Day 10 Avon, Montana (98 miles)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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

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