Prologue
The dream of crossing the United States by bicycle was one
that started in June of 1994. The vision
of setting life goals was first documented based on Steven Covey’s book First
Things First. The Bucket List
was attributed to Jack Nicholson from the movie of the same name. This adventure was one of about eight,
another one being watching the Tour de France.
On top of the Pyrenees Mountains watching the race I knew it was time to
start planning the next Bucket List item, crossing the US by bike. In January of 2013 registration was completed to undertake the feat with
the group starting in June 2013. Cathy
wanted to participate but needed an additional year to get in shape for the
ride so it was delayed a year. Starting in December of 2013
training began and registration was completed to join the BIG RIDE in
2014. In January 2014 we both started to
attend spinning classes which was a twice weekly and sometimes daily
routine. Often the classes were followed
with a circuit of weight training and sauna.
Diet became an important training component beginning in March of
2014. Research was conducted on the
optimal combination of carbs, proteins and fats. Food consumption changed from eat for taste
to eat for fuel. Significant weight loss occurred with the goal of 168 lbs.
achieved in May 2014.
Two other major areas of concentration were fund raising and
gear preparation. The BIG RIDE is a fund raiser ride dedicated to the support
of the American Lung Association. The
idea of combining the bucket list item with a health awareness campaign was a
good match. Additionally the crossing was a
route that looked favorable and time frame that worked with the work schedule
requirements of teaching. Minimal fund
raising was set at $ 7,000 with a $500 registration fee. A goal was set at $10,000, always liking even
numbers that are easy to remember. The
outpouring of support has been nothing less than incredible. Support goes beyond monetary funds to include
spiritual, prayers, life stories filled with joy and sadness and short smiles
of approval and amazement. The research
that documents the effect of air quality and pollution has taken on a bigger
meaning and now rivals that of a bucket list item in its importance.
The gear and logistics preparation are important , however not
the time consuming task that training and fund raising demands. Most nights will be camping with a good ,
waterproof tent essential. Gear bags
that are also waterproof and sleeping bags, pads and other camping equipment
were collected or purchased. Most
essential gear item is of course, the bicycle.
The Surly Long Haul (Paul) Trucker was purchased in 2008 and a good
choice. Cathy’s bike is a new Pedego
E-bike, bright orange and a real beauty.
Extra batteries for the long ride days with rear panniers and extra
storage capacity. The stage is set.
The BIG RIDE route:
Day Destination Arrival Depart Mile
0 Seattle
WA 12-June 16-June
Left Pittsburgh and arrived in Seattle on Thursday June 12
via Houston on Southwest airlines. Put a
big V across the US, with an eight hour trip.
Many hurdles today, packing the bikes, going to the airport and checking
the bikes as cargo. Southwest was very nice,
with the bikes no problem at $75 each.
Upon arrival, the TSA opened the boxes but for top inspection only. In Seattle a limo ( Chevy suburban) took us to the hotel with both bikes and all the luggage. The hotel is a real luxury compared to
camping, a late dinner at a Pancake house and called it a day.
 |
| Two bikes and four gear bags |
Fri June 13
Assembled the bikes after a few cups of coffee and breakfast
in the hotel. All went smooth, a short
checkout ride to Marymoor park and saw a few sites. Busy town Seattle, but the bike trails
surrounding the area are amazing. Most
paved and well used. Met the Director, Charlton and his son Will also met a BIG
RIDER, Terry Sigle. Walked to Fred Meyer
for supplies, a 12 pack of Heineken and
some snacks.
Sat June 14
Check out ride to Seattle for the rear wheel dip. Chilly and damp, but a wonderful ride, 65 miles round trip and a look at the Seattle
city profile including the Space Needle and saltwater of the bay. A lap on the Velodrome and I'm ready to go .Upon return, Whole foods for a snack and
Promograte Bisto for dinner. Bikes are
ready.
 |
| Marymoore Velodrome |
Sun June 15, 2014
Walked to a local church, Redmond Redeemer and attended
service. Everywhere we go, people are
amazed at the trip and all wish good luck and support. Pre ride meeting from 1 PM to 4PM to cover
logistics, safety, meet the fellow riders and to share stories of support and
encouragement. Almost received the oldest rider award but one other ride, Rob
Wilson , beat me by 6 months. Several alumni are present to answer questions
and give support. All are very excited
to get started. Couldn’t sleep at all
with anxiety for the start, training doubts , and overage on the baggage weight
limits. The logistics alone for this
trip are difficult to imagine. It is so
nice to have Charlton and Lynn as Director and Assistant Director to plan the
route, meals overnight stays and support.
