LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

Hi Every!one,

Today was a back on the road kind of day … after a nice rest day in Sioux Falls, SD!

Today we rode to Worthington, MN, a total of 72 miles, with a bit of  a “crosswind” and lots of gentle “rollers” (these are climbs that are a peace of cake … if you’re young, in good shape, with great calves, hamstrings & quads!)

However today I was lucky enough to ride with a couple from upstate New York … who are both in great shape and tremendous cyclists! (I barely hung on for about 52 miles and then I faded into the scenery and they rode blissfully up the road together … I later saw them headed to the Dairy Queen … for a cool refreshment beverage of some type!)

A reporter from the Worthington, MN … Daily Globe was at the Travelers Lodge to interview several of our cyclists of which I was one … you can check out the article at: www.dglobe.com     

First, thing I did today after stopping at the Dairy Queen for a chocolate milkshake was to shower, and then lay down for a “nap” and “elevate” my feet and legs for a couple of hours!

Also I rec’d an email that their was a blood drive held to benefit “Life Across America” in Minneapolis, MN., so here’s a big thank you to the Minnesota “blood donors”. (I married a wonderful, kind, sweet, girl, who was born in St. Cloud, MN. … her maiden name was Schneider …  so here’s a big thank you to all the Schneiders in St. Cloud and St. Joseph, MN areas!)

It’s now almost time for “rap” and “dinner” … so I need to post this and get on my way.

Thank you for your interest,

Larry F.

Check out the pix for today at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-14-08%20–%20Worthington%20MN/

Hi everyone,

A very welcome rest day in Sioux Falls, SD.

I woke up early about 7 a.m. and decided to ride my bicycle to church, however, I didn’t know where the church was, so I used the Meetinghouse Locator to find the local church.

I attended Sioux Falls, SD, 1st Ward, from 0900-1200 hrs.  It was a neat experience and I met an incredible bunch of “saints” from South Dakota.

I also asked for and received a blessing from the High Priests quorum with Pres. Tibbetts as the voice.

It was a special blessing of comfort & counsel, protection & provision for the rest of the trip, not just for myself, but for all of my fellow “cyclists”!

Our lessons today was on “Converting to the Lord Jesus Christ” and the changes it brings into our lives and the “ripple effects” that our created for us when we are are happy! (Our best example of the gospel is our love for our fellow man and showing an overbundance of it to others!)

I feel so blessed to go to a new ward knowing noone there and yet, being quickly accepted as one of their family!

I’ll upload the pix of the missionairies(Elders Clark & Worthen) that I met while I was there.

Check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-13-08%20–%20Rest%20Day%20Sioux%20Falls%20SD/

Larry F.

Hi Everyone,

Another incredible day of cycling from Mitchell, SD to Sioux Falls, SD.

It was a 74 miles day for me with an average of 19.2 mph (including a flat, my 2nd so far!) and an elapsed time of 3 hrs 48 mins.

It was a great day! (Mostly because it was a cool, overcast day in the a.m. plus we had 20 -25 mph “tailwind” … so I guess you could say my prayers were answered! ( a short time in the saddle and lots of flatlands and rollers which made us cyclists feel like we were in the Tour de France!

After getting in, I did my laundry, went to Wal-Mart and shopped for a haircut, two small/medium sized suitcases, picked up a pair of “shorts”, went to the “2nd wheeler dealers” bike shop and picked up some Specialized shorts, tire, tubes, goo and other necessities for the next leg of our journey.

Then we went out to dinner at the Royal Fork Buffett and had a great meal … we said good-bye to Marc & Carol (the recumbent man and his royal lady!) and Erin (Tracy’s daughter) who was and is a phenomenal cyclist for a beginner!)

We’ll miss all those leaving and we’ll welcome the new cyclists coming in for this leg!

I’m pretty tired tonight and looking forward to a “day of rest” tomorrow!

Larry F.

Not many pix today … to busy riding fast & hard!  Yet, you can check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-12-08%20–%20Sioux%20Falls%20SD/

Hi everyone,

It was an amazing day!

It was a windy day!

It was only a 74 mile ride yet it seemed much longer because of the wind!

I did a radio interview with the local station @ 93.5 FM as I was about 23 miles out of Mitchell, SD.

Also there was a nice article in the local paper written by Sherry S., about the America by Bicycle ride and Life Across America!

Once in town I was picked up by Sherry S. (UBS) and taken to two blood drives in town, visited the Corn Palace and met a lot of donors to which I said “thank you” many times!

