Hills to Climb, Beautiful to see and Great Training

All bicyclists know that riding on hills is probably the best way to train for big rides.  In fact it is a must. 

Pig Fram Hill

First, you do not go very far in California without negotiating steep terrain.  And training on them improves your legs and endurance to ride extra miles on the hills and the flats.  So hills it was Saturday and Sunday.

Terry and his Touring bike on one of the Bears

Mark and I rode 55 miles on Saturday up and over 3 Bears and Pig Farm Hill in the first photo.  The second photo shows a quick stop to photo me and my bike and the water reservoir behind my head.

Sunday we were joined by our friend and Old Spoke Tracy to ride 75 miles to Tracy.  We stopped at Golden Corral where Tracy(not the town, the lady) gained strength from lifting those Rice Krispy treats in the 3rd photo.  Then up and over Corral Hollow against a head wind that makes your heart beat like a drum.  The last photo shows Mark finishing the ascent.

Both hills leave you gasping for air at the top.  Looking up at them questions your ability to go up there without stopping.  But once you get moving you pedal and pedal until you are there.  I often count to 100 when the elevation gain is 10+ % and it is for a portion of each of those we rode this weekend.

So we are working hard to train and hope this helps everyone appreciate the effort.

Tracy in Tracy at Golden Corral

Summit at Corral Hollow

Route 66 East to Missouri

Terry and I have been pondering the many options for traveling by bicycle across the USA. We have thought about the weather conditions in the Sierra's and Rockies, looked at the long stretches of desert and barren land through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Taking all the pro's and con's of all three routes we have decided on following ROUTE 66 one of the first iconic interstate highway's across this great land from Santa Monica, CA to Marshfield MO. We will then leave Route 66 and continue east to Virginia and the Atlantic coast.

 Route 66 was one of the original U.S. highways, established November 11, 1926 from Chicago to Los Angeles. It was a significant highway for migrants as they traveled west during the Dust Bowl Days of the 1930's. As the modern Interstate highway system was developed, Route 66's popularity and practicality waned. June 27, 1985, Route 66 was officially decommissioned and removed from the U.S. Highway System. Since that time Route 66 communities have worked hard to keep the nostalgic flavor of this piece of Americana alive and well.

This route has epic adventures mixed with pieces of Americana that draw's even the most experienced cyclist to attempt a crossing over the Mohave Desert, into the heart of the Navajo Indian Reservation, into the Great Plains of America, and eastward to the Atlantic coast.  

We are excited, eager, and ready for this crossing by bicycle.


                             

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Our Safety On The Road

One of the most common concerns from our family, friends, and others is our safety on the road with cars and other motor vehicles.  Terry and I have many years of cross country miles, years of experience, and safe cycling education (Mark is a certified cycling safety instructor).

Our first step every day is to be prepared to ride the long roads across America. Getting ourselves prepared with fuel in the morning and eating right throughout the day. Helmets, rear view mirrors, high visibility clothing, powerful 500 lumen headlights seen for over 1/2 mile, powerful tail lights seen for over 1/2 mile for daytime riding will give motorist time to see and maneuver around us. Finally we need to get our bikes prepared for the day by giving them an ABC Quick Check.
A=Air  B=Brakes  C=Chain, Cassettes  Quick Check = Making sure all our quick releases are tight so our wheels won't fall off, and all our panniers are fastened properly.

While on the road we will ride as far to the right side as practicable, and to ride single file without drafting leaving a safe distance between the front rider. We will be relying on our sense of sight and hearing to detect vehicles coming up from behind us so we can make the appropriate choices to pull off the road or stop and let large vehicles and long lines of cars to pass. Riding in urban environments we will be on heightened alert at all intersections, busy streets, and driveways.

It's essential that we take periodic rest stops and watch out for the each others well being on the trip. If one of us is feeling sluggish maybe it's time for a longer rest break to refuel or a day off to rest.


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ROUTES TO CONSIDER FOR THE RIDE

Adventure Cycling Routes Across America

I have been asked many times about this ride across the country:

• How are you getting there?
• Which route are you taking?
• Which states are you going through?
• Are you nuts?

The map shows the routes that are possible to take.  There are basically 3, north south and central, but there are other selections. We like the Western Express Bicycle trail that starts in the Bay area and takes you to Pueblo Colorado where it meets up with the Transamerica bicycle trail.  Weather permitting we will take that route.

If the weather remains cold and snowy we will drive to Santa Monica to take the Bicycle route 66 that meets up with the Transamerica Trail in Marshfield Missouri.

