Letters from the Road: 3/2/08

My Story

.....On March 22, 2008, I begin my self-contained bike tour across the southern part of the United States from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida along the Southern Tier Route. This is a trip I've wanted to undertake for many years and now it's finally happening. I will be riding with a group of 17 people orgainzed by the Adventure Cycling Association. The tour will take 65 days ending May 25th. We ride on average 57 miles per day for a total of about 3,082 miles with rest days about once a week. I will attempt to keep this blog site updated as we progress across the U.S. on this great adventure. Energy and access to a computer will be key factors. Wish me (us) luck. It's a long journey.

Shirl's Poem

In San Diego, our starting place
We gathered together
and came face to face.
Then Andy Mac came and took the chair
With baggy shorts and a face full of hair.

He spelled out the rules and left no doubt
That here was a man
with strength and clout
He said, “We’re going all the way;
You’re a real good group, just do what I say!”

“On busy roads, if you get stuck,
Please don’t make a cluster f***
If it’s sex on the road, well that’s ok,
But do it quick and get on your way.”

And so, without much further ado
The circus left town, a motley crew,
To see this fine and beautiful land –
Over hills and through the desert sands.

Up near the front is a man of steel.
He’d like to have meat
every lunch time meal
But every day Aede’s heard to utter,
“Oh no, not again – it’s peanut butter.”

Matty, lovely Matty,
goes faster than the wind,
He gets to camp each day
before we’ve hardly beginned (!)
Not only that, but on the way,
He drinks umpteen Starbuck every day!

Nick, from Frisco, brings a touch of class
He cycles with individual panache,
“Life is good,” he’s heard to say
About a hundred times a day.

“Oh crap, I see another hill,”
Says Jan, “I’ve really had my fill –
That Andy must be taking the p***
I sure never signed up for this!”

This trip would be dull
if we didn’t have Frank
Who started out built like a tank,
But three thousand miles of steady crank
And now his tum is as flat as a plank.
(Well nearly!)

Kristina rides with finesse and grace
But downhills doesn’t like to race.
All day she keeps a steady pace –
And never a hair out of place.

On recumbent is fine Dick Beeman,
Patriotic and brave, he’s a former seaman.
“Awesome” is what
you’ll hear him screamin’
As he rides that machine like a real demon.

And then there’s Eileen
Our hill country queen
Always quick with a witty remark
A great sense of humor, a vital spark.

Steve Shapland’s a name
that clearly denotes
A man who needs his carbs and oats
His brain is full of information and facts
But tell him there’s no shower
and watch him react!

Doug’s a guy that we all dig
Tall and strong – he rides a fine rig.
But when a dog made him go ar** over tit
He hurt his bike and body a bit.

There’s a chap who’s quiet
and goes like a bomb
He’s well put together, his name is Tom
He rides like a rocket or a bird on the wing
Is sharp as a knife and doesn’t miss a thing.

Dave’s added a splash of color to this trip
His vivid tie dye makes him really hip.
On his recumbent, he’s striking and lean,
But, Dave, what do all those hand signals mean?

Herb speaks with a voice
that’s dignified and calm
He’s won our hearts with his quiet charm
He has a great eye for a quality photo
And rides his bike as though it has a motor.

Dee has a heart as big as the sun
She lavishes love on everyone.
She’ll help everyone to cook and then….
The very next day, she’ll do it again.

Andy’s a cool leader,
resourceful and inspired
Always helping with our bike stuff
although he must be tired.
He’s been real hardworking
and, besides that, funny –
We’ve sure had good value for our money!

So thank you, Andy, it’s been a blast,
Our trip has gone by real fast
We wish you luck
as you follow that (North) Star
Pleasant tailwinds be at your back
wherever you are.

Finally, I’m bequeathing you
this little parcel (a deck of card)
Do try hard not to always be the a******!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Who's Who!

