The drivers look back

Bob's look back
Eleven weeks have passed since I completed my role as the support driver for Matt and Gary. Much has taken place during that time, but I still look back on my eight days with the team as the highlight of my summer. I am really glad that I offered to drive support and grateful that Gary and Matt accepted my offer. My only regret is that I didn’t offer to drive for a longer period of time.

Looking back at what Gary and Matt accomplished in 33 days this summer is quite impressive. But if you have followed the blogs over the course of this ride, you can begin to piece together the keys to this team’s success in their journey across the US.

The first key was the meticulous planning by Gary in preparation for the ride. He had everything covered. Long before the ride actually began, he had the route planned for each day; hotels booked for each night; a detailed packing list of items to bring; and printed this in booklets for reference during the trip. All this planning paid off as things did not always go as planned. Making changes during the ride were easier because of the advanced planning.

Another key was one that was totally out of the team’s control and that was the weather. Looking back on this summer, the weather has been anything but normal, at least here in the Midwest. Flooding and severe storms ravaged the Midwest this summer. (The Rock River in the Quad Cities is currently flooding for the 5th time this year as I write this blog.) Yet the weather was really not a factor for the ride. Yes, there was the rainy and windy day in Nebraska, but that was the exception. For the most part the team experienced good biking weather and that was definitely a plus.

Finally, I think the most important key to this team’s success was the team itself. When Gary first told me his plans to ride across the US, and this was very early in the planning phase, he was thinking of doing the ride alone with the aid of a support driver. This would have been a team of two, but I think it would have made the ride much more difficult. From my personal experience with long bike rides of 100 miles or more, they are much easier if you have a companion on the ride…and safer. Gary made a wise decision when he expanded the team to three by inviting Matt to join him on the ride. The team eventually grew to four, as Larry and I shared the role as the support drivers.

This team was not a team of two bikers who only rode and the support driver who just provided support. The mornings began with breakfast, packing the SUV, and sometimes driving to the point of departure. Once the riders were on their way, the driver scouted the route, provided support, procured supplies, found a place for lunch, located the hotel, and got the riders to the hotel. Once at the hotel the bikers relaxed, cleaned and adjusted the bikes, prepared supplies for the next day. The entire team then did laundry, found a place to eat, got supplies, wrote the blogs, and finally got some sleep. The days were full, there was very little time when there was nothing to do. This team knew their roles and everyone pitched in to help each other. I think I mentioned it in my last blog as a driver that Gary and Matt ended each ride with a smile. Looking back on the eight days as the driver and one as a rider, I don’t recall a time when anyone was upset or angry.

This team was successful, or as we like to say at my company, a “high performance” team. This team had a common goal and everyone did their best to achieve it. And in the end the goal was achieved. But many teams do. There was something special about this team that made achieving the goal so much more rewarding. This was a team of friends.

Larry's look back
It has come down to this word; final. Merriam-Webster says the word is an adjective with the etymology of Middle English, from Anglo-French; derived from the Latin finalis, from finis boundary, end. 1a: Not to be altered or undone; b: of or relating to a concluding court action or preceding 2 coming at the end, being the last in a series, process or progress ,the final chapter> 3 of or relating to the ultimate purpose or result of a process. .

Final is a really great word; an acceptable adjective for me if we use the less ‘final’ definition of 3 and recognize that I am not finished with the ride. It continues to feed me with time, sight, sound, feelings and hope that I will continue to grow with what it gave me. I can describe it better if you think of going to a really great concert at the Bass performance hall in Fort Worth. This structure is internationally recognized for its acoustic performance. It allows you to absorb what a great composer created through the production of fine instruments and talented performers. When you leave you have been awakened by the whole process. The ride was this type of input for over a month. It reverberates in me now.

I thought I would read all my notes from each day before I wrote this. I did not! I think each day was like the separate instruments of a song and this final blog is more like all of them at one time; a concert. I hope that it does not reduce what the pictures and words can say each day but gives them all a connection as a group. I am pleased with the trip. I have thought that I could have this trip again by driving somewhere with a camera and stop every 3 to 5 miles. I have no doubt that this would be a good trip; however it would not recreate this trip. I could drive the same roads and it would not recreate the trip; it would simply remind me of the one we traveled. I say that a recording is a memory of a live performance that in itself has its own finger print that is remade and is never the original.

