June 12, 2007

*See posting for June 13th below**

June 12 Owego, New York – Cobleskill, New York 77 miles

Before leaving the Holiday Inn, Julie and Linda join the team at the trailer to sign and show their support. It’s emotional for them as one of their coworkers, Vicki, has MS. All of the employees we come in contact with at this hotel show their enthusiasm and encourage the bikers, even the cook.

John Denvers “Ain’t it good to be back home again” comes to me out of nowhere as we peddle closer to the people we know. “It’s the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you” …more lyrics to sing to the bike and pass the time.

All ice cream stands serve as great lunch stops, so today it not only works out perfect for the sugar benefit, but to meet two more bikers going cross country. They are biking from Maine to California and putting on about twice as many miles as our team. Here’s the kicker, along the way, they are planting trees (saplings). The duo keeps their saplings in a small solar container and offer them to random homeowners working in their yard. These are two young men doing amazing things and all we can think is, “but it’s extra weight!” Yes, it is. They are carrying large loads on 35 year old bikes. Speaking of being inspired…

Had to wait out two lighting storms today which slowed down the days progress. We decided to drive through the second one and its’ pounding hail storm.

Today’s Low – having to van-up because of lighting

Today’s High- Just when you would think the day couldn’t get any better, Tyler Hamilton calls from Italy. I still find it amazing that one simple phone call can truly make your day. Tyler, of course, has been an inspiration to many cyclists and non-cyclists alike, and a phone call from such an influential voice, is just what the team needed for the last leg of the ride. Not even the best espresso can make up for that!
So, thank you Tyler, for calling in the midst of your crazy training. It meant the world to hear your voice. Don’t forget to have that glass of wine for us…Pinot Noir perhaps?

At the Best Western - were a very sweet Jesse and Kathy have sponsored our room. After speaking with women like Jesse, it only reassures us that we are part of something bigger than we even know. It’s easy for the riders to get caught up in the mundane aspects of the trip, become exhausted, and forget what we are really doing here. Heads down…pedal… but don’t forget to say hello to life.

June 13, 2007

June 13 Cobleskill, New York - Richmond, Mass. 62 Miles

Charlie, who is a cousin of Tyler, joins us for breakfast and graces us with his beautiful kids, John (4yrs) and Kate (7). They are happy to sign the trailer and see us off for another day of adventure.

Today, the driver gets a gold star for not using cuss words at the New York drivers who were obviously not born with the virtue of patience - especially not for bikers.

The hills are getting steeper and longer as we cruise on through town after town. Nassau being one of them, although it's a far cry from the Bahama's.

Tonight we are staying with friends of Dierdre's - Andrea, David, and their little ones Kazik and Silas. Too cute! Check out David's artwork in the photo.

Today's Low: Nada

Today's High: Passing the "Welcome to Massachusettes" sign! Yeehaa, the last state.

June 11, 2007

June 11 Wellsville - Owego 112 miles



The Sasquahana River banks keep the riders company, lending a breeze and some shade in the heat of the day. We were joined by a couple different riders today, one being David in the photo above. He was happy to joing the duo for a few miles in order to show them through town. Thankfully, since the route signs weren't all that helpful. He is from a town of many cyclists and what seems to be quite a tight community.



While sending donations to the foundation at the post office, we met another couple who was quite interested in some talk about our journey.



At the Holiday Inn, the girls were easily coerced into signing the trailer.

June 10, 2007

June 10 Peak'N Peak - Wellsville 126

It's nice to be back in familiar terrain agian.. green everywhere on the rolling hills of western New York State.

After getting the tour of Peak'N Peak Ski Area, the bikers are off. It's not too far down the road that we come to the town of Busti, and as I drive up in the van, Dick is taking full advantage of this photo opportunity. It was all too funny.

The low of the day: So far, New York drivers have used the most colorful and explicit language of all the states. We aren't in Iowa anymore.

The high of the day: ICECREAM!!!

Like horses chomping at the bit, the team motors along in order to get closer to those anxiously awaiting our arrival. We can almost smell the Atlantic and taste the Lobsta'!

At the 'Texas Hot' Cafe, Faye is our waitress who has fun with us and even comps the meal. What a great personality.The owner of the Best Value in drew this picture for the bikers. Had to share with you the sincerity of the people we are meeting.

June 9 2007

More THF sponsors - Cyn, myself, Charlie, and Lisa. Thanks for the laughs!

Charlie protecting his baby:)

Notice the shirt...I guess we can still be friends...

My new friend, Charlie, who must have e.s.p and brought us all Starbucks coffee.

June 9 Westlake, Ohio - Peak'n Peak Ski & Golf Resort, New York 126 miles

After a great breakfast and trailer signing with Charlie and company, he escorted the team into Cleveland before parting ways.

Whatever happened to Pennsylvania? The riders woke up in Ohio this morning, rode through a small corner of Pa. and before they knew i were in New York.

Along the way, our dirty van needed and wash something fierce when a group of cheerleaders was hosting a fundraiser car wash. See photo for the very photogenetic and cute cheerleaders.

Thanks for the donation CAMBAUS, Ohio! (Cleveland bike club)

The ride along the lake and up to Peak'n Peak is beautiful and when we arrive, there are two big hotel rooms at the resort waiting for tired bodies. Brad Gravink and his son, Graham, join us for dinner and sponsor our evening. Graham is a 17 year old who also loves to bike and is talented in many other sports. He is an amazing young man who will, before long, ease his way into the hearts of everyone he meets. Thanks for signing our van and for being excited about our adventure.

.

June 8, 2007

June 8 Clyde, Ohio - Westlake, Ohio 35 miles

Attention readers: thanks for your patience while we fall begind on the blog. Sometimes the internet is hard to come by but we appreciate your interest and support! Please stay with us. Also, May 24th and May 25 has been recently added to the blog. Hope you enjoy!

A short, sort-of rest day for the guys. We can't pass up Sandusky, whose claim to fame is Cedar Point Amusment Park (a must-come-back-to) and the setting for the movie Tommy Boy with Chris Farley. That's gonna leave a mark...

In the black and white photo is a young man interested in the foundation. He is getting on his way to the gym by way of bike. Gotta love the enthusiasm.

We are still following Lake Erie along the windy, coastal towns.

Ok, on to more important topics - The Moosehead Saloon. That's what we're talking about. It's a rough life. We all have the pleasure of hanging with the cool kids...Charlie Hicks and his wife Cyn, Paula & Tom, Greg & Lisa, John and Steve. All of them bikers of the sort and outdoor enthusiasts. To prove my point here, Tom has through-hiked the Appalacian Trail. Being another fan of the hilarious author Bill Bryson, we hit it off quite well. At the Moosehead, we were forced to drink the local tap and eat some of the best food ever. Of course the team looks forward to trying the local foods (and beverages) in which case tonight would be the Lake Erie Perch. Yum!

It's easy to share stories when you are amongst very talented and ambitous people. It was too tempting to stay out with the locals until the wee hours but tomorrow is looking like another long day.

Charlie and Cyn, thanks for your generous donation, the hotel rooms, dinner, great company and friends, and most importantly, for doing our laundry!!!

It's hard to leave a community like this, even only after one evening. The team was a part of something special for the night.