Chuck Field's Big Ride Across America 2010

Day 41 New Waterford, Ohio (59 miles)

2010-07-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hi, It's Patty and I have started on my week long bike ride with Cascade Bicycle Club, up in the Northeast corner of Washington state. I may have little to no Internet access for the next week so Chuck's blog will probably not be updated until after We both get done with our trips.

He crosses over into Pennsylvania tomorrow to the town of Washington. He only has 6 riding days left in the Big Ride. I hope you have enjoyed reading the blog. He finishes the ride on Aug 7th. He will be staying at his sisters house in DC for two weeks after that. Thanks for following along.

Day 40 Rest Day Burton

2010-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Day 38 Sandusky, Ohio (87 miles)

2010-07-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today's ride is again in farmland and has very flat roads. The bikers pass through the town of Bowling Green on the way to the edge of lake Erie and the large city of Sandusky. Cedar Point amusement park is located in Sandusky. Camp is at the Bayshore campground tonight.

Something about Sandusky: Sandusky pronounced [suhn-duhs-kee] is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east. According to the US Census 2007 estimate, the Sandusky, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 77,323 residents.

The generally accepted theory is that the name "Sandusky" is an Anglicization of the phrase San Too Chee, meaning "cold water". Prior to the abolition of slavery in the United States, Sandusky was a major stop on the Underground Railroad. As depicted in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, many slaves seeking to reach freedom in Canada made their way to Sandusky, where they boarded boats' crossing Lake Erie to the port of Amherstburg in Ontario.

Underground Railroad

Sandusky is one of Ohio's most popular tourist destinations. The city is home to the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a regional leader in amusement parks and entertainment, as well as its flagship amusement park, Cedar Point. Cedar Point features the largest collection of roller coasters in the world as well as many current and former record holders. The park also has the largest collection of rides at a single park and many thrilling flat rides.

Oldest Roller Coaster at Cedar Point

The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Sandusky as a Tree City USA.

Today's weather forecast for Sandusky:
Temperature: 74.3 °F
Dew Point: 72.5 °F
Humidity: 94%
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind Gust: 0.0 mph
Wind: W
Pressure: 29.94in
Precipitation: -

Overnight: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms early...then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. West winds around 10 mph...becoming northwest. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Today many of the riders were riding hard in order to make it to the Cedar Point Park. Not Chuck, it was supposed to rain in the afternoon and he just wasn't that interested. Today was day 6 in a 7th day stretch of riding..their longest stretch of the trip. The day was hot, sunny and dry with a tailwind out of SW. In last 6 days the riders have covered over 550 miles.

After getting to Sandusky and checking into his hotel, Chuck had dinner at TGI Fridays. He then met up with some other riders who were going bowling. He went along with them and said he bowled a 142. He hasn't bowled in over 20 years. According to Deidre he has some mean bowling skills. He said they had a lot of fun and were goofing around bowling with there left hands and between their legs.

When he got back to the his room, he watched some of Andrew's video of the thunder and lightening storm this past week. He said that I really need to watch it. He was glad that he was staying at the hotel since it was getting ready to rain again. Tomorrow is the last day of riding and then they will have a rest day.

Day 37 Napoleon, Ohio (70 miles)

2010-07-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Today's ride is a shorter ride then the past few days for the riders. It is on farm roads with a few larger towns. This is the flattest section of the big ride after the first 35 miles of small rollers. Camp is at the Henry County Fair Grounds in Napoleon.

Sew it, Grow it, Show it at the Henry County Fair!

Something about Napoleon: Napoleon is a city in and the county seat of Henry County, Ohio. Henry County is named for Patrick Henry. He served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1786. A prominent figure in the American Revolution, Henry is known and remembered for his "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech, and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Napoleon is built along the Maumee River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,318. Napoleon's economy is based on the manufacturing of a variety of goods. A major employer is the world's largest Campbell's Soup Company plant, located on the southeastern end of the city; also Tenneco owns one their largest Elastomer Plants there. Napoleon is also home to the Northwest Ohio Technology Society. Four buildings in Napoleon are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the county courthouse, the sheriff's house and jail, First Presbyterian Church, and St. Augustine's Catholic Church.

Henry County Court House

On the outskirts of town at the Campbell's Soup plant stands a gigantic tomato soup can painted with a traditional Campbell's label. A water tower at the site is also painted with the Campbell's script. As a bonus, when you get out to photograph the thing, the entire area smells just like your kitchen after warming up a can of soup!

Giant Campbell's Tomato Soup Can

Today's weather forecast for Napoleon:
Temperature: 89.3 °F
Dew Point: 71.0 °F
Humidity: 97%
Wind Speed: 17.0mph
Wind Gust: 0.0mph
Wind: WSW
Pressure: 29.93in
Precipitation: 0.67in

Chuck said that since today's ride/day was going to be fairly short (only 70 miles which is 40 less than yesterday!), that it seemed like everyone was taking their own sweet time. Breakfast was provided by Parks and Rec again, but they only had one griddle making pancakes. Needless to say, it took a long time for everyone to eat. People finally did get rolling though and spent the morning riding through some beautiful fog rising off the corn fields.

Today the group crossed into Ohio. The state sign was only better than Indiana's because Indiana didn't have one at all. At least Ohio had a street sign for their State Line Sign. When he got into Napoleon , Janet's family had brought some cherries and other fruit for the riders to snack on, so Chuck said he tore into the cherries. Then he went to a nearby cafe and got coffee and was able to get on to the Internet for awhile.

Dinner was catered and it was very yummy from what Chuck said. I can't even remember everything he ate because it was so much and there were so many different kinds of foods. From the sounds of it was like he had died and gone to a bikers food paradise. Tomorrow is another flat day and the riders will be getting to Sandusky (or Cedar Point for those who are coaster enthusiasts!). Chuck said he would pass on the roller coaster's but was going to get a hotel room to get away from the heat and humidity.

Day 36 Kendallville, Indiana (109 miles)

2010-07-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today the Big Riders will be doing their second century in a seven day stretch of riding. The ride is long with some rolling hills and a few larger towns. There are many smaller Amish and Menonite communities after the check point in the town of Wakarusa. The name "Wakarusa" comes from a word in the Potawatomi language meaning "knee deep in mud. The riders will be camping at Bixler Lake Park in Kendallville.

Something about Kendallville: Kendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana. Kendallville is the largest town in Noble County with a population just under 10,000. Vintage architecture and great antique shopping can be enjoyed in the Downtown Historic District.

If you take a leisurely walk down Historic Main Street located in the heart of downtown Kendallville you will enjoy the stunning architecture and quaint small town shops. The city's worst natural disaster was a 1992 tornado that did millions of dollars in damage to businesses on Main Street. Repair and recovery in some cases involved restoring the nineteenth-century facades that had been covered over with metal cladding for many years. It's a handsome downtown. For the most part, the photos speak for themselves.

Kendallville is well known throughout the area for its festivals and events. From the Apple Festival to the Bluegrass Festival, there's always a family-friendly event just around the corner!

Mid-America Windmill Museum is nearby and features full-sized, restored, working windmills to commemorate an important part of the community's industrial history, the manufacture of windmills and water pumps that found use on many farms in the local area and around the world.

Windmill Museum

Bixler Lake Park, where the Big Riders are staying tonight, completely surrounds 117-acre Bixler Lake. The natural beauty of the area has been combined with development of facilities. The Chamber of Commerce are feeding the Big Rider's dinner and breakfast at one of the many pavilions at Bixler Lake.

Bixler Lake

Today's Forecast for Kendallville:
Temperature: 71.7 °F
Dew Point: 70.8 °F
Humidity: 97% 98%
Wind Speed: 0.0mph 2.0mph
Wind Gust: 2.0mph 3.0mph
Wind: SW
Pressure: 29.94in
Precipitation: 0.00in

Today the Big Riders rode the 109 miles to Kendallville in another headwind. Chuck thought the winds were supposed to be westerly (that is what was forecasted)but they ended up being more NE. Chuck said that the ride was flat, long, hot, humid, tiring and boring. Between his sinus infection, allergies, being soaked for a couple of days, not getting enough sleep, and just overall fatique he is beginning to look forward to the end of the trip. The highlights of the day were the old crashed airplane in a corn field, seeing a bi-plane, getting up close to a baby lama, and getting to see Kevin Stone from BRAA 2008.

Kevin, his wife, and step daughter were at the first check point with snacks for the riders. He lives in Michigan City, very close to the first check point. They had donuts, coffee, watermelon, banana muffins, grapes, and other good stuff. Chuck was sad that he didn't get to chat for longer but he was only 25 miles into a very long day. He said goodbye to Kevin after only a short visit. The riders crossed into another timezone so they lost an hour today.

Day 35 Valparaiso, Indiana (82 miles)

2010-07-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Rough road surfaces is the name of the game today. With some high traffic areas as well. Oh, and did I mention the rough roads. Welcome to Indiana folks.

Something about Valparaiso: Valparaiso (pronounced /ˌvɑːlpəˈreɪzoʊ/ vahl-pə-RAY-zoh) is in Porter County, Indiana, and is the southeasternmost suburb of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the county seat of Porter County. The population was 27,428 at the 2000 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County. Its nickname is Valpo and its Motto is "Vale of Paradise". Valparaiso is also home to namesake Valparaiso University, occupying 310 acres on the south side of the city near downtown. This is where the riders are staying tonight.

The city holds the the Popcorn Festival every summer. It honors Orville Redenbacher, a former resident who built a popcorn factory here. Redenbacher participated in most of the festival's parades until his death in 1995.

Today's weather forecast for Valparaiso:
Temperature: 80.9 °F
Dew Point: 75.3 °F
Humidity: 83%
Wind Speed: 5.0mph
Wind Gust: 19.0mph
Wind: WNW
Pressure: 29.85in
Precipitation: 0.39in

Today the riders left Coal City after very little sleep for two days and everything in their possession wet and soggy. They weren't complaining though, because it had stopped raining and blue skies cheered them on. They weren't complaining that is until reaching Indiana. Chuck and I tried to warn them about the Volkswagen swallowing pot holes. I almost was sucked up by one in 2008 but survived with only two flat tires (simultaneously I might add). Not only were the riders welcomed to Indiana without a state sign and potholes but they also got huge amounts of tar in the holes and cracks. The tar was not any better on a bike as it still made for a bumpy ride.