A lot goes into this uniqueness. I believe that the route was the result of a lot of study and is a cut of America at a moment in time. The weather was the seasoning and was never too much or too little for the ride recipe. The people we met remind me that it is hard to find unfriendly folks if you smile first. It is hard to have road rage in slow motion. If you have time to smile and have eye contact the human side most often wins. The epiphany that beauty is everywhere and that it simply takes a moment before your minds eye wakes to the fact. The equipment was the best. The roads, bikes, cloths and the SUV made the transport so much more comfortable than a covered wagon ride of three months. We were blessed with a gift of safety.

Maybe you could duplicate a lot of the above but the one thing that made this one of a kind was the people. Orpha was so good to allow me the freedom of this trip. Matt, Gary, Bob and Lesley along with all of the family and friends that were engaged and supporting were the concert hall that made this so real. I did not play every note in tune, but I did hear the music; even now. Thank you all!

Special Thanks Web-Cobra

Dear Lesley

You are fantastic. Great creativity and focus on how to keep the spirit in the graphic representation on the web. Your work has made it possible for all to enjoy and be a part of this ride through our web site. Thank you so much. – Larry

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Lesley:

I can’t thank you enough for all the work you have done in setting up the website. It has allowed us to record our thoughts and pictures of this great challenge and share it with our friends and family. Your “on-demand” long distance support kept us and our bikes in condition to actually complete our dream. Thank you so much. – Gary

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Lesley (Web-Cobra),

I’m not sure you realize how much your efforts were appreciated by everyone; not just us on the ride but all of those keeping tabs on us during our sojourn east. Without the website, and your constant availability, this tour would not have been nearly as memorable. I, and all my friends and family, want to thank you and send you our deepest appreciation. You are incredible. ~ Matt

Day 33 - July 19 - Plum Island MA

This is the last day of riding which is estimated to be about 60 miles. The plan is for me to be dressed to ride and take the Matt and Gary to the start point. We will get them ready and hang the spare on the back for me. They will carry extra GU, tires, and tubes because they will be unsupported as I go directly to the end at Plum Island. I will get on the red bike and travel back to Groveland to ride the last 15 miles with them. That’s the plan.



I took off from the start point and took pictures on the run for the record. I heard from Gary as he was delayed a little changing tires and tubes. I believe the record for the trip is Gary 11 tubes and 4 tires and Matt 2 tubes and 1 tire. They were in good shape since all this happened at a convenient coffee shop called Star something. Matt has admitted to his book addiction, I think Gary should review his affection for Starbucks.


I arrived at Plum Island, found a great parking place for $15 a day and jumped on the wheels to head back up the road. The wind was in my face and it was humid; a great day. I left Plum Island went through Newburyport toward the intersection of 97 and 113. I arrived and called Matt. He reported that he and Gary had taken the scenic route towards Canada and would be a little delayed. The lost time added 15 miles to the day. I headed up 125 and soon found them in good shape and we started toward the final goal. The picture of Gary at a house is on Center Street in Groveland Mass which I like to call the Roche Hotel; a five star establishment I have enjoyed in the past.

The ride on Center Street is the same final path that I had the good fortune to ride with Joe Roche at the end of his ride across America last year. It was just as fun and beautiful this time.


And the arrival at Plum Island; I will let the photographic record speak for this wonderful moment. Thank you Gary and Matt for making me a part of your great accomplishment. Congratulations and many more miles like these!

Day 32 – July 18

A day for riding 120 miles, climbing over 7000 feet, pictures of flowers and bugs and for fires by the road side. Not to mention this day and a wakeup to the big eastern pond. Gary studied the weather forecast and said we needed to be cranking by 6:30 am, because it was very possible to have showers in the afternoon. That’s a 5:15am wakeup. We woke, ate, packed and cranked on time. I stopped and stocked the kitchen for the day and caught them about 20 miles in. The climb was just ahead. Gary and Matt stopped for peanut butter and banana on wheat just before the climbs started. The day was warming and the humidity was growing.

