PKU Cycle America 2008

It did seem strange not to jump on the bike after a big breakfast today.  We have been in a perpetual “Groundhog Day Movie” senario for the past eight weeks.   We repeated the same routine at the same time of day in one small town after another.  Breakfast of pancakes and eggs, cycle 40 miles, lunch of some mystery meat plus pie a la mode, cycle 35 miles, drive to a no tell motel, do laundry, answer emails and calls, dinner of more mystery meat - bad margeritas or wine - cake a la mode, fall a sleep while doing blog.  We are so done with this senario, but it served us well.

Ken Hoff is a USNA classmate and great friend.  Their home overlooks the Bay and is gorgeous.  We enjoyed their hospitality and traded lots of stories old and new.  We were joined at dinner by our steadfast soulmates - Jean and Ginny - and Stan Wrobel and Mary Stafford plus Harris and Linda Coe for dinner.  We ordered several great bottles of wine and felt like we were reentering civilization as we had known it prior to the ride.

The route across the US took us through the rural heartland of America.  Nine states and only one city bigger than 50,000.  Cycling at 14 mph with all our senses alert is the way to truly experience a country.  Most of our nights were spent in towns of 1,000 to 5,000 with one or two choices of cafes and motels.  In these cafes we observed the men meeting at 7am over coffee and discussing sports or farming.  The ladies met for lunch over a salad.  Breakfast was $5, pie $1.75 or $2 a la mode, lunch was $6 and dinner was $9.  The lifestyle adjusted to the circumstances locally and over time we began to respect the adjustments these hard working folks made to enjoy life.  There was pride about the local football team, a state championship, a local who became famous in professional sports or the preservation of an architectural style from the late 1800’s or early 1900’s.  These folks treated us courteously, chatting us up about PKU, donating, wishing us safe travels and sharing the road responsibly.  They were helpful in giving directions when we were lost, letting us cycle through closed roads and lending tools to fix a stubborn chain lockup.  These folks are living close to their families and religion and are doing just fine with a few exceptions.  A whole town in Oregon was for sale.  A fair number of mobile homes in Missouri Ozarks and Kentucky were abandoned.  Overall Virginia was the prettiest state and also the hilliest.  We entered Virginia cycling through the Applachian Mountains then rode up a very, very steep climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway before descending into the Shenandoah Valley.  We cycled along rolling roads next to Civil War battlefields and miles of horse farm fences to Charlottesville.  We cycled through Richmond observing stately old mansions and statues of Civil War heroes.  When we wiffed the sea we were ready to dip our front tires in the Atlantic and to celebrate achieving our goal of a safe and adventurous journey of a life time.

What did we accomplish? 

- Media exposure, PKU awareness/ 3 TV spots/ 2 radio interviews/ a dozen newspaper interviews

- We met four PKU families and enjoyed seeing how well they were doing.  We were scheduled to meet four more but the Nor’easter changed our schedule

- We enjoyed the companionship of over a dozen guest riders and would have cycled into Yorktown with a dozen more but for the Nor’easter.  As it was we were accompanied by STAN WROBEL and HARRIS COE.  Harris waited in Williamsburg all morning so we could all ride in together.  By doing so he rode in the rain and gusting wind while the morning was calm.  We look forward to more rides with Harris in Colorado.

- The comments on the blog showed the pride and involvement of so many in the PKU community and their expectation that PKU research, advocacy and education issues will be addressed in new and different ways by the new National PKU Alliance (NPKUA)

- Over $160,000 donated from folks in 32 states and 6 countries.  This is 60% higher than our goal.

