Bike Disaster (Day 31)

Today we woke up at 5:00am Our plan was to ride early before the wind started. The wind was predicted to hit 40mph from the south. We packed up our gear and headed to a Mcdonalds for breakfast. There we chilled for a little to post some stuff on the internet and eat some food. Eating at Mcdonalds a lot I have realized that it is one of the most expensive breakfast places out there. We are a lot better going to a local restaurant to get a better deal for breakfast. The great thing about Mcdonalds though is its open early and there is internet.

As we rode that morning we were both in pretty good moods. The wind wasn't bad and the sky was a perfect blue. We were riding on these back roads with little traffic where one could see straight for a couple of miles. Finally, we came to a main road when disaster struck. I was riding up a small hill when all of a sudden something flung off my bike. At first I was thinking what it could possible be! When we turned around to see what it was it was my spoke. My spoke didn't break, but it had ripped straight out of my rim making it impossible to put a new one in. Plus within seconds of the spoke ripping out my rim became so warped that my tire was rubbing on my frame. Quickly we decided that we needed help. I couldn't think of a quick solution to ride my bike to a shop. Plus we knew a small shop wouldn't work for us. The closest small shop was 40 miles away. The bigger ones were 80miles away to Wichita, the biggest city in Kansas. As I tried to work on my bike for a solution Abdiel started to work on hitch hiking. The first person to stop was an elevator serviceman who was heading home to Wichita. His name was John. He said he would give us a lift over there. We were so thankful that John had passed us at the right moment otherwise we might of had a harder time getting over there.

The drive over to Wichita was a good one. We were heading off the bike route again by going southwest to Wichita. John was a very friendly guy. Just before we got to Wichita we watched him service an elevator. After that he took us to the bike shop. At shop I was worried about how much things would cost me. I knew I would most likely have to get a new wheel. The shop named Bicycle Pedaler was extremely helpful to us. Ruth the lady who owns the shop was extremely nice and willing to help. She found me a wheel I could use, and was willing to ship my broken wheel home. My broken wheel is fixable but it would of required a lot of work. So eventually I hope to get it fixed. While they took my bike in to get it fixed Abdiel also asked if they could check his bike out for any problems. While we waited we headed out to lunch. When we got back our bikes were ready to go and working in good condition. My only worry was how much it might all this was going to cost me. Ruth brought us to the register and started trying to give us as many discounts she could possible give us! I was totally shocked and thankful for what she had done. I think she understood how little money we had to spend, and understood what biking across the country took. That is because she had done it herself as a honeymoon. She told us that her and her husband had retired from nursing and decided to open up a bike shop. So once again we are extremely thankful for all that was done for us today!!

Bike Repair (Day 30)

Today Abdiel and I stayed in Pittsburg, Kansas for the first half of the day. We camped in the town park. Last night we called the local police department to see if it would be OK and they said it would be. That night I went to bed early and woke up early too. It felt good though because I was totally rested. The main reason we had stayed in Pittsburg was because Abdiel had broken another spoke. The bike shop didn't open till ten so we just rested, and went to the post office to ship some more unneeded items. We are becoming picky about weight, and are trying to lighten up as much as we can. This will allow us to move faster and put less strain on our bikes for the rest of the trip. When you are living off of a bike it is amazing to learn how little you are able to survive on.

This shop has been the least helpful. He kept trying to get us to buy things we didn't need. Of course in the end to put on a new spoke he charged Abdiel $38. A new spoke only cost $5 and the work to fix it should take less then 30 minutes. However he took over an hour to do it. We were both disappointed in his service and the shop. As we left he kept trying to get us to buy power bars.

Leaving at 12:30pm we only planned to ride about 65 miles. The progress was slow at first because of the wind. We could tell we were starting to get out there. The towns were spread out with populations of only 200 or so. As the sun started to set the wind began to die down. It was pretty awesome riding at that point. It was fairly flat with no wind. We were able to cruise at 15mph no problem. We made it to our camp spot just before the sun went down. The area had a Pizza Hut so we set up our tent and went there for supper. As we got to the parking lot we hit our 2000 mile marker. It was amazing to think of how far we have come. We are just about halfway now.

Kansas (Day 29)

While Missouri has some beautiful countryside I was glad to be leaving. The five days we were in Missouri were some of the toughest days of the bike trip. It is not easy waking up to pouring rain, putting on wet cloths from the previous day, and then riding in the rain another seven hours. I hope that is the most rain we will experience from now on. This morning while we rode it was a dark and cold day. It only showered for a little which we were thankful for. It was so cold I was wearing the same clothing I wore when we were in upstate New York. The day was fairly depressing because it was such a dark day. For most of the ride I kept thinking about when I was in New York. I remember there I would tell myself it would be getting warmer as we headed south and the weather would improve... However, as I pedaled I thought of how wrong was about that. In fact I believe in Missouri we hit our furthest point south. The next a 700 miles we will be heading mostly west but go a little more north to.

As we road toward Kansas we could see the landscape changing. It went from rolling hills to a landscape that was more flat. As we keep riding I'm sure things will get flatter, and we will be able to see for miles. I don't believe Kansas will be an easy state to go through. As I talked with my dad about the weather it looks like we won't hit any severe weather like in Missouri. However, the wind looks like it may be bad at times. I'm sure over the next 500 miles we will get very tired of the wind.

Today I was very tired from my sleepless night. It took everything just to keep pedaling. The coolest thing that happened was when we stopped for some breakfast. There at the restaurant some people got talking with us and we started telling them about our stories, and why we were biking. They thought it was very cool and called the local paper to do a report on us. So while we got some breakfast we also got interviewed. It was great being able reflect on our past experiences and share how we were raising money for Partners in Health.