The nice thing about the day was getting to Valpo, having air conditioning, being able to do laundry, dry everything out, and eat in the college cafeteria. Most of the riders had root beer floats but they were short one. Chuck didn't want one. He just wanted ice cream so he went across the street to a gas station to get some. It's the rider's last night in a dorm. They only have 10 more riding days left in the whole trip.

Day 34 Coal City, illinois (104 miles)

2010-07-24T15:59:00.001-07:00

Today's century is a mostly flat ride on moderately busy roads through some pleasant towns.

Something about Coal City: Coal City, incorporated in 1881, is situated among the vast coal reserves that lie just south of Chicago. Peter Lansett, a Canadian, has been credited with the 1820 discovery of coal in the area. It was only later in the nineteenth century, however, that the mines around the village made Coal City a major contributor of coal to Chicago. By the twentieth century, the manufacturing of wallpaper, chemicals, concrete, and clothing began to complement the village's mining industry. The population was 4,797 at the 2000 census.

The little town was mentioned in the classic comedy The Blues Brothers. Elwood Blues (as played by Dan Aykroyd) explains that his brother Jake (John Belushi) was in prison for holding up a gas station, and then says "He pulled that job to pay for the room service tab from that Kiwanis gig in Coal City."

Playing has been at the heart of this community since its onset. Many of the residents enjoy camping, fishing, and boating at the adjoining chain of lakes consisting of abandoned mines along the northern border of Coal City. These clubs include the Coal City Area Club, Miners Club, and CECO Club. Each has their own boards and rules for membership, but provide a lot of recreational opportunities (including partying late into the night as any past big rider can tell you). The Riders are camping at the Coal City Area Club tonight.

Last night, after eating bad pizza, Chuck tried to get to sleep, but it was very hot and muggy. The portable fan, he brought along with him, has been a lifesaver/sleepsaver so far on the trip but wasn't helping much. Then at about 11 PM the storms started and kept up all night long. On top of the rain lashing at their tents, they had constant lightning and thunder. Most riders did not get very much sleep at all. Some more than others since overnight a lake formed in part of the campsite. Three people had their tents set up in the area and woke up in 3 to 4 inches of water. Most of the riders were up by 3:30 to 4:00 am and crammed under the green canopy to eat breakfast in the dark.

The morning's ride was through the flooded Illinois countryside. Chuck said that about 9 times he rode through water, over the roadway, that was over his shoes/pedals. For the first 50 miles it continued to rain but they at least had a tailwind. He said that people pretty much rode in larger groups than usual because of the bad weather.

By afternoon the rain let up but unfortunately the weather got hot and humid and a headwind started up. Chuck said that he would have rather rode in the rain with a tailwind pushing him then riding dry fighting a headwind. The riders arrived in Coal City hot, tired and cranky. Dinner was cold cut sandwiches that Suzzane's parents bought for the group.

Chuck said that the night in Coal City was one of those nights that you just lie there trying to fall asleep because there is no air movement at all. At about midnight it started raining and thundering again. The only good thing about the storm was that it cooled things off and kept the Coal City Area Club partiers quiet.

Day 33 Belvidere, illinois (98 miles)

2010-07-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Today the ride consists mostly of rolling rural roads through Wisconsin dairyland and then flattens as the riders reach the Illinois Sate Line, their 8th state. They will go through the town of Evansville, which has beautiful old houses, along the way and then cross the state line at the town of Beloit.

Something about Belvidere: Located in north central Illinois, Belvidere is approximately 75 miles (121 km) northwest of the downtown of Chicago, and approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Rockford. As of the census of 2000, there were 20,820 people.

Belvidere was originally built on the north side of the Kishwaukee River. In 1851, a railroad was built south of the river, the business section followed to the south side of the river, where Belvidere's "downtown" is now located. Belvidere is known as "The city of murals."

The Township Murals were designed and created through the use of original photos by a former Belvidere High School Art teacher. A number of Belvidere High School Art students also worked on the project.

One of Belvidere's many murals

On April 21, 1967, a devastating tornado struck Belvidere. Twenty-four lives were lost in the tornado, many of whom were school children. The tornado struck at the end of the school day of Belvidere High School, while many children including those that attended area grade schools were waiting on school buses outside of the high school. Out of sixteen school buses outside of the high school, twelve were overturned or thrown. In 2007 a statue was erected in front of Belvidere High School in memorial of the lives lost.

Stainless steel tornado memorial which is engraved with the victims' names. Surrounding the memorial are four stainless steel benches where one can sit for quiet contemplation to remember the lives of those who were lost.

Today's weather forecast for Belvidere:
Temperature: 91.6 °F
Scattered Clouds
Humidity: 68%
Dew Point: 79 °F
Wind: 7.0 mph from the SW
Wind Gust: 10.0 mph
Pressure: 29.42 in (Rising)
Heat Index: 108 °F
Visibility: 10.0 miles

Tonight's forecast is calling for showers and possible severe thunderstorms/flash flooding. Lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 10 mph early in the evening becoming light and variable late in the evening.

Chuck said that it was raining hard when he left Madison and it continued all morning. There was some confusion getting out of Madison with riders going every which way on the bike path but they all made it out of Madison finally. During the morning, he passed remnants of last night's storm in the form of downed trees (one on top of a house) and flattened corn fields.

Eventually, the rain did stop and the sun came out. Then the day turned very hot and humid with a SW headwind. He was amazed that the change in weather occurred in about an hour's time. Oh, Well, that's the Midwest for you. Chuck said between the rain in the morning and then the heat, humidity and headwinds of the afternoon he was whooped by the end of the day.

At the Illinois State border he did get a surprise though. Jim Andreson from the 2008 Big Ride, who lives in the Chicago area, was at the Illinois State Line sign. Later in the day Jim met back up with the riders with an ice chest full of Dairy Queen Blizzards and cold lemonade as well as cookies and watermelon. Chuck said that on a hot and humid day it all tasted so good. He was very glad to see Jim and to get to talk to him for awhile.

From Mark's blog: Chuck enjoying a DQ blizzard with Jim Andreson and some of the other Big Riders

Day 32 Rest day in Madison

2010-07-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Rest day in Madison for the riders is at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison). The University had its official beginnings when Wisconsin was incorporated as a state in 1848. The Wisconsin Constitution provided for "the establishment of a state university, at or near the seat of state government..." The campus is located about a mile from the state capitol on the isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Chuck's day started off with an early breakfast with Mike and Dave. He was very glad that it was a rest day because it poured all day long. He even bought an umbrella so that he could go out in the downpour. He said there were rivers running down the sidewalks and streets. He did get a chance to walk around a bit and saw the State Capital.

Wisconsin State Capitol taken from atop Bascom Hill at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chuck was very glad of the air conditioning at Van Hise Hall, where they are staying, because the air is very hot, humid and all around muggy outside. During the day he also went to collect money at Western Union. After he told me about Andy's bike, I made some calls and was able to collect $680.00 in donations from Big Ride Alumni for Andy to get a new bike. Andy was able to get a new bike, very similar to the bike that he had. Chuck said that Andy was very surprised and touched by the thoughtfulness of the past big riders. I will post a picture of Andy with his new bike after Chuck sends me one.

Van Hise Hall

Day 31 Madison, Wisonsin (100 miles)

2010-07-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Something about Maidison:
Madison is the capital of the state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As of the 2000 census, Madison had a population of 208,054. Madison was created in 1836, when former federal judge James Duane Doty purchased over a thousand acres of swamp and forest land on the isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona with the intention of building a city on the site. He named the city Madison for James Madison, the 4th President of the U.S. who had died on June 28, 1836 and he named the streets for the other 38 signers of the U.S. Constitution. Downtown Madison is located on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona.

Wisconsin State Capital Building

Toady's Weather Forecast for Madison:
Max Temperature 86 °F
Min Temperature 65 °F
Dew Point 64 °F
Wind Speed 4 mph ()
Max Wind Speed 9 mph
Visibility 10.0 miles

Chuck said the morning started out a little on the cool side and was misty, just like the previous mornings. The sun did finally come out in the afternoon and it ended up being humid and in the high 80's. The morning started out on hilly country roads with the bikers dropping down below the fog and then rising above a sea of it. Then they were on busy highway 14 again for about 40 miles, but the road had a good shoulder most of the way. Traffic was steady and noisy. About 20 miles from Madison, where the bike store is, Chuck kept on highway 14. The rest of the riders got off and rode the rest of the way into Madison on back roads. He said part of highway 14 was being paved and hadn't dried yet, so the riders kept sinking into the road. He said that he had to get off his bike at one point it was so bad. It was like trying to ride through quick sand. Chuck said that Madison is a very bike friendly city, with lots of bike only lanes. He said once he got to the University that there were lots of bikes parked on campus. He said that he didn't see that many people out on bikes though. I said that the students must have left their bikes there for the summer. He said that the dorms were very nice with air conditioning and wireless Internets.

Day 30 Viroqua, Wisconsin (66 miles)

2010-07-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

66 miles to the Big Riders sounds like an easy day but they shouldn't be fooled by todays ride. Today is a full day. They will ride down the mississipi river valley on the west side of the river while they are still in Minnesota. After crossing the Mississippi they will enter Wisconsin and go through busy LaCrosse. Then they will continue to ride down the river valley on the east side of river. Before too long they will be climbing some very steep hills into Amish Country and some amazing scenery. They will end the day at the Vernon County Fairground in Viroqua.

Something about Viroqua: The town of Viroqua with a population of about 4500, is the county seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Viroqua sits in the enchanting unglaciated part of Wisconsin, in the southwest corner of the state. The area is one of the only parts of America consistently missed by advancing glaciers over the millennia, hence the name "Driftless or Unglaciated Region". This has preserved the unique topography of the region. The famous bluffs, coulees and small winding streams are mesmerizing, making the southwest corner of Wisconsin one of the most unique and captivating places on Earth!

Above are a couple of Chuck's pictures of this "Driftless Region"

The old, rich soil has supported decades of farming, and has been particularly suited to organic farming. The surrounding area has become one of the most successful organic farming regions in the entire world. In fact Organic Valley / CROPP organic farming coop, located 20 minutes from Viroqua, has grown into a multi-million dollar international company.

