Home at last! After 18 hours and three plane changes I made it back to Sacramento and home. Sleeping in the Denver Airport made me miss Stark Towers and my sleeping bag. I did offer to help with baggage while I was there since I am an experienced baggage handler. I hope the Proud 17 Riders adjust back into Real Life and regain their polite society habits and leave the neighbors corn alone!

Sunday and Monday what an end to the Big Ride. Had a 6pm flight from DC back to Sacramento on Sunday evening. With the time change I was SUPPOSED TO BE in Sacramento at 10:45pm. Thunder storm in DC delayed all flights and by the time we got to Denver at 11pm all flights were done for the night. They rescheduled me for a 6:30 am flight with a stop in LA. Spent the last 5 hours sleeping on a bench at gate 47. DC to Denver to LA to Sacramento in 18 hours that's why they call it THE BIG RIDE!

Friday August 3rd was a fairly easy 60 mile ride from Gettysburg (my favorite stop on the ride) to Poolesville, Maryland. Some rolling hills but mostly green open space and some nice farms. We are all looking ahead to tomorrow when we ride in Washington DC. The Lung Association treated us to a nice dinner in a resturant tonight as our last night celebration dinner. Can't wait until tomorrow.

Saturday August 4th Yahoo--Yippee- and WOW !!! I MADE IT !!! After an easy 40 miles we rode in to Washington DC along a bike trail that runs along the Potomac River. Very crowded with lots of joggers and other bikers but we safely made it into DC. It brought us out right by the Capitol Mall with the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and we rode past the White House. They had a ceremony for us in Freedom Plaza which is on Pennsylvania Ave. It is truly a great way to finish this amazing adventure. This has truly been a life time dream come true. I strongly encourage everyone to chase their dream and make it happen because the rewards are awsome!!

Thursday August 2nd spent the day exploring Gettysgurg and the Civil War Museum. All I can say is WOW. It was worth the ride just to see this area. Saw a house built in 1776 and it is still being used. It is very common to see buildings built in the 1820's. I will definately come back to this area and visit again.

Wednesday August1st this is the one we have been getting ready for. A 100 mile ride to Gettysburg with over 7000feet of climbing. This is the hardest day on the ride.The weather was good anlittle humid but with cloud cover to help keep it cool. The group I ride with stayed together for moral support and we kept going. In the first 40 miles we climbed about 4800 feet. Going up one hill that was very steep one of our group snapped his bike chain. It took Gene our bike mechanic about 45 minutes to get to us and fix it. Lunch was bar b q hamburger and chicken cooked by a past rider. Thanks Tony. We finally made it to Gettysburg just minutes before the afternoon thunder storm hit. Mission accomplished!!! I rode across this GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY on a 9 year old hybrid bicycle and I feel great. We have a day off tomorrow to explore Gettysburg and then two short days into DC. YIPPEE!!!

Tuesday July 30th we rode 81 miles from Confluence to Bedford PA. Now the hills are getting steeper and more challenging. We have heard that Pennsylvania was going to be the hardest part of the ride and it is starting to.look that way. The hills are very steep compared to other mountains we have climbed. It is a good thing that I have been getting stronger each week. We camped right on a very nice river and we are nervous about tomorrows ride.

Monday July 29th we rode from Washington PA to Confluence PA a distance of 88 miles. Another beautiful Pennsylvania day with steep hills old farm houses fast downhills and beautiful scenery. Pennsylvania has a great system of bike routes and trails. There is a trail called Rails to Trails because they removed old train tracks and turned it into a 300 mile route that goes all the way to DC. We rode about 55 miles of this trail over two days. I actually like riding the roads better because you see more sights and towns.

Saturday July 27th did not start out so well. We were riding from Burton to New Waterford Ohio. It started raining almost as soon as we left camp. About an hour into the ride we crossed some railroad tracks and three riders went down. Luckily no one was hurt and we all rode on being a little more careful..We reached camp an almost immediately a series of thunder storms hit and we all huddled under the wooden shelter above the picnic tables for the next three hours. Once we left Sandusky we started staying in rustic remote camp sites with limited phone and no internet.Only those willing to ride several miles into the nearest town could keep their blots up to date.