When the guys climb I play leap frog between them so that they maintain their own pace. Matt is usually in front and I get ahead of him and trade bottles and give GU and then wait for Gary and take care of him. I try to pick a good spot for service and photos and am always amazed that I find such detail to shoot. That says the world is full of beauty even if you do not see it. Kind of like the tree when it falls and nobody is around to hear. The sound waves still exist and the flowers and bugs are still busy.

We were delayed by road construction and two fires. A log cabin was burning and later a jeep caught on fire and melted down. The fire departments were quick to respond and controlled the situation. It caused us to wait a bit but Matt and Gary put in 120 miles to make the last ride day an easy 60 mile coaster. ARE WE THERE YET?

Day 31 – July 17

The sky photos are from the night before and could tell of things to come. The forecast was for scattered showers but we saw none. A really good day for biking. Matt reports that the work on his bike made all the difference. We started from Oneida on route 5 and a short distance from New Hartford the bikes got off track in the city. We used the Garmin intersection function and found our way. Even a little confusion produces a picture or two.

We found a short cut that took us into Amish country on Stone Arabia Road with wonderful scenery. We cut off about 7 miles but added a lot of small hills to the climb total which is now above 83,000 feet of total climb for the trip. I asked Matt and Gary if we could do just a little more and maybe be near orbit altitude, they said NO. I think escape velocity would be an issue though. Most of the water is the Erie Canal.

Well it is now 1 day and a wakeup. Tomorrow is near 6000 feet of climb so I will be busy playing leap frog with the service SUV because both riders will travel at their own pace.

Day 30 – July 16

We woke after a restful night in the American Hotel; great food and good rest. I suspect that Rose has a hand in the garden I found at the back of the hotel; it needs thyme also. It is interesting that many creatures have addictions. Matt is consumed by paper that has been engraved with thought and ink and the garden reportedly had snails with a smoking problem. This could be another Kodak moment. I found two and am glad to report that they were enjoying the plant life and not a discarded butt.

I did some quick shopping and headed off to find the bikes that were in charge of Matt and Gary. All in all a normal road day for New York with great scenery in the towns and fast drivers on the roads. Mid morning Matt reported that he had a creaking in the bottom of his bike and would need a shop at the end of the day. I called Lesley in Dallas and requested that she find us a shop at the stop town. Lesley reported that we should get the work done in Syracuse and gave me a number to the Bike Loft.

At lunch we decided to transport the bike to the shop so they might have time to fit us in. A busy shop is good for business and can be a problem for a team passing through on a schedule. When I walked in Dave asked what I needed; when he learned of our problem he fitted us in to his schedule. Dave is an accomplished wrench and it was a learning experience to watch him find the problem. The carbon frame had a noise that sounded from the bottom bracket; however it came from the rear wheel. It was a lot of work to find a small problem. The Bike Loft has been around for about 40 years and Lance has owned it about half that time. They did not have the part to make the fix and arranged for us to go to another shop. The Bike Loft is a class act. They know bikes and are customer centric. Thanks Dave, Lance and Jim.

Brian at the next shop, Syracuse Bicycle, confirmed that the Bike Loft had found the problem and had the part to get us moving. Small part big deal. I left with a working bike and returned to the team. Relax and rest, end of day 30.

Day 29 - July 15

The day starts with a ride that should be near 130 miles from Westfield to Lima NY. We continue on Hwy 5 which is on Lake Erie shore which means the water and grape vines are the attraction. I did find a flower that was trying to escape through the fence and later a garden next to a nursery that the bees favored. The pollen today is orange instead of yellow; I guess that is what makes honey have different flavors.

We got lucky and met our friend Gill from Scotland. Matt and Gary rode with her a bit and then we had lunch. Matt learned that she works with books and that made for good conversation. Gill has attended a number of Tours and says it is quite a party.

I met a heifer (Sally) on the road when I stopped to wait for the riders. She was not very friendly and less trusting. She made it clear I was not to approach and should moooooove. I soon noticed that she had a new baby. It was in the tall grass and was trying to take its first steps. She gave it encouragement and it would try and then get tired. The baby rested and then tried again. My every move was a bother so I left and gave them privacy. She was a good mom.