Viroqua was dubbed "The Town That Beat Walmart" by Smithsonian Magazine in 1992 because it fostered businesses that co-exist with the retail giant. The city promots small business development through several state and federal programs. Viroqua is a Wisconsin Main Street City and its downtown is listed on the Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown Viroqua

The Temple Theatre is an example of the town's resurgence. The $1.6 million restoration of the 1922 classical revival style movie theater was driven by volunteers. The building now serves as an arts and cultural center for the surrounding counties.

Temple Theatre

Todays forecast for Viroqua:
Temperature: 75.6 °F
Dew Point: 72.8 °F
Humidity: 91%
Wind Speed: 1.1mph
Wind Gust: 0.0mph
Wind: SSW
precipitation: 0.02in

Mist coming off the Mississippi River

Chuck said that the morning started out very foggy. He enjoyed watching the mist rise off the lakes and the river all morning long. He enjoyed riding along the Mississippi river and was the first to arrive at the Meyers house for the morning rest stop. As always the Meyers had lots of home baked goodies, fruit, cheese, sausage & crackers. Chuck said that none of the riders left the Meyers until after the last rider arrived because they wanted to get a complete group picture with the Meyers. The Meyers said that this is the first time in their history of feeding the Big Riders that a complete group photo has been taken. Also a first for them was getting BRAA T shirts and caps. They were so pleased and happy.

The Meyers story is that they saw riders going by their house one year and found out the ride was for the American Lung Association. Their grandfather had died of emphysema & lung cancer, so they appreciated the purpose of the ride. The very next year they began inviting all the Big Riders to stop at their house. I don’t know for sure how many years they’ve been doing this. They take pictures of all the riders and have a photo album, they read the blogs and take interviews, and give out hand made bracelets.

Enjoying food and friends at the Meyers

Group picture with the Meyers

Andy interviewing one of the Meyres for his kids

Soon after leaving the Meyers house the big riders crossed over the Mississippi and into LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Chuck had his picture taken, holding up his bike, on the bridge over the Mississippi.

Crossing the Mississippi

Welcome to Wisconsin

Taking a picture of his reflexion in a store front window in La Crosse

Chuck said after the climb out of the Mississippi river valley the sun came out and the temps climbed into the 90’s. He said that the day also became quite humid as the temperature rose. He really enjoyed riding the rolling, hilly, country roads into Viroqua. Of course he stopped at the Food Co-Op.

Viroquas' Food Co-op

After everyone got their showers and had put up their tents, the food eating challenge occurred. The challenge had changed slightly to all dairy products in honor of the state of Wisconsin. They decided to have two, three man relay teams with Todd, Chacko and Sam (the winner from the Kraut eating contest in New Ulm) versus Tim, Andrew, and Jeremy. The challenge consisted of one eating a block of cheese, one drinking a half gallon of chocolate milk, and one eating a quart of ice cream. I guess Chacko, Todd and Sam won... before the second team could even finish the chocolate milk. Tim, Jeremy and Andrew shouldn't have forfeited because there was a reversal when Chacko threw up the chocolate milk just feet away from Chuck's tent.

Above pictures from Deidre's blog

The day ended with a very unfortunate event. A man (with dementia and who had obviously just got out of the hospital because he still had his id band on) in his old red truck ran over Andy’s bike at the fairground and totaled it. Andy is an 8th grade English teacher and coach. He is doing more than just a ride. He has arranged to meet different mayors and people in towns along the way. He then video tapes his interviews for his students. He wants them to know there’s more to America than the town they are growing up in. He puts his videos on youtube. You can see his videos, including one of his wrecked bike, by going to his youtube site link to the right of Chuck's blog.

Andy's bike after being run over

Day 29 Winona, Minnesota (92 miles)

2010-07-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

After leaving Owatonna, today's ride will be one of rolling hills and busy traffic in places. The riders will go through the city of Rochester, home of the world famous Mayo Clinic on their way Winona. They will be staying in the dorms at Saint Mary's University tonight.

Something about Winona: Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf.

Sugar Loaf

The city is named after Princess We-Noh-Nah, daughter of Chief Wapasha. Temperatures in Winona are generally very mild by Minnesota standards year-round; the January mean is 17.6°, while that of July is 75.8°. Steamboat Days is the annual celebration in Winona. It is celebrated with a carnival, fireworks, a parade, and many other activities. A curiousity: Mud retrieved from Lake Winona is used to make the thermal tiles found on the surface of the space shuttle for reentry in to the Earth's atmosphere.

Aerial View of Winona

Winona became the site of the first normal school west of the Mississippi in 1858 with the establishment of Winona Normal School (now Winona State University). Saint Mary's College (now Saint Mary's University) was founded as a private Roman Catholic school in 1912. Saint Mary's facilities are now used, owned, and/or operated by Winona State University. Heffron Hall is a residential hall at Saint Mary's University that was built in 1920. There is talk that this dorm is actually haunted by a ghost.

Today's weather forecast for Winona:
82.2 °F
Scattered Clouds
Humidity: 61%
Dew Point: 67 °F
Wind: 0.0 mph
Wind Gust: 0.0 mph
Pressure: 29.87 in (Steady)
Heat Index: 85 °F
Visibility: 10.0 miles

From Chuck's Face Book: Crossed the 2000 mile mark today. Crossing the Mississippi River tomorrow and headed to Cheese Country..Only 16 more days of riding. This is going toooooo fast. But loving it.

2000 mile marker

Chuck said when he left Owatonna the shoulder of the road got nicer to ride on. It was in the 80’s, humid, overcast and they had a light headwind. The 1st 75 miles were relatively flat with farm lands on both sides of the road. Because the towns were getting closer together he said that the traffic was busier and noisier. Especially going through Rochester.

In Rochester he was riding with Janet when a bicyclist came across the road to where they were stopped. The bicyclist had a strong accent and didn't speak English very well. Chuck said that he had the funniest gear set up on his bike. He had strapped his backpacks to the front and back of his bike. He wanted to know where the bike store was at so that he could get gear bags like Janet and Chuck had. Chuck laughed because they were standing in front of the bike store. Unfortunately for the bicyclist the shop was closed. He was riding his bike from Chicago to Minneapolis, so at least he didn't have very much farther to go.

Chuck said that the last 15 - 20 miles of the ride were gorgeous when he turned onto Country Club road. It was very green with farms, rolling hills, and more trees. He also enjoyed the well manicured lawns. As he entered Winona, there were the two big beautiful lakes on each side of the road. They stayed at the same dorms and ate at the same cafeteria that we stayed at in 2008.

Day 28 Owatonna, Minnesota (72 miles)

2010-07-18T14:02:00.001-07:00

Downtown Owatonna

Today's ride will be on rolling hills with some small and large towns and farm country in between New Ulm and Owatonna. The riders will end up at the Steele County Fair Grounds for their camp tonight.

Something about Owatonna: Founded in 1854, Owatonna is now a city of just over 25,000 people, and is the heart and the heartbeat of a greater community known as Southern Minnesota. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August which is the largest free fair in Minnesota.

Steele County Fair Grounds

How Owatonna got its name: As the story is told, Princess Owatonna, daughter of Chief Wabena, fell ill. She was so ill she couldn't lift her head to drink the smallest pool of water. The chief had heard of the wonderful curative effects of water bubbling from the ground in what is now Owatonna, and decided that only their magical restorative properties could save his daughter. After being given the water by her father, Princess Owatonna was miraculously cured, lending her name and image to both the town and the newly minted bottled water company. A statue of the princess appears in Owatonna's Mineral Springs Park, next to Maple Creek, a tributary of the Straight River, and a fountain where visitors can see the springs and drink the water that saved Princess Owatonna.

Sign in Mineral Springs Park

Today's weather forecast for Owatonna:
Temp 79 °F
Scattered Clouds
Humidity: 57%
Dew Point: 63 °F
Wind: 10 mph from the West
Pressure: 29.88 in (Steady)
Visibility: 10.0 miles

Talked to Chuck a few hours ago. He said that last night was simply miserable in the dorms at Martin Luther College. Their was not much air movement in the dorms so everyone left their doors open to their rooms. There was a door at the end of the hallway that would slam because of the suction from the windows/doors to the rooms being open every time someone went through it. He also got a roommate in the evening. Dave, former Big Ride Across America rider and former Big Ride Pacific Coast and Big Ride Glacier leader, has joined the group to help with SAG for a week. Chuck said he felt bad because his stuff was spread out all over the room when Dave arrived. They talked for awhile before Chuck got to sleep.

Because Dave joined the group for this week, Frank Wilson, who has been doing sag support since the start of the ride, got to ride today. Chuck and him get coffee early in the morning on all the rest days and even on some of the ride days. Chuck said that he rode the whole day with Frank. They stopped this morning for their morning fix at Caribou Coffee in Mankato. Chuck said that Mankato is strip mall hell and has a lot of sprawl for a rural mid size town.

Frank and Chuck took a wrong turn and ended up going by Janesville. They joined back up with the rest of the riders. Chuck said the way they went was shorter...

The day was laid back and easy as they had fairly cool temps and yet another tail wind. They stopped at Barney's Drive Inn, near the lake at Waseca, for lunch. Chuck said that there were very few people at the lake this year compared to two years ago. Many of the riders took some time to play a round of putt putt golf.

Traffic started picking up after leaving the lake and the two lane road without a shoulder was fairly hair raising/fingernail biting for all of the riders. They were glad to get to camp at the Steele County Fair Ground. Chuck said that dinner was a $12 night buffet at the new Hy-V grocery store across from the fair ground. The new store had a very good deli with tables and chairs to sit down and eat at. The Hy-V also had free Internet for the riders to take advantage of.