Sunday July 28th we rode from New Waterford to Washington Pennslyvania. For the first time in a week we went a whole day without rain. It also gave me a chance to go to a Verizon store to get my phone fixed. It had been two days since I could make a call. Long story made short is Smartphone dead they are sending a new one to Sacramento and they gave me a simple phone to use until I get home. Sonow

 I have to borrow some ones computer to post here. Pennslyvania is the most beautiful state we have been to. Everything is green and lush.There are beautiful valleys and some steep up hill rides and some even better downhills. Also things and places are old here.Going through a small town and seeing a church built in 1813 is very cool. You definately get a sense of history here.

Friday July 26th after a nice day off in Sandusky we headed for Burton Ohio only 92 miles away. We had a beautiful. 50 mile ride along the shore of Lake Erie stopping just outside of Cleveland for a lunch catered by the mom of one of our riders.She made a piazza to die for.After lunch we rode right into a massive thunder storm that soaked us to the bone.Riding through Cleveland we rode past the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the stadium where the Cleveland Browns play. By the time we got to Burton the sun was out so we could try to dry out our clothes. In this humidity nothing ever really dries out.

Thursday July 25th was a day off in Sandusky Ohio. Hot, Humid with on and off Thunderstorms. We went to Cedar Point on Lake Erie which is a huge amusement park with a water park attached. We showed up in our bike gear, they took a few pictures and we got in free. Spent several hours in the water park staying cool and the occasional rain did not matter. Now to relax and get ready for our last week. Six days of riding and we are in Gettysburg. Next Saturday we will b in Washington DC and the adventure will be over.

Wednesday July 25th was a fun day. We had a 90 mile ride from Napoleon OH to Sandusky OH and then a day off. We awoke to the first day of blue sky with no clouds OR humidity in at least a week and it was actually cool. At the first checkpoint in Bowling Green OH we had Lynn's father  join us for a day of riding. Lynn is one of our guides on the trip. Her dad rides a Specialized hybrid bike just like mine so we rode 60 miles together and had a great time. Did I mention that he is 74 years and he rode 60 miles and never missed a beat. I won't tell you about the scenery today because it was more corn and soybeans. One thing I have noticed is around here people on farms do not have swimming pools they have man made ponds that are really big with diving boards and floating docks in the middle. When winter comes and everything freezes they have an ice skating pond. Pretty cool. Looking forward to day off tomorrow. There is a huge amusement park and water park that will let us in for free if we show up in our Big Ride shirt and let them take a picture of us. Will let you know how it works out.

Tuesday July 24th we awoke to rain and it did not stop raining for the first 50 miles of our day. We were riding 70 miles from Kendallville IN to Napoleon  Ohio. We had thunder, lightning some heavy rain but mostly just steady rain all morning. It was actually pretty nice riding in the ran. We rode more carefully today so there were no accidents and the rain and clouds kept us cool. It was a nice easy 70 miles and we were in camp before 1pm. It was a very relaxing afternoon. The sun came out so we could dry our clothes and shoes. Try riding all day with wet socks in your biking shoes. My feet looked like I had been in the bath tub for hours. We our looking forward to tomorrow because when we get to Sandusky Ohio we get a day off after 6 days and 550 miles of riding. Something interesting about the roads in Indiana and Ohio. Basically you have 50 miles of straight road interrupted every three miles by a corn field. You ride straight for three miles turn left for half mile then turn right for half mile then another left and you are back on the same road you started on and you repeat the whole process every three miles. It is one giant corn maze!

Monday July 23rd  was a very exciting ride but for all the wrong reasons. It was a long day to begin with as it was 109 miles from Valparaiso IN to Kendallville IN. We woke up at 4am to get an early start and it was 78 degrees and humid at that time of he morning. As we were riding out of camp it started raining and it rained for at least two hours. It was the first real rain this part of the country has had in two months. The results was very slippery roads. About 15 miles into the ride the group in front of me crossed train tracks and slipped on wet rails. Three riders fell, luckily no one was hurt, except for some road rash. After that everyone slowed their riding pace and the day dragged on. Around noon the sun came out and it heated up to around 92 degrees and still very humid. It was truly a grind it out type of day and we did not reach  camp until about 4:30 after 11 hours on the road. We were in a campgound with no services and no internet. We all went to bed early told to expect more heavy rain tonight and tomorrow.