No Rain in Missouri (Day 28)

Today was the first full day that we have been in Missouri were it hasn't rained. After getting a good nights sleep we were off to start in Hartville again. Because there was a detour on 38 The pastor recommended that we take route 60 to 160. He said that there was a good shoulder. On the route we ended up finding out it was more freeway then a simple country road. However, it was probally best because of the flooding going on. In fact at one point a part of 60 was closed because one side of it was flooded. Once we got into Springfield there was some construction we had to get around. Instead of riding with the cars we road in the closed off areas where construction was being done. Nobody was working at the time so this gave us a whole entire highway to ourselves. After 50 miles of riding a freeway we were finally able to get off. It was nice to be on a country road again with a lot less noise and more scenery.

As we started getting close to a spot where we could get a motel in Everton, we noticed a storm coming up from the southwest that was moving up fast. The clouds looked extremely threatening. Some of the darkest, ugliest looking clouds I have ever seen. One in Everton we started to ask around for a motel. Everyones reply was “there ant any here.” Finally we ended up at a bar and the owner said we could pitch our tent up out back. With no other place and the storm fast approaching we set the tent up as we heard thunder rumble off in the distance. As it started to rain we went into the bar and got something to eat. There the people were fairly friendly to us and interested as to why wee would bike across the country.

We were in the bar for a fair amount of time because of the storm. I mostly just talked to some people telling them about the trip, and watched the weather channel which was on the TV. The storm looked big but luckily we were not in an area with any watches or warnings. It seemed that only one edge of the storm clipped us. If we had been further south the storm would have been a lot worse. We mostly had a little thunder and some good rain. Eventually on of the guys about our aged asked if we would like to stay at his place so we could stay dry. Hanging out with these guys was an interesting experience.

Rain, Rain, Rain.... (Day 27)

We woke up early again to do a long ride. The day did not look good from the start, but with a warm front being stalled over us our only option was to ride. That meant more rain again. This time we started in the rain and we finished in the rain. In fact it rained most of the day. A steady drenching rain. Our cloths from last night hadn't dried so we ended up having to put on damp cloths and head out again.

While it rained most of the morning the hills were a lot easier then yesterday. Instead steep long uphills the terrain had a lot more rolling country side today. Despite the rain the riding was very nice. Later during the day the rain stopped and we came to a viewpoint. Off in the distance it seemed like we could see a little bit of sunshine. After some more riding we were heading to darker clouds off in the distance. It didn't look good. Off in the distance we heard some thunder rumble. All we could think about was yesterday and how bad the lighting storm was. We continued to bike hoping things wouldn't get worst. We eventually came to a town and decided not to stop. The thunder didn't seem like it would be too bad because it was very sporadic. Plus we wanted to make it to a motel before dark. Stopping to wait the storm out would have delayed us from finding a safe spot at night. It is a good thing we didn't wait because the storm never passed. It was mostly rain with an occasional rumble of thunder.

Eventually we made it to the small town of Hartville. There we grabbed a quick snack and headed off. However, it wasn't long before we found out that the route we needed to take was closed. There was a detour but this would turn our 25 mile ride to the motel to a 40 mile ride. This news was very depressing because it was 4:00 and still raining. If we were to bike another 40 miles we wouldn't make it to the motel till about 9:00pm. As we started to ride the detoured route a man pulled up next to me in a car. He said he was a pastor of the local Baptist church. He was wondering if we would like a place to stay. Being down about a motel being a good ride away, I said it would be great. One great thing about this trip is how well we have been taken care of by others. People have done so much for Abdiel and I it has been amazing! A great learning experience to all the good that can exist out there.

The Ozarks (Day 26)

Today was one of our toughest days, yet it was one of the most interesting days. Wanting to get a good start in the morning to beat any severe thunderstorms in the afternoon we left early. We started our day by waking up around 5:30am, packing up, and then grabbing a bite to eat at McDonalds. At McDonalds we met some interesting locals who told us to watch out for wild hogs and the black bears. They were shocked to find out that we didn't carry a gun with us. While some locals tell us tornadoes are not common in this area others say they are. One guy from Mcdonalds told us that on his farm his grandfather's house was destroyed by a tornado, his dad's house, and four of his sheds.

As we started to ride in the morning we were lucky to have no rain. However, around eleven our luck changed. Off in the distance the clouds started to darken and we could hear the low rumble of thunder. Finally it started to spit rain and within ten minutes lighting was all around us with rain coming down in sheets of water. Luckily a gas station was near by and we were able to take cover. Although, the two minutes we were in the rain we were completely soaked. After the stormed passed it rained on and off the whole entire day.

Most of the day we were riding in the Ozarks. While the mountains are small they still hold a lot of beauty. Being small mountains today was the hilliest we have ever had. We didn't hit anything as steep as in Ohio, but the hills were long and held their own in steepness. I am certain by the time I wake up my legs will be sore. In fact Abdiel was talking to a policeman, and he said that most bikers coming through say the Ozarks are the harder then anything found in the west. Even harder then riding in the Rockies.

With the steepness and the grade of the hills Abdiel and I both hit our all time max speeds for the trip. I was maxed out at 47mph. Even though we didn't finish the ride till 8:00pm, and were soaked at the finish we were lucky that we only had one thunderstorm to deal with. It has been raining a lot here. In fact the last three days have brought 12 inches or rain to Missouri. Most the rivers are flooded and by this Wednesday the locals say another 10 inches of rain is possible. They say it has been the worst flooding since 1967. So like always, our plan is to keep heading west to get out!

A Stormy Day (Day 25)

Today is the first day we have had an official rest day. It is about time we rest our legs because the fatigue has been building up. When we woke this morning we got up a little late and by the time we started to think things through about the weather and where we would bike we decided it would be best to relax for a day. When we went to breakfast we saw the devastating images of the tornado that ran through the St. Louis area last night. It is awful to see all the damage that has been done and see it happening so close to where we are. Houses once standing have just been flattened. Talking with some locals this morning they say it is rare to see a tornado come through the area we are in. While it can happen it is more likely to happen more north where it is flatter. That is what the locals told us.