Day 27 Rest Day New Ulm

2010-07-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Down Town New Ulm

Ten Things to do in New Ulm (From the New Ulm Visitor Guide):
1. Dance with a gnome. At all of our major festivals, you'll meet New Ulm's "ambassadors," costumed gnomes and the masked Narren, all eager to welcome new faces. So go ahead and ask them to dance. (We promise they'll say,“Yes!”).
2. Sample beer the way it should be...none of that watered-down, mass-produced stuff. At the August Shell Brewery, you can try a variety of our rich, handcrafted beers while sitting elbow-to-elbow with friends in the new tap room.
3. Ski by the pale moonlight. Flandrau State Park keeps its eight miles of trails well groomed throughout the winter. Since the park is located right in town, you can grab your cross-country skis and enjoy a moonlit trek a few times each
winter - and not be late to dinner. In summer, hiking trails and a sand-bottomed pool await.
4. Go cuckoo...as in cuckoo clocks...or nutcrackers...or candy, glassware, music boxes and steins. New Ulm's shops offer specialty items straight from the old country, as well as a full range of other treasures.
5. Tune in to history. Your kids might be surprised when you tell them to put the ear buds in, not take them out. With New Ulm's unique downtown history iPod tour, the whole family can take a walk and learn about the area's
past. Nothing dull about it.
6. Roll on the river. Get your friends together and enter a float in the annual Flotilla on the River water parade. Can't make it for Labor Day Weekend? Bring your tubes, boats or canoes anytime - we've got two rivers just waiting for
you.
7. Picnic in the Park. Bring your blanket and picnic basket to German Park on Monday nights and spread out beside the fountain for our free outdoor summer concert series. The lineup ranges from polka to Broadway melodies,
marches, and a variety of other musical styles. For the kids, there’s the playground and New Ulm’s Puppet Wagon.
8. Dine like the Deutsche. Many of New Ulm's restaurants and almost all of its festivals and special events serve up traditional German cooking, from brats and landjaegers to sauerbraten and sauerkraut. It’s authentic Deutschland cuisine,
minus the airfare.
9. Sleep as late as you like. Someone else will make breakfast when you stay at any of New Ulm's historic B&Bs. You'll also get warm surroundings, beautifully restored architecture and expert advice on local attractions and events.
10. Scale new heights. Drive to the top of the Center Street hill, then climb a spiral staircase to the cupola.

Chuck said that his rest day was just that," restful". He got up and went downtown for coffee. He rode his bike from one end of town to the other to check it out. He rode for a short time on the New Ulm bike trail. Breakfast was at a coffee shop in town. He met up with Susan Campbell there and had a nice chat with her. For lunch he had a bratwurst sandwich.

He spent most of the day at the dorm getting some rest, doing laundry, repacking, and playing scrabble on Face Book. He didn't go to see Sam Cosgrove, one of the big riders, in the sauerkraut eating contest at the Bavarian Festival downtown. Sam won!!!! his picture and story made front page news on the local New Ulm paper. Chuck said that he is pretty sure that Andy took a video of Sam in action. Look it up at: http://www.youtube.com/andrewfersch

Picture taken by Mark Abernathy of Sam after he downed a pound of saurkraut in 36 seconds

Jeremy, after seeing Sam win, has come up with a food eating challenge. He has challenged the Big Riders to eat a half gallon of ice cream, drink a six pack of beer, and eat a whole water melon. The one who gets done first and keeps everything down for at least 10 minutes wins. I guess that some of the riders will be taking him up on that challenge in Winona. Chuck said that since he doesn't drink that lets him off the hook(he's soooo glad). Tune in tomorrow for another episode of Chuck's Big Ride Across America.

Above are some pictures that Chuck took today

Day 26 New Ulm, Minnesota (86 miles)

2010-07-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today the Big Riders are heading east on State Route 14 from Tyler to the German town of New Ulm. They will pass through the town of Sleepy Eye on their way. Sleepy Eye is named after Chief Sleepy Eye, or Ishtakhaba, who was known as a compassionate person with droopy eyelids (or maybe just one), hence his name.

The town of Sleepy Eye newest attraction is the new “Linus” statue, which can be seen from highway 14 as you drive by the Dyckman Library. This statue pays tribute to a Sleepy Eye native, Linus Maurer. Linus Maurer's career began when he and Charles Shultz, creator of Peanuts comic strip, taught cartooning together at Art Instruction Schools, a correspondence school based in Minneapolis. Linus became the inspiration for Shultz's Linus character.

Chuck (aka Charlie Brown), Linus, and Snoopy

Something about New Ulm:
New Ulm is in Brown County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,594 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Brown County. Located in the triangle of land formed by the confluence of the Minnesota River and the Cottonwood River. The city was founded in 1854 by German immigrants Christian Ludwig Meyer, Alois Palmer, Athanasius Henle, and Franz Massopoust. The city was named after the city of Ulm in southern Germany. Today, Ulm and Neu-Ulm are New Ulm's sister cities. In part due to the city's German heritage, it is a center for brewing in the Upper Midwest, home to the August Schell Brewing Company. The city is also home to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, the Hermann Heights Monument and Martin Luther College.

Martin Luther College where the Riders will be staying during their rest day in New Ulm

The Dakota War of 1862 was an armed conflict between the United States and several eastern bands of the Dakota people which began on August 17, 1862. The war started due to deep discontent amongst the Dakota people, and justly so. They were losing their land to new white settlers, received non-payment promised to them by the US government, treaties were broken, and food shortages and famine following crop failure was happening. Skirmishes in the following weeks claimed hundreds of lives. The city of New Ulm was attacked and burned to the ground by Taoyateduta (Little Crow) and his Dakota Sioux warriors. The number of Native American dead is unknown, while estimates of settlers who died range between 300 and 800. The conflict also resulted in the largest mass execution in U.S. history, when 38 Dakota men, convicted of murder and rape, were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota. This was the first major armed engagement between the U.S. and Dakota, though it would not be the last.

Picture depicting the Siege of New Ulm

Today's weather forecast for New Ulm:
Temperature: 80.4 °F
Dew Point: 65.9 °F
Humidity: 53%
Wind Speed: 2.7mph
Wind Gust: 5.0mph
Wind: West
Pressure: 29.90in
Precipitation: 0.00in

From Chuck's Face Book: ‎88 miles in to New Ulm Minnesota today, done by noon. Had a nice tailwind. Looking forward to a rest day well deserved. I am finally getting a little stronger and it feels good, even with yet another sinus infection.

Chuck said that with the tail wind all day all of the riders were in New Ulm by 1:30pm. He said that he stopped in Sleepy Eye and talked to a guy, who was mowing the lawn at the Dyckman Library, for about a half hour. The man told him about Linus Maurer, who Charles Shultz based his Peanut's character, Linus on. The man gave Chuck a $20 donation for the ALA and took his picture by the statue of Linus.

Chuck stopped to take some pictures of a newt that was laying along the side of the road on the way into New Ulm. He said that he didn't know what it was until he showed some of the other riders a picture of it. Brad, who had studied biology in college identified it as a newt.

Newt

He told me that Evonne's Mom came up from Iowa to ride with them for the day. She crashed her bike along the sometime during the ride but luckily was not hurt at all. Alan, the Ride's mechanic was able to fix her bike. Evonne's Mom brought sweet corn, watermelon and some other stuff for the Big Riders to eat. Chuck said that the sweet corn was just about the best he had ever ate. I said, "of course it's from Iowa."

Before he went to bed, Chuck talked to Kat, my niece, for awhile on Face Book. Kat lives in Iowa Falls, which is about 3 hours southeast of New Ulm. Kat said that the tornado warning alarms were going off in town (just sightings no touch downs). Chuck said that he could see the threatening weather to the south. It was very hot and muggy in the dorms at Martin Luther College, but he didn't want to set up his tent outside in case the storms moved north.

Day 25 Tyler, Minnesota (74 miles)

2010-07-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today the route will take the riders along State Route 14 from De Smet, South Dakota to Tyler, Minnesota (their 6th state). They will be riding through the busy college town of Brookings, South Dakota then across the state line to the rolling farm lands of Western Minnesota. They will end the ride at the and friendly Danish town of Tyler, Minnesota.

Chuck and Izzy at the Minnesota State Line

Something about Tyler:
Tyler is a city in Lincoln County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,218 at the 2000 census. On August 21, 1918, 36 people died when a large tornado tore through Tyler. It was the 4th most deadly tornado in Minnesota history. The Lincoln County Fairgrounds are located in Tyler where the yearly county fair takes place in August.

Every year on the fourth of July weekend, Tyler holds its Aebleskiver Days Celebration. The event is named after the aebleskiver, a spherical Danish pancake. On Saturday evening, they have a parade that goes down main street with floats that are made by the various neighborhoods.

Aebleskiver

Tyler is home of the Danebod Folk School. The early settlers of the Danebod colony (located on the south side of Tyler) founded this residential school in the Danish tradition of Folk High Schools and fostered the concept of "learning for living" by which individuals sought to become enlightened and thoughtful citizens. Danebod hosts many wonderful programs including annual week-long recreational Family Camps and the Folk Meeting which presents a series of world-renowned lecturers.

Danebod Folk School

Today's forecast for Tyler:
Temperature: 76.2
Dew Point: 57.8 °F
Humidity: 53%
Wind Speed: 3.0mph
Wind Gust: 9.0mph
Wind: NNW
Pressure: 28.10in
Precipitation: 0.00in

Low temps and a tail wind made it for some easy riding for the Big Riders today. They left De Smet after being fed breakfast by the Chamber of Commerce again. Chuck said that most of the riders stopped for a short while in Brookings to get coffee and to go to the bike store.

The riders are camping on the football field at the school in Tyler. Very few riders are sleeping in school. There was a soccer practice going on at the football field when the riders got there. The coach saw that the Big Riders were kicking around a small soccer ball, that one off the riders had brought along for the trip. The coach gave them a very special soccer ball. The ball came from a minister who does a lot of missions to third world countries. The ball traveled with this minister when he went on his missions. The ball has scriptures written all over it. The coach for the team wanted to pass the ball along and he thought the big riders were the perfect group to give it to, since they are traveling across the country. Hopefully they will pass the ball on to another group as well. I think the travels of the soccer ball would make a great story/movie.

Chuck also watched a group of children ride/jump their horses at the equestrian center near the Tyler school. He said that he loved to see their excitement, nervousness and all around energy. He could tell who had been riding for awhile and who had just started. Dinner was at a diner down town but not at the Pizza Ranch as it has closed down.

Wind Mill Farm near Tyler

The Big Ride is on for 2011

2010-07-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

I forgot that Chuck told me the good news a few days ago. Bridgett anounced to the 2010 BRAA group that the Big Ride Across America is on for next year. It was up in the air, what with the American Lung Association of Washington becoming part of the 8 state American Lung Association Mountain Pacific.