It was an amazing “blood donor” day in Mitchell, SD! ( I had to opportunity to say “thank you” to many long time donors and even 2 first time donors!)

I cannot say “thank you” enough to the South Dakota “donors” who were and are willing to roll up their sleeves and give blood!  (Giving blood really does save LIVES, and I’m living proof of that!)

Plus giving one pint of blood is one of the only gifts that truly and literally comes from the HEART!

So thank you again to Sherry and Nancy who have been instrumental in helping Life Across America get the word out in South Dakota … you are both incredible ladies! (Also thank you to the 1st time donors today, I am in awe of your willingness to give the “gift of life”!

Larry F. (Over 1/2 way to Portsmouth, NH and still pedaling!)

Check out the pix today at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-11-08%20–%20Mitchell%20SD/

Hi Everyone,

Today was an 84 mile ride to Chamberlain, SD. (a beautiful river town)

Lots of small climbs with 3 major climbs!

By the time we got to the hotel, it was 97 degrees outside!

I had a chance to race a “train” today. (check out the pix!)

Also I was able to stop at the 1/2 way spot and take a pic! (Can you believe we are 1/2 of the way to 3,630 miles… or … 25 day out of the 50 days trip?)

Yesterday’s ride and today’s ride were two of the hardest rides for me. (Yet I’m still here and still spreading the awareness of the need for a safe, available blood supply! Also thanking every donor I visit with!)

We’re riding to Mitchell, SD, tomorrow and there I will attend a blood drive with UBS! (They are really gone out of their way to get the word out about Life Across America!

I must say I did a lot of praying … as I always do when I’m climbing! (It’s a little different, because these prayers are in earnest, they are prayers of gratitude for being alive and able to bear my testimony of Jesus!)

It was a good day and tomorrow is only a 70 mile ride! (I can’t believe that I would ever say “only a 70 mile climb!)

Thanks for your interest.

Larry F.

Check out today’s pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-10-08%20–%20Chamberlain%20SD/

Hi everyone,

 Today was a 117 mile ride from Wall, SD to Pierre, SD.  Lots and lots of “rollers”, yet, the weather was beautiful and the wind was forgiving!

Once I got into Pierre, I met with Sherry from UBS (United Blood Services) she took me over to the blood drive after we met with the local newspaper reporter, then we were interviewed by two radio stations. (KCCR, radio 1240 at: news@todayskcc.com  and KG-FX AM 1060 at: news@dakotaradiogroup.com )

So a special thanks to the reporters and the radio personalities … they are really helping to get the word out on the local blood drives!

We then visited the blood drive and I was able to personally say “thank you” to many of the blood donors who were there giving blood!

It was so neat because many of them have been giving blood for years … and … they are always giving blood for someone “out there” whom they’ve never met … however … when I talk to them and let them know that I am one of those blood recipients “out there” who has come forward to say “thank you” … it seems like each one of them say … “I’ve never been thanked before by a recipient!”

So each time … I make a connection with them and let them know how special they are … because it was donors like them that saved my life!

Sorry … I’m am unable to upload the pix from today’s ride and blood drives because I’m having server problems! (I’ll try to upload them tomorrow night!)

Whoopee! I was able to make it work and get the pix uploaded! 

Check them out at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-09-08%20–%20Pierre%20SD/

Larry F. 

Hi everyone,

Last night at 10:00 p.m., Shad Olsen, the news anchor for KOTATV, Channel 4 news, in Rapid City, SD, did a story about Life Across America, a 2 min 16 sec piece, check it out at: www.kotatv.com (Man Turns Accident Into a Story of Inspiration!)

Lots of rollers today!  Threat of thunderstorms when we woke up, yet by the time we started, some cyclists “mighty faith” had turned the threat into sunshine and even given us a tailwind for part of the 58 mile ride!

I didn’t take a lot of pix on the ride today … I just wanted to make it to Wall, SD.

So when I arrived into town, I checked into the Econo-Lodge, and then rode my bike over to the Wall Drugs main street in town for a blackberry milkshake and a buffalo burger and fries! Mmmm, good!

It’s quite a unique little town with a western feel about it, even had hitch’ posts downtown for your horse!

I want to thank Deborah DeLotto from Andover Products who is sending me some Co-Flex to Sioux Falls, SD, to wrap my feet, ankles, and calves for the rest of the trip!  Thank you so much!

Well, that about wraps it up!

Thanks to everyone for your interest!

Larry F.

Check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-08-08%20–%20Wall%20SD/

Hi everyone,

 It was a beautiful very scenic day.  If you don’t believe me, look at the pix.