More flowers, bugs and plants. And then we landed in Lima at the American Hotel. It is 150 years old and has been owned and occupied by the same family since 1920. Pat Reynolds and his sister Rose keep it going and growing. Rose makes home made soup that you may want by the cup so that you can try several flavors. I bought her cook book and hope that my wife will try some of the dishes. All in all a very good day.

Day 28 - July 14

We woke in the Park Hotel circa 1887 (now Comfort Inn) in Warren Ohio headed through two states and into New York. We leave the Youngstown Warren metro area via Hwy 5 and the terrain and views quickly change to well populated rural. Each community has a town center which often honors the veterans that helped keep it free. I may be repeating some of the same flowers, however lets attribute that to training on my part and recognize that the bugs differ. You should notice that a number of the flowers are in profile view. A ditch kept me from moving to get a front view. I noticed that all the yellow flowers had turned and faced the rising sun. Nature is tuned.

I stopped at the New York sign to capture the moment with a picture. I was rewarded by getting to visit with three riders that were traveling self supported. Vernon and Nancy Coon started their ride in the Dakotas to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Happy anniversary! They were traveling with a friend they met a few days ago who came from Scotland to travel across the US. Gill Hamilton was interesting to talk to and gave me her web address. It is worth a visit. Witty and informative with purpose; she is riding to benefit arthritis research in three countries. Go visit at www.pedalplenty.com.

Our final destination is the Atlantic Ocean at Plum Island MA. Please do not be confused by the photos that look like we have arrived. Lake Erie is very large and has wind and wave characteristics I have seen at the ocean. We spent nearly 40 miles trying to view the Lake. It is not easy. The property next to the lake is mostly private and is heavily forested. Soon after turning on 5 the grapevines started. It turns out that Erie county has 14,000 acres of vineyards and 10,000 are concord grapes to feed the Welch’s grape drink machine.

Matt and Gary were fast today. I checked with them every 10 miles and the pace was 19.9 average over 115 miles. The ride day ended in Westfield NY followed by the chores. Clean the bikes, shower, start the laundry, eat, dry the laundry while reading and taking more pictures and finally Lake Erie.

Day 27 - July 13

The day started wet which delayed the start until 8am. Not real bad since we could see some of the Tour. The weather got better with just a light rain and Matt and Gary started riding. When it is wet I am no mare than a few miles away and the riders are separated to avoid spray. This makes for a business type ride day as concentration is a bit more.

At about Noon we connected with Matt's sister Wendy and her family. After the ride today they brought home cooking to keep the riders fueled for the next day. It was very good.

I did not see flowers so I shot the rain, riders and buildings for the most part. The hotel we are staying at in Warren was built in 1878 and sits on the square in the center of the old part of town. Many old buildings are in this area.

We head out in the morning and leave Ohio, touch Pennsylvania and land in New York.

Day 26 - July 12

The day started with a refresher in thermodynamics 101. The blue dot is cold. As you can see the day started with a sky that said maybe or maybe not for rain. The forecast was calling for it around three and this was a motivator to ride east - quick. The road was east all day and they were positioned for a great day on that little bitty seat.

It was a day for pictures of anything that caught my attention. Not long into the ride I found a farmer observing the combine cutting his wheat. As I took pictures a large rain drop struck me from above and I quickly looked for the riders since they are not accustom to this type of attack. They were not far away and I moved the SUV toward them. As I came to a stop Matt was very fast; he had the refrigerator stowed in back and the seat down before the 72nd rain drop struck him. I made note that the temperature was not above boiling even though there was talk of melting. The shower lasted about 2 minutes and they got back on the bikes and off to Glandorf and Ottawa Ohio.

There is a church which is the center point of Glandorf with about 1000 member families. This is a German community and as we approached a gas station the rain started for real. We decided to wait on the rain and eat. The lady at the station fixed us a taco salad that could feed 8. It turns out she lived in Glandorf and had 8 boys and a girl. They all still live close by and I suspect that is why she was so full of life.

The rain stopped for the most part and Matt and Gary started to ride. The rain was very light and it did not interrupt us again.

I know it is not safe to pick up hitchhikers, but this one seemed so small and it was greene (Bob says greene is good) so I thought it would be ok. It was not long before I was dominated and continually saying “Yes Deere”. I won’t do that again.