1 Easton
WA 16-June 17-June
91
First day, If you
think I’m an English major and can do daily Blog entries, Forget About It. What a rude start..Cold rain, rain cold, did
I say that ? 52 degrees, busy roads and
then… a really plesant climb to
Squaolamine falls. Mist and cold. Then..6 lanes of I 90 trucks with every imaginable discharge on the
birm. A test of cycling ability, endurance and spirit. Finally a downhill into Easton State
park for a relaxing night of Jake brakes and train traffic, not what the mind imagined. A great dinner by the alumni that was
fantastic…went to bed at 7:15 exhausted, wearing every bit of warm clothing.
 |
| Charlton DuRant, Ride Director "Keeping the group together is like herding cats with their tails on fire" |
 |
BIG RIDE 2014
Front: Karolina, Cathy, Beka, Jennifer, Lisa, Lynn, Anita
Back: Charlton, Paul, Charles, Jeffery, Terry, Gene(hiding), Kenny, Kevin, Rob |
 |
| I 90 outside Seattle 52 degrees and pouring |
 |
Will DuRant
|
 |
| Charles and Lisa |
 |
| Snoqualmie Falls |
2 Vantage
WA 17-June
18-June 72
White board of low of 42 and high of 52 and rain.. so much
for the weather man. After a cold start
at 7 am, up at 5 am. Tail winds most of
the way.The ride was fantastic….Absolutly… the longest downhill of the trip
11.5 miles down from a windmill power station.
Into Vantage where the locals say the river is down 39 ft due to a crack
in the dam, no people but we had a beer
overlooking the gorge and enjoyed the view.
 |
| Karolina |
 |
Cascade Mountains
|
 |
| Climbing the Cascades |
3 Odessa
WA 18-June 19-June
83
Started by crossing the Columbia River as a group on I 90
and starting the 1.8 mile climb out of the river valley. Continue through rolling hills and some
slight headwinds. Not many places to use
the bathroom so Cathy stopped and was interrupted by two foxes that came out of
nowhere to about 10 ft away. We were on
the bike quickly as they trotted up the hill and into the sage brush. Weather is most enjoyable for cycling with
blue skies, puffy clouds and slight cool breezes. Another nice downhill and into a small
Washington town, Odessa. Camped in the
high school playground. Dinner prepared
by the FBLA students. What a marvelous
group of volenteers that go the extra mile to
be nice and help us on our trip.
Their generosity is overwhelming.
 |
| Gene - Super Mechanic and EMT with Blue Thunder |
 |
| Jennifer and Kevin |
 |
| Columbia River |
4 Spokane
WA 19-June
21-June 77
Deserted
roads that almost look like Arizona.
Super riding with miles of miles of winter wheat, plant it in the fall
and the winter snow melts and it grows in the spring. Several gradual climbs with the longest of 9
miles. Mostly , fast riding with few
stops. The group is well prepared with good equipment and adequate training. Some
are fast with average speeds of 17 MPH for the day, while others are using the
first days as prep for the long haul. We
are doing very well with no health issues and minor bike adjustments. The route was four lane and busy going into
Spokane , a major metro area. Arrived
safe and checked into the dorms for our first BIG RIDE BED NIGHT. Let
the eating begin, wow , walk to the Bar and 3 Summer Shandy’s ,a beef and
cheddar, fries , What a better
appetizer? Walk with the gang to the
dining hall and had salad, chicken dinner, apple and cupcake. Stayed up till 10 pm and slept the whole
night through, first time in 5 years.
5* Spokane WA
Rest Day. Good day to
relax and recharge. Early Starbucks trip
to the store, Laundry , bike clean and adjust then a trip to Wolfee’s for a
Cheeseburger, Fries , Vanilla Shake. 50’s
dinner with all the memories, most enjoyable.
Walk around Gonzaga University and drinking water in 20 oz cups to
rehydrate. Dinner at Brew Pub with the group.
See Cathy's blog at:
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
" I DREW A LINE IN THE SAND AND IT WENT FROM COAST TO COAST " PCR
