LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

Saturday, 5 Jun 10, Burlingame and SF, CA

Hi Everyone,

Today was a very busy day, starting last evening with packing, repacking until 0130 hrs this morning.

Then off to bed and up again at 0600 hours … time to repack again and finally ready to unload the pickup and then load up again with the bicycles.

Dick and Anna came over to help us and drove with us to SF airport at the Holiday Inn Express to check in with America by Bicycle.

Brandon, Amy and little Baby E were all there to meet us and send us off with good wishes.  It’s always wonderful to see baby Ella again … she was sleeping so peacefully.

We had lunch with Dick and Anna, grandma, mom, Adella and I.  They then went with us to check in … and have our bicycles checked over by the ABB’s mechanic … he said they were in good shape.

We then had a 3 hour introduction to the Cross Country Challenge … meeting our 29 fellow cyclists and learning all the “rules of the road” and learning how to cycle in safety.

I recognized one of our group leaders … Judy … from an earlier ride we had done together in 2008.

After the introduction meeting we had the “route rap” and learned the route we are following tomorrow … 35N to Skyline to Great Highway, to Ocean Beach at 0800 hrs.

Then we all went out to dinner together … meet a lot of new people from all over the U.S. and even some from our hometown SR.

Then back to the hotel and to “repack again” and now off to bed.

There are a lot of amazing people in this group of cyclists … it will be an honor and a pleasure to ride with them.

I’ll check in with you tomorrow.

Hi Everyone,

I must say we are definitely on the countdown now … only 3 days to go … until the start date of Life Across America 2010 (this is being done in conjunction with America by Bicycle’s “Cross Country Challenge 2010″, a special thanks to Doug T. and Bill for their help.

Also a big expression of gratitude to FABC and ABC who have supported us from the beginning.

To Rand at Aria Velo … thank you for what you have done to make sure Adella had an incredible LOOK bicycle to ride across America this summer.

Wow, it’s sure been a busy week … trying to get all the last minute things done.  Every time I turn around … there’s something else to do!  (Does that sound familiar?)

On Monday, 31May … I rode with our SRCC friends … I ended up with 63 miles.  Then I went to the Trek Store to recalibrate the shifting on my bike … new cables always “stretch” a  little and have to be tweaked.

On Tuesday, 1June … lots more on the “honey-do” list and making sure the things on the check list were done!

We also had a very nice “farewell” breakfast with our Friendly Friday cycling group … what a great bunch of incredible people!

While there,  I was able to distribute the 2nd order of LAA 2010 jerseys to those who attended the breakfast.

Also to drop off the jerseys to Aria Velo and the Trek Store while running around.

Thanks to Brett and John at the Trek store for all their help … Brett surprised us by asking us to sign the LAA 2010 jersey for him because he wants to frame it and put it up in the store.  What an absolute honor!

On Tuesday night we were updating our website and finding some pictures from our previous Cross-Country bicycle rides: 1995 Ability Across California, 1996 Life Across America, 1997 Five Points of Life, and 2008 Life Across America.

What an amazing walk down memory lane for me … a picture with Lance Armstrong in Texas, lots of amazing donors pictures at blood centers throughout the U.S.A.

Before I forget it … I would to tell John (LAA 2010 webmaster) how much I appreciate his handiwork on the new and improved LAA 2010 website … he has done an amazing job on it, redesigning it, making it more user-friendly for blood centers and visitors alike.

What can I say?  Let me try by saying a great big “thank you” to a young man who is very talented and does an amazing job in such a short period of time … one week!   Thank you, John!

On Wednesday, 2 June … we rode with Janice, Mike, Charlie, Jackie, David, Carole, George, Ken, Adella, and Bob … just to name a few … and we did 51 miles today … what a beautiful day in Sonoma County, a great day for a bike ride.

We had a lot of fun and it was incredible to see all the cyclists with their Life Across America 2010 jerseys all in a line … pedaling up the highways together and we even let Janice talk us into pedaling up Covey … the percentage of this short yet mighty hill was an eye-opener for all of our … “old bones”.