We found the Willard Country Inn and comfortable rooms. The patron at the front had a bell with a sign that said ‘ring for attention’, I was about to ring it when a lady came from the back and wagged her finger indicating that I should not. I started to protest as I really like to ring bells and she pointed to a hunk of wood on the wall and I put the bell down.

The day ended with the normal sight of Matt, a bottle, a book, and a nap. End day 26.

Day 25 - July 11

We left the Indian Head Motel and stopped at the only cafe in town for a breakfast. The plan was for me to stay a little longer to shop for food and try to post the blogs by finding an open connection on the street like I did the night before. It is important to note that we had a barbecue of sorts with yesterdays food. Matt plugged in the portable refrigerator backwards and it became a cooker. We checked and he is not color blind, red is red and blue is blue for him so it may have just been a mistake and not an effort to heat the room.

I could not find an open connection and I thought I should not take to long since they were moving east. I was correct they had already gone 10 miles when I caught them. The topology changed a little again. Smaller farms, rolling hills and more livestock. We continued east and found the town of North Manchester. They ate and took a short rest and I found a lot of flowers. They seem to need a break near flowers and bugs.

Indiana busy bee.

Off again and this time I tried to jump out ahead to have time to get food and try and find a barber. I went down about ten miles and turned left on hwy 5. I called and left a message and latter called again. I stopped in Huntington and found an open internet connection and posted their blogs. A barber was open, however he had a rule that his lunch was 11:30 to 12:00 and could not take me at 11:15. I found that this town has interesting buildings and was taking a picture when the phone rang.

Hay, whats up?

Gary said they were at the end of 114 and I knew we were off the plan. We discovered they were just west of Fort Wayne and about 15 miles from me. We looked at the map and were able to start them east as I came north to connect. We picked the end point we had planned for this day and continued to the end with a 109 mile day just south of Payne Ohio. We transported back into Indiana for the night. Bike cleaning, lanudry and a hair cut finished the day.

Day 24 - July 10

We checked out of the motel just before 7 and went to the USDA office to have breakfast with John and his office group. It was good food and good company. I transported Matt and Gary to the start of an estimated 130 mile day.

The first part of the ride was small town and country. As we moved in to the farm land it was mostly corn and as we have said at the speed we move there is time for just about everything. We took note that the fields were smaller and the corn was taller. I think that it could be that when you squeeze the field a bit the corn can only go up. Remember I am still if farming 101 so the theory could need some work. Please notice how even the planting is, Neil showed me the machine that plants and they really do a good job.

Indiana must be a secret because I had to turn around and take a picture of the Illinois sign to mark the occasion as we left the land of Lincoln.

I found a way of getting Matt and Gary off the main roads onto a very straight country lane for about 25 miles. I found a field that was just planted and believe I have captured a bean sprout as it starts to grow. And of course the flowers continue to capture my attention. We arrived at the Indian Head Motel in Winamac Indiana. Its time to eat and relax and prepare for day 25.

Day 23 - July 9

Another great day in the USA! We started today by crossing the Mississippi into Illinois and even though corn, beans and flowers were the same, there is a difference. Illinois is flat and that has a charm all its own. The roads are cut straight and you can see forever. Our route was custom designed by Bob Loch and it delivered on character and beauty. It was more work to support because it was hard to find the correct small roads, but worth it because it showed another side of the country side. It was quite serene and planned at every step. This land is organized to work and produce.

You will notice I found the 100mm macro lens and tried it on more flowers and bugs.

About 11am it was time to eat and we found a 5 star café tucked away in Manlius called Tilley’s. The slogan “Warm beer and lousy food” is a sneaky way of always exceeding expectations. The food was really good and the service made me want to order more. I enjoyed the meal and hospitality. Thank you Tilley.

Bob Matt and Gary ended the day at 120 miles and we had the pleasure of Bob and Gary’s old friends at dinner which was a home cooked feast. We gathered at a family farm established in 1866. I visited with their college friends and it was clear that the roots run deep here.

