Who we are:
SUPPORT
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Patrick C.
My brother and I biked across in 1981, going from Astoria, Oregon to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We traveled the very, very old fashion way - bought a drug store map and took the roads that connected the cities. No cell phones, no GPS, and no radio to keep us company. And on US 20, no bike lane to keep us safe. We camped in yards, cheap hotels ($7 / night), people's houses when we could talk them into it, parks, and pretty much anyplace we could pitch a tent. For all the undeniable...uhmmm... "adventures" of it, it was still one of the most memorable and awesome events of my life. |
CYCLISTS
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Geraldine K. & Tim M.
We were lucky enough to have met four of the other riders when we rode the Grand Illinois Bike Tour in June 2018. We were sitting around talking with Jackie, Jim, Mel, and Bill after a wonderful day on the bicycles and Jackie mentioned that they were planning on riding across the United States starting in February 2019. "Wow!", I said, "What an amazing thing to be doing." The next day Tim and I were riding and i asked him what we would do if they asked us to join them. Immediately, without even thinking, we both said that we would have to say yes. This would be a chance of a lifetime that we could not say no too. That night, as we sat around again with the group, Jackie said that we should join them, and of course our answer was a resounding YES! |
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Jackie K. & Jim Z.
Biking across the US has always been our dream so when our incredibly gracious friend Patrick volunteered to be our SAG support, we knew now was the time to go. In the early months of planning we realized we needed our cycling friends Bill and Mel to join us for added comic relief. Then along came Mary! And finally Gerri and Tim, young studs we could draft behind. Looking forward to this tremendous adventure with great friends! |
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Mel & Bill P.
Riding cross country has always been a dream in the back of Bill's head since getting a 10-speed Schwinn Super Sport in 1973. However, children and job were always first, so the tandem and kiddy cranks were purchased circa 1993 and long Ohio bike rides like TOSRV and GOBAs had to suffice. Fast forward to 2018 and the 2019 ride opportunity materialized. We met Gerri and Tim during Bike Illinois and started to seriously talk about cross country. I really don't think Jackie and Jimmy wanted us along as they proceeded to dump the tandem from the back of their pickup going 75 MPH. They had successfully practiced this manoeuver a few years earlier with their tandem on the way to one of the many GOBAs we shared together. Rebuilding "Bob" cut into the summer training months, but he seems to be no worse for the wear - wish we could get a rebuild for our aging bodies as easily. Knowing we were not getting any younger, and this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, Bill gave up the job and retired December 1st. 10 weeks of YMCA workouts aren't going to get us ready enough, but it will probably delay the pain until day 3 of the ride when we will wake up in a freezing tent at altitude and say whatTF and whoTF suggested we ride cross country with this ragtag group of friends! To be continued February 15th 2019... |
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Mary K.
Opportunities come in all shapes and forms. When approached about this ride, how could I say no! This will be an epic journey perhaps having lifelong impacts. Scary, but by the end will I have become a Cleveland Browns fan? :-Z |