Another thought that ran through my mind today is how our whole world is in need! We are raising money to support the need in Haiti, yet there is so much more need then that area. There is need in Japan, Africa, South America and even right here where I am riding, Missouri. I think while it is impossible to heal all the hurt in this world we can still try to do our part in helping others. While it may be the neighbor down the street or medical care for those in Haiti. We all have interests and abilities that can be used to help those in need.

While that was one thought that ran through my mind it felt good to relax. Especially since it thundered and rained today. It looks like as the week goes on the weather will be improving. Within our area though there are flood watches and warnings. Looking at the weather we may pick up two inches of rain tonight. It will be interesting to see what the ride will bring tomorrow. I hope that the roads will be clear of water and not flooded. We will try to stay off the back roads to avoid flooded river crossings like Kentucky. As we get into Kansas it looks like we will have a solid week of sunshine. I hope that the forecast holds true because it will be harder to hide from strong storms while we are in Kansas.

Gateway to The West (Day 24)

It was a good thing we decided not to cross the Mississippi yesterday because last night some strong thunderstorms moved through the area, and being in a tent would have been awful. After the thunderstorms moved through around four in the morning it rained until eight or so. This gave Abdiel and I an excuse to sleep in which led to a late start. We are coming to a point in the trip where our bodies constantly feel fatigued. It seems as if my body is craving sleep and not enough will ever fill that craving. Even after a good nights sleep I still end up tired a couple hours after being on the bike. It is at this point we still need to keep on pushing. Everyone I talked to told us we would reach a point like this. They say the first week or so your body is very sore from all the riding. Which was true for me. I remember that my upper back and legs were really sore. Now the fatigue has hit for sure! Despite being tired I am still enjoying the trip.

Today we crossed the Mississippi which was muddy and flowing with a strong current. From this point on we will be heading into the great west! I am pretty excited about that. It feels like we are making good progress. As we rode today we were fortunate enough to have good weather. The forecast for the day said that severe thunderstorms were possible. As I rode my bike I couldn't help but keep an eye out for good places to go to if a bad storm came in. Luckily every mile or so there is a house, and I am sure that if a bad storm came by we would be able to find a shelter. The people of the Midwest have been very generous in everyway.

Riding through the first part of Missouri was beautiful! The rolling hills along with the farmland made it a picture perfect place. The woods also brought a feeling of being back in New England. I really enjoyed the hills as we rode. The curves of the road brought new scenery at each turn. However as we road closer to Pilot Knob we came to a place where the woods were infested with black flies. It was impossible to stop without a swarm of them getting in your hair and helmet. That is why tonight we are in a motel... not to mention it is suppose to storm again. I can hear thunder of in the distance.

Not So Flat After All (Day 23)

After a good nights sleep in the Presbyterian Church Abdiel and I were off early. Our goal was to make it west of the Mississippi. The river was about 85 miles away. Today we lucked out because we had a tailwind! It was pretty awesome! Abdiel and I have had so many days with headwinds that we joke around by saying if we are heading into the wind then we must be going the right way! Way back when we first started our trip we had somebody tell us that the whole headwind thing was a myth. He told us that he had ridden east to west and only had about four days with a strong headwind. Either he was lucky or Abdiel and I are bad luck.

Nothing too exciting happened today as we road. The riding conditions were pretty mellow and we were enjoying the tailwind. The best part of the ride was when we were getting closer to Chester, IL. We were off in some farm fields when all of a sudden we came across a set of hills. The hills took us by surprise because they were long and steep. While we only had a few to climb we had more to go down. One hill I was able to hit my max speed so far for the trip. I hit about 42mph and Abdiel hit a little over 43mph. It is pretty amazing that we can go that fast without getting speed wobbles anymore. I remember the first couple days of riding my bike would start to shake going 25mph. The trailers have now become part of our bikes and how we handle them. It is actually pretty funny when we try to ride our bikes without the trailers. Without the trailers one would think we would be super fast, however without them we now wobble all over the road.

We made it with enough daylight to cross the Mississippi but decided not to cross. That is because there was no place to stay on the other side. On one of the bike maps we found a place where it is free for bike riders to camp. The spot was run by a local bar in the town. They let us stay in a cabin made for those biking across the country. Showers where available too! That night since we finished a little early Abdiel and I did a lot of bike maintenance before going to bed.

Crossing into Illinois (Day 22)

Waking up after the storm it was cloudy and cool. The air was drier and not as humid as the day before. That morning I decided to wash some of my cloths in the sink with dish soap. I then air dried them by attaching them to my trailer. Today was rather uneventful. We just kept riding. Instead of crossing back over 41 to our planned route we decided to stay in Indiana and meet up with the maps again in Murphysboro, IL. The riding was pretty flat today and was very rural. We are now hitting towns with populations of 300 people.

In the evening we rolled into the town of Galatia, IL. There we had some dinner at a local restaurant. While we were eating we asked a fellow by the name of Bill if there was a place we could pitch a tent to camp for the night. He ended up referring us to the major who was not helpful at all. His only suggestion was that we bike another ten miles at night to another town... In the end Bill ended up helping us out. He said we could stay at his house. So after our meal we biked over. Just looking for a place to set a tent Bill helped us more then we expected. He went through the effort of helping us get a roof over our heads. He was able to get it so we could stay in the Presbyterian church he goes to by his house. People have been very helpful here throughout the Midwest. The place where we ate called Kelly's Kitchen served us a terrific breakfast. Everyone has been very generous.