Guess-estimates said it starts at 17-18% and mellows out to 13-15% grade … either way it got our hearts pumping.  Not a long hill … yet … long enough!

Wednesday, today, was a b/d celebration for my honey bunch of many years … we went to the SR Sonoma Taco Shop to celebrate.

And we want to say “thank you” to Sammy and Aida … who do an incredible job of making everyone feel right at home!

A cute story happened while we were there … a little girl about 2 years old was sitting at the table next to us … and … her parents and grandparents were speaking a language that we didn’t recognize so Adella asked them where they were from?

They said Norway … so they were speaking Norwegian … and … every time the little girl looked at our table and looked and me she started laughing with the cutest little laugh while pointing at me … so I waved at her and said “hi” … her mother was embarrassed by all her commotion and explained that she was excited to see my “mustache”.  One thing led to another and Adella made friends with their table.

So I got the bright idea of calling Carole because I knew her husband John spoke Norwegian … and when he came on the phone I asked him to speak to the grandfather, a complete stranger,  in Norwegian and he did!

The entire table really enjoyed listening to the conversation in Norwegian.

Thank you John for being a good sport and helping us make some new Norwegian friends tonight … you are amazing!

Well here we are full circle … back to the real point of this post … only 3 days to go!

Lots of packing and repacking to look forward to over the next couple of days, last minute checks on the bicycles, on the computer, the laptop, the website, and receiving lots of last minute emails from ABC blood centers and those amazing ABC employers in D.C. who are helping to co-ordinate this entire summer.

Thank you, Matt, Abbey, Lauren, Julia and the rest of the gang!

To Jeff and the “In the Telling” film crew thank you for the amazing jobs you are doing in the “telling” the amazing stories of blood recipients … keep up the good work!

Don’t forget to use our website as LAA 2010 “central”  and visit our Facebook account “Give Blood” by clicking on the link, and take time to check out the pictures Adella just added last night.

She will do this daily on Facebook,  uploading our pictures of rides, stops at the blood centers, donors we meet, ABC highlights and interesting stories.

Talk to you soon,

Larry F. “Giving Blood is the one GIFT that truly comes from your heart!”

Good morning,

Guess what? It’s almost time for the “Epic Big Pedal” to start in SF.

Adella and I are down to 10 days left before our check-in date of 5Jun10 with America by Bicycle’s “Cross Country Challenge 2010″  and our start date of  the “Epic Big Pedal” on 6Jun10 in San Francisco.

This will be the same day as the start of the incredible ALC ride from SF to LA … so there should be lots of incredible, compassionate “cyclists” in SF,  on or near Ocean Beach.

ALC will head south down the coast highway and we will cycle past the Cliff House, through the Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito and then continue on to Vallejo, Ca.

The next day we will continue eastbound through Fairfield, Vacaville, and onward to Sacramento for a “thank you” stop at the BloodSource blood center on Q st to meet their donors.

The last couple of weeks have been amazing, lots of training (in between rain storms), packing and re-packing, last minute preparations for the Bikes. (A special thanks to Rand at Aria Velo and the incredible crew at The Trek Store” Brett, John, Andrew, Ben, Justin, Chrissy, and others.  Oops … I almost forget Jeff at NorCal for the exceptional customer service he provided to all of their customers.

Wow!  The “Epic Big Pedal” could not have happened without the support and friendship of our cycling friends who usually train us on the “Friendly Fridays” rides sponsored by SRCC (Santa Rosa Cycling Club)  You are an amazing group of men and women who are dedicated to cycling and to having fun while being “friendly” at the same time.  Thank you to Charlie, George, Jackie, John, Carole, Robin, Ken, David, Mike and Janice, and Michael S. for being there in the beginning to encourage me to do this and for reaching out to Adella when she joined us.

Since I’m stuck in my “attitude of gratitude” mode … I want to thank our local blood center, Blood Bank of the Redwoods, and their crew (Cathy, Kent, Ryan, Tammy, Liz, and Ilde), for hosting a very successful community event/bike ride/blood drive, “Cycle 4 Life“, you and your donors were awesome.

