LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

“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/

Hi Everyone,

Guess what?  One more day!

Today we rode about 82 miles … with lots of climbing!

Pretty much similar to what we did yesterday … we descended down into Brattleboro, VT … and then this morning we had to come up out of the Hudson River Valley(?) … anyway it was a lot of climbing.

Today I was pretty much by myself … until later in the day … when I hooked up with … Mike and Carol (from Hawaii & riding a tandem bike)

It was a lot of fun for me … the climbs were “slower” and the “downhills” were much faster … we had a lot of fun! (and best of all I made it all way the way!)

Also today … Gail, Adella & Amber met me at the Comfort Inn … what a really neat treat! (I haven’t seen them for 49+ days!)

It was great “catching up” on what has been happening in their lives … and … on their 3 week cross country car trip to 25 different states!

Tonight … ABB … is having our “closing” celebration at the hotel.

It should be an incredible time for all!  It was an incredible time … Matt G. from ABC, flew up from Washington D.C. to Boston, MA., and then drove up to Manchester, NH, to present an award from ABC to me for the Life Across America blood drive!

Each of the cyclists had the opportunity to speak and talk about what they had learned from other cyclists on this trip.

They were several “skits” and quite a lot of singing done by the men, led by John Keith on guitar, singing songs and verses they had written!

I’ll catch you all … up … on the doings!  (a little later!)

Well, I finally was able to upload the pix from last night … I hope you enjoy them!

Larry F.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/08-03-08%20–%20Manchester%20NH/

Hi Everyone,

I rode 80 miles today and with lots of climbing!

We were worried all day about the rain and thunderstorms! (However, I made it in just in time, so I didn’t get soaked.)

What a pretty ride! A beautiful state! (check out the pix from today, if you want to get an idea of how spectacular the views and scenery were all day long!)

Brattleboro, Vermont, is a unique little town with lots of history attached to it!

It’s raining and pouring now … boy, am I glad I’m inside and dry!

Today I rode with Tracy for about 45 miles of climbing … Miss T … thanks for the company!

Tomorrow, we have another long day … about 86 miles… and we have to climb out of here … on our way over to Manchester.

Larry F.

P.S. You can check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/08-02-08%20–%20Brattleboro%20VT/

Hi Everyone,

Today started out as an overcast, cool day and a flat tire in the parking lot.(when I was trying to put air into my front tire and it blew the stem off!)

The ride today was 76 miles long!  It had some climbing … which prepared us for tomorrow. 

It had some very long downhills! Through a very scenic, very beautiful green area! (Along the Mohawk River)

We rode along a wonderful “bike trail” for many miles.(today was a paved trail experience, very nice!)

At our last sag stop … my roommate Paul’s wife … Karen and many of his friends (see pix) set up an incredible food fest for the cyclists!

Then it was off to Latham, NY and checking in to the hotel!

Only 3 days left … Brattleboro, Manchester and then Portsmouth! (But who’s counting?)

You can check out the pix at: http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/larryjfr/Life%20Across%20America%202008/08-01-08%20–%20Latham%20NY/

Larry F.

P.S. Once again … I want to thank ABC (America’s Blood Centers) for “Life Across America 2008″ and for recognizing each blood donor who have given a blood donation to help others! 

I want to say a “personal” thank you to you!  I wouldn’t be alive today without your compassion!

You are a special type of person who cares about your fellow citizens! 

Over the years … I have spoken to many blood donors and when I thanked them, they’ve always expressed their concern that they are donating blood for “someone” out there who needs their blood, yet, they never know the recipient whom it goes to … and when I say “thank you” and tell them that I’m one of those blood recipients “out there” who’s life was saved by a blood donation … just like theirs … they are visibly touched and grateful for the personal connection! (as I am!)

So, once again I’m saying “thank you” for your blood donations … because “Giving Blood Really Does Save Lives!

Also, a special thank you to all of the blood center employees who give so much on a weekly basis to help our donors, process the blood, and provide a readily available safe blood supply for all of our citizens!