Sunday July 22nd was a 88 mile ride from Coal City IL to Valpariso Indiana. It was a mostly flat ride through some beautiful small towns and country areas with small family farms. It definately got warmer and more humid as the day went on . My bike ran amazingly well today. I actually stayed up with a group of riders instead of riding by myself all day. It was a strange feeling being part of a group instead of chasing them all day. We are down to less than two weeks left on The Big Ride. It is hard to believe that I have been out here riding my bike 90 to 100 miles a day and seeing this beautiful country of our at 15 mph. When I get back to a real life I will tell you lots of stories about things that I have seen and done but NOTHING will convey what I have experienced. This is on of those thing that you have to experience yourself to fully understand. If you ever get the chance to live your dreams DO IT!!!

Saturday July 21st started off very badly but turned into a ride changing day.  When I got up a 4am for our 106 mile ride from Grand Prairie to Coal City Il I checked my bike as I always do I notice my tire was a little low so to be safe I removed the tire to check it out. When I took the pressure off the chain by removing the rear wheel the derailer ( the little pulley in the back) snapped and broke. I thought that this was a terrible thing because there are no bike shops open at 5am. I ended up having to ride in the SAG van until we could find an open bike shop. I had fears of a major expense or worse waiting for me. Finally found a shop in Dekalb Il and headed there. The guys in the shop could not have been nicer and they hurried to install a new derailer on my bike. WOW what a difference.You don't know how worn out something is while your using it but once you get a new part the difference is amazing. My bike is now running faster, smoother and with less effort than before. I got back to the lunch spot at the 45 mile mark and rode the last 61 miles into camp Not only was the day salvaged but the rest of the trip should be better. I got into camp and was met by a friend from High School, Mary Mathewson Eikey, who lives in Morris Il. We spent a fun couple of hours talking about the past and the 42 years that has passed since we last saw each other. It was a very nice evening and Mary brought ice cream as a treat for all the riders. Thank You Mary for a fun evening.

Friday July 20th  was a 94 mile ride from Madison WI to Grand Prairie Il. It was a fairly uneventful day riding past corn fields and soy beans. We took it slow and easy as we have a 106 mile day tomorrow and we are saving energy. We had a guest in camp today. A rider from 2008 named Jim greeted us at our checkpoint with frozen blizzards from Dairy Queen and an ice chest full of beer for our arrival in camp. We had a great time talking with him about his experience on the ride and he was extremely jealous that he could not go with us now. We stayed in a private campground that has seen better days. The water in the showers smelled like sulphur and the area was rundown. Glad it was only one night.

Thursday July 19th we ha a day off in Madison WI staying at the University of Wisconsin. I really liked the area around the University. There were shops and all kinds of eating establishments and you know how important eating is. We also walked about one half mile and took a tour of the State Capital building. The rest of the day was spent eating, cleaning the bikes, eating, doing laundry,eating and resting with ice cream for a snack before bed. Tomorrow it is off to Illinois.

Wednesday July 18th started bad, got good ,then really bad and then finished as a good day. It started bad because we had a 102 mile ride from Viroqua WI to Madison WI and we had thunder, lightning and rain overnight. Luckily it stopped by morning but the wind was blowing and clouds were in the sky and it was very humid. We were out of camp by 5am hoping to beat the heat. Once I started riding I felt really good and was charging up and down the rolling hills. I had made it 15 miles when the good turned bad. I got another flat tire and I was mad that it was slowing me down. Then while I was changing it 8 riders passed me and that made me madder. By the time I was back on the road I was in a complete funk and for the first time I was questioning my resolve. I spent the next 5 miles questioning if I was up to this ride any more and I was down to a snails pace. Then I came to the top of a hill and looked out across a beautiful valley and I stopped riding and just looked around. I suddenly realized why I was here and  what a great opportunity this is. I got back on my bike and rode the next 80 miles as if it were the first day of this adventure and I loved every second of it. We had major hills, we had 30 miles of head winds and then more hills. The heat got up to 93 degrees with 60% humidity but I was having fun. I remembered how many beautiful places I have seen, how many nice people I have met and and how many people have supported me so I can do this adventure. We made it to Madison staying at the University of Wisconsin in air conditioned dorms and a day off tomorrow. My resolve is now stronger than ever and I am going to enjoy every second of these next  two and a half weeks.

