LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

Well, it was a hard ride for everyone (88 miles) (from Idaho Falls to Jackson, Wy)

Lots of in your face wind, at your side wind, and lots of climbing, all day long!

The final climb was a “toughie” for everyone. (10 % + climb)

Lots of our cyclists made it through without any problems, however, a special recognition award goes to our newest cyclist from Utah, who is riding a recumbent, and he made it to the top without stopping.

Yet the final downhill was worth it … a very fast downhill! (if you know what I mean!)

I stopped in Victor, Idaho and had a blueberry blast slushie … (I’ve got to have carbs and then more carbs to gain the recovery “energy” needed to get up and do it again tomorrow!)

I received a call today from Mr. Al Whitney, from Ohio, who has an incredible record as a “platelets” donor and is trying to set up a donation for the end of the ride in NH. (Another one of the many incredible donors that we have in the U.S. and Canada, who go out of their way to give blood/platelets in order to help save others lives! (A big thank you to Al)

Also someone backed into one of our cyclist’s bike when it was lying on the ground, a few minor scratches and seat adjustments to be rideable! (no injuries to cyclist)

Larry F.

Check out the pix for the day at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-30-08%20–%20Jackson%20WY/

A 38 mile ride from Blackfoot, ID to Idaho Falls.

A five man, 1 woman cyclists paceline made the time go a lot faster that it seemed.

After arriving, our rooms were ready and then I was off to an afternoon with my girls and grandchildren.

It was a real pleasure to have a break in the middle of the day.

Tomorrow we’re off to Jackson, WY and lots of climbs over an 88 mile ride.

Larry F.

The pix are uploaded now, check them out at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-29-08%20–%20Idaho%20Falls%20ID/

This was a hot, long, bicycle ride!  Yet almost everyone made it without too much trouble.  Yet it was not an easy ride.

I heard a rumor that that 6 of our cyclists did a paceline for 100 miles!  Not an easy achievement.

Unfortunately the hotel did not have a good server and I was unable to upload comments and pix for this day.

So I’m doing it after the fact.

Larry F.

Check out the pix for today at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-28-08%20–%20Blackfoot%20ID/

It was a great ride today, a short 38 miles going over the Snake River and seeing the Falls.

Also we still had a few “flats”, yours truly had his 1st on the road flat and was able to fix it with the help of several friendly cyclists.

Today was a leisurely laid back kind of ride and a short ride.

Everyone was taking it easy because tomorrow we have a 110 mile ride into Blackfoot, Idaho.

Our tour leader taught us a great drive chain maintenance class today for those who were interested in keeping the bikes in great working shape.  It was a very good class and it’s very obvious he really knows what he’s talking about.

On the way in I had a flat, then we all rode over the Rock’s Bike Shop at 334 E. Main St. where we were able to pick up some necessary bike items.

Larry F.

Don’t forget to check out the pix at the link below:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-27-08%20–%20Burley%20ID/

Here are the pictures from our dinner and scavenger hunt results:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-27-08%20–%20Burley%20ID/Dinner%20and%20Scavenger%20Hunt/

Hi everyone,

Another amazing today!  This time there were lots of “flats” and bike “challenges”.

This was a great day for pictures, spectacular views, huge gorges, large rivers, and another great “tailwind” for most of the day!

It was another day of having to deal with road construction where they were getting ready to put down “fresh oil” on top of the new chipseal for a half mile section of the highway. 

Almost all the cyclists made it through before they started, yet a couple had to be transported by the “road guys” who were really nice about it!

One thing I should say here … or … say it again, it I’ve already said it!  The staff have really gone out of their way to make sure our cyclists have plenty of food and water, etc., at each of our sag stops.

Also today was living proof that flats will happen again and again, as will bicycle “challenges” and each time the “staff” was there to help each individual cyclists.

So here’s a big Hoorah for each of them and a BIG thank you!

Well, it’s time for “rap”, so I’ll check in with you later. (And dinner too, Ummm, I can still smell those chocolate chip fresh baked cookies that were ready to eat at 5 p.m. today in the lobby.

Don’t forget to check out the pix for today.

Also I just got word that we will be having 3 “blood drive” in South Dakota, thanks to our great blood center employees on the route!

Larry F.

Don’t forget to check out the pix at:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-26-08%20–%20Twin%20Falls%20ID/

What an incredible day!  The day after a “rest” day!

Only a 50 mile ride … with an unbelievable “tailwind”.

Yes, that’s right, the wind was at our backs the whole trip in to the motel.

Everybody was flying today … we all had the wind beneath our “wings”!

It was mostly very gradual with a slight uphill and the tailwind helped each of us a lot.

Our rooms were ready when we arrived and so early showers were the order of the day.

Some cyclists even stopped at the Smoky Mountain pizza and pasta for some lunch on the way in.

I must admit it’s an amazing feeling to be able to have the “faster” cyclists come whizzing by you and have the opportunity to “catch their wheel” and accelerate up to their speed! (even if it’s only for a few minutes!)

The flip side of that immediate euphoria that you feel … is … the other side of the coin, when they put the “hammer” down and either quickly “jettison” you off the back … or … very gradually start pulling away!

Then you watch them slowly or quickly leave you gasping for air and wondering why you can’t ride like that any more?  Are you getting too old?  Are you just out of shape?  Are your legs just not working properly?

Or is it … they are younger, faster, and just “flat-out” darn good at what they do so well … “spinning” in any gear either uphill or downhill!

I have a lot of admiration and respect for each of the cyclists who are on this AAN2008 ride … they are an amazing group of people!

