OT: My Brother has finished his cross the USA ride
He started out with a group of 40 and they went from San Francisco CA to Portsmouth NH ( that's where the bicycle tour company is based). Acutally, they officially went to Wallis Sands Beach SP in Rye NH. From there, most of them rode the 3 additional miles to Kitterary ME because they said it sounds cooler to say they rode from San Fran to Maine.
They lost 2 riders along the way. One broke a collarbone when his bike hit a pothole. The other gave up when he got to his home state of Ohio. They also picked up several riders for the last day of the ride.
The company that ran this ride is America by Bicycle at www.abbike.com . My brother was so impressed by the way they conducted the tour that he already has his sights on doing their East Coast ride; he'll probably do that in 2010. My bro, Tom, said all of the hotel arrangements and meals went on without a hitch. They took the injured bicyclist to the hospital and kept in touch with him as the rest of the cyclists continued their tour.
After the ride was over, I asked one of the cyclists from Australia if he thought this was the best way to see the USA. He said, " no, the best way is by car. This way you spend too much time pedaling." But, it was an experience that none of them will ever forget.
By the way, Portsmouth appears to be a typical New England town. If you do go there, just remember that it is a resort area near NH's beaches. Since NH doesn't have much of a coast line, the beaches are at a premium and the peak times are mid to late summer. Once you are just a couple miles from the beach, it's hard to think that the ocean is so close. Oh, just accross the river in Kitterary ME there are scores of outlet stores that you really need a car to get to ( I don't know if there is bus transportation to them).
They lost 2 riders along the way. One broke a collarbone when his bike hit a pothole. The other gave up when he got to his home state of Ohio. They also picked up several riders for the last day of the ride.
The company that ran this ride is America by Bicycle at www.abbike.com . My brother was so impressed by the way they conducted the tour that he already has his sights on doing their East Coast ride; he'll probably do that in 2010. My bro, Tom, said all of the hotel arrangements and meals went on without a hitch. They took the injured bicyclist to the hospital and kept in touch with him as the rest of the cyclists continued their tour.
After the ride was over, I asked one of the cyclists from Australia if he thought this was the best way to see the USA. He said, " no, the best way is by car. This way you spend too much time pedaling." But, it was an experience that none of them will ever forget.
By the way, Portsmouth appears to be a typical New England town. If you do go there, just remember that it is a resort area near NH's beaches. Since NH doesn't have much of a coast line, the beaches are at a premium and the peak times are mid to late summer. Once you are just a couple miles from the beach, it's hard to think that the ocean is so close. Oh, just accross the river in Kitterary ME there are scores of outlet stores that you really need a car to get to ( I don't know if there is bus transportation to them).
Thanks, SJ for the update on your brother's ride and send him my congratulations for finishing it. 
My bucket list includes riding from Seattle to Florida so someday hopefully. Even though the Aussie didn't think seeing the country by bike is better than by car, what's your bro say? Since he's done it twice, I would assume he thinks somewhat differently.
Boner
My bucket list includes riding from Seattle to Florida so someday hopefully. Even though the Aussie didn't think seeing the country by bike is better than by car, what's your bro say? Since he's done it twice, I would assume he thinks somewhat differently.
Boner
This is the only time my brother has done the ride accross the USA. He's done other memborable rides including AIDS rides from Boston Commons to Central Park in NYC and the San Francisco to LA ride. He's also done the Iowa ride and several 2-3 day rides in various states on the East Coast. I don't think he has an opinion on whether this is the best way to see the USA. He's still trying to collect his thoughts about the whole experience. He plans to go back and read his blog and probably the blog that America by Bicycle wrote and sort through his memories of the ride. Then he plans to write either a summary of his experiences or an impression of the ride. I also heard several of the riders say that America By Bicycle makes a DVD of the ride that they can purchase.