Tuesday July17th was a day that was defines the Big Ride. Everything about the day was bigger than life. It was only a 67 mile ride from Winona MN to Viroqua,Wisconsin but it was packed with action. First after an easy 20 mile ride to our first checkpoint we were treated to a huge feast hosted by the Meyers Family of Dakota MN. This family started out selling lemonade to Big Riders 13 years ago and now they host a feast for us. They have pictures of past Big Riders, they took all of our pictures for future postings, and they are a very nice family.  We stayed way longer than we should have but it was a hard party to leave. Then we had a 15 mile ride on the shoulder of a busy highway before turning into the hills. We went through a beautiful valley with rolling hills and small family farms. Then we had a steep 3 mile climb to the top of the mountain. Once there we were in the start of Amish Country. We rode past a horse and buggy driving down the road, saw a farmer using a horse drawn hay cutter and saw hay piled in stacks instead of baled. You could tell that the farms were old by looking at the barns. There were more buggies parked in the yards instead of cars.  We will be in Amish country for another two weeks so it should be very interesting. We finished the ride with 20 miles of long steep hills and by this time it was over 100 degrees. It was definately a full day on the Big Ride. By the time we made it to Viroqua the temp was 104  and the day was done.

Monday July 16th was a 90 mile ride from Owatonna to Winona MN. The day did not start well as a group of us got turned around at breakfast and rode the wrong way out of town.Luckily we only added 2.5 miles to the day. Then because I was trying to catch the other group I did not see a chunk of wood and as a result I got my 6th flat tire of the trip. The rest of the day was uneventful except for the heat. We have been lucky so far but now the heat is catching up with us. It was 102 with 75% humidity as we rode into Winona and that is HOT!! The forecast is for more of the same with possible thundershowers so we are going to start riding at 5am instead of 6am to try and beat the heat. Tomorrow we cross the Mississippi River for the first time and go into Wisconsin our 7th state. We also passed the 2000 mile mark today so we are almost two-thirds of the way to DC.

Sunday July 15th we had a 77 mile ride from New Ulm to Owatonna Mn. It was in my top three of our rides so far. No traffic to speak of because in the Midwest everything is closed and everyone is in Church. Very nice scenery with everything green. Lots of corn and cows and the towns we passed through were bigger with actual stores and food places. The population of these towns were in the thousands instead of the hundreds. We passed many lakes and recreation areas. The only complaint about the day was the last 15 miles of roads were in terrible condition. Very bumpy with cracks and potholes made for a slow and miserable end to the day. We camped at the State Fair grounds in Owatonna and had a nice evening.

Saturday July 14th we a great day off in New Ulm MN. Nice downtown area close to campus so we walked around had a great breakfast. Walked around some more and had a great lunch with a  beer. Went back to the dorms to do laundry and work on my bike. Then went back into town and had dinner. A very relaxing day, a ready or another week.

Friday July 13th I can describe in one word  YIPPEE!!!!! Our 87 mile ride from Tyler to New Ulm MN. was aided by our first tail wind in two weeks. Its amazing how nice corn,wheat, hay and cows look when you are traveling at 20mph instead of 12mph. We flew the 87 miles in less than six hours and arrived in New Ulm an actual city of 13000. We are staying at  Martin Luther College which is a   Seminary so we have to behave. We have a well deserved day off on Saturday so I will explore the town, do my laundry and rest up for my next week of adventure.

ThursdayJuly 12th was just another day. A 78 mile ride from DeSmet to Tyler Mn was fairly blah. More flat roads,more corn,wheat,hay and cows. The highlight was crossing out of South Dakota and into Minnesota our 6th state. The roads in Minnesota  are not in the best of shape and the shoulders where we ride are even worse. The headwind finally shifted and became more of a side wind so it was not as annoying. We arrived in Tyler a town of 875 and spent the night in the local high school. As soon as we crossed into Minnesota you could feel the weather change. The humidity went up to 70% and the temp got into the 90's. Here it comes!

Wednesday July 11th was a great ay in several ways. First we passed not only the half way point of our trip in days but in the town of Huron SD we passed half way in miles as well. The ride itself wa uneventful 78 miles from Miller to DeSmet SD. The terrain stayed flat with more corn,wheat, hay and cows. The ever present head wind stayed with us all day just to remind us this is THE BIG RIDE ACROSS AMERICA. Had a good time in DeSmet as there were some things to see and it is a slightly bigger town(pop1875) than most we have seen lately. DeSmet is home to everything about Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House On The Praire books. Then several riders went and had some beer to celebrate passing the half way point. After dinner we walked by an old fashioned barber shop and I went in and got a nice South Dakota flat top. All in all a good very good day.