Day 22 - July 8

Goodbye Fremont, it was a restful stay. We take the route I rode yesterday and turn off at Pioneer Seed. Matt and Gary were moving quite well. I stopped and bought gas and found a home style cafe for breakfast. They rode on. I ordered eggs and hash browns and asked that the potatoes were a little crisp. The cook was kind but it was obvious that she did not need an explanation of how I thought they should be cooked. This turned out to add additional time which I spent listening and talking with some old timers talk about the weather, picking beans from the garden and the two bikers that were moving quite fast this morning. The meal was very good but I was late supporting the riders and found that they were concerned once I found my phone in the truck.

They traveled 33 miles with no support and were ready for the round of V8 and sandwiches. Back on the road and watching the clouds form and move and looking for rain. I waited at a turning point and soon they were there. Gary had broken a shift cable and we traded bikes and they continued. Bob was called and set up a bike shop for the needed repair.

I found some new flowers today and homes and buildings. Iowa is alive and beautiful. We finished the last 10 miles with Bob Loch getting Matt and Gary to a favorite bike trail in Davenport before finishing in the Quad cities at Bob comfortable home.

Bob plans to ride with them tomorrow. I will be supporting three riders.

Day 21 - July 7 Rest

I woke for a moment at 7am, got up at 9am and then we went to town and had breakfast. I visited a small Iowa DOT office to try and find a book on the flowers by the road side that Jan told me about. They had a handout that had most and now I want to see if Matt and Gary will agree to ride around until I can get photos of each kind. I wonder if they will notice if we don't continue east each day?


We came home and a nap caught me in mid stride. After a short time I determined that someone should ride today. I got ready and headed south out of Fremont directly into a good head wind. Remember, it is an investment into the wind as long as at some point you get to turn around and fly back to the start. I went south at under 15 mph and returned home above 20 mph. I stopped and took pictures along the way. The 20 mile ride was a bit warm at 95, I was gald to be back.



Hey Bob does a deer rust to red like this or what? OOPS! Lets not make a case out if it.

Day 20 - July 6

I am back from my trip to Texas. I worked a little, spent the 4th with the family and missed supporting Matt and Gary. I found Bob feeling the same, it just goes too fast. Obviously Bob did a great job and Matt and Gary got a little spoiled. I heard a little talk about not eating a lot of turkey and when I said something about where things went they said a Bob recall was possible. That’s ok we will see Bob in a day or two and he assured me that we could get things back in shape.


They started day 20 with a target of just under 100 miles. The weather report had a chance of scattered so starting and staying ahead of the weather was a consideration. The ride started with a paved bike trail that took us into Des Monies near 73rd and freeway 235. Gary had written out the Starbucks drinks they favored and said Bob had supplied them as part of his support. I trust Bob’s leadership and work hard to coordinate the end of the trail and a Starbucks. I got real lucky and as you can see Matt has anticipation on his face as they approach me at the end of the trail. They were pleased.


The balance of the ride day to Fremont was normal with both peanut butter and banana and later turkey sandwiches. As you can see I really like the flowers. All of these were growing next to the road we traveled. They look a lot different at 70 mph and are hard to sniff at that velocity. Lets all ride bikes.



The ride day ended in Fremont Iowa. This is a small community that has a long history of 160 years. That is a lot of crops and a lot of service to the folks that benefit from this effort over the years. It is the fiber of America. Matt and Gary have ridden 15 century rides since the start. Of course a century is not just 100 miles it is a 100 mile ride in one stretch. I learned that a farm that has been in one family for 100 years or more is a century farm and I got to spend time with a family that continues that tradition today. Sue and Neil gave me a tour of their farm and it was a joy. The knowledge and technology that is employed to be successful is impressive. I learned that corn pollinates itself. And that each strand of silk is a conduit tube that pollen uses to travel in and start the process to create each kernel on the ear of corn; one silk tube for each kernel. I felt like I had taken a course in farm engineering 101. Neil and Sue sure know their business. I am awe struck at the detailed work hidden in every meal I eat. Farmers fuel us all.

Day 19 - July 5

Today was my last day supporting Gary and Matt as they continue their quest to ride their bicycles across America. They have completed over half the distance and I have no doubt that they will be successful. The week went by too quickly and I wish I could continue along on their journey and to celebrate with them when they reach the Atlantic.