Tornado Watch (Day 21)

Today was very eventful. A lot happened. That morning some locals warned us that the weather was going to be very severe that evening. Because of the severity of the weather Abdiel and I decided that at each major town we hit we would keep updating ourselves and decide whether or not to stay at that location to wait the storm out. The whole day we road it was cloudy, hot, and real humid. The sky always seemed like it would storm but it held of.

At one point during the day Abdiel and I were riding some back roads that ran along route 62. These roads were in a valley close to the Green River. With no signs warning us we came across a flooded road. Instead of turning around we decided to cross to the other side. Some parts were not deep with only a couple inches of water. However as we kept riding we hit a flooded part that was just over our knees. The experience was pretty exciting and was a highlight for the day. It really highlights what our trip is all about. That is its an adventure where we can not see what may lay ahead.

That evening Abdiel broke a spoke. The only bike shop was about 13 miles in Evansville, Indiana. So we crossed the Ohio River via 41. At the time we crossed the bridge was very congested with lots of traffic. It was one of the worst places we have biked since accidentally getting on the Buffalo Skyway on route 5. However, we made it across and things worked out. Once the bike was fixed that evening we stopped at McDonalds to eat. We ended up talking with a few people about the trip. That night we met a guy about our age named Ross. He worked for a power company and only stayed in Indiana to work and went home on the weekends to his family in Georgia. We told him that we were going to be camping that night. He told us about the storm that was coming and offered for us to come over and stay in his apartment. So that night we had a safe place to stay. Around 9:00pm the tornado sirens in the city were going off. A couple hours later Ross had to leave to work for the electric company to fix downed wires. In the morning we found out that the storm did produce tornadoes in other areas. However, over Evansville a funnel cloud was spotted. That night it stormed good with hail and max winds of 76mph. It is good we didn't stay at the campground in town. Otherwise our tent would have been torn to pieces.

First Lighting Storm (Day 20)

Today we left the Lutheran camp that we were staying at. It really was a home away from home. When we woke up that morning the ranger's wife came over with some coffee, egg sandwiches, and some OJ. She even made us a bag lunch for the ride. My only issue with the area is that I have been fighting some pretty bad allergies. Normally I never get allergies. That morning my eyes were so itchy and watery that it was hard to keep them open. Everyone who I have talked to say that the Ohio River Valley is known for its allergens in the spring. Because of my allergies our first stop for the day was at the drug store.

The riding contained many challenges today. As we rode we would climb out of the river valley and then descend back down. This created a lot of climbing which was pretty challenging. It was one of the hilliest days since we left New England. Being one of the hilliest today was also one of the hottest. The temp hit about 85 degrees. Overall we were able to ride about 77 miles to finish the day. So we finished strong.

During the evening as we rode we hit our first thunderstorm as we were searching for a place to camp. We put on our rain gear real quick and kept going. The storm wasn't too intense.
There were a few flashes of lighting here and there. Even though it wasn't to intense and the storm didn't last very long one lighting strike was very close to us. It struck in the woods not too far from us. As soon as we saw the flash of light the thunder was almost instant!

That night at the campground we found a place to set our tent up underneath a pavilion. There we were sheltered from the rain. Although there was no thunder at one point during the night the wind and rain became very strong. It seemed as if the tent was going to blow away with us in it.

A Brand New Start (Day 19)

We have now started our third week of biking! Yesterday was pretty terrible, but with a new week comes a new beginning. The day started out great! Being able to wake up with a roof over our heads was a definite plus! The owner of the shop also gave us some coffee and some Mexican pastries for breakfast. The day also started out warm. Within ten minutes of riding we were shedding our layers. We were able to ride along the Ohio river for about ten miles before we crossed the river into Indiana. We eventually climbed out of the valley and up into some farmlands above the river.

We stayed in the farmlands until we descended down towards the Ohio river to Jeffersonville. From there we were able to look over to Louisville in Kentucky. From there we had another good climb back out of the valley. We went about 500 feet in less then a half mile. It wasn't too steep cause the road had a lot of switchbacks. As nightfall came we started to look for a camp spot. We found a Lutheran camp to stay at named Camp Cedarbrook. The people there were extremely nice! They gave us some food, allowed us to sleep under the roof from the porch of a building. They even opened up the showers for us! Abdiel and I were both shocked and amazed at the hospitality we received! It felt like a home away from home.

A Harsh Welcome to Kentucky! (Day 18)

Today was one of the worst days in the trip. We thought that as we headed more south we would be welcomed with warmer weather. However that did not happen. Instead Kentucky welcomed us with strong headwinds, a cold temperature, and hard rain. It was definitely one of the hardest days to push through. We were only able to push fifty miles before nightfall. As we road I kept thinking of how miserable I was. I thought of how people keep telling us how lucky we were to be able to ride, and how they wished they could do the same. In reality at that moment I felt as if nobody understood what we had to actually go through. Even though the day was hard many good things did happen. So instead of dwelling on the negative I will go into the positive.

Kentucky is a beautiful state! As we rode away from the city we came into areas that contained lots of pastures with horses and cows grazing. Everytime we pass a pasture of horses they all stare at us and some will even gallop along with us! It is actually pretty cool! As we kept riding we made it down into the Ohio river valley. The river is huge and reminds me of the Columbia River in Washington state. The water is higher then normal and is muddy from all the runoff. From what the locals tell us the river isn't normally that high during the year.

We kept riding along the river passing one of the biggest steel mills in the United States, and on into Carrollton, KY. Once in Carrollton we decided to stop and eat at a Mexican restaurant. As we ate Abdiel and I were trying to decide where we would sleep. The map showed a state park nearby. As I went outside to unlock the the bikes Abdiel asked the waiter more about the camp stop. It turns out she was totally in shock that we would even think of camping in that weather. She went to talk to the owner of the restaurant and he decided to set us up in an empty store he owned. We were so grateful for what they had done for us. After having a terrible day of riding we had a roof to keep us dry. The floor was concrete, but that didn't matter. People have been so greet to us throughout our trip. In fact earlier in the day we went to Kentucky Fried Chicken and the guy in front of decided he to pay for our meals. Even though the weather is out of our control it is great knowing how generous people truly are. I think sometimes I get stuck in the mindset that many Americans are cold and uncaring... I know that is sad, but if it takes a bike trip across America to learn differently then in the end I've learned more then enough.

