DAY 30 Ashland VA to Williamsbur VA. -- the END of the ride!

Distance 95 miles ( 150 kilometers)
Climbing 205
Avg speed 17 mph
Total distance of ride 3,456 miles (5500 kilometers)
Total climbing 120,000 feet
230 hours on bike
0 flat tires the only person with no flats!!




Well it's hard to believe but this wonderful adventure of mine is over. Done. Complete. We got to Williamsburg, marched the beach, and dipped our tires into Chesapeake Bay, a way to symbolize the coast to coast achievement.




The past thirty days have gone by faster then any thirty days in my life, it was truly the adventure of a lifetime and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Just a couple of years ago I would not have thought that riding a bike across America would have been possible, but it just goes to show that just about anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Also I have been blessed to have a very healthy body which I have come to appreciate even more so recently as some of those closest to me are battling illness and cancer.


Very rarely in life does reality match the dream but in this case it did. My goals from the start were 4 fold:
1. to finish (I did)
2. to ride each and every mile ( I did)
3. to ride hard and give it my all each and every day (I did)
4. to enjoy the time and make new friends (I did)

What made this trip even more rewarding for me was to do this ride for JDRF in honor of Casey my 12 year old granddaughter. The goal was to raise twenty thousand dollars, a lofty goal and one that many times I did not think that we would reach. We were stuck around $19,000 for a long time, then just few nights ago via one last "call to action" on behalf of my daughters; Stephanie and Nichole back in Seattle, we received several last minute donations putting the total over the goal. We're now at $20,433! unbelievable! I would like to thank all of you who supported this ride with your donations no matter the amount, riding for a cause made the trip much more important for me every day. Many kids and also adults are struck by type one diabetes through no fault of their own. If you still want to contribute to this worthy cause you can do so as the JDRF web site will be open for some time yet.
And just so you know, 100% of the donations go directly to JDRF, not to pay for this trip, etc.

Thank you to my wife Verla, the most important person in my life, who was at the finish and without her support this trip would never have happened.

Thanks to all of you who read this blog and to my daughter Nichole who edited it , correcting much of my grammar and was a huge support during this whole adventure as was my whole family. I don't know what my next adventure will be but I know that my adventure across America will stand out as one of the highlights of my life and also makes me very proud and happy to say that I live in a great and wonderful country!

DAY 29 Harrisburg, Virginia to Ashland, Virginia.... there aint no stoppin now!

Distance 122 miles
Climbing 6123
Avg speed 16.9
Total miles to date 3343!
Remaining miles ... ONLY 90

Oh my goodness, It's the finish chute now, like when you are doing the Ironman race and you're at mile 135 and you bypass the last few aid stations and say 'no thanks' to what's being offered and to the relief and rest because your eyes are on the goal and those legs aren't stoppin' for anyone or anything.

Today the riding was simply spectacular! Rolling hills, large vistas, lots of trees and pasture lands . This part of the country is very historic and it was fun to bike through many of these areas. Most the homes and farms here are hundreds of years old and have been well maintained , giving it an almost european feel; like jolly 'ol England or something.
Todays ride was the last hilly day of the trip. The first climb was through the shenandoah parkway a steep climb of 8 to 12 percent about 15 miles long, it was nice to get that done early in the day and the rest of the day was just a series of rolling hills through scenic pasture lands.

Tomorrow this journey comes to an end. It's hard to believe that it will be over, in some ways it will be sad to see this adventure end but I'm also happy to return to a normal life, I really miss Verla and the kids and grandkids. I have met some amazing people this past month and I'm sure many will stay friends for the rest of my life.

Thanks again for reading my blog, cheering for me and helping me to have raised 95% of my fundraising goal for JDRF putting me at a current total of $19,133.00 for a cause very close to my heart.

DAY 28 Elkins West Virginia to Harrisonburg Virginia -- 2 DAYS left!

Distance 106 miles (175 kilometers)
Total climb 10495
Avg speed 14.8
Elevation 1425
Total distance 3210
220 Miles left to go!



Went to dinner last night could not eat a thing and I woke up this morning feeling terrible. I ate very little for breakfast just hoping I could get through today.

I caught a head cold a few days ago when we were in a huge rain and thunder storm. I got totally soaked from head to toe and we were going up and down mountains so the shift in temperature; going from cold to hot, dry to rain plus those darn air units in the cheap motels that are always impossible to manage were the culprit. That and Today being the biggest climbing day we would have on the whole trip (over 10000 thousand feet in 105 miles) didnt make for the best combo. Tonight I feel quite a bit better and I'm getting ready to eat so I think the worst is behind me.

Today was a very challenging day on the bike. Very long climbs five to ten miles in lentgh at 6 to 12 percent grades. My game plan was to take it one mile at a time , Like at the Ironman where on the marathon you simply just keep running from aid station to aid station never letting your mind go too far past the next mile.