It is interesting to hear people’s reaction when they learn that Gary and Matt are riding across the US. The responses have ranged from “my son-in-law did that last year” to “are you crazy?” If riding a bike across the country makes one crazy, then Gary and Matt are in good company. There are many organized rides that take riders across this great land and there are many people who ride either by themselves or in small groups. Today as I was waiting along Highway 44 for Gary and Matt to arrive, a bicyclist around 30 years old came from the opposite direction. He stopped to ask about the road. I ask him where he was heading and he said Northern Wisconsin. He grew up in Wisconsin and now lives in California. He left California several weeks ago and is riding home. He is riding by himself and carrying all his gear on his bike. He decided to continue on the road heading north, which was a good decision as there was a strong wind out of the South. Over the course of ride, we have met others on the same quest. I think we all would be amazed at the number of people pursuing this dream.

Now I will agree that riding across the country is not something that everyone can do. One does not get up one morning and decides to ride 3,500 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic. First of all it takes time, for the actual trip and for the training. For example, from January 1st of this year to the start of this ride, Gary had logged over 4,500 miles on his bike. (I don’t know Matt’s mileage, but I can assure you he has trained hard for this ride.) This averages out to about 24 miles a day. Even with all this training behind him, I think Gary would admit that the ride is more difficult than he thought. They have added rest days, shorten some of the routes, and have “banked” miles to shorten some rides. The second thing it takes is mental toughness. Getting on the bike day after day to ride an average of 100 miles is not easy. The weather is not always pleasant and the roads are not always smooth. The body hurts and wants to rest. But to accomplish their goal, they have to convince themselves each day to get on the bike and ride. At the end of each ride I am impressed with their attitude. Yes, they are tired. But they are in good spirits. After they have had a few minutes to rest, they are joking and laughing and planning for the next day. Larry and I really appreciate this.

On the drive home from Des Moines this evening, I thought about when Gary first got into biking. My first recollection of Gary and biking goes back to January of 1995. I was living in Ankeny at the time and I received a call from Gary. He asked if I would be interested in riding RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. I had been biking for about twenty years, nothing seriously, but I did purchase my first Trek back in 1980. I had always wanted to ride RAGBRAI, but didn’t know anyone who was willing to do it with me. So when Gary asked, I didn’t need any time to decide.

Back then, we were excited when we would ride 20 miles. We trained all summer and had a great time on our first RAGBRAI. It was Gary, me and Gary’s friend Chuck Smith on the first RAGBRAI. We found two great support drivers, our friend Dennis Schemmel and Gary’s brother-in-law Paul to split the support duties for us. This ride got us hooked. We have done RAGBRAI around 10 times with a group of Gary’s friends from Texas which is called Cobra39. I have traveled to Texas to ride the Hotter ‘n Hell 100 several times, some more successful than others. (The name describes the ride: a 100 mile ride around Wichita Falls, Texas in August. The temperature most years exceeds 105 degrees by mid-afternoon. Having done this ride several times, I think this does border on the edge of crazy.)

I think it was on our second RAGBRAI that Gary began talking about riding across America. I knew it was just a matter of time. Over the years Gary’s interest in cycling has grown…..and his mileage has increased. Thirteen years after his first organized ride, thousands of miles of training, and countless hours of preparing, Gary is riding a cyclist’s ultimate ride. He also is fortunate to have Matt as a riding companion. Matt bikes as well as he writes.

As I am leaving the team and returning to the real world and work, I want to thank Gary and Matt for allowing me to share in their adventure. I have some great memories from the past eight days. Hang in their Matt, there really is a tail wind. I hope you are able to experience it at least once before the end of your journey.
And now I turn the support role back to the very capable Larry Hart.

Bob

Day 18 - July 4

Friday the Fourth. Today was another good day for the riders. They rode over 130 miles for the second day in a row. This is quite an accomplishment, especially ending the day with 17 miles into a head-wind. Overall the weather was good. The wind wasn’t too strong and the temperatures were mild, considering it is July in the Midwest. The humidity was low and the high for the day was around 84 degrees. It is impressive that after 7 plus hours on a bike, both Gary and Matt are in great spirits at day’s end. It’s been an amazing journey so far, one that I am glad to have played a small part in helping Gary and Matt reach their goal. Today they reached a milestone; they reached he midpoint of their journey. The photo at the “Fast Stop” marks the spot where they reach the halfway point of their trek across the US.