A Windy City (Day 17)

Today we got a late start from Kettering. That was because I was able to Skype the kindergarten class that I worked with over the year, and Abdiel went to get his bike all fixed and ready for when we are in more rural areas. We also stocked up on some bike gear that would get us out of trouble if we had any major bike issues. I think we are ready for anything as long as our frames don't break.

Once we ran our errands we were able to leave by about one in the afternoon. We knew it was going to storm later on, but we decided to ride anyway. We were both sad leaving Kettering because we had our own apartment to put stuff in. If was too comfortable... As we rode the traffic was terrible. Some of the worst we have experienced. I remember that I was getting annoyed with all the traffic, lights, and lack of a shoulder on the road. Everyonce in a while we would come across a bike path through the woods and hop on that. Around 5:00 the traffic was at its worst. We were getting closer and closer to Cincinnati and it was rush hour. I remember telling Abdiel that if I was to walk across the road blindfolded I had a 95% chance of getting hit by a car. It was that crowded.

As evening came the traffic started to lighten up and rain showers came on and off. We came into downtown Cincinnati as the storm moved closer and closer. Luckily there was little rain but we had some really strong winds! As we biked along the sidewalks of downtown the wind would almost knock us over. I'm guessing it was moving at about 40-45mph. It was pretty intense! However my attitude started to lighten up as we crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. Everything seemed so beautiful with the city lights and the fast water below us. Now that we are in Kentucky my goal is to eat at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kentucky!!

Our Longest Day (Day 16)

Today we woke up early and wanted to make it to Kettering. It was a long day, but we made it! The conditions were perfect. The sun was shining and the whole day we had a strong tailwind. It made the 98 miles we rode a lot easier on us. At different points during the ride we would be cruising a long at 20mph and not even have to work hard. Overall we averaged about 13mph which has been our fastest average. I also think we have been improving in strength. We are now able to go up hills a lot faster then before. Abdiel has improved a lot! When we first started he would go about 4mph up a hill but now he can cruise at about 6 to 7mph.

There were no major problems today. The only think that was a little freaky was that we almost got hit by a car. I don't know if the older gentlemen didn't see us or if we were moving faster then he thought. However, we were riding along the rode and crossed over a driveway to a golf course. As we were crossing the driveway the man turned right almost straight into us. It was a little freaky, and I am still not sure why he did not see us.

After the near mishap we were off again. We rode by the Wright-Peterson Air Force base and also the National Museum United States Air Force. There we were able to get some photos next to some big planes that were outside the Museum.

Sun! (Day 14)

We woke up to a sunny morning! That evening in the state park we couldn't find the ranger so we left him a note on his truck that we would be camping. When he came over to see us he was super nice. He seemed pretty excited about our trip. He showed us where we could find a bathroom and dry our stuff over a stove. He even gave us some food for the trip. We got a late start but had another tailwind. Abdiel's bike had a few shifting problems, but we were able to fix them. We rode through a variety of Ohio's features today. We went from Amish farmland to the woods and back to farmland. At one point I thought I was back in New England. There were woods, hills, and fields.

One section of the route contained some big hills. While we were climbing them I broke my chain. However, luckily I had a spare that I put on. It was a quick fix. However I was only able to get about 800 miles out of the chain. Normally a chain can last two to three times longer. But with the hills and the weight we are pulling a lot of pressure is being put on the chain.

Once again we kept riding till it was dark. We camped for our third night in a row. We went to bed early because we planned to make it to Kettering, OH where we had a place to stay. A place where we could do laundry and take a shower. However, Kettering was still 95 miles away.

Hill Climbing (Day 15)

The day started out cloudy and cold but with a tailwind! It couldn't have been any better! After only being able to ride fourteen miles yesterday by 11:00 we had gone 36 miles. We were making good progress. We had no mechanical problems except for the fact I got my 5th flat. However, that did not slow us down at all. We kept riding till nighttime and camped in Findley State Park. With a great day of riding there was only one thing that slowed us down, the hills of Ohio. Yup, that's right! There are hills in Ohio. The hills were not the longest I've seem, but they sure were the steepest!

Earlier that day we stopped at another bike shop to pick up some extra parts. The guys saw where we were riding and told us we would most likely have to walk our bikes up those hills. We just thought they were crazy. We were sure we wouldn't end up walking any hills until the Rocky Mountains. We first descended some really steep hills into a valley that contained a national park. The park was named Cuyahoga Valley, and was our first national park for the trip. The park seemed really nice with lots of trails. We road by a spot where great blue herons were building nests. There were about twenty in one tree. After riding to the end of the valley we came to the hills the bike shop was telling us about. They were short but they sure were steep. We proved the people in the bike shop wrong, and were able to bike up the hills. However it wasn't easy... It took all the strength I had with my low gear ratio, and hauling a 70lb trailer.

Bike Disaster (Day 13)

After the restless night with the Amish we woke up a little late. As we were packing up a guy drove by in a truck and told us “You all better hurry up! A storms a coming!” So we cooked some breakfast and packed up the tent. As soon as we packed the tent up it started to pour rain. We ended up scrambling to get our stuff together and before we got on our bikes we were already soaking wet. Once we started to ride the sun started to come out. We were still fighting a strong headwind. At one point an Amish cart even passed us. However Abdiel decided to draft the cart which help our progress for the next couple of miles. I kept my distance as other Amish watched while we passed by. Eventually the the cart turned left as we headed straight. Abdiel thanked the person driving the cart for the wind protection.