I know that Big Ride Alumni will be glad to hear this. Start talking to people you know who might be interested to sign up, or do the ride again yourself, like Chuck did this year.

I offered to head up the fajita dinner again at Easton next year since there are only a few of the 2010 riders from the Seattle area.

Day 24 De Smet, South Dakota (77miles) Half way point

2010-07-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Today the Riders will be rolling through South Dakota farm country and will pass through several small pleasant Midwest towns along the way to De Smet. Forty Three miles into the ride today, in the town of Huron, the riders will reach the half way point into their journey across the country (1650 miles). Today is also the half way point in days (24th day out of 48)on the road.

De Smet is a city in and the county seat of Kingsbury County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 1,164 at the 2000 census. It was named for Belgian Father Pierre De Smet, a 19th century Jesuit missionary.

A Father De Smet statue stands in the northwest corner of Washington Park.

De Smet was the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder (of Little House on the Prairie fame), the supercentenarian Walter Breuning, and the birthplace of author Rose Wilder Lane.

The riders will pass by Laura Ingalls Wilder's houses on the way to their camp site tonight in De Smet's very pretty Washington Park.

This bridge and landscaped area was a memorial project in Washington Park, completed in 1985.

Weather forecast for De Smet: Today will be partly sunny and breezy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms through mid afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 15 to 25 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Tonight it will mostly be clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Talked to Chuck earlier this evening. The riders had a great day with a tail wind most of the way into De Smet. In Huron at the half way point Bridgett had the song "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi blaring on the boom box for the riders as they passed the 1650 mile mark....

We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer

Chuck said after about the 9th loop through the song he had to leave the reststop/checkpoint..... He was just chilling with the guys... Izzy, Andy, Mark, Tim and Mike at camp when I talked to him.

The above two pictures are of camp at Washington Park

He said that dinner was served by the Chamber of Commerce. They had pulled pork, potato salad, chips, salad, beans, and brownies. He said that the Chamber is feeding them breakfast in the morning. The sky is clear in De Smet and they expect tail winds for the next two days of riding.

Day 23 Miller, South Dakota, (74 miles)

2010-07-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

The Big Riders are riding to Miller today across the South Dakota Prairie. They will see wheat fields, wheat fields and more wheat fields. Be careful where you stop to pee. The highway patrol will pull you over and try to ticket you for indecent exposure if they catch you relieving yourself in the ditches (Ask James from 08, he would know). Use the South Dakota Restrooms whenever possible:

A picture of a South Dakota Restroom

A little about Miller:
Miller, South Dakota, in Hand county, is 131 miles NW of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and 273 miles NW of Omaha, Nebraska. The city contains a population of approximately 1,530.In Miller, about 57% of adults are married. If you enjoy solitude, you might enjoy living in Miller, which is home to many people who live alone. The city has an abundance of women! Well, at any rate the female/male ratio there is higher than in most places. Miller boasts a large population of senior citizens with a wealth of life experience.
Wealth and Education
In 2000, Miller had a median family income of $39,293.
Political Inclinations
Political donors in Miller favored George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential race, contributing $250. Among political parties, the Republican party was tops in raising money in the city.
Weather forecast for the rest of today for Miller, SD: Becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 10 to 20 mph. tonight it will be partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Southeast winds around 10 mph shifting to the east after midnight.

Hi, its Wednesday the 14th of July. I talked briefly with Chuck last night but we didn't talk long as he had bad cell phone reception. He said that the day was tough on him with mostly cross or head winds all day (Most of the day all the faster that the riders could go was 11-13mph). Plus he has gotten a sinus infection which is making him tired and uncomfortable with the wind blowing in his face. He will see a doctor in New Ulm. The riders stopped at Highmore, SD for lunch. Most of them ate at the Thunderbird Bowling Alley, some of them played pool, and of course they had to take pictures of the road kill menu on the wall.

Chuck was bummed out that the little road side park that we stopped at in 08, about 10-20 miles out of Miller, to get out of the heat was closed down. The buildings are all gone and the park is overgrown/fenced off(probably another instance of a shortage of county/state money for parks). He said he had been looking so forward to stopping there and getting water, sitting in the shade, and most important of all use the restroom. Well, he had to wait until getting to Miller. The Big Riders stayed at the Miller High School last night and Chuck had a really good steak dinner in a downtown restaurant before turning in.

Chuck looking forward to the little rest area outside Tyler

Day 22 Pierre, South Dakota (95 miles)

2010-07-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today the Big Riders will be riding the back roads bordering I-90 and then cross over the Missouri river to Pierre, the capital city of South Dakota. I have updated Chuck's blog all the way back to Missoula. For those who are interested you can read the posts. Tom Field, Megan Meyer, and Tony Cerrone please check out the comment section on the days that you commented. Chuck returned messages to all of you.

A little about Pierre:
Pierre, South Dakota is the state capital and the county seat of Hughes County, and it has a population of around 14,000. The city was founded on the Missouri River across from Fort Pierre in 1880, and it has been the state capital since 1889. It is widely known for its memorial hall and for being the regional transportation hub. The city is one of only five state capitals that does not have a major interstate highway running through it. It is also the only state capital in the United States that does not share at least one letter with its state. The South Dakota State Capitol building is located in Pierre near the Missouri River.

South Dakota State Capital Building in the Distance

Current weather conditions for Pierre at 4:21pm:
Broken Clouds 81°F
Feels Like: 82°
Wind Chill: 81° Ceiling: 5900
Heat Index: 82° Visibility: 10mi
Dew Point: 60° Wind: 17mph
Humidity: 49% Direction: 140° (SE)
Pressure: 29.71" Gusts: 26mph

Hi, its Tuesday the 13th and I talked to Chuck last night. He stayed in a hotel in Pierre. I woke him up at 7:15pm Seattle time which was 9:15pm Pierre time. He had just got back from dinner with some of the other Riders. They ate at the same Mexican Restaurant that Chuck and I ate at two years ago. I remember that they had excellent fried ice cream.

I guess the ride from Kadoka to Pierre was a little harder than what the riding has been like for the Big Riders 2010 so far. They had a head wind for 40 of their 95 miles and Chuck said it was pretty strong. He said that he was wore out by the end of the ride. Hee Hee Hee... Maybe I am a little jealous of the weather that they have had so far but hey, I know that the rest of the 08 riders and probably riders from some of the other years feel the same way. I know that in 08 we did not have even close to the weather and wind conditions that they have had.

Tomorrow or should I say today since I am writing this on the 13th they ride on to Miller. Only two more days in South Dakota and then they cross into Minnesota on Thursday (their 6th state).

From Chuck's Face Book: ‎95 miles through the rolling hills and winds of SD from Kadoka to Pierre. Headwind and sidewind the last 40 miles made the day a little challenging. We are now in Central time! Time is flying by. Hard to believe we are almost halfway.

Day 21 Kadoka, South Dakota (101 miles)

2010-07-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today the Big Riders have a 101 mile ride from Rapid City through the badlands to Kadoka. They will pass the world's largest prairie dog along the way.

World Largest Prairie Dog

Hi, its Tuesday morning the 13th of July. I talked to Chuck last night, so I will catch up with the blog starting with the ride from Rapid City to Kadoka. They all started with a breakfast buffet in the dorm cafeteria at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. They left Rapid City shortly after 7am and by 11:30 am all of the riders had gone over 75 miles. Yes, you guessed it...another tail wind blowing them up the hills. The weather was good with a scattering of clouds and temps in the high 70's low 80's.

Above are a couple of pictures of the badlands

Chuck arrived at the worlds largest prairie dog after going through the badlands with Jeremy, Chad and Toby. They took pics with the fake dog and then went into the gift shop to get peanuts to feed the real prairie dogs.

A real prairie dog

Chuck and Jeremy taking pictures of the prairie dog

While in the gift shop they spoke with a man who worked there. He told them in a very emotional voice that he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and that he was having surgery later this week. He thanked them profusely for what they are doing.
The man said that he was so glad that the American Lung Association would have more money to put towards research and prevention of lung cancer and other lung diseases. Chuck said he had a hard time not breaking down with the man as he told his story. This is an example of what the big ride is all about. Spreading the message to individual people all the way across the country. Having the chance to make a difference in the riders lives and to those that they meet along the way.

Ranch Store

The last 15 miles of the ride was along the feeder road to the highway. They rode that 15 miles into a headwind. All and all it was a good day. The Big Riders from 08 will remember the man who showed up at the park in Kadoka and then followed us along the route the next day to Pierre. Well he showed up and talked and talked and talked to the riders agian this year. Chuck said that he didn't see him following the riders this year though to Pierre.

The Kadoka Water Tower that seems to never get any closerr

For dinner they walked to a restaurant and had a buffet style dinner with chicken, salads, baked potatoes, and dessert. They camped at the city park again near the city pool.

Day 20 Rest Day in Rapid City

2010-07-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry Chuck...... I made your rest day a very frustrating day. The package that I mailed from Billings to Rapid City for the Big Riders caused you much pain.... and now it is on its way back to me in Puyallup. I will mail it again from the Post Office instead of through Fed Ex to New Ulm. The cookies and rice crispies bars will be rock hard... be careful of your teeth.

Hope New Ulm's rest day will be more "RESTFUL",, don't go and do Polka with the rest of the riders. Let Izzy and Kristen go since they have been practicing.

Day 19 Rapid City, South Dakota (81 miles)

2010-07-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

The Black Hills

From Chuck's Face Book: Went 46 miles off course today. It was worth it. Now a day off. Looking forward to the Badlands coming up next. WOW

Chuck, Mark and Mike Entering the BRAA's Fifth State

Chuck's Picture of Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial Comparison

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain monument under construction in the Black Hills of South Dakota, in the form of Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota warrior, riding a horse and pointing into the distance.

The memorial consists of the mountain carving (monument), the Indian Museum of North America, and the Native American Cultural Center. The monument is being carved out of Thunderhead Mountain on land considered sacred by some Native Americans, between Custer and Hill City, roughly 8 miles (13 km) away from Mount Rushmore.