Tuesday July 10th we ride from Pierre SD to Miller SD. As we left Pierre we had a semi steep mile and a half climb out of town. Then for the first time we had 70 miles of FLAT ground. There were one or two slight undulations but I can't even call them rolling hills, it was glouriously FLAT. Of course no day would be complete without a head wind so we were blessed with a 15 mph wind just to negate the flat ground. Today for the first time, Sharon a rider from Chicago, had some family living in the area so they brought us food and lemonade for our lunch stop, a very nice treat indeed. We are now in Miller SD population 725 staying in the local high school. Schools are our favorite place to stay because the showers in the gyms are good and there are lots of electrical outlets to charge our toys and of course the internet. Tomorrow Wednesday July 11th is a very big day, we cross the half way point in both days and miles. This adventure is going very fast.

Monday July 9th now I am feeling the effects of that 102 mile ride yesterday. I am very tight this morning and it is hard to loosen up. It took me the first ten miles of our 98 mile ride to start feeling ok. We were riding from Kadoka to Pierre SD( they pronounce it pier) the state capital.Once again it was a day with only one town, Midland population 125. Once again it was rolling hills, wheat,corn,hay and cows. Today we picked up a 10mph headwind but after what we went through last week it was no big deal. As we rode into Pierre we crossed the Missouri River for the first time and it is truly a very wide and impressive river. In two days we have ridden 200 miles and evryone is tired tonight. Tomorrow we have a relatively short 74 mile day.

Sunday July 8th After a very fun and relaxing day off in Rapid City,SD we headed for Kadoka,SD only 102 miles away. It was a very desolate farming area as we did not go through a single town all day. It was 102 miles of rolling hills with some long steep climbs. Wheat, corn, hay and cows were all I saw all day. It started getting warmer than we have been usd to and by th time we got to Kadoka it was 96 degrees. I don't know if it speaks to my physical conditioning or my sanity but 102 miles was a nice ride. In Kadoka a town of 853 people we slept in the city park and showered at the swimming pool. Not a bad start to what will be a long week.

Having a great day off from riding in Rapid City,South Dakota. Rented a van with my riding pals and we went to Mount Rushmore. It was awsome! The dimensions of the rock and the time it took are pretty cool. When we got back to town it was a mexican lunch and now to do chores to be ready for 102 miles tomorrow.

Friday July 6th was almost a perfect bike ride. We were going 81 miles from Newcastle Wy to Rapid City, South Dakota. The weather was cool, there were lots of rolling hills with an equal amount of good downhills for a change.We were riding in the Black Hills National Forest sao the scenery was beautiful. We rode through Custer City,SD. home of the Flintstone Theme and Amusement Park. After lunch we rode through Custer State Park which is a beautiful place with lakes, campgrounds and and lots of things to see. We exited the Park with an 8 mile downhill ride that was as fun as any ride I have ever done. The day would have been perfect except for the last 15 miles into Rapid City. We were on the shoulder of a major highway and of course we had a strong headwind. It was a great day of riding and this is why I am on the Big Ride.

Thursday July 5th was trouble from the beginning. We woke up after our 112 mile day yesterday to a strong wind blowing. The winds normally do not start blowing until 10 or 11 am. That's why we always get up and are on the road before 6am. Today they started blowing at mile one and did not stop for the entire 76 miles from Gillette to Newcastle Wy. They were by far the strongest winds we have rode in yet. They stayed steady at between 25 and 30 mph, with gusts to 35. There is nothing more to be said except that my wife is right when she says that I am stubborn. Today I was to stubborn to let the wind beat me. The winds have definitely become the story of this BIG RIDE.  We have had several straight days of head winds and the riders are finding out how mentally tough they are. I will enjoy every mile of this adventure but if the wind did not blow ever again it would be all right with me. Tomorrow we cross out of Wyoming and into South Dakota. Saturday is a day off and we are going to Mount Rushmore. But first we have an 86 mile ride to Rapid City.

Wednesday the 4th of July what a beautiful morning. We started our day in Sheridan,Wy and were heading for Gillette Wy. a mere  112 mile ride. I spent the first 30 miles looking at cattle ranches and rolling hills. Then the landscape went from green to brown and the hills got steeper. We rode into an area that has been plagued by wildfires and although we did not see and burning we saw and tasted lots of smoke. I had hoped to pass through some small towns celebrating the 4th but we only went through two towns. One had a population of 115 the other was an artists colony that boasted 25 residents. At least it was not as hot as  yesterday was with a temp of 92. What else can I say. 112 miles is a long ride and I celebrated the 4th of July 2012 by riding my bike through this beautiful country. I hope that your Holiday was as good as mine was.

