coast-to-coast

Every day, as Alec and Jamie head out, I say “Have fun, stay safe,” It’s been my mantra hoping it keeps them safe as they enjoy their ride, the beautiful scenery, and stay safe! Their rides have been amazing as they traveled on old rail trails during the first month in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland. Later in Missouri, they continued on the Katy trail which was sheltered and safe. One day though, they did have a lot of rain and they both emerged completely covered in mud, hardly able to move. The surface of the trail is limestone and…

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As you can imagine, it is not always easy. Some days I wake up and really miss Julian. It’s such a strong feeling as though my heart was being squeezed. Tears flow all the time and while I try to shake it off it’s like a faucet that can’t be turned off. Today was one of those days. I just wanted to have a good cry without worrying anyone about my mental health. As I drove from West Yellowstone to Ennis I passed the Hebgen Lake and an area where the land had shifted downward as much as 20 feet…

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The railroads have been a constant theme throughout our journey. Alec and Jamie practically started their ride on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal rail-trail across Pennsylvania and when we arrived in Pittsburg it seemed to be the hub of the transcontinental railroad. We even found our hotel in Pittsburg sat between two busy tracks that held trains constantly moving in opposite directions.  Gina and I discovered the length of some of these trains as we waited for over 20 minutes at one particular railroad crossing in Cumberland, Maryland. Trains have moved parallel or intersected my drive through so many states,…

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It’s all about our angels.  The angels that inspire us, the ones we fight for and those that motivate us to go the extra yard. The family members that are battling cancer or who are in remission but fear the next scan for what it might bring. And also the many friends who have been told they have cancer and want advice on where to go, what doctor to trust, and what to expect. Other angels are the ones that support us and make the journey possible. It’s the friends and family that host us along the way, providing meals…

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TIRES – Who would have thought they would be so important?! Yes, of course, we all rely on our car tires to transport us to work, school, or our everyday obligations. Yet in most normal circumstances, our tires are durable, impervious, and reliable. When crossing the country, tires become the all-important feature of transportation. Especially on a bicycle when there aren’t many other components to break down. There are so many obstacles to smooth sailing, or biking, when traversing the continent. The paperclips that have punctured the tires, the hair-thin wires that create a problem over a few days, the…

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Kindness is a word that rings true in Missouri and is certainly what we have received every single day here. Both Jamie and Kelly have family in St. Louis and they have treated us like royalty. In fact, Kelly was born in Mexico, Missouri and her family extends across the whole state. From the moment we crossed the Mississippi we have been treated to every meal, every adventure, and every night’s stay. While we tried to argue, we were overruled and told that is just the way things are done here and that kindness prevails. What a gift to us…

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We are constantly amazed at the beauty of the landscape as we travel across the USA. Whether it’s the coastal towns of Connecticut or the cityscapes of New York, there are wonderful scenes everywhere. The Jersey shore did not disappoint and as the guys moved west towards Philadephia they marveled at the rolling hills of Pennslyvania. Not an easy terrain for cycling but very beautiful to ride through. As we crossed over to Maryland and through West Virginia, the rolling hills became a bit flatter but retained their beauty as our surroundings transformed into lovely miles of wooded forests. Ohio…

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How amazing are they? The day was fiercely hot and even though they started early, Alec and Jamie had to ride in 90-degree PLUS temperatures all day. There weren’t even any clouds to block the powerful rays of the sun. And while the ride was flat, 88 miles from Indianapolis to Terre Haute is still a long way.  Today was also the first time the guys rode off-piste, meaning they are no longer on bike trails. Riding on the backroads is problematic because of truck and car traffic, but also the guys have to navigate via Google Maps, which is…

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A beautiful biking day! The day started with a bright blue sky (no fog) and a few degrees cooler than during the past week. Alec and Jamie were mostly on a bike trail that covered the flat terrain with many soybean and corn farms along the way. They are sticklers about covering every mile between Old Greenwich and Santa Clara University, so Gina drove them back 25 miles to where we had picked them up yesterday during a rainstorm. Today those 25 miles were no problem, and the boys easily rode the full 82 miles to Richmond, Indiana. Gina leaves…

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Alec and Jamie’s day started with a beautiful, foggy morning ride through pristine farmlands. They were able to get in 60 miles before they hit a heavy downpour and had to call it a day. That call came into the support van at 3pm to come to the rescue, and so we did. After a busy morning of exploration, the Coast-to-Coast van team was once again ready to hit the road. Gina and I had explored The Ohio State University campus and spent some time relaxing in the Oval after a delicious lunch at the Wexler Center of the Arts….

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