The sculpture's final dimensions are planned to be 641 feet (195 m) wide and 563 feet (172 m) high. The head of Crazy Horse will be 87 feet (27 m) high; by comparison, the heads of the four U.S. Presidents at Mount Rushmore are each 60 feet (18 m) high.The monument has been in progress since 1948 and is still far from completion. When finished, it will be the world's largest sculpture.

Hi, this is Patty: Chuck said he took the detour so that he could see the Crazy Horse Memorial. The other riders meanwhile, for those who did the Big Ride in 2008, had a 30 mph tail wind for the last 15 miles into Rapid City. They were pushed up the hills going into town. SO UNFAIR!!!!! We had 50+ mph head winds on that same stretch two years ago. They all enjoyed Custer State Park. To me, personally, I think that is the prettiest day on the Big Ride.

Day 18 New Castle, Wyoming (78 miles)

2010-07-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

From Face Book:
Another beautiful day in the upper 70's. Just a short 78 miles into a small town called Newcastle WY. We started to get back into trees. We are still above 4200 feet. Tomorrow is going to be an awesome ride through Custer National Park and then into Rapid City and a day off. No question why I wanted to do it again. This is AWESOME!!!

Above is some of the Scenery along the road to New Castle

Day17 Gillette, Wyoming (115 miles)

2010-07-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today is the BRAA's longest mileage day at 112 miles. I hope they have a tail wind and cool temperatures. More later after I talk to Chuck.
From Chuck's Face Book: Record low temps this AM (39 degrees) gave us one of the most beautiful days of riding I can ever remember. 115 miles total. Good day for a bike ride. A great day to be alive.

Chuck, Deidre and Chad just out of Sheridan on the way to Gillette

Welcome to Spotted Horse

Chuck getting a soda at Spotted Horse

Some Scenery along the way

Camp in Gillette

Day 16 Sheridan, Wyoming (85 miles)

2010-07-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

Entering Wyoming on a cool, overcast and rainy day with a headwind for the first 38 miles

From Chuck's Face Book: Just past the 1000 mile mark today. 112 tomorrow. Also just in to WY. Sheridan WY to Gillette WY tomorrow. Going through the wonderful town of Spotted Horse. (population 2)

Hi, this is Patty: The Big Riders headed south to Sheridan and I had a very lonely ride back north to Billings. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone.

Saying goodbye

I didn't realize how much of the way to Hardin from Billings was down hill until I did the return trip slightly up hill with the added weight of my camping gear in my Panniers. Once in Billings I took a shower at the Rim Rock Dorms and then drove my rental car (which I had parked overnight at the dorm) to The Bike Shop to have my bike packed up and shipped home. I ran a few errands picking up odds and ends to box up and mail to Rapid City for the Riders. I then dropped of the car and went to the airport to catch a flight home.

Meanwhile the Riders were at Sheridan enjoying a $12 dinner night at an old Resturant in town. Chuck said the ribs were to die for. Camp that night was at a KOA. Right (you guessed it) next to the train track and I-90. They got to hear cars and trains going by all night.

Day 15 Hardin, Montana (55 miles)

2010-07-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day I get to ride with Patty. I am sad to see her leave the ride. We got to share some fond memories from the ride two years ago. It was a very special time for us. The ride and weather was great,(not hot). We stopped and petted some horses in a pasture and met and chatted with the owners. Then later we watched some real Cowboys seperating bulls into a pen. We took photos on the tractor that all the big riders from '08 will surely recognize. Later we stopped at Taco John's for lunch and found a photo on the wall of the very same tractor in use from back in the 1940's. We also went to the same Tee Pee we took photos of last ride. It was an emttional day for me for many reasons. Photos to follow. On to Sheridan WY. There also should be a good tailwind tomorrow with possible storms. Which we have seen almost every day. I will trade the extreme heat for a few bad storms and a tailwind ANYDAY!
From Chuck's Face Book: Heading to Hardin today with Patty and then she is heading home. I am sooooo going to miss her. My next rest day will be six days from now in Rapid City SD. There is going to be many beautiful miles between here and there.

One of the horses that we petted

Patty for President

Chuck in the TeePee

Having some fun on our way to Hardin

Chuck on his bike overlooking Billings

Day 14 Rest Day in Billings, Montana

2010-07-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day everyone: Patty and I are with the Big Riders in Billings. Sorry for no posts for the past week but we have had little to no Internet connection. Patty will update the blog when she gets back home to Puyallup in a few days. She has one more day with us and then she is flying home. It's 8pm and time for bed. No fireworks for us tonight. Pictures posted on Face Book and will be posted here in a few days.

Hi, this is Patty and it's the 12th of July. The Big Riders are in Pierre today. I am spending some time getting caught up on the daily posts that we missed.
Independence day at Billings was spent, washing clothes, washing bikes, getting coffee/tea at City Brew, and picking up my rental car.

Chuck reading about Andy and Izzy at City Brew

Chuck and I had a picnic lunch at the tree shaded area near the "Bell" by the Rim Rock Dorms. We ate lunch there two years ago. We talked and talked and talked that day. It was kind of romantic to be at the same place that we fell in love two years to the day later.

Chuck under the Bell

We did some errands in the car and of course stopped at Starbucks so Chuck could get a Quad shot Americano. We also drove by the metroplex building, that was hit by a tornado on June 21.

Metropex post tornado

Here is report of the storm from USA Today: BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A tornado touched down in Billings, Mont., tearing off much of the roof of a mostly empty 10,000 seat arena and caused other damage to the building Sunday evening, authorities said.Trees and telephone poles on the outside of the arena were snapped. Big pieces of metal could be seen hanging from power lines, and tangles of insulation and metal debris were strewn for hundreds of yards in the surrounding area. The tornado struck in an industrial part of the city's downtown at about 5 p.m. as a big storm system with golf ball-sized hail passed through the area, Trooper Toman Baukema of the Montana Highway Patrol said. Trees and telephone poles on the outside of the arena were snapped. Big pieces of metal could be seen hanging from power lines, and tangles of insulation and metal debris were strewn for hundreds of yards in the surrounding area. There were several employees inside the arena when the twister struck, but there were no reports of injuries, Baukema said.
Surrounding buildings at the MetraPark expo center, which includes a horse race track and several pavilions, appeared to have suffered little damage. The arena is the multi-facility event center's main venue and often hosts rodeos, monster truck shows, concerts and high school graduations

Dinner that night was at a Mexican restaurant with Chad, Toby, Jeremy, Susan, and Janet. We had fried ice cream for dessert. Everyone agreed it wasn't as good as Chi Chi's. But alas Chi Chi's is closed.

Day 13 Billings, Montana (91 miles)

2010-07-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

From Chuck's Face Book: ‎91 miles before noon. A great day in Montana! Pics coming soon.

This is Patty: The ride into Billings was so pleasant (almost cold out). I didn't take my jacket off all day. About 5 miles into the ride with a tail wind at our backs, I could tell that Chuck was biting at the bit. I told him, "Go ahead... Take off." He loves, loves, loves a fairly flat straight road with a tail wind. He blew into Billings.

I took my time taking pics a long the way. A herd of cattle, who came up to say hi to me, an old falling down barn; and a pretty church; were a few of the things that I took pictures of.

The first sag was at Ryegate (home of the testicle festival).

Evonne and Todd at Ryegate

We missed the 4th of July parade at Lavina by just a couple of hours. The town of Lavina is in the Golden Valley County of Montana. The population was 209 at the 2000census. The town is situated on the north bank of the Musselshell River. One thing that I appreciated was the use of a family (who was having a huge reunion in the park) porta potties. Chuck was flying on his bike to Billings but left me these along the way....

Billings is special to us since it is where we really first started to fall in love.
Dinner was by Beyond Basil again. They did a great job as usual and we went to bed well fed. After having some of Suzanne's birthday cake.

Suzanne with her cake

Day 12 Harlowton, Montana (101 miles)

2010-07-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, the day from hell that the 08 riders had is upon us. Surprise!!!! the temps were in the high 70's and low 80's with plenty of water to be had by all. The ride up the hill in the morning out of Townsend was glorious. The sunrise was one of the prettiest that I have ever seen in my life.

Sunrise on the way out of Townsend

Some of the mornings sceneryn>

I enjoyed riding part of the way with Jeremy. At the top of Cold Creek Canyon we met up with Susan. Angry Cat (with a noose around his neck and a guilty looking Frank welcomed us to the sag stop.

Alan, Frank, Susan and AC

Lunch was left over cold cuts, from last night, at the park in White Sulphur Springs. The hardest part of the day was the blood sucking mosquito swarm that ate us alive going up the hill out of White Sulphur Springs. We stopped at the Checkerboard Bar and some of us put signed one dollar bills up on the ceiling.

Entering White Sulphur Springs

The Hill out of White Sulphur Springs with the blood sucking mosquitos

We had a tail wind from the Checkerboard Cafe to the last sag stop of the day. From the sag stop we could see storms in the distance above the mountain range. Five of us almost waited out the storm, especially when we saw funnel clouds trying to form. They broke up and it looked like the storm wasn't going to come our way. We took off and had an interesting last 9-10 mile ride with a 35-40+ mph cross wind. Chad got a flat tire. Trying to change a tire with a 40+ crosswind was not all the easy.

When we got to Harlowton the wind had picked up so much that putting up our tents on the football field at the Kiwana Club was next to impossible. Our tent frame got slightly bent when the tent blew almost sideways. All of a sudden, it got very,very quiet. We were standing by a shed, where we were storing our bikes for the night, talking to Bridgett. Bridgett ducked her head and said, "Ouch, who threw something at me." We looked up and the skies opened up and dumped golf ball size hail on us. We took shelter in the shed.

George, Suzanne and Sam checking out the the big pieces of hail

A golf ball size piece of hail after it has slightly melted

After the hail storm the wind died down and the sun started to peak out around the clouds. We took showers at a hotel on the edge of town (across the street from the diner where we had breakfast in 08) Chuck and I had dinner at the pizza place in town and got ice cream at the gas station for dessert.

No storms once we went to bed but our sleep was disturbed when a few of the locals got "BUSY" in the middle of the football field. Jeremy said he looked out his tent when he heard the noises being made and saw multiple legs and arms in a pile. He really didn't want to see anymore so he zipped up the fly on his tent and tried to go back to sleep. We don't know for sure how many people were "GETTING BUSY" together but it was more than two.