Some statistics:

- 73.4 miles/day

- 265.5 hours in the saddle

- 13.8 mph overall

- 131,375 ft climbing equivalent to 4.5 times Mt Everest

- 1,500,000 pedal crank turns

- 15 lbs lost (Dick), most of it during training

There are so many folks who helped us in loads of ways that it is impossible to list them all without missing someone.  But those of you who helped us prepare and fit our bikes did a great job, those who rode with us during training and on the trip were encouraging and helpful since we were novices at long distance cycling, those who helped us with media appointments (WCP GLOBAL and BILL RAHE) helped create awareness, TRISTAN who designed the website and updated our progress every day was dedicated to the cause, those who followed us on the blog and whose comments provided motivation to jump on the bikes each morning, PKU families all over the US who tuned in and for whom this ride is dedicated.  We were most fortunate to have found TOD ANDREWS our support person.  Central casting couldn’t have done a better job finding a caring, skilled and cautious driver and guide.  He simply did everything we asked of him.  MARY STAFFORD, my former Assistant at AVB for 22 years, put us up for three days in Bend, OR and helped me through the inner ear infection.  Then she spend over a week driving and supporting STAN WROBEL as he rode through Virginia with us.

It is hard to express enough thanks to Jim for agreeing to spend a huge amount of time training and then cycling across the US.  Jim is Tia’s grandgodfather so he knows about PKU and the challenges.  Jim was ready each day to jump on the bike, ready for every wind gust, ready for every climb, ready for every mangy dog attack, ready for rainy days.  Jim is a true warrior - a ROAD WARRIOR.  The whole PKU community is thankful to Jim and he became the very first recipient of the NPKUA HERO AWARD.  This award was dedicated to him by the nine members of the NPKUA Board.

Jean and Ginny were simply amazing in the support and encouragement.  Without their love and commitment to our mission this ride wouldn’t have happened.  Then they surprised us with statues commemorating the journey.  A photo is attached.

To sweet Tia, Alison and Tia’s whole family, you were the inspiration for undertaking this journey.  Know that all of us will continue to drive PKU research forward until we fine a cure.  We love you very much.

 

We have achieved total victory at the base of the monument dedicated to the end of the Revolutionary War.  Just as George Washington received Cornwallis’ sword at this very spot, we surrendered our bikes’ front tires to the Atlantic symbolizing the completion of the crossing of the US.  This was in spite of the gusting winds and rain from the Nor’easter.  We were not to be detered from completing our adventure. 

Tomorrow I will reflect on this adventure, what we accomplished and give up some statistical tidbits of interest.  Plus there will be a smorgasbord of photos.  Stay tuned.

Today we were in the saddle for 3 hrs and 55 mins and climbed 500 ft.   Even the Tidewater area is not flat.

This is not how we envisioned the ride would end - riding the longest day of the whole trip - 97 miles - so we would have only 54 miles left tomorrow if it rains and the winds gust.  We had plans for these next three days to meet numerous PKU familes, friends and relatives.  Then there was going to be a big party thrown by Ken and Dorene Hoff.  So disappointed to miss seeing these folks and to miss the party.  We still hope to have some media coverage at the end.

Speaking of media coverage, the Waynesboro News Virginian interviewed Jim and me yesterday and ran a front page story today.  It included interviews with a PKU family - the Sauders with two kids with PKU.  We enjoyed meeting Zack 12 with PKU, Rachel 9 with PKU, Jacob 8 non PKU, Cindy their Mom and Kurtis their Dad and a Pediatrician.  They are a lively, handsome family dealing with PKU proactively and successfully.

We traveled through University of VA today and enjoyed memories of visiting Rick there.  Stan’s son is a Sophmore at UVA now.  Then we cycled through Richmond, it took 1 1/2 hrs.  We saw many monuments, stately mansions and the VA capitol building.  Virginia has offered us the most diversity from end to end.

I will summarize some trip statistics in the next few days so don’t give up on the blog yet.

We were in the saddle for 6 hrs 50 mins and climbed 4,040 feet.  The weather was sunny, moderately cool in the lower 70’s with a brisk breeze (in our face naturally).

We have been talking about this day since Oregon.  The climb from Vesuvius to the Blue Ridge Parkway is a classic ride, known to all cycling experts like Tod.  It was tough as advertised.  We climbed 1,500 ft in 3.5 miles or an overall slope of 9%.  The Parkway was hilly too but the views more than compensated.  The Shenandoah Valley  is 1,800 ft below the Parkway and is beautifully scenic.  When we descended from the Parkway we officially left the mountains for good.  This is a very happy day.

