickory Grove campground to Pontiac IL
Our first stop was Tiskilwa where we found coffee at the gas station. The town was pristine…almost like a movie stage. We met Cecille Gerber who was raised there. She spent her years as a teacher in Chicago and now retired, has returned to Tiskilwa. She shared amazing history of the town. - Aug 2 – Rest day in Pontiac IL
After breakfast in the hotel, we went into town. Pontiac is a neat old town. We had lunch at Delongs, enjoyed the museum and then headed over to the Pontiac Transportation Museum where we met Tim & Penny Dye. Tim gave us an insiders tour filled with interesting facts. We even got to go in the basement which housed even more memorabilia. - Aug 3 – Pontiac, Illinois to Sammons Point, Illinois
A standing joke at RAGBRAI is that Iowa is flat, which it is not! But the parts of Illinois we are traveling through is!! Corn and soybeans. Soybeans and corn. Corn and soybeans. Soybeans and corn. Corn and soybeans. Soybeans and corn! You get the picture. - Aug 4 – Sammons Point, Illinois to Indiana Beach, Indiana
With a fog advisory, we headed to Love’s truck stop for coffee and breakfast. Miles and miles of crops and flat terrain had us feeling like we were in an endless corn maze. Everything was beginning to look the same. Road closed ahead. Detour. One after the other. Finally, at one I suggested we go to see why it was closed. Thankfully, it was a bridge, closed to cars but passable by bicycle. - Aug 5 – Indiana Beach KOA to Noblesville
So, what will we see today? After traveling over a beautiful old bridge, we went past a house where two cattle dogs came rushing towards us. Using the small marine horns stopped them. They are so loud and I think it left the dogs stunned. 3 vultures were ahead cleaning up a dead raccoon. - Aug 9 Noblesville to Richmond Indiana
We are back in the corn/soybean fields and welcome it. The traffic is sparse and it’s relaxing to ride amongst the corps. We find ‘second coffee’ in Lapel, Indiana where we meet Donna and Angela. Fabulous cups of vanilla latte and we are ready to forage forward. Winding our way, we crossed a train track just before the train arrived. We’ve learned there still is a lot that is transported by rail. Next, the Cardinal Greenway Trail. Oh so beautiful!! The trail is very well maintained. We are now traveling on a great surface amongst trees. So nice! - Aug 11 – Dayton, Ohio Wright Patterson USAF Museum
The museum was spectacular!! Four huge hangers housed planes beginning when first invented to missiles, spacecraft and experimental aircraft. We walked for hours and it was certainly worth it - Aug 12 – Dayton to Columbus, Ohio
While early August, it is staying dark until 7 AM and getting dark early. Our planning will have to take this into consideration so we travel when it’s light and we’re more visible. Coffee at the Starbucks on base began the morning. There we met Joshua who lived in Loma Linda at one time! It’s a small world. He had lots of questions about long distance cycling. He is an ultra marathon runner!! - 13 Aug – Columbus to Millersburg, Ohio
The forecast for today is good and we ride several rail trails. Our plan is to get as many miles in a possible as storms are predicted tomorrow and later in the week. We were able to get out of Columbus before the town woke up. - Aug 14 – Millersburg to Twinsburg, Ohio
The morning is cool…around 65 degrees. We think of our friends in other areas and how they are battling the heat. We are grateful for our riding conditions. Rain is expected today. We’ll see how bad it gets and adjust accordingly. We haven’t melted yet!! - Aug 15 – Twinsburg to Madison, Ohio
Once again, we’ve escaped the rain! It pored last night and now the morning sky is just beautiful!, soon We traveled through the home town of our friend Bill Green. Such a beautiful place! And before we knew it, we were at Lake Erie! It is so huge! It looks like the ocean! - Aug 16 – Madison to Erie PA
Recount of the day coming soon.. Seems we might have missed posting to Facebook this day, could have been all the excitement of my brother and Ken’s surprise visit. We will dig into our brains and come up with the memories to fill in the gaps between the photos and videos snips.. Godfrey Run Farm- … - Aug 17 – Erie, PA to Dunkirk, NY
Past vineyards, watching ravens fly, partly cloudy skies and a lighthouse 200 years old. Mile after mile after another. The New York countryside is thick with trees, blossoming plants and lush grounds. I am thankful for being on a bike…to be able to experience this beautiful place. - Aug 18 – Dunkirk to Niagara, New York
The crisp, fresh air is so invigorating. The sky is painted with clouds. The day begins with nice tailwinds but as we turn towards the lake, side gusts nearly blow us over. The pace slows as we weave our way towards Niagara. The side winds turn to headwinds. Easier to stay upright but our travel is slow. - Aug 19 – Niagara Falls, New York to Lockport, New York
A short ride this morning under beautiful, clear skies and temps between 60-70 degrees and we were in Niagara Falls State Park. The falls are breathtaking! - Aug 20 – Lockport to Rochester, New York
Back on the road, we passed an apple tree loaded with little green apples. It was so whimsical and fun to look at. We got to Rochester in a few more hours. While we logged over 60 miles, we climbed less than 400 feet. A really chilled day!! The skies remained clear throughout the day making it an absolutely perfect day on the bike! - Aug 21 – Rochester, New York to Concord, New Hampshire
Throughout the tour, a recurring theme is the unusual weather patterns. Excessive rain has caused lots of mosquitoes. Everyone comments how different and bizarre the weather has been. Constantly weighing and measuring risks versus rewards…do we travel north or south? Getting to Bar Harbor is important but safety is the top priority. After much discussion, we come up with Plan B. - Aug 22 – Concord, New Hampshire to Freeport, Maine
The Atlantic is coming! The Atlantic is coming!! It’s so hard to believe, at this stage of my life, that I’ve never bathed my feet in the Atlantic Ocean!! - Aug 23 – Freeport to Bar Harbor, Maine
We check in at the KOA and head for downtown Bar Harbor. What fun! As with most tourist destinations, there are lots of shops fill with souvenirs. We have fun reading the towels and shirts with clever sayings and the people watching is over the top!! We catch dinner at the Dog and Pony where Gail, a local, shares lots of insight into the area. And yes. I had fish and chips again!! Drew’s lobster Mac and cheese had huge chunks of lobster meat. It was a meal fit for a king! We’ll come back tomorrow morning to do a little more exploring and have breakfast at Jordan’s. - Aug 24 – Bar Harbor to Bangor Maine
As the evening came to a close, we returned to our hotel to prepared for our flight home on Friday. A storm was expected and we are hopeful we don’t have delays. As sleep crept in, thoughts and memories danced in our heads. We had just traveled across the United States, over 4,000 miles on bicycles. The thought is overwhelming at times. 💕💕 - Aug 25 – Bangor to South Carolina to Ontario
Landing in Ontario, our dear friend Gary Dittmar picks us up. It’s so good to see him and lots of chatter fly’s during our trip home. It’s nearly 1:30 am before we’re able to settle for the night. What just happened? Did we really just cross the US on bikes? It all seems so surreal.