Although I e-mailed him most of the days of his ride and made frequent comments on his blog, I just let him bask in the love and respect of his friends and family when he arrived in NH. I think he's spending this weekend with 2 of his children. He had a couple co-workers as well as our parents greet him. There were other friends there as well. A family friend set up an elaborate picnic near the beach. That evening, my brother took us all out to a seafood restaurant in Portsmouth and he treated us. We went home Wed morning. That would have been the end of our encounter except that we saw him at a rest stop on the Mass Tpk. Most of his supporters will see him at a victory party that Elijah's Promise, the charity he raised money for, is giving for him this Thurs. Their culinary students will get to show their skills as they cater the party.
Although I e-mailed him most of the days of his ride and made frequent comments on his blog, I just let him bask in the love and respect of his friends and family when he arrived in NH. I think he's spending this weekend with 2 of his children. He had a couple co-workers as well as our parents greet him. There were other friends there as well. A family friend set up an elaborate picnic near the beach. That evening, my brother took us all out to a seafood restaurant in Portsmouth and he treated us. We went home Wed morning. That would have been the end of our encounter except that we saw him at a rest stop on the Mass Tpk. Most of his supporters will see him at a victory party that Elijah's Promise, the charity he raised money for, is giving for him this Thurs. Their culinary students will get to show their skills as they cater the party.
I e-mailed my brother and asked him if he thought about seeing the USA by bike. Here's his answer: " If you want to smell it, taste it, feel it, hear it, know the elevation and feel the grade, then the bike is the way to go. If you want a comfy seat, air conditioning, and see in an hour what I savor all day, take a car."
I suppose those feelings would be true regardless of the length of any ride. I do recall Tom and most of the other riders having been amazed at the genuine friendliness and charity of the people of the mid-west. He said that most small towns had their bunting up for the summer ( that's something my town does since their are 3 national holidays from Memorial Day to Labor day). He said they'd ride into a town and people would let them use their "facilities" even if they didn't make a purchase. Many of the owners of Mom & Pop stores provided them with a brief history of their town and exuded pride in their town and country. Oh, and contrary to what has happened to him on some rides in the East, no non-rider was nasty towards them.
So, I encourage all of you cyclists to slowly build your strength and stamina. Set your sights on increasing your distances. Soon you'll be able to do small charity rides and from there you can go as far as you desire.
I suppose those feelings would be true regardless of the length of any ride. I do recall Tom and most of the other riders having been amazed at the genuine friendliness and charity of the people of the mid-west. He said that most small towns had their bunting up for the summer ( that's something my town does since their are 3 national holidays from Memorial Day to Labor day). He said they'd ride into a town and people would let them use their "facilities" even if they didn't make a purchase. Many of the owners of Mom & Pop stores provided them with a brief history of their town and exuded pride in their town and country. Oh, and contrary to what has happened to him on some rides in the East, no non-rider was nasty towards them.
So, I encourage all of you cyclists to slowly build your strength and stamina. Set your sights on increasing your distances. Soon you'll be able to do small charity rides and from there you can go as far as you desire.
This quote from your brother says it all:
" If you want to smell it, taste it, feel it, hear it, know the elevation and feel the grade, then the bike is the way to go. If you want a comfy seat, air conditioning, and see in an hour what I savor all day, take a car."
By taste it, I presume he means the bugs (mmmmm protein) which occasionally fly into your mouth like the frickin' monster June bugs I ate on a regular basis back in Iowa over the 4th.
Thanks to you,SJ and your bro for the inspiration!
Boner
" If you want to smell it, taste it, feel it, hear it, know the elevation and feel the grade, then the bike is the way to go. If you want a comfy seat, air conditioning, and see in an hour what I savor all day, take a car."
By taste it, I presume he means the bugs (mmmmm protein) which occasionally fly into your mouth like the frickin' monster June bugs I ate on a regular basis back in Iowa over the 4th.
Thanks to you,SJ and your bro for the inspiration!
Boner
All I can say is wow!! I read your brothers blog when you first posted the information and it was really good stuff. To finish that ride for such a great cause is very inspiring. Hats off to him. He is the man!!!
Lou
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