Tuesday July 3rd started like all other days with a climb up a hill away from the town where we spent the night. This climb was not that steep although it was about 20 miles long. There were many large cattle ranches and the scenery was nice. Once to the top of the hill we had a nice long down hill to enjoy. So far a pretty good day. THEN we rounded a corner and road straight into a 15 mph head wind that stayed with us for 35 miles all the way to  the Wyoming State line. Also the temperature has changed from the 60's and 70's to 102 today. Once into Wyoming the wind lightened and we  finished our 86 mile day in Sheridan, Wy. Another KOA campground and a nice swimming pool. We had to go 3 miles into town to eat dinner and we all voted that our bikes needed a rest so we took a taxi into town. Saving our energy for tomorrows 112 mile ride on the 4th of July.

Monday July 2 2012 Was a very easy day. We left Billings Mt and rode 57 miles to Hardin Mt. It was flat, no wind and a very quick ride. We stayed at a KOA campground where we went swimming and had a great meal. It was by far the easiest day of the Big Ride. There was one important lesson I did learn that day. At the campground they had several very old and rusty bicycles as decorations around the place. The bike I ride is not a sleek shiny road bike like all the other bikes on the ride. Someone made the comment that I should look for spare parts on the old rusty bikes. I made the mistake of agreeing that maybe I should just trade my bike for one of the older ones. As soon as I said that the rear tire on my bike exploded loud enough for all to hear. There was nobody within 10 feet of my bike. I guess the saying about a women scorned applies to bikes as well. LESSON LEARNED!!

Sunday 7/1/2012 spent a relaxing day in Billings,Mt. had to ride 12 miles round trip to get some supplies but after that it was a cold beer with lunch and then a nap. It is 97 degrees here and there is no air condition in the dorms so I will be ready to get back on the bike tomorrow. We head for Hardin,Mt a short 63 mile ride and it will be our last night in this state then it is into Wyoming.

Saturday we started the day in Harlowton and were headed 92 miles to Billings Mt and a day off on Sunday. We were hopeful that it would be another good day like yesterday. It started off very nicely with flat roads ,no wind and nice scenery. We had a 9 mile stretch of dirt road to ride on because of construction but it was not to bad. We left at 6 am and by 9 am we had covered the 46 miles to our lunch stop. After lunch the story changed. The roads became  more rolling with several steep climbs including one that went on for 2 miles. Then the dreaded 15 mph head wind picked up and the day became a grind. All you could do was put your head down and pedal. It took 4 hours to go the last 40 miles. I am now at Montana State University in the dorms with a BED and a day off to rest up before the adventure begins again on Monday. Thanks for reading my little stories, please leave comments if you like.

Friday 6/29/2012 will go down as one of my favorite days on the Big Ride. It did not start off so well because in a hurry to get started six of us went the wrong way to start the day and ended up doing 3 extra miles on a 100 mile day. The first 11 miles were steep rolling hills and the next 12 miles we a long but not to steep climb up through a beautiful canyon. THEN the fun started. We had a screaming 6 mile down hill where I reached 42 mph. Then the road flattened out and we picked up a 20 mph tailwind and I was cruising along at an average speed of 22 mph for the next 30 miles. WOW!! We reached the little town of Harlowton,Mt  (pop 950 ) and spent the night. We had a great dinner cooked just for us by a local couple trying to start a resturant. All in all a VERY good day.

Thursday 6/28/2012 we awoke to a temp of 32 degrees. There was ice on everything including my tent and my bike seat. We did have blue skies and no wind so it was a good start. The first 11 miles of the day were all uphill with the last 4 miles being pretty steep. Then we crossed the Continental Divide 6352 ft and had a screaming 10 mile down hill. The rest of the day( luckily it was only a 60 mile day) was some steep rolling hills and a 15 mph wind in our face the rest of the way. It was a gring but we arrived in Townsend, Montana and are camping at the local high school. The prettiest part of the trip is probably behind me. I don't know how it can get prettier than Idaho and western Montana. This truly is a great experience  and I am enjoying every moment whether I have a tail wind or not.