If you get a chance … check out our new and updated LAA 2010 website, try to leave us an encouraging note on the comments form and then jump over to Adella’s account on Facebook … just sign in, go to the search box and type in … Give Blood.

Adella will be updating it daily with pictures, notes, and exciting “thoughts of the day”, inspirational thoughts, and amazing people and donors she has met along the way.

A special thank you to F.A.B.C., ABC, ABC member blood centers, your local blood center, and our friends in D.C. who are working tirelessly to provide us with a safe and available blood supply and specifically helping us get the word out about Life Across America 2010 … a hats-off to: Jim, Tom, Matt, Abbey, Mack, Lolita and Lauren.

To my friends who make up the  In the Telling film crew, Jeff and his gang of incredible group of talented young men and women … thank you for bringing this Blood Miracle story to its 2nd life … and for spotlighting the many other blood recipient miracle stories that are out there!  I hope you know there are many special blood stories out there just like mine … because during our lifetimes … 1 out of 3 people will need blood!

Don’t forget … “Blood Donors Save Lives … Believe It!”

Our goal this year for Life Across America 2010  is to replicate our 1996 goal of raising 75,000 units of blood and if for some medical reason you personally can’t donate … please encourage your best friend who is healthy and can donate … to donate at least 3 times this year.

If fear of needles or any other reason is stopping you for donating whole blood, platelets, or plasma … then feel free to make a financial donation to F.A.B.C. in the name of “Life Across America 2010″.

Our financial goal this year for FABC is to raise $110,000 … $1,ooo  for each unit of blood that I used … so your donation is important to us.

If you can’t do any of the above and would just like to participate in LAA 2010 by sending Adella and I a word of encouragement or just say a prayer for us…  please use the comment form on our website … you can help us climb the Sierras, the Rockies, and keep going in the Kansas wind … rain or shine!  We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your support and help.

Larry F. (Giving Blood is the one GIFT that truly comes from your heart!)

“Give Blood … Give Life”   Always remember that the “gift of life” is a gift that truly comes from your heart!

Another good training day … it was really cold early in the day(for this area) and then the sun came out and  it warmed up a lot, turning it into a nice day for riding.

I ended up with 61+ miles and felt really good.  (It was really good to be back on the bike after all the “rain storms”, but I’m not complaining.)

It takes lots of planning, logistics, phone calls, emails, etc. to get this big a project moving forward.  (And without the Washington D.C. planners it would be much harder to implement, so thank you ABC!)

As we move closer to summer, we are gradually easing into the “deadline” stages of planning the LAA 2010 part of the trip. (Phase 1 and 2)

There are more and more deadlines, contacts, returned phone calls, and lots of emails.

The “test batch” of LAA 2010 Jerseys for the local area have been designed and ordered, we’ll see if they look as good on us as they did on the design. (Probably losing a few more pounds would help, eh?)

Don’t forget the reason we’re doing this ride. ( To encourage potential blood donors to give blood, because when you give blood you give life to others who need a second chance.)

I’ve had lots of contacts with several blood centers throughout the U.S.  (These are amazing people who dedicate their lives to helping “donors” give blood to save lives.)

I’m looking forward to meeting many of them at the annual meeting for ABC  which is coming up in the near future.

I’ll check in later.

Another amazing training day in Sonoma County, CA.

Very windy, yet nine of us showed up for a practice run of the upcoming “Ride and Donate” 40 miler in April.

I ended up with 46 miles because I had left my gloves at a rest stop in Sebastopol and about 3 miles down the bike path, remembered and then had to ride back, pick them up, and hurry up to try to catch up with those who don’t have “old timers” memory lapse.  Luckily I had a “tailwind” making it a successful endeavor.

I want to thank my fellow training cyclists who are kind enough to share their time with me and give me all kinds of cool suggestions on how to become better.

Each one of them are amazing individuals, not only as cyclists, but also in their private lives with many incredible and successful life experiences.

It is always an immense pleasure to hear their life experiences of challenges, adversities, triumphs, ups & downs, how they overcame them, and what they learned about life along the way!

Probably the most incredible thing about this particular group of cyclists is their “sense of humor”, it makes for an enjoyable and fun time of exercise and camaraderie.