The scenery today was spectacular to say the least. rolling mountains and beautiful valleys, wonderful old homes nice to be out of the corn and soy bean fields. This part of the country is much like the northwest, minus the water. Some of the roads remind me of the rides we do in Washington, out to snohomish, north bend and monroe.


One of our riders went down hard today but seems to be fine tonight. Just hope everyone makes it In now..... we are so close....

DAY 27 Parkersburg West Virginia to Elkins West Virginia THE END IS IN SIGHT.....

Distance 123 miles ( 200 kilometers)
Climbing 8124 feet
Avg speed 17 mph
Total distance 3100 miles ( 5000 kilometers )

Less than 400 miles to go sounds pretty good to me at this point.

It feels as though I'm at the 20 mile mark of a marathon the end is in
site but the fatigue is really starting to set in, the mornings are the
very hardest part of the day just to get your legs going again,
especially when you know that there will be a lot of climbing like there
was today. Most of the climbs today were between 5 and 8 percent however
there was a series of climbs that were in excess of 12 to 14
percent. Tomorrow will be the biggest climbing day to date over ten
thousand feet and 110 miles. Lots of beautiful scenery again.
Today we passed a lunatic asylum and stopped
for some pictures. I had to chuckle as it sort of seemed ironic, a bunch of middle
aged bikers riding across America -- maybe we're the lunatics! Good thing we
didn't linger, as may have been committed ourselves! haha.

DAY 26 Circleville OHIO to Parkersburg, West Virginia

Distance 102 miles (180 kilometers)
Climbing 3151 feet
Avg speed 17.6
Elevation parkerurg 636



Well if you thought your day was bad, this is what we woke up to. From the very start of the ride this morning rain. Then more. Then more and then at about the twenty mile mark it started to pour harder ..... and harder till we were riding through standing water. Thinking it couldn't get worse, it did; thunder and lightning all around us. Several bolts of lighting hit poles near us so we had to find shelter under a carport till the storm passed. The rest of the day we rode hard, justtrying to get it done I suppose.







We crossed the ohio river and entered west Virginia a sort of Monumental passing, as it is our next to last state..... only four days left......



Scott from Omaha:



Stan from Massachusetts


Some of you may be wondering what would make someone want to ride a bike across America. Or wonder what drives a person to climb everest or mt rainier or run a marathon or swim the English channel? I guess there is no one answer as each person has their own reasons and drive for the goals they seek. I believe that some people have a need and a desire to push themselves to the limits of their mental and physical abilities and I feel so blessed to have a body that allows me to do these crazy things. If it can be done, I suppose it should be attempted. I don't know what my next challenge will be but i'm sure that I'll find one ! Part of it for me is that I just see myself as a ordinary person who likes doing extra ordinary things, and I believe that we are capable of doing just about anything if we put our minds to it!!! Plus I know that being healthy, fit and strong transfers to all other parts of my life. Its a good thing!

Thank you to all that have donated to JDRF in support of my ride in honor of my granddaughter Casey. We're at $18,633 with a goal of $20,000. I am humbled by the generosity of some people.

DAY 25 Troy Ohio to Circleville Ohio

Distance 92 miles ( 150 kilometers )
Total distance for 25 days 2890 miles (4900 kilometers)
Climb 1696
Elevation circleville 741



Once again today was short and fast, just 92 miles and less than 2000 feet of climbing. The biggest factor today was the whether, it was 95 and the humidity was 95 percent the local news station said the heat index made it feel like 105. Most of the day it felt like we were in a steam bath. In the morning you can't see the sun because the humidity in the air is so thick, this afternoon it rained and blew very hard dropping over one inch of rain in less than an hour. It has been a wetter than usual summer in this part of the country. There are lots of old, run down homes that look like this. (nichole would probably love to get her hands on one of these as a fixer-upper) :)


The highlight today was that we found a good coffee place in town! finally. Seriously, the lack of good coffee has been such a bummer, i do miss my morning starbucks run!!! I had a large coffee smoothie with an extra shot. yummmmm....

Tomorrow the climbing begins but I'm looking forward to the challenge , I prefer to climb rather than just ride the flats.... ( I may regret saying that in a couple of days). Just five days left. wow!