Tonight we are in Blair, NE, less than two miles from the Iowa border. After today’s ride I took a drive to scout the route for tomorrow and to find a place to eat. As it is July 4th, most of the restaurants are closed. The GPS unit led me astray on the search for one restaurant. The second selection suggested the GPS took me to a bar that did not serve food. But they suggested an establishment down the street that was opened and did serve food. This was our last hope as the only remaining alternatives were fast food establishments.

Today is our last day in Nebraska and the people we have met along the way have been great. They have been friendly and helpful, making our trip more enjoyable and less stressful. I found the best way to find a place to eat is to stop and ask someone at the local convenience store. They have always been helpful and their suggestions have saved us time. And, Nebraskans continue to wave. Whether I am parked along the side of the road or driving through a small town looking for a place to eat, the locals all wave when they pass. There is a special quality in rural America that makes one feel welcomed.

Tomorrow is my last full day as Gary’s and Matt’s support driver. I will help get them to near Des Moines where I will end my journey and turn the support role back to the very capable Larry Hart. It’s been quite a journey. I don’t know if I will be able to post my comments tomorrow night, but I hope to add them later. As I finish writing, fireworks are filling the sky over Blair, NE. It is fitting end to a memorable July 4th.

Bob

Day 17 - July 3

Day 17 – July 3, 2008

Terrific Thursday. Today was the exact opposite of yesterday. Today the bikers enjoyed clear blue skies, a light breeze, cool temperatures, a flat route and a great road for cycling. Today was also the hardest day to be a support driver. It wasn’t the support role that was difficult; it was being not able to bike that made it difficult. It was a perfect day and route for cycling and I wasn’t able to get on a bike and ride along. I guess that made yesterday the easiest day to be a support driver as I was quite happy not cycling into the wind.

Gary and Matt made up the miles they lost yesterday. They were riding well and I could estimate to within a few minutes of when they would arrive at the spot I was waiting for them. I would drive out 10 miles ahead and wait. In about 30 minutes they would arrive. They kept this up all day for the 130 + miles that they rode. Spirits were high as they ended a very successful day.

This trip is providing me an opportunity to do something that I have never done before, pull the car over and check out Historical Markers. For years I have driven by these and have never taken the time to stop and learn a little history of that particular area. As this trip is providing me the time, I am stopping to check them out. I’ve been posting photos of these as they provide additional insight on the area and its history. When I joined the team last week, Gary told me to take photos along the route of the sights and scenery that they would see and the traveled across the country. Sometimes I get it right and I will have a photo in support of something they mention in their blog. I also miss many photo opportunities as a travel from one stop to the next. Highway 20 has a speed limit of 65 mph through both Wyoming and Nebraska. At times I will spot a perfect photo opportunity but I am unable to pull the SUV to the side of the road for the photo as an eighteen wheeler is bearing down behind me. But, I make numerous U-turns to go back and get the photo.

Tomorrow will be our last day in Nebraska and then its home to Iowa, at least for me.

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Holiday.

Bob

Day 16 - July 2

Day 16 – July 2, 2008

Windy Wednesday. Today was a brutal day for bicycling. The day began with thunderstorms, delaying the start of the ride until 9 AM. After the rain delay, came a terrible stretch of pavement that was being ground down in preparation of a new surface. This continued for 9 miles. I was surprised and impressed that Gary and Matt road this stretch of road. During this time it was raining lightly and the wind was increasing. By mid-day the winds were gusting to 30 – 35 mph. Not a good day for biking. I did not venture too far from the riders today, as the conditions were poor at best and I wanted to be close if they needed assistance….and to provide an occasional escape from the wind.

It was a long day and made longer due to crossing into the Central Time Zone and losing an hour. My day was made longer due to an issue with the server used to load the photos. After several attempts and waiting for them to process, I think they are available for viewing. The photos cannot relate the conditions Gary and Matt encountered today. I could not find a way to capture the wind in a photo. Check out Matt’s blog, as he does an excellent job of sharing his experience of the ride.

Bob