However, there was a lot of climbing … almost 6000 feet of it!

We were escorted into town by UBS escort vehicles and they took us to the blood drive at Scheel’s bike shop and they received about 50 pints of blood!

We were interviewed by Shad Olsen (news anchor) from KOTA-TV (www.kotatv.com ) Channel 4 news

So it was a great day!

Larry F.

Check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-07-07%20–%20Rapid%20City%20SD/

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have written a long post and then the server went down before I could save it and I lost it! I will now to try recreate it!

It was a great day to day … a day of 91.5 miles from Lusk, WY to Hot Springs, SD … with a stop at the state line “sign”.

We had some climbing and a pretty strong head wind throughout the day, yet it finished with an incredible descent into Hot Springs! (I’ve never found a “downhill” that I didn’t like!)

As I was pedaling through the beautiful state of Wyoming and then on to South Dakota today, I realized what an incredibly beautiful country we live in!  I also remembered the words to our song, “America, the Beautiful” and I realized how much our forefathers loved this country (the USA), they loved it so much their were willing to die for it and to preserve our liberties and freedoms that we so much enjoy today!

I also wanted to say to my family how much I love them, what an inspiration they are to me, and how much I love seeing them and hearing my grandchildren … call me up … and say the awesome words … “Hi, Gam-pa!”  You are amazing children with incredible talents, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives!

 I would also like to “thank” the amazing cyclists that I’m riding across this country with, they are each a “giant” in their own field … and … are not only impressive cyclists, yet, they are impressive human beings with compassion and love for their fellow man!  I’ve watched many of them reach out to help their fellow cyclists in a time of need and do it without any reservation!

 Most of all, I want to say thank you to my savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me a 2nd chance at life, and the opportunity to watch my children and grand-children to grow up!

And because of that, I never need to be reminded of how lucky I am that we live in a beautiful country with liberties and freedoms and a SAFE blood supply for all of those who need it!  We have compassionate comrades who are willing to roll up their sleeves and donate blood, platelets, plasma and whatever else that is needed!  I am lucky to be the recipient of such love and compassion!  And yet on this trip, I have seen a very similar attitude daily!

I love that old expression which says … I am lucky to be with the right people, going the right direction, at the right time!

I truly believe that each of us has been brought together on this trip for a specific reason, even though, we may not know it at this time! (This is not to say that everything and everyone has been perfect … because … as we all know, there is “opposition in all things”, yet it’s the journey that perfects us, along with the memories that we create together!

Thank you to all of you for being a part of “Life Across America 2008″!

Larry F.

Check out the pix from today and last night at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-06-08%20–%20Hot%20Springs%20SD/

Hi everyone,

Today was another awesome day, it started out in Casper with the temperature at about 69 degrees.

It was a 106 mile day and part of the day was a tailwind, although that changed in the afternoon.

I would like to say thank you to Sgt Ron C. of the Douglas PD and his crew who were able to take the time to give us an escort through downtown Douglas and through some pretty rough construction areas.

They also took us over to Jack-o-lope Park and took some pretty cool pix of me, showing what would happen to me, if I ever offended a Jack-o-lope.

Several of the cyclists were there and we were able to take some pix with the Douglas officers and their police cars as they escorted us with lights and flashers on.  (Thanks Ron and the gang, you’re the best!)

Later in the day it became hotter and hotter and the water stops became far and few in between.

Also there was a really bad accident on the road we were traveling on, which completely shut down both sides of the road for about 3 hours! (Which meant the sag wagons were slowed down doing their jobs, yet, everyone survived and was safe.)

I saw a lot of trains today, especially a long, long train pulling empty “coal bin” cars … at least 130 cars!

I rode in from the last sag with a faster group of cyclists than I normal ride with and was able to stay with them because our Pennsylvania cyclist was leading the line and kept the pace close to 18 mph!

Once we arrived at the hotel, the Covered Wagon, they had lemonade, ice water and warm chocolate chip cookies for us!

After rap, we went to dinner and then back to the hotel, where I met up with Kim O’Brien, a reporter for the Lusk Herald, who took a picture and took some comments about Life Across America and said it would be the paper tomorrow!  (Thank You … Kim!) or you can check it out on their website at: www.luskherald.com

That’s about it for now.  It’s time for bed already! (because we have a 90 plus miles ride tomorrow, supposedly with a 25 mph headwind!)  I sure hope not!

Larry F.

Check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/07-05-08%20–%20Lusk%20WY/