Tonight though we have been watching the weather for the rest of the week and have decided to alter our plans to avoid exposing guest riders and PKU kids to rain and gusting winds.  A Noreaster is forecast for the east coast starting on Thursday and lasting through Saturday.  We will cover the last 170 miles over the next two days to avoid the brunt of this weather.  So we should pull into Yorktown Thursday afternoon at a time impossible to judge due to the weather - rain and gusting winds.  We will miss seeing several dear friends and several PKU families.  We apologize for this but feel safety is paramount.  I’ll update how our change in plans is going tomorrow night.

We were in the saddle for 4 hrs and 51 mins and climbed 4,350 ft.  The weather was cool and partly cloudy.

The last two mornings we have enjoyed cycling with the fog lifting on rural lanes with valleys in the foreground and layered mountains in the distance.  The mountains have soft shapes and in this light the shades of green cover the spectrum.  The farm houses are cozy in the valleys.  One might expect to hear the Waltons saying g’nite to each other.  This is our favorite time of the day.  Later the traffic picks up and usually we end up on less rural roads going through towns.

Yesterday we enjoyed the opportunity to meet two PKU familes.  We were joined by a reporter who interviewed us and the families for the Radford newspaper.  Mattie is 8 years old and can recount all the birthdays in her extended family - quite impressive.  Mattie has PKU and does well with her diet.  Her family and grandparents met us for lunch in Radford.  Lance, Amy, Mattie and Caleb and the grandparents are very involved in all things PKU.  Their clinic is at UVA, but the staff comes to sites close to them.  This is most unusual.  We also met Brandon, Julie and Colby Gill.  Colby is 5 months old and has PKU.  Brandon and Julie use the same clinic.  Both families give much credit to the clinic and the PKU Newsletter for keeping them up to date on the status of research and low protein food products.  This was a real treat for us and where the rubber meets the road.

Today we visited Natural Bridge, one of the natural wonders of the world.  This massive bridge sits just off our route near Lexington, VA.  It is 215 ft tall which is higher than Niagara Falls.  It was formed over millions of years by a simple stream.  In 1774 Thomas Jefferson purchased the Bridge and surrounding land from King George III for the equivalent of $2.45 and then promoted it as one of the seven natural wonders of the world to tourists.  And we are still going to see it today.

Stan and Mary are with us throughout Virginia and we are enjoying their company.  Today we were in the saddle for 5 hrs 3 mins and climbed 3, 730 ft.  We are still in the hills with some steep but most moderate.  But the overall effect is very scenic.

Lexington is the home of both Washington and Lee Univ and Virginia Military Institute.  The campuses reflect the mission of each college.  They couldn’t be different.  Marc, W&L is gorgeous.

Greetings.  We had a longer day than normal as we enjoyed a visit with two PKU families and a newspaper interview in Radford over an extended lunch time.  Voila, no blog today.  Too sleepy at the end of the day.  Will catch up tomorrow. 

We were in the saddle 5 hrs 15 mins and climbed 4,450 ft.  Weather was clear with temps in low 80’s.

Glory days, Virginia showed us the love.  By the nature of this location, there are still lots of hills but all were moderate today.  We still had a big day of climbing because the hills were constant.  The weather was perfect - sunny with temps in the 70’s.  The route took us through Mt Rogers National Recreation Park.  As I mentioned yesterday, Mt Rogers is the tallest mountain in VA.  The Park was peaceful and scenic as we cycled beside a stream with dappled light on the road.  The countryside is bucolic and neat and orderly.  The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from these small farms are outstanding.  It was a pleasure cycling through this remote countryside.  We really enjoyed the company of our three guest riders from Jim’s company - EODT.  They were great sports, great guys and great cyclists.  We appreciated that they cycled with us for two days.  Stan Wroble and Mary Stafford remain with us to Yorktown.  Stan will cycle through all of VA.

We did view a first.  This home had a bunch of dogs that were ready to attack if only they could get down off the roof.  The photo tells all.