Day 11 Townsend, Montana (65 miles)

2010-07-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Today was a fairly easy 65 mile day. We climbed up and over McDonald Pass. Most of the riders went up further to the Continental Divide. I didn't because I, of course, was next to last up the climb (OK, Jeremy was behind me, but he got a flat).

Chuck said that there was a Couple up top that had binoculars. He used them and could see Glacier Park in the distance. After a short snowball fight we took a group picture at the top of the pass.

The Pond at Echo Valley camp ground this morning

Group picture at McDonald Pass

Going down was a lot of fun and the sky and air was very clear. The views were amazing. We actually had a head wind so could only get up to about 35 miles per hour going down. Some people were able to go faster if they pedaled.

In Helena we had our sag stop at the Safeway instead of in front of Big Sky Cyclery.
The store had moved just a few weeks before. Chuck and I had coffee and tea at Starbucks. Todd joined us. There were some locals sitting near us watching the traffic and laughing at the tourists and a lady in a powered wheelchair that cut in front of a car to turn a corner... They said to us, "I hope you guys don't do something as stupid as that." I asked them if what they were doing was a favorite pass time in Helena. They didn't think I was very funny.

Chuck and I went to the mall to see if we could get a battery at radio shack for Chuck's computer. We found a battery that fit, but his computer was ca put. We decided to back track to Big Sky Cyclery. They were very busy at the shop so it took over an hour to get the new computer mounted.

By the time we got out of the bike shop the sky behind us was starting to look very threatening. We were going to sit it out, but decided to ride for it. All the way from Helena to Townsend we rode all along the storm. Some of the riders behind us got hit by rain and hail but Chuck and I missed it.

The storm that we barely stayed ahead of into Townsend

The ride down the hill to Townsend was chilly but a relief after riding into a headwind up the hill out of Helena. Seems like you always ride down a hill to a town and have to ride up a hill out of town in the morning. Dinner was cold cut sandwich's, chips, salads and water melon. We went to the video/tanning/ice cream/electronic/taxidermy store for ice cream cones. I had to have huckleberry since of course we are in Montana.

Picture of the storm circling around Townsend that Chuck took on the way to get ice cream

Sleeping at the Townsend school is always an experience. The neighborhood has not changed in two years. The only thing that quieted the neighborhood down two years ago is the storm that came through and flattened or blew away several of our tents. This year there was no storm, so the neighborhood didn't quiet down till way into the wee hours of the morning.

Day 10 Avon, Montana (98 miles)

2010-06-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day of riding with the Big Riders. I will be riding from Missoula to Hardin. When the riders go on to Sheridan, I will ride back to Billings to fly home.I think I threw Chuck off of his usual morning routine. Plus he slept very poorly last night. He was very lethargic all morning until we got to Stoneys. He took two caffeine pills and drank a five hour energy drink at Stoneys. After the Caffeine kicked in he was able to kick it up a few gears and left me in the dust...

Chuck trying to wake up this morning

Missoula Morning Sky

I really enjoyed the rest of the ride by myself. The ride from Missoula to Avon was one of the four days that I missed riding in 2008. At Stoneys, Chuck and I took some pictures of the same bird nest behind the gas station that was there in 08. This is for you Janet:

Birds nest behind Stoneys

Stoneys

It rained during the night so the roads were wet, but it had stopped raining by the time we took off. I really enjoyed watching the mist lift through the day and took a lot of really awesome pics. I passed riders occasionally but then they would pass me and so on and so forth until we got to the reservoir right before Avon.

A beautiful pond

Group Picture at the reservoir

Mail box outside of Avon

I joined up with some riders and we stopped for pie at the Avon Cafe. I had warmed up peach with vanilla ice cream Yum!!! When I got to Echo Valley Campground, Chuck had already laid claim to the room that Bob slept in in 08. The bed sagged in the middle so Chuck and I felt like we were sleeping in a burrito all night. It got very chilly that night so I was glad to not be sleeping in our tent. I did love Susan Campbell's bright pink long john fashion statement though. I should have taken a picture in case anyone wants to follow her lead.

Echo Valley Camp Ground

Dinner was by the owner of the Avon Cafe. Spaghetti of course but good spaghetti with some really tasty french bread and fresh salad. Oh, I almost forget the pies. I had another slice of peach and Chuck had a piece of chocolate cream and a piece of pecan.

Day 9 Rest Day in Missoula, Montana

2010-06-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

Today was not that much of a rest day for Chuck. He got up and went to breakfast and then had to get a new front wheel for his bike as it was wobbling most of the day yesterday. He also got a bottom bracket because his is grinding a little and knowing that Trek Modone's have an affinity to have the bottom bracket crack he went ahead and got a new one in case his cracks. Bike shops are few and far between in western part of the Big Ride. He also picked up my bike. Later in the afternoon he went to the airport with Frank to pick me up.

We got to Knowles Hall at the University of Montana and Christine met us at the door. She remembered both me and Chuck from two years ago. I was in the sick room being iced down. She and Chuck laughed because when he got to the dorm yesterday, she said, "So you are the first rider in today!" Chuck then said, " Yea, and I was the first one in two years ago." She said, " Yea, but you were here two hours earlier." Chuck said, "Ouch!"

Chuck checked on his email, packed for tomorrow and went to the Post Office to mail his Nikon Camera to his sister Maureen's house (he doesn't want to risk it getting damaged) while I took my bike for a spin. Of course I had to mess with my rear rack right away. Chuck rolled his eyes. He remembers having to duct tape together in the past.... It seems to be on tighter this time around.

We went out to dinner at Ciao Mambo with Chad, Toby and Jeremy. Chuck and I had dessert at the restaurant but of course Jeremy wanted ice cream. He had two scoops.

Day 8 Missoula, Montana (101 miles)

2010-06-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Chuck said that it was another absolutely beautiful day, "great weather, great scenery and great people." He said that he had a very strong ride. Sounds like he is riding himself back into shape.

The weather was in the 90's with a strong head wind for most of the day. The 10 mile ride to the start of the climb up Lolo Pass was difficult. The road had been tarred and chipped recently so there was a lot of loose gravel on the shoulder. Once they started climbing the pass there was still some loose gravel but it was better. Once they started heading down into Missoula, Chuck said that he had to pedal in order to maintain a 13 mph pace. Luckily no one got hurt. If there hadn't been a head wind and if they would have got rolling fast on loose gravel, it could have been very dangerous.

He said that they all had a huge 5 course meal, at the cafeteria, near the dorm where they are staying. They are staying at the University of Montana in Missoula for their rest day. I remember that I woke up with a squirrel staring me in the face when I stayed there two years ago. The squirrels climb in through the windows because during the school year the students feed them.

From Chuck's Face Book: Thanks for all the support and wonderful comments. I just got in to Missoula Montana. Just had two of the most beautiful days of riding I have ever had.

Above are some of the pictures that Chuck took today

Day 7 Thompson Falls, Idaho (82 miles)

2010-06-27T23:49:00.000-07:00

Located in a beautiful valley in Northwest Montana along the Clark Fork River. Thompson Falls is situated close to the Idaho border along highway 200 and is surrounded by National Forests.

Today the riders took their time getting into Thompson Falls. They pretty much all finished within an hour of each other. Chuck said that the pace liners even slowed down today. Who wouldn't... it is such a beautiful area. Almost half of them were together to take a picture at the Lake Pend Orielle overlook. Chuck said that there was just a touch of snow on the mountains behind the lake. The riders also entered their third state today.

Group of bikers at the Lake Pend Orielle overlook

He got another flat today, so he changed out both his tube and tire. He brought only three tubes, as he didn't have any flats the first time across the country, so now he will have to buy more tubes in Missoula.

The weather was mostly in the 80-90 degree range. Chuck says that he thinks that his odometer/speedometer read 100 degrees at one time. Still, it is a far cry from 120 degrees that we had two years ago going into Thompson Falls. I remember that it was so hot that people's tires exploded at the high school, from just sitting outside in the sun.

This year they are staying at the middle school instead of the high school. They had dinner at Minnie's diner. Chuck said he had a burger, fries, and a salad. Yum!

Walking to dinner at Minnies

Tonight he is sleeping in the gym. He remembers what the mos
quitoes are like in Montana and of course the train tracks are right behind the school. You hear a lot of trains at night when you are trying to sleep on the Big Ride. Good night Big Riders. You'll need a good night's rest, because tomorrow is your first century ride into Missoula. Good Luck!

Above are pictures that Chuck took today

Day 6 Sandpoint, Idaho (76 miles)

2010-06-26T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hi, Patty here. I will be posting for Chuck today. Chuck said that he spent yesterday (a rest day) walking around in downtown Spokane. He wanted to get a rear rack for his bike. Yes, you heard me right, he actually bought a rear rack. Everyone who knows Chuck and his aversion to having any extra weight on his bike will be surprised to hear this. He bought a new camera (Nikon D300) before we went on vacation to Belize. He even took a photography class at Pierce College before we went on vacation. He got a small camera backpack to put the camera in with the intention of carrying the camera across the country on his back. I just laughed at him and said that would last about a day. Well, he lasted less than a day, because he took off the pack before climbing to Snoqualmie Pass. Thus, as he says it, he has crossed over to the dark side. He bought a rear rack at REI that he could attach to his seat post. He then walked back to the dorm at Gonzaga and realized that putting a rear rack on a carbon fiber post was not such a good idea. He got on his bike and rode back to REI and the good folks there adapted his bike so that he could attach a rear rack on his frame.

Chuck's bike with new rear rack and bag ( He calls it a trunk)

Day 6 started off with a call to me. Yes, he woke me up. That was okay though, because I had a lot to do. He cut off the call when Darrell arrived at the dorm. Darrell rode for a while with the Big Riders today. He took the following pictures of Chuck:

The Big Riders got to enjoy the parade in Newport on the way to Sand Point. One of the riders had a big red nose that he was wearing. I guess Chuck decided to clown around, literally. He went out into the parade and hugged Ronald McDonald and the guy with the big red nose put it on Chuck. Someone got the whole thing on video. Hopefully, we can add it to this post at later date. From the sounds of it, Chuck was hysterical.