DAY 24 Anderson, Indiana to Troy, Ohio... a SHORT day!!! :)

Distance 85 miles (150 kilometers )
Total distance 2800 miles (4800kilometors)
Climb 1138
Elevation Troy 973
Avg speed
19.1 mph

Today was a very fast day the least climbing so far on tour, not to worry since in 2 days we will have back to back days of over 10,000 feet climbing each day in Virginia .The end is very much in site only 6 days left, our hard earned goal is just in the horizon and it feels good knowing I'm this far and in great shape. The hardest part has been going throw the Midwest, the heat and humidity plus the scenery never changes; corn field after cornfield. Physically I feel tip top but my saddle sores are very painful. The people we have come across are all very very nice and can't believe that people would actually ride their bikes across the country, but then sometimes I can't believe it either.
Today we finished early; by 2:00 pm good thing cause it was starting to look like rain. the motel that we are staying at ; the holiday inn express, has a pool and hot tub, a real treat, only the 2nd hotel with such amenities, so I'll spend at least one hour just relaxing,
not much else to tell just one day at a time, looking forward to the end and seeing my grandkids and wife. I am missing them dearly.

DAY 23 Danville, Illinois to Anderson, Indiana

Distance 118 miles ( 200 kilometers )
Climbing 2059
Avg speed 19.0 mph ( 32 kph )
Elevation of Anderson 915
Total miles to date , 2700 miles ( 4500 kilometers )


Hard to believe but just seven riding days remain, the time has gone by unbelievably fast. The miles are really adding up and the country side is flying by. Today we entered Indiana, more corn and soy bean fields. I never realized how much of this country is really farm land, it is truly amazing. The humidity is terrible and although we complain alot about the Northwest cold, there's something refreshing about our air.
Todays ride went really fast 6.5 hours of riding time and a good steady pace. We have formed a group off four to six riders that are about the same in ability . 3 of us are from the seattle area, we seem to be at the point that their is more team work now than there has been in the past couple of weeks; some of the machismo has been replaced by a spirit of getting as many as possible to the end.
Tomrrow and the next day will be recovery days, less than 100 miles, followed by 2 very tough days of over 130 miles each day and over 15, 000 feet of climbing. Better take it easy while we can.
Here's a picture of me and Bob, the only guy on this tour that had more training miles than me; 13,000 miles. wow!

DAY 22 Pekin IL to Danville, IL

Distance today 136 miles
Climbing 2244 feet
Avg speed 18.8 mph or 30 kilometers per hour
Elevation of Danville 620 feet
Total distance 2600 miles or 4300 kilometers

The reason I'm giving the distances in both miles and kilometers I understand that some of my Dutch relatives are reading this blog, so I now have an international following ha ha! So, to my relatives in holland; thanks for taking a interest in my trip across America, it really has been and is a great adventure and it makes me very proud to be an American! This is truly a great country, but what makes America great are the people we have met on this trip. They are hard working people, who love their families and this country, just as I know the Dutch love their great country .I am very proud to be both an American and a Dutchman!

Today started with lots of fog and low visibility as usual but was a good riding day, like a sunday bike ride through the country, fairly flat with a slight wind, had a pace line of 6 riders most of the day so we rode very steady. I have posted some pics of some
friends; Ann Trason a very strong rider from CA, and Priska kummli, a great climber from Switzerland. These women are tough and good sports; if there isnt a port a stop, a corn field will do! This part of Illinois is fertile all of the farms are very well maintained but the small towns seem to be almost abandoned very sad; I understand that many of the farms have been taken over by large corporations, I guess that's known as progress.

It was warm today - about 80 to 85 degrees with very high humidity 95+ percent, (this pic is what 100 percent humidity looks like) tomorrow should be about the same but then possible rain. Tonight was a nice dinner with friends and a huge fried banana and ice cream with whip sundae for dessert. Guess that's the reward of sittin on your a$$ all day!



Only 100 miles 180 kilometers tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who has been reading this blog and especially my family for letting me have this special adventure! look forward to seeing them in just over a week! Here's me and Veronica beagan from Anchorage, AK!

DAY 21 Mount Pleasant Iowa to Pekin Illinois

Distance 142 miles
total miles 2360
Climbing 3,749 feet
Elevation of pekin 630
Pace 18.8 mph


Today was a classic riding day, mostly tail wind, mild climbs of 3 to 6 percent and good roads for the most part, some construction on saturday but the traffic was generally down from the work week, especially lower truck traffic which was welcomed.

We finally left Iowa and entered Illinios today, crossing the great mississippi river this morning.
More farm country, but it doesn't look as lush as Iowa. The humidity is every bit as high and lots of small towns. Many of the stores are closed in the smaller towns; business is rough, too bad for the locals.

The ride today was very steady and pretty fast considering the distance of 142 miles; pace Was 18.8 mph. I'm pleased with that pace and effort.

When I arrived at the motel today there was a package from the JDRF foundation including the 2010 "ride for a cure" bike which jersey it looks awesome! A back pack and various misc supplies. Thanks so much to them for their support on this adventure of mine! Riding for JDRF has made this ride much more meaningful for me, I just love Casey so much and I am so very proud of her and am so happy to be her OPA (which is Dutch for grandpa!)

Tomorrow is a short day of just 100 miles -- a "century" ride, can you imagine thinking that was SHORT?!??!?