Day 41 New Waterford, Ohio (59 miles)

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

Day 38 Sandusky, Ohio (87 miles)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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