And we get to experience the back roads of Sonoma County together, sharing with each other, some of the most beautiful, panoramic views from the valleys to the top of the mountains.

Today it was our great luck to share the vision of huge fields of mustard plants all “gold” in color with huge Oak trees standing in the middle of the fields.

Windy or not, it was still beautiful and we often comment on how lucky we are, to be able to ride 50 miles in any direction, surrounded with such immense beauty.

Also before I forget it, I want to send out great healing thoughts to an amazing lady who is in the hospital for a day or two.

I want her to know that she is missed sorely by her fellow cyclists and we will be glad when she’s all recovered and back riding with us because she is one funny lady, who always sends out very positive energy and makes “everyone” feel welcome.

I’ve personally learned a lot from her about how to make new people feel comfortable with new friends almost immediately.

Please get well quick!  We miss you!

Until we talk again,

LjF

Another day that I’m grateful to be alive.

I woke up late today and missed all the social training rides this morning and decided to ride by myself.

I missed riding yesterday with the Friendly Friday cyclists who are always willing to put out the “welcome mat” for new and returning cyclists.

Just returned from a 50 miler and guess what … it didn’t rain today.

It was a gorgeous day, kind of windy yet that’s really good for training.

I want to thank Janice and Michael, SRCC, SCBC, Brett and the gang at the Trek Store, and the BBR team for all the work they are doing setting up a blood drive for 17Apr10 at BBR.

It’s going to be a great day for the community and the Blood Bank … stay tuned for updates.

It has been an amazing week.  Lots of projects started, lots of projects finished.

It’s amazing how much help LAA 2010 is receiving from “behind the scenes” volunteers.

I want to say a special “thank you” to those who have helped set up the website, finalized the jersey artwork, worked on the routes, and all the Blood Centers employees who have been helping us get started.

You are an amazing, compassionate group of people.

To my friends at ABC … thanks for your support.

To my friends at “In The Telling” you are an incredible team of dedicated and passionate individuals working together as a TEAM of service!

Personally, sometimes I feel like a “hamster on a wheel” yet I know it will be worth it when I am able to see and shake hands with “blood donors” who are just like the “blood donors” who gave the gift of life to me for an incredible 2nd chance.  Did I say “thank you” yet?

To my daughter, who will be riding across the U.S. with me this summer.   You are amazing!

To my son in Toronto  … Happy Birthday next week!

To the rest of my family … thanks for loving me and helping keep me alive!

To my grandchildren … I want to tell you that you “light up my life” … and … I want you to know that I love you!

Finally, to my newest grand-daughter … who will be with us in a couple of weeks … “I can’t wait to see you and hold you, Baby E!”

Thank you,

LjF

To my cycling and blood donor friends:

• First, I want to thank America’s Blood Centers for all they do to help keep a safe and adequate blood supply for America.

• To bring us up to date, February has been a busy month for us so far,  as we start to finalize the details for Life Across America 2010, which starts on June 5th this year in San Francisco, CA.

• This week, we have been in SF and Oakland shooting film for ABC’s PSA (public service announcement) promoting blood awareness and the need for an adequate and safe supply of blood.

• The cycling route for Phase 1 (5Jun-27Jul10)  is finalized, thanks to the great job of America by Bicycle (www.abbike.com)  who we are cycling with across the U.S. using their “Cross Country Challenge” route.

• (There is still time for you to sign up with ABB and cycle with us on the whole trip (52 days) … or … to ride a “section” of the trip with us (7-10 days),  you will need to contact (America by Bicycle) directly at:  603-382-1662.

• We are still finalizing the driving route of Phase 2 (28Jul-27Sep10) as we are beginning to hear from several blood centers throughout the U.S. who want to participate.
• We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your support,

Larry F.

Hi Everyone,

I made it home! (After a couple of delayed flights … one out of Boston … one out of Dallas!)

It was fun visiting with family and catching up on the past two months.

My body is wondering … why is there no more 100 mile days?

Yet, I got up early and started my upper body and abs routine at 0600 hours today … just to keep the body in the right mood!