Chuck and Ronald

The Riders entered Idaho, their second state of the trip, and Chuck got his first flat of the trip. He was going back up to the road after taking a picture under the Welcome to Idaho sign when it happened. The next part of the ride was very nice because there was an eagle circling above the Big Riders for a quite awhile. Chuck couldn't quite catch it on film though. He got some awesome shots of an eagle from the dock below our condo in Sooke on Vancouver Island when we were there last month. He posted them on face book, if anyone wants to see them.

Chuck called me right before supper. He was sitting at a restaurant overlooking Lake Pend Orielle with a band tuning up in the background. He told me that his day was very good with a nice pace of about 16 mph. I asked him if he was the first in and if he had to unload the truck. He said, "no there are about 5-6 riders who are really gung ho and are riding pretty fast in a pace line." We both agreed that if they keep that up they will regret all of the country that they missed seeing at the end of the ride. I hope that they realize that the Big Ride is about the journey and sharing it with some great people, not about racing to the next camp each day. Chuck told them that too and if anyone can give that kind of advice to some jack rabbits it would be Chuck. He says that his ride this year is much different than in 2008. He is stopping to take more pictures because he learned that if you see something that you want to remember... stop and take a picture of it. He even bought a small point and shoot camera that he can put in his front bag so that he can take some pictures while riding. I think he plans on posting pictures as soon as I show him how to do it when I join him in Montana.

Chuck ended his day by having a black berry shake at an ice cream shop before heading off to bed. Tomorrow they ride to Thompson Falls... a very beautiful ride and a great favorite with Big Riders every year. They also cross over into a new time zone.

Day 5 Rest day in Spokane

2010-06-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

From Chuck's facebook page:

Chuck Field Off to a great start. Wonderful people, wonderful weather, beautiful country. Life is AWESOME! Off to Sandpoint Idaho tomorrow. More beautiful country.

Claire Petersky We did Sandpoint to Spokane last summer - a great ride.

Day 4 Spokane, Washington (75 miles)

2010-06-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

Just got off the phone with Chuck. He was having dinner with Darrell. I heard the waiter in the background say, "Looks like you won't need a box." Ha! Sounds like his biking appetite is back in full force.

We didn't talk long as he was visiting with Darrell but he did say that there was a headwind from Odessa to Davenport. He had a tailwind finally from Davenport to Spokane. He was able to go 25mph up the hill into Spokane. I forgot to ask if he stopped for espresso at the Camouflage Espresso Stand. Tomorrow is a rest day.

Eastern Washington

Road in Eastern Washington

Davenport

Bed and Breakfast Cafe in Davenport

Day 3 Odessa, Washington (81 miles)

2010-06-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hi, It's Patty again. Chuck called earlier tonight and sounded very, very, very tired. He said that the day was brutal on everyone. He didn't get started until 8:30 am because breakfast was order off the menu at the Golden Harvest. He said it took a long time to take everyone's orders and to make the food. He left his home fries on his plate since he was biting at the bit to get started.

They didn't go over the Columbia River Gorge Bridge in mass but individually. He said that at the top of the climb out of the Gorge a headwind hit him and didn't let up all day. He was only able to go about 11 mph all day. Also, it was hot and dry in the high desert with nothing to see but sage brush for miles and miles. He got into Odessa after 4pm. Dinner was Pasta at the Odessa School... He said he will text me some pics from his phone tomorrow.

Added to day 3: This is from Chuck's Face Book:

Chuck Field Long hot day in the saddle, 83 miles from Vantage WA to Odessa WA headwind the entire trip. 90 plus degrees. Far cry from the upper 50s that I left behind in Puyallup. I do the heat. 77 miles to Spokane tomorrow. sorry but no photos. I will post them on my rest day. Life is good. Good night. I am pooped.

Kevin Stone Met a 1998 big rider and the parent of a 92? this week.

Rosie Browne Ride on Big Rider!

Leslie Field Glad you made it on the ride. Keep us updated!

Diana Taylor-Williams I'm jealous. Have a great ride, enjoy your rest day in Spokane, and I look forward to more updates!

Camp at Odessa

Mail Stop list

2010-06-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

American Lung Association in WA
Big Ride 2010
Post Offices Addresses for Mail Delivery

Day / Date of Arrival
Address
Phone

Day 4 / Thursday, June 24, 2010
Riverside Station, 904 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
509-252-2337

Day 8 / Monday, June 28, 2010
Missoula Main Office, 1100 W Kent Ave, Missoula, MT 59801
406-329-2200

Day 13 / Saturday, July 03, 2010
No Mail Delivery - Post Office closed on arrival afternoon and rest day.

Day 19 / Friday, July 09, 2010
Rapid City Main Office, 500 East Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57701
605-355-2819

Day 26 / Friday, July 16, 2010
New Ulm Main Office, 27 S German St, New Ulm, MN 56073
507-354-2011

Day 31 / Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Madison University Station Office, 441 N Lake St, Madison, WI 53715
608-250-1932

Day 39 / Thursday, July 29, 2010
Burton Main Office, 14525 Main St, Burton, OH 44021
440-834-8656

Day 45 / Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Gettysburg Main Office, 115 Buford Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-337-3781

Sample address below:

Big Ride 2010
Chuck Field
General Delivery - Gettysburg Main Office
115 Buford Ave
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Day 2 Vantatge, Washington (71 miles)

2010-06-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all, Patty here. I talked to Chuck tonight so I will be the one writing the post this evening. Just to let you know, the slide show is pictures from 2008 right now. As Chuck starts to get pictures downloaded from 2010, Akira will replace the 2008 show.

Chuck said that it was an absolutely beautiful and stunning day. It was in the 70 to 80's and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. He said he really enjoyed riding along the Yakima River and was amazed to see Mount Rainier out behind him and Mount Stewart in front of him. He said that it was so nice to be in the sun. The weather west of the Cascades has been just awful this year. People are calling June this year Junuary.

He stopped for lunch at Subway in Ellensburg and then felt his sandwich sitting heavy in his stomach during the climb out of Ellensburg. He said that there was a headwind going down the hill into Vantage so it was hard to get up past 30 mph even with pedaling. Dinner was a sit down, order off the menu meal, at Golden Harvest restaurant. He told me that Blustery's Restaurant is closed. He sounded tired but happy.

Mount Stewart Range

Mount Stewart

Mount Rainier

I-90 and the Cascade Mountains

Riders in the morning

Looking towards the Columbia River

Up the Hill to Vantage

Day 1 Easton, Washington (91 miles plus my first bonus miles)

2010-06-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

We started out the Big Ride from Seattle Pacific University. The first part of the ride was along the Burke Gilman Trail. I pulled a Patty and went straight instead of turning left off the Burke Gilman onto the Samamish River Trail. She did the same thing in 2008. I didn't have a cue sheet with me either. Oh Well! I was the last one to the first rest stop at Marymoor Park. Once I was out on the road things went a lot smoother. We rode to North Bend via Snoqualmie and then onto I-90. I was the first to start the climb on the freeway but then my last minute decision to go on the ride and not being able to train caught up with me. The climb was a little difficult but I know that I will ride quickly into shape. The first few days may be a little rough.

When we got up to Snoqualmie Pass we were shuttled from exit 54 to exit 62. The DOT isn't allowing bikes on that part of I-90 right now because of blasting that is going on. They are in the process of widening the road. So what do I see when I get to the shuttle loading area but my own truck. Chris (Patty's daughter's boyfriend) drove me to the unloading area. He and Emily were helping to shuttle riders. I got into camp and there was Janet manning the snack table. I went and found Patty (she was elbow deep in beans). Dinner was fajitas and all the fixins. Patty, Janet, Liz, Liz's husband, Bob and two riders from 2005 made dinner. Bruce and Kathleen showed up right around dinner time. It was good to see everyone.

Soon after dinner everyone crashed out. Patty took off but I will see her next week in Montana. She will be riding a few days there over the fourth of July weekend with us.

Orientation/Dinner with past riders

2010-06-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

Today we had orientation to the Big Ride 2010. Patty and I drove up to Seattle Pacific University to meet with the other riders and staff. There are 26 riders and 3 staff. Bridgett Herzog is our ride leader due to the original ride leader having to cancel at the last minute (her Mom passed away).

After the orientation meeting we had a pasta dinner (our first of many pasta dinners over the next forty eight days). Past riders joined the new riders. Janet, Liz, Patty and I were the only riders from 2008. It was nice to sit and chat with each other and to see the deer in the headlight look that the new riders had on their faces. I know we all looked that way in 2008.

After dinner the riders got to put their first pb&j sandwiches together (I passed). It brought back so many memories. We even have the same truck as 2008. Patty left shortly after everyone made sandwiches but I will be staying the night in the dorm. She has a lot to do since she is in charge of the first night dinner at Easton.

Tomorrow is the start of the ride...

The Decision

2010-06-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

I am embarking for the second time on what I thought back in 2008 was the trip of a lifetime. In 2008 I had the privilege of riding my bike across the country with 35 other crazy, lovable, courageous and sometimes demented people. The American Lung Association's Big Ride Across America (BRAA) 2008 alumni are now family to me. I got to spend 48 days with these folks and I had the time of my life. I also met the love of my life, "Patty Harm" a fellow rider from Puyallup, Washington. At the end of the ride I went home to Frederick, Maryland and she went back to Puyallup, Washington. A year later (2009) I moved to Puyallup to be with her.

Another year has passed and it is now 2010. I was working a job that was driving me crazy and required me to get up at around 1:30 in the morning to get to work. I worked every weekend and every holiday. Patty and I never saw each other. Less than two weeks ago, Patty said to me, "Chuck quit your job, go on the BRAA again. You will clear the cob webs from you mind and come back at the end of the summer ready to start something new. Something that you will love and that will have meaning to you."

I thought she was kidding but she wasn't. So here I am riding in BRAA 2010. I am truly blessed to have Patty and the BRAA 2008 alumni in my life. Without your support this opportunity would not be possible. Also, I am looking forward to spending the next 48 days with the 25 new Big Riders. We will have a wonderful time and at the same time raise money for such a worthy cause. I did not keep a blog the first time around but with Patty and Akira's (Patty's friend who was the administrator her blog in 2008) help, I will keep this blog up to date as much as possible.

"Eat, sleep and ride", Chuck

Patty and Chuck at the Old Post Office in Washington DC at the end of Big Ride 2008