Wednesday 6/27/2012 we left Missoula, Montana after our day off and rode 99 miles to Avon,Montana. Before I describe the day let me tell you what was going through my head as I rode. I am the luckiest man around!!! I am on vacation for 8 weeks, I have a beautiful wife and daughter that are supporting my dream of riding across this great big country, and I am having the time of my life!!!! Now for the day. It was a riders dream,beautiful scenery which I can't describe, A 20 mph tailwind blowing me down the road and gentle sloping up hills nothing steep. Yes it was 99 miles but who cares when everything is going my way.
we arrived at our camp in a private camp ground where our dinner was catered by a local resturant that makes the best pies. Have I told who how much food you can eat when you ride 100 miles a day. I had three pieces of pie: chocolate cream,blueberry and apple. What a life!!

Today was our day off in Missoula ,Montana. We spent the day doing laundry, cleaning our bikes to keep them going and trying to rest our bodies.We were invited to an ice cream social hosted by the Lung Association to drum up support for the Clean Air Bill. We will probably be in the local press. It was a good thing we were not riding today because it was 56 degrees and there were several thunder storms with hail. Tomorrow we go 98 miles to Avon,Montana and we start climbing the Rockies.

Saturday 6/23/2012 we left Spokane heading for Sandpoint Idaho. Idaho is beautiful. Green does not describe it. Everywhere we looked were lakes and rivers. It was truly beautiful. It was a perfect biking day. Good weather, rolling hills and a small tailwind. It was 77 miles and an easy ride EXCEPT for the fact that I got 4 flat tires in one day. I had them at mile 10, mile 50, mile 60 and mile 73 just before camp. When I got to camp I took my bike apart looking for a reason. We looked at all the tubes and the punctures were in all different places so we called it back luck and went to bed. When we went to bed it was a beautiful clear evening. Around 4am all hell broke loose with thunder,lightening and a torrential downpour. Luckily my tent surrived and it stopped raining before we got up in the morning.
Sunday we rode 86 miles into Montana. It stayed green and we rode along a huge lake all day. We saw a moose, a bear, two deer and another torrential thunder storm. Mother Nature is having a lot of fun with the Big Ride this year.We camped at the local high school in Thompson Falls ,Montana and were warned not to have any food in our tents as the bears are active. it was an uneventful night for once and we awoke rested and ready for our105 mile day from Thompson Fall to Missoula Montana. Once again it was a beautiful day . Blue skies a little head wind in the first half of the day and the a tail wind as we got closer to Missoula. There was one long 5 mile climb but then there was a great 14 mile down hill coming into town. We now are at the University of Montana for our second day off. One full week done, six more to go, but I have learned a lot about riding and about myself. I am really glad that I am doing this.

I finally have found a place to blog about my trip. Please bear with me while I catch up.
On Friday 6/15/2012 I left Sacramento by train heading for Seattle and the Start of the Big Ride Across America. On Saturday I met several other riders and we rode around town running last minute errands. Just by luck the University of Washington was celebrating the Summer Solstice by having a goofy parade. The highlight of the parade was 350 naked people walking and riding thier bikes. They were covered in body paint and nothing else. Actually the body paint looked awsome and the effect was hillarious. I considered biking across America this way but was told by the Lung Association that I could not.
Monday we rode out of Seattle at 7:30 am  on a 94 mile trek up the Cascade Mountains. In true Seattle fashion it was raining and continued to do so all day. We rode through some beautiful country and finally made camp where it was still raining.
Tuesday was overcast but no rain. We rode 78 miles from Easton Wa. to Vantage Wa. it was still a climbing day but without the rain it was more relaxing. We arrived in Vantage and set up camp on the banks of the Columbia River. The sun had come out and it was a beautiful afternoon. Around 7pm the wind started blowing and continued to blow harder.Some time around 9pm a gust of wind caught my tent so hard it inverted the poles so instead of beeing a dome it became a bowl on top of me. Some one came to help and I had them pull the poles out so that the tent collasped down on me. I slept that way until around 3am when the wind died and I put my tent back together.
Wednesday was a mental test. We had a 78 mile ride with a 20 mph headwind. All we could do was put our heads down and grind it  out.At the end of the day I knew that I was both mentally and physically ready for the challenge.
 Thursday we had another windy day but it was not as bad as the day before so we rode or 86 miles into Spokane and our first day off. We stayed in Spokane at Gonzaga University and had time to do laundry, clean our bikes after the rain and just relax. All in all it was a great first week.