Thank you for being here this year!  Check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-25-08%20–%20Mountain%20Home%20ID/

Larry F.

Here are some more pix from rap and dinner:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-25-08%20–%20Mountain%20Home%20ID/Dinner%20pictures/

What a beautiful city!  What a beautiful trolley car ride!  What a great hotel and city to REST in!

I can’t believe how much fun this city is!  The famous Boise State is up here!  I spent the day catching up on emails and much needed rest.  I even had time to “clean” my bike after getting it serviced.

I went shopping at WinCo’s and George’s Bike shop. (picking up the odds and ends that I needed for the next big leg.)

Last night we said good-bye to our friends who rode the 1st week with us, and I was able to say “hi” to some of the new cyclists. (my namesake who is from Mill Valley, CA)

Also able to get our laundry done and relax a bit,  by elevating our feet and legs and if necessary “icing” our legs.  (Also a massage was available if an individual cyclist needed a massage!)

Once again, I received some calls from blood centers who are planning blood drives along our route in Rapid City, SD., Pierre, SD., and from Mitchell, SD.! (So blood donations are picking up a little bit!)

Also I picked up some energy drinks which I hope will give me more energy and endurance, etc.?

I been receiving lots of “kind” words and comments are the pix and the blog. (sort of makes it worth it, eh?)

You’ll notice I didn’t take a lot of pix today because it was a “REST” day, however, there are a few pix just to whet your appetite, especially the picture of the “brownie Supreme” … if you know what I mean!

Larry F.  

 http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-24-08%20–%20Rest%20Day/

Another great 62 mile day!

Everyone seemed to have fun today and enjoyed the more level terrain.

We started off with a great breakfast and a quick stop at the Welcome to Idaho sign!

Then off to our respective riding groups and working together to find our way to Boise. (With an occasional “flat”, as you can tell by the pix)

Very beautiful area and lots of country homes to view and we rode through Idaho.

Several sag and water stops, also a stop for a hamburger and black cherry/raspberry shake.

After the chow stop, one of our cyclists made up the following song sung to the tune of Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again” (On the seat again … I just can’t wait to get on the seat again … the life I love is making music with my seat loving friends  … I just can’t wait to get on the seat again!”) Only a long distance cyclist would appreciate this tune!

Lots of cyclists stopped to check out the Main street cafes and local bike shop.

Later we checked into the Marriott and many cyclists went over to George’s Bike shop to replenish all kinds of goodies that will be needed on the upcoming days of cycling. (I would like to say thank you to Cody (the service manager because of the way he treated me and how he fixed up my LiteSpeed!  He told me later that he too had a titanium rod in his leg from a car accident!)

We had dinner from 4-7 p.m. tonight and “rap” is at 5:30 p.m.

Looking forward to what’s in store for us.

Oh yes, tomorrow is a “REST DAY” which means we can sleep in!  Yahoo! (I couldn’t resist that!)

Larry F.

P.S.  A special “thanks” to those who allowed me to ride with them today!

Here’s the link to the pix:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-23-08%20–%20BoiseID/

In the evening of our ride from Ontario to Boise, and after visiting George’s bike shop and having ABB’s rap session and eating dinner together. 

We had a few minutes with Mr. Pro Basketball, our unicyclist, who entertained us with an incredible show and some absolutely amazing thoughts about LIFE and CYCLING together on this trip! (a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you don’t believe me … check the pix out for yourself!)

Larry F.

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-23-08%20–%20BoiseID/Rest%20Day%20Pix/

Hi everyone,

What an incredible ride today!  86 miles + miles!(because we got lost at the end of the ride)

It was the longest downhill that we’ve had so far and really fun to ride with some of the fastest cyclists that we have on this ride.  However, there are many very strong cyclists, climbing faster and stronger every day!

I am so honored to be riding with the incredible individual cyclists that we have riding with us this year.

There are so many very accomplished men and women among us.

Each one of these cyclists have their own individual story!

The pictures I took today was far and few, yet, it was fun to capture a live snapshot of the trip at various locations on the road.

For me personally, this was one of the best riding days that I’ve had so far!  It was downhill most of the way and “I’ve never found a downhill that I didn’t like!”

I want to say ”thank you” to the cyclists who let me ride with them, behind them or take a picture of them as they passed me on the way to the top of the climbs!

I’m having a lot of fun and learning a lot about cycling each day!

Once again, I want to take a moment to say “thank you” to each of our blood donors in America and Canada…  without you … I wouldn’t be here to enjoy life and this ride across America.

Also I found that sports article by Lon Austin for the Central Oregonian titled “Biking Across America”, a great article detailing some of the great causes that individual cyclists are working for on this ride.

Don’t forget to check out the pix at the link below.

Larry F.

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-22-08%20–%20OntarioOR/

Hi Everyone,

Another beautiful day in Oregon with lots of climbs, long sweeping downhills, great vistas, good food, and lots of cyclists who love to cycle.

The excitement today for the cyclists was racing the big “storm” home to the Best Western before the downpour! (Most of us got wet, yet, we didn’t get drenched!)

I had the opportunity to ride with the strongest Brit cyclist today, thank you for pulling me home! (Her husband might disagree with the “strongest” Brit compliment!)

What I saw today was a lot of cyclists, getting a lot stronger and having a great time riding with each other!

We are starting to become one big “extended” cycling family with our passion for cycling as our grounding rod!

Don’t  forget to check out the pix link below:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/06-21-08%20–%20BakerCityOR/