Or we can go farther south to San Diego to take the Southern Tier Bicycle Route that takes us all the way to St Augustine Florida.

We may also strike out away from one of the trails to go to another.  It is up to us based upon weather and terrain.

Please know that if you follow this blog and Facebook, you will be with us all the way.  After a day of hard riding, a shower and dinner all we will have energy for is writing our entries to let you know where we are and what happened on the way.  And believe me we will be counting on you being there to cheer us on.

Please consider supporting our ride as two Old Spokes begin April 1, 2016 to Out Ride Cancer.

Please Donate

Lazarex Cancer Foundation

Terry and Mark

Mark's Reason for Outriding Cancer

Preparing for a transcontinental bicycle ride is a daunting task that I began thinking about several years ago. 2016 is the year when all the stars lined up, with all the moving pieces falling into place. Our 4000 mile coast to coast ride is set to begin April 1st, however I could not just ride across the country without the ride having meaning and purpose for me.

I've had family members who's lives were greatly affected by the toll that cancer takes. My grandmother, and my father succumbed to colon cancer, and June 2014 I lost my wife of 34 years to Ovarian Cancer. She was 61 years old and just starting the best time in life with young grand children, and retirement on her horizon. My wife's passing was devastating on all levels for me and suddenly I found myself having to start my life over to a large extent. Many changes and challenges have taken place in my life since her passing from downsizing into a smaller home, taking over all the family's finances, having to run our small business without a partner, tending to my family's needs, and taking time to care for myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Since her death I felt a calling to help find a cure, better treatments, and early detection of cancers.

The Lazarex Cancer Foundation crossed my path with a presentation to my Rotary Club, and a second time when a gentleman rode his bike through town on a 7000 mile mission to raise funds for the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. His wife was battling Pancreatic cancer and he felt a need and a challenge to raise funds for clinical cancer trials for late stage cancer patients. Terry Cunningham (my riding partner) and I agreed this would be an outstanding organization to partner with in raising funds and awareness for cancer.

My ride now has meaning and purpose that I know will have a positive impact on the lives of late stage cancer patients.

Please consider supporting our ride as two Old Spokes begin April 1, 2016 to Out Ride Cancer.

Please Donate

Lazarex Cancer Foundation

Terry's Reason for Outriding Cancer

As I embark on this journey that will take me across the country and raise funds to help the fight against cancer, it has become very clear why I am doing it as a fundraiser to fight against cancer.

In 1999 my Father, Dennis (Denny) Cunningham died from lung cancer.  He was diagnosed in April and passed away in September.  He left a wife, 2 sons, a daughter and 3 grandchildren.  He was 79 and robbed of those special years to share with the family.  We were robbed of the guy who could fix anything and loved to help people with repairs or a difficult task in the home or to the car.  He loved sports, music and family celebrations.  He was the perfect Father and Grandfather.

He left us too soon asking the questions:

·      Why was there nothing that could have been done? 

·      Why wasn’t the cancer found earlier?

·      Why is it taking so long to cure a disease that continues to kill so many people?    

I am not the person to answer the questions.  But I can do something.  I can help raise that last dollar that finds the cure or a new prevention.  I can be a part of helping those who already have late stage cancer.  I know that my Father’s nature of always wanting to help people is pointing me to do what I can do. 

I can ride my bicycle across the country and ask friends, family and strangers to join me on this journey to OUTRIDE CANCER. 

When you read this please join me by supporting this ride with a donation through the Lazarex Cancer Foundation where 100% of your donations will go to cancer care and research.   Please go to the following link:

OUTRIDE CANCER

Please help me do this in memory of my Father and to help those who have been attacked by this disease or who will be attacked.  It has been too long. 

Thank you so very much for your help.

With love and gratitude

Terry

Two Old Spokes Out Riding Cancer

Mt. Diablo State Park

Terry and I started training on Mt. Diablo (Mt. Diablo State Park) January 31st. Riding up  Diablo to Junction ranger station, the half way point to the summit gives us a 3000 foot ascent and 37 miles round trip from home. We will work in different versions of this ride in the coming weeks while increasing our daily ascents and mileages.

Here are a few random stats for the Ride Across America.

Two Old Spokes!
Mark - 58 Yrs.
Terry - 67 Yrs.
Miles - 4000
Hours in the saddle - 333
Days in the saddle - 53
Calories burned - 150,000

Donate to help us Out Ride Cancer

www.crowdrise.com/oldspokesoutridingcancer