Not long after, the ride changed in an instance. We were heading down a hill when all of a sudden parts of Abdiel's bike went flying everywhere. At first I just though it was his fender, but it turned out the entire derailleur broke off and got caught in the wheel of his bike. The bike was virtually unridable. I fixed the bike so we could ride it as a single speed, but his wheel was also in bad condition. It was questionable whether we could ride the eight miles to the bike shop weighted down with a 70lb trailer. So we decided to try hitchhiking. Eventually we got a ride part way and then we found another all the way to the shop. We lucked out. The shop in Chardon, OH was small but the mechanic did his best to make Abdiel's bike ridable. That afternoon we decided to run some errands since we were in a bigger town. I shipped home 3lbs of gear I didn't need and Abdiel shipped home 10lbs. By the time we finished with the errands it was windy and starting to rain. So we decided to stay in a cheap motel for the night and start fresh again tomorrow.

Amish (Day 12)

Today we road from Erie, PA to Windsor, OH. We stayed in Pennsylvania for only a day and then entered Ohio. My first thought as we entered Ohio was that it would be long and boring. Everytime I think of Ohio my first impression is flat with lots and lots of cornfields. As we entered Ohio we came upon our first warm streak of weather. It was about eighty degrees and sunny. I was able to wear all my summer riding cloths which I hadn't done since last summer.

The riding was great except for the headwind. Eventually we came to a bike path that was about 13 miles in length. The path took us from an industrious part of Ohio through the woods to farmland. As night was falling we entered the town of Windsor. It was here that we asked somebody if we could sleep in their yard. They seemed a little shocked at first but eventually pointed to a spot we could sleep.

That night was one of the most sleepless nights I've had in a while. We were about fifteen feet from the road. Everytime a car or truck drove by it sounded like it was going to drive straight into the tent. What was more astonishing is more Amish passed by in carts that night then cars. Every twenty minutes we heard the sound of a cart pass by. We were shocked to still hear them passing by at one in the morning. One cart that passed us was playing rap music. I was still awake as I heard music and an Amish cart slowly coming closer and closer. As the cart past an Amish guy yelled out in a deep voice “wakie wakie wakie!” This woke Abdiel up and from then on he could sleep anymore. We were both shocked that an Amish would be playing rap music. However the next day we learned that the Amish are allowed to have boom boxes as long as they are battery operated...

Family Heritage (Day 11)

So today we spent the first part of the day relaxing and recovering from the previous weeks riding. I calculated that since we have started riding continuously a week ago we have put in 515 miles. This was encouraging because I thought we were behind and not doing all that well. Looking back 515 miles is a lot for everything we had to go through. With the strong headwinds, sleet, cold rain, and snow we really did a good job at surviving.

For the first part of this day family friends picked us up and drove us to Steamburg. A place where the Keith family lived for almost 200 years (My mom's side of the family). The town now almost a ghost town use to be a fairly busy farming community. There use to be a dairy factory in it. However now that is all broken and run down. I saw the farming field my great great grandpa use to plow. Which was thirty acres and the flattest piece of property around. The barn and house are still standing on that property too. I was able to see the land where my grandfather grew up and where my great grandfather ran a three story barn full of chickens. However, that area now consists of a highway, and some mobile homes. I got to see where my grandfather went to school, and the old service station where my great grandpa would drive his tractor down to get some pop. We past the cemetery where they were buried. Seeing the area was interesting. It was weird to think that I came from a hard working farming family. To be honest I feel very removed from that lifestyle, and I am amazed it existed in my family for over a hundred years.

After seeing the area where my family came from we drove through Amish country back to Brocton. By then it was around five in the evening. Since the day was so nice we decided to ride to Erie, PA where we had another place to stay. The riding was gorgeous. We went along Erie through vineyards and woods as the sun started to set off in the west.

Lake Erie (Day 10)

Today was a shorter day. We rode 60 miles along lake Erie to Brocton, NY. There we stayed so that the next day friends of our family could take us to Steamburg to see the town where part of my family came from on my mom's side. The ride along Erie was beautiful. There were still large masses of ice floating in the lake. Some even looked like icebergs. The roads we were on eventually became quiet as we moved further away from Buffalo. In fact by accident, while in Buffalo we ended up getting on the skyway... That was a nightmare... By the time we realized where we were it would have been too dangerous to turn around. So we kept going. As soon as there was an exit we got off quickly. It was pretty scary, and I'm glad the traffic wasn't too terrible. As I road down the exit ramp a police officer ended up pulling us over and telling us how what we did was illegal. She was a little heated at first, but as we told her our situation she rolled her eyes and got a good chuckle out of it. From that point on she was very helpful in helping us find an alternate route.

After that experience the day was a pretty quiet one. Nothing else really happened. Which sometimes is a good thing. Well, I did get another flat... So far I have totaled four flats. With the same tire too! I decided that maybe that tire was getting worn out. So I ditched it and put a brand new one on. Once we reached Brocton we were able to relax. It was nice to get off our bikes by about six that night. That night the family we stayed with were very generous. They even played us songs on the accordion, which was really cool!

Niagara Falls (Day 9)

Today was a very exciting day! Things had improved since the day before. Another good nights rest really helped! Also we were going go ride our bikes into Canada and see Niagara Falls. We woke up, and ate a real quick snack and then we were off. The morning was foggy, but the sky was clearing. It was the best day of riding yet. Once the fog cleared out we had a blue sunny sky all day. Today we reached our furthest point north in the northeast and would start heading south from there. This made us both happy to realize that we would be moving onto warmer weather.