We still have three days of Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Mountains to cycle through, but the pull of the Atlantic is growing.  We have been planning the arrival celebration in Yorktown.  We hope to celebrate with several PKU families from this part of VA along with Tia, our guest riders, some local friends and our families.  We’ll be there next Saturday if we ride safely from here.

We were in the saddle for 5hrs and 11 mins and climbed 4.250 ft.

Virginia didn’t show us any love today.  We climbed seven long and steep hills.  In the west they would call each of these “passes” (of which we never had more than three in one day).  In the east they may be called “gaps”.  Today is a leading contender for the toughest day of the whole ride.  Unfortunately it was the first day for our guest riders.  They did very well given the climbs.  Two of them are tri-athletes. 

As we mounted one of these “gaps” the Blue Ridge Mountains were in sight.  They are very scenic and definitely blue.  Tomorrow we cycle next to the highest mountain VA, Mt Rogers at 5,729 ft.

Fall is in the air here.  It is cool at night, with fog in the morning and leaf color changes already happening with tree vines. 

We were in the saddle for 5 hr 15 mins and climbed 5,470 ft (the most of the trip so far).  It was sunny with light breezes and temps around 80.

Happy Birthday to Tia.  She turned 6 today and was mighty proud. 

We have new sponsors, the Glossermans.  Their family is into food in a big way, so they are sponsoring our daily pancakes, chicken fried steaks, mashed potatos with white gravy and marionberry pies.  It seems Michael G likes chicken fried steaks.  Of course he is from Texas so that may explain his taste preferences.

We exited KY today and entered our final state - VA.  This is a major milestone after 6 1/2 weeks.  KY didn’t escort us out of the state with a parade.  KY offered five major long and steep climbs.  One was particularly mean with a 11-12% climb for over a mile.  Combine this with coal trucks and a few dog attacks and we were happy to see the VA state line.

We were joined tonight by Stan Wroble and Mary Stafford.  Stan will cycle across VA with us and Mary will drive.  Stan is an attorney who has been TCR’s and AVB’s RE attorney for years.  Mary was my executive assistant at TCR and AVB for 22 years.  You may recall her name when she put us up in Bend. OR.  Also joining us are three execvtives from Jim’s company EODT - Matt Kaye, Kevin Corbett and Chris Spiller.  They will cycle with us through the weekend.

I want to thank our VA state sponsors.  Bethanne, Leo, Megan and John Horey live in Alexandria. Leo is an executive with AVB.  I recall when we recruited him, I knew we got a good one.  Kim and Jordan Dickstein are from NYC.  Jordan has been an active supporter of PKU research since Tia was diagnosed.  Unfortunately he is a MIchigan supporter and this doesn’t look like their year.

We were in the saddle for 4 hrs 52 mins and climbed 4,630 feet -one of our toughest days.  The weather was sunny with light breezes and temps in the mid-80’s.

 

This morning we started with a long and steep climb followed by a few more during the morning. Eastern KY is hilly and scenic, except for the coal strip mines (as you will see).  We experienced a rumble from a dynamite blast at a strip mine.  We had heard about the coal trucks but hadn’t encountered one yet.  We heard it coming long before we saw it.  It was huge, loud and fast.  We knew it wasn’t going to give us any space.  It fills these small roads.  So we traveled on a few larger roads.  After lunch we rode on a shaded road next to a creek that was flat with little traffic.  It seems we outwitted the coal trucks.  As we headed for Pippa Passes, we had not idea what we’d encounter.  Guess what, more hills and winding roads.

The mangy dog count was down today.  Seems the word is out that we don’t run.  As it turned out Tod was just behind us and the three dogs heard the horn and our referee whistle and they peeled off before they hit the road seemingly confused.

We have a photo of a Log Cathedral in Buckhorn.  It was built in 1928 when logging was at its zenith in this area.  It is an architectural gem.

We learned that the reason this area is so poor even though it has had (or is having) two huge natural resource busineses is that carpetbaggers came into these hills and paid paltry amounts for timber rights and mineral rights.  They highjacked the profits from these businesses and exported them to other areas of the US leaving these hill people with huge scars on the land and nothing to show for it.

We were in the saddle for 4 hrs and 8 mins  and climbed 3,420 ft.