I can’t believe the amount of “unopened” mail I have to sort through … it’s a small mountain!

I called Bicycle Bob’s and he said they are working on the UPS shipments of bicycles and it looks like some of them will go out tomorrow (Friday) or on Monday.  It will then take 5 to 10 days for it to ship to California!  (Time to bring out the old bicycle and see what it can do, eh?)

Don’t forget to check out the pix for the ending at Wallace Beach in Portsmouth, NH.

It was quite an emotional ending to a 50 day trial by fire … yet … a most impressive and incredible memory for each of us in a “life experience” journal!

To each of my cycling comrades … I want to say “thank you” and let you know that each and every one of you touched my life in a special way … you are some of the most incredible, compassionate, and “driven” people I have ever met … I will always remember each one of you for something you did which personally touched & changed my life … or … for some random act of kindness you did for someone else!

50 days of incredible memories … all stored up in our memories … and captured by the journals and the pix that we took!

Thank you … for being you! (I was privileged and honored to have been a “part” of Across America North 2008 and “Life Across America 2008″)

This is a personal invitation from me to you … please keep in touch … by email or by phone!

And if you’re ever in California … I’m just 60 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 101!

And my phone number and address is in the ABB book … so … please feel welcome to come and visit us!

If you need any help … give Gail and I a call … so when can repay some of the kindness I received from you on this trip!

And don’t forget to give blood at your local blood center … it really does save lives! (As you already know by this time!)

As I uploaded and reviewed the last bunch of pix from the Wallace Beach, NH, finish … I was amazed at the undercurrent of emotions and feelings of love and respect and friendship for and from each of you. 

You all are each a truly amazing person and I was lucky to have spent 50 days of my life with you … individually and collectively … I will be a much better man, father, husband, and friend to others because of what I’ve learned from each of you!

To the rest of you (Life Across America supporters) … who have decided to take one last look at the pictures, thank you for giving me the reason to get up everyday and ride that bike to the next destination, you helped me finish by always checking on me!

To all the DONORS in America and Canada … a special “thank you” to each of you … because of the way you have “selflessly” donated the gift of life from your hearts!

YOU DONORS … are the very reason I am alive today and the reason I made it across America all the way to the FINISH … once again, I want to say thank you for my life!

And to David L Allen, Chairmen of FABC … thank you for your kind words!

And now I can finally say … WE DID IT … Whoopee!

Humbly,

Larry F.

P.S. the pix are at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/08-05-08%20–%20Flying%20Home%20from%20Boston%20MA/

Hi Everyone,

It was an incredible journey!

It was a life changing experience!

Today was my last day of “eat as much as you want” guilt-free diet!

Now back to reality!

(Still having hotel server problems … hopefully I’ll be able to upload the pix later!)

Wow!  I think I finally got the pix uploaded!

It was an incredible finish … we rode 56 miles to day and it was a bittersweet ending!

Most of all were happy it was over … yet … we will all miss the personal interactions and the friendships that we’ve earned in just 50 days!

What can I say?  I want to say “thank you” to ABB and its staff for the excellent and professional way they helped bring us to a safe conclusion of this 3630 mile ride!

A special thanks to ABC and their staff … especially Matt G … who flew up to Boston from Washington D.C. and then drove up to Manchester to make the presention!  (You are to be commended on a job well done!)

A even more special thank you to each of the blood donors in America and Canada … you really are saving lives! 

You are truly giving the “gift of life” to others … a gift that literally comes from your heart!

To my friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family … thanks for believing in me … I couldn’t have done it without you!

And to all my new cycling buddies … thanks for the many, many “pulls” you gave me … it was a thrill of a lifetime!

Also I finally discovered why I ride the way I do on the road?  “I am a tandem!”  (I go slow up the hills & I go very fast down the hills!)

That seems very simple to me!

To my wife, Gail, my daughters, Amber & Adella … thanks for being there at the end … you made my day!

To Doug Torosian … thanks for believing in me in 1996 and once again in 2008 … !

Larry F.

P.S. Check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/08-04-08%20–%20Portsmouth%20NH%20END%20OF%20RIDE/