We crossed into Canada over the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. Going over this bridge was a little scary because the Niagara river was so far below us in a deep canyon. Not to mention the bridge was an actual freeway. But the traffic was moving relatively slow due to the boarder crossing. It was pretty random that we pulled up to the boarder on our bikes... The officer kinda just starred at us in disbelief. However, he took our passports, asked where we were heading, and let us go. They didn't check any of our bags. Once through boarder patrol we had to pay a 50 cent toll. This toll for a car was $3.50, but I guess we got a discount because we were on bikes. Once through the toll we got off the first exit on the freeway to get on Niagara Pkwy where we connected with the Niagara Recreation Trail.

Riding along the trail we got to see the rapids of the Niagara River deep within the canyon. This was really cool to see! We road down to the falls took pictures and then kept riding up the Niagara River above the falls. This was a really cool experience for me because I had never seen the falls before. They were impressive. Plus it was earlier in the season so we had no crowds. Riding up the Niagara River was amazing too! Ice chunks were floating down the strong current. As the sun set it was awesome for taking pictures. It was kind of interesting that my great grandfather use to do scull racing along that river. He won several gold medals which during the depression he had to sell to feed his family.

By the time we got back to the Peace Bridge where we would cross back into America it was nighttime. We crossed over into the states which was actually a lot harder to get back into then it was to get into Canada. This time we use the sidewalk to cross. We got to a gate to cross and there was an intercom. We pushed the button to the intercom and an annoyed American voice came out saying, “What do you want!?!?” Abdiel just said “umm we would like to get into America...?” After waiting about ten minutes a guard came down and checked us out.

Once across the boarder and back into the states we started to hunt down the place we were staying at. Going there we ended up in a ghetto, and of course I got a flat tire right there... We went onto the sidewalk and fixed it quietly. I was a little nervous. But I am still here writing so things worked out and nobody bothered us. We made it to the place we would stay.

More Rain Still (Day 8)

Today started out to be a great day! I was super excited to see blue sky. The day started with a good nights sleep, and loads of pancakes for breakfast. The house we stayed at in Seneca Falls was great! Getting an early start was also exciting. It felt great to be riding through the Fingerlake region of New York. The air smelt clean and fresh as we road. However, that didn't last long. Before we new it clouds were rolling in once again. We were heading on our way to Rochester when it started to rain. So once again we pulled out our rain jackets, and put on our rain pants. Along with the rain came another headwind... I think at this point we were extremely discouraged. At least I know I was. It felt as if every muscle ached withing my body. I think I was at an all time low for the trip at that point. My body felt tired, fatigued, and worn down. Also as we were entering Rochester the traffic was starting to get to me. Another downer for the day was Your News Now from Rochester was going to do a report on us. However it didn't work out. So that was a bummer too. As I ate my lunch that day in McDonalds my body felt exhausted. It was hungry too! I counted up the calories I ate in one sitting and it was about 2200 calories in total.

Despite the disappointment and fatigue the day did get better. Things slowly started to turn. Maybe it was the 2200 calories I ingested while at McDonalds, or the fact that the clouds were thinning. Whatever it was I started to feel refreshed. Riding through Rochester turned out to be very exciting. We were able to connect with the bike maps I had bought which took us on a paved bike path along the Erie Canal. Eventually the path turned to dirt so we had to ditch it and head to route 31. We kept riding till almost nine at night that day. Putting us 60 miles from Niagara Falls. It was another camping night. This time we just knocked on a guys door and asked if we could sleep in his yard. He let us sleep there without any hesitation.

Rain, Sleet, and Snow (Day 7)

After a poor nights sleep in Syracuse we awoke to a cold, wet rain... I now as I walked out into the rain my spirits were low. Although with rain predicted each day of the week I felt we just had to keep moving. My thought was that maybe by moving we would get out of the rain faster than if we had decided to wait it out. That morning in Syracuse we packed up all our stuff that was left to dry, and did some bike maintenance.

As we were working on our bikes it couldn't of gotten any worse... it started to snow, and started to snow hard. Although the snowed de3layed us it appeared to be more of a good thing then bad. This is because while I was working on my bike I realized that my rear cassette was loose. This allowed us to swing by the bike shop and get a spacer that was missing. Abdiel also forgot his toiletry kit at the place we slept. (We slept in a different house then where our bikes were stored). So Abdiel was also able to get his things back.

With the snow, and maintenance issues we didn't leave till almost twelve. However, we were only biking to a house in Seneca Falls which was only 55 miles away. We took route 5 which over by syracuse was a four lane highway... it wasn't super busy but I still wonder if there was a simpler way to get around it. As 5 narrowed back down to a two lane road it got very busy. We had to ride through many crowded areas only seeing strip malls. However, eventually we came out of the more congested areas and were back into the farmlands of New York.

As we road through the farmlands the wind became very strong. At one point I was ricing along and was blown off the road. This trailers seem to be wind magnets. Whenever there is a strong gust/crosswind the bike actually moves about one to two feet to the side. The great part about the trip was that far off in the sky we could see a blue patch. As the patch came closer it got brighter and brighter. So bright that I could hardly see without my sunglasses. It felt as if I hadn't seen the sun for weeks. With the sun coming in and out and though sleet and snow squalls we made it to our destination as the sun tucked below the horizon to the west.

A Rainy Day (Day 6)

Yesterday we had the wind and today we had rain, rain, rain, and RAIN! It poured on us for most of the day. I am still surprised that we rode as far as we did. However, we had a place to stay in Syracuse, and that meant warm showers. We ended up riding about 82 miles. Even though it rained we had a strong tailwind in the morning. That helped us out a lot! At one point I was riding at 18mph at ease. It was awesome to have a hot shower, and I am glad there is a roof over my head! All the things I take for granted when I am at home are rare occurrences while riding.

I am pretty tired from today and am ready to sleep! I think the fatigue is finally catching up from all the riding. It looks like snow showers for tomorrow.

Camping In The Rain

We started out with a beautiful sunny day and ended up camping in the rain. We were hoping to make it to Utica, however we were about 35 miles short. So instead of having a house to stay in we used our tent.

The reason we were slow had nothing to do with the climbs. The road was fairly flat as it ran along the Erie Canal. Even though it was a sunny beautiful morning the wind was blowing against us at about 20-30mph. That slowed things down a lot. However despite the wind the scenery was very beautiful once we got out of Albany.

Going through Albany was fun, but draining too! I am finding that riding with lots of traffic tenses my muscles a lot. We crossed the Hudson River on route 20 which is virtually a freeway in that area. We then went through downtown Albany which was rich with history.

Once past Albany we were into the farmlands. We kept going till about 8:30pm. We wanted to hit 70 miles. By the time we finished it was dark. We set up camp in the woods, cooked some food, and then went to bed. By the time we got up for day 6 it was pouring rain. We slowly got our stuff together and packed our wet soggy tent up.

The Berkshires (Day 4)

This was our fourth day out riding. The day was one of the toughest we have had by far. The hills, along with the winds slowed us down a lot. We wanted to make it to Schenectady, NY, but made it just shy of Albany. We ended up riding about 74 miles. Luckily Abdiel's old neighbors picked us up and drove us to their house for the night.

Overall the ride was slow, but we managed to pedal away. The first 20 miles out of South Deerfield was all uphill. We climbed until the ground was covered with snow and as we rode it slowed a little. It was a different world up in the Bershires. It seemed as if spring was far away as we rode by a group of ice fishers. However, as we descended into Pittsfield the snow disappeared along with the temperature.

After getting into Pittsfield we climbed out of the valley and descended into NY state. From there the terrain was a lot flatter and we rode till it was night.

April Fools!

It seems that mother nature has a way of fooling us all! Today we were going to ride to Schenectady, NY. It was going to be the day that we would finally be off on our own. However with 9 inches of snow that kinda changed things.So tomorrow we will be riding from South Deerfield, MA to Schenectady where we have a place to stay. The ride looks like a hilly one as we go down to Pittsfield, MA and cross into New York state. We will be riding about 96 miles. The weather looks a lot better with a high of 43 degrees and partly cloudy. 43 is still below the average temps for this time of year but isn't terrible with the right clothing to ride in.

A Word of Thanks!

I would like to thank all those at the Deerfield Community School in supporting my trip! I am very sad to be leaving Mrs. Knee's kindergarten room. The children of her class have given me a wonderful year as a teacher's aid. Yesterday was my last day and the kids gave me a giant group hug knocking me down to the ground. I have enjoyed my time there, but I am also ready for the adventure to come and hope to keep in touch with those I am leaving behind!

Everyone has been very generous to our cause. There is almost $500 in what we have raised! I am amazed at the generosity people have had. The support of my students and parents by donating McDonald gift cards, Mrs. Duchano's muffins, and the donations to Partners in Health!

South Deerfield, MA to Gardner, MA 3/25

Once again we rode our bikes in reverse to save money on transportation. This ride was once again a new experience for the both of us, even though we only road a half day. That is because in the afternoon I had to drive up to the University of New Hampshire for a lifeguard class. In total this ride was about 44 miles.

The weather was a new experience for us. As Abdiel's mom drove us to South Deerfield early that morning the temperature was about 19 to 20 degrees. It was very cold! During the ride my feet only became a little cold. It was a good ride to test out our warm weather gear, and see if it would be sufficient.

Despite the cold and lack of sleep (about four hours) I felt ready to go on my bike. The scenery was beautiful as we road along country roads, through the fields and woods of Western Massachusetts. Abdiel on the other-hand told me his legs felt like lead. This was because he was just getting over a cold he had that week. The ride was gradual uphill from the Connecticut river valley to Abdiel's house which also slowed us down.

The trip was fairly eventful with it being so short. Abdiel and I almost got run off the road by a trucker who cut to close to us. This section on route 2A was fairly busy with many trucks. The road was also narrow because it ran through a valley next to a fast moving river. That experience freaked Abdiel and I both out. We decided that on narrow roads hugging the edge might not be the greatest idea. We think it might be better to ride two feet form the edge. That way if trucks cut close we have two feet of road to slide over on. Another thing that happened to Abdiel was he almost slid out on some slush along the road. Reminding us that we are starting out in early spring. Snow and ice are expected.

We also had our first McDonalds stop! This is pictured above. After that stop we had about 13 miles to go. My eyes were drooping as my lack of sleep started to catch up.

Biking from Gardner, MA to Deerfield, NH 3/18

If you didn't figure out by the title it is true! We rode the route backwards from Massachusetts to my house in New Hampshire. For those who haven't been following Abdiel and I have started to ride legs of the trip that are close to home. This has allowed us to figure out problems we might have before our official leave date of April 1st (Yes, April Fools lol). We decided to ride reverse in order to save money on transportation to and from our houses. Plus that evening my family was having a neighborhood get together.

In total the bike ride was 76 miles. This is the longest we have ridden loaded with our gear. Overall the trip was great! We had a lot of downhill until we got to where I live. I also rearranged my gear allowing me to go about 35mph without getting speed wobbles. Navigating through the traffic of Manchester was also interesting... The weather was fantastic with it being sunny and about 66 degrees.

Along the way I discovered that for $1 you can get eight fun sized Milkyways that contain about 640 calories. So far this has been the most calorie dense food for the money. Since this ride was the longest we've been on it has been helpful in teaching us when to eat or drink. I think a good general rule is eat before you're hungry drink before you're thirsty.

At the end of the day when we finished we were tired, but glad we had made it! The true test is how we will holdup riding high mileage day in and day out.