Excerpts of e-mails from some of the riders:

“I'm Steve Shapland from Aurora, CO. I'm currently in Yuma, AZ. I'm a retired software engineer. I consider woodworking my primary hobby. I'll be celebrating my 60th somewhere in the vicinity of Mobile, AL. I've done 2 Ride The Rockies (6-7 day supported rides) and numerous MS150s 2 day supported) in Colorado. It has been a few years since I've done any serious riding, but I've managed to rack up 1K miles this year. I'm riding a 2007 REI Novara Randonee with front panniers and dragging a BoB YAK...” Steve

“Hi All--It's been nice to hear from some of the group. My name is Dee Reddick, and I live on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am really excited about our upcoming trip. I am a retired nurse, and currently own a small women's fitness center (Curves) near my home. I love to ride but most of my riding has been Rails to Trails. My family and I spend much of our free time in the small town of Ohiopyle, PA., where we love to raft and kayak. The Pittsburgh to D.C. bike trail runs right through the center of town. My bike was built by a frame builder in California named Bruce Gorden and is already en route to a San Diego bike shop for finishing touches. I look forward to meeting you all -- and beginning our journey...” Dee

“Hi everyone, I'm Tom Gamage age 57 from Watertown NY, 20 miles from the Canadian border on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. I've done a supported cross country on a northern route in 2006, a self contained Pacific Coast from Bellingham WA to San Francisco last Sept with Adventure Cycling and a few 2-3 week self supported solo trips. My training for this trip has cross country skiing and indoors on bike trainer due to snow covered roads and cold temperatures. I'm really looking forward to getting away from winter and starting this trip. I'll be arriving at the hostel in San Diego on the 19th. Looking forward to seeing everyone...” Tom

“Hello all! I'm Eileen McGinnity from Conifer CO (in the foothills west of Denver, at about 9,000' elevation ASL). My husband, Frank Fransioli, and I will be joining this merry band and are really excited about it. My cycling has been mostly one-week-long supported rides such as Ride the Rockies 10 or so times, a ride across Indiana, and some weekend rides such as Courage Classic. We also did a couple of self-supported rides across Colorado. I am a recently retired principal of a Denver-based health care consulting company. I look forward to celebrating my 53rd birthday wherever we may be on April 20...”

“Hi everyone! My name is Kristine (age 58) and I live in a four-flat on the northside of Chicago - not all that far from Wrigley Field. I've been looking forward to The Southern Tier for months now, but it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that it finally hit me - it's actually going to happen! Like many of you, I've cycled a number of supported rides - three in Michigan and one in Missouri. I've been biking to work for many years, but my commute is a mere three (flat) miles. This will be my first self-contained ride and I have a new Cannondale Women's Warrior and Yak to break in. I teach a few Writing Composition classes to college freshman and I've been at Barnes & Noble Bookstore part-time for ten years...” ~KM

“Hi guys! Its great hearing from everyone! My name is Richard Beeman (Dick) from San Diego and looking forward for many years to this ride. I've been on many self organized, self contained tours in the past 15 years but never more than 7 days at a time. Now that I'm a retired Physician Assistant and Army Officer (age 61) I have the time and permission from my still working wife to do some things I have been dreaming about. See you all soon...” Dick Beeman

Hi all. With only a week until the start of our adventure I thought it was time to chime in with a brief email introduction. I am Jeff Holm, recently retired from WA State government service and looking forward to our upcoming trip. My most recent self-supported touring experience was several years ago - a three week trip my wife and I took on our tandem across the Northern Cascades to Glacier MT. I will be riding a new Surly LHT on the Southern Tier and am looking forward to discovering the zen of extended touring with you all. I will be arriving in San Diego on the 21st. Until then.........Jeff

Monday, March 3, 2008

Andy's Tips for the Road

Enjoy yourself.
Listen to your body. When you are tired you are prone to making mistakes.
This is not a competitive event. Stop and talk with the locals along the way.
Take this one day at a time. Worry about the big climb when you are at the bottom of it.
Help your fellow team members.
Share your biking expertise and daily experiences.
Keep your anger at home.
Use common sense and obey the rules of the road at all times. You do not have a relationship with the drivers of the cars on the road.
Your leader will make the final decisions.
You must have a sense of humor when conditions are tough.
Be prepared for the tour and review the various lists you have received from ACA.
Leave room in your packs for group gear and group food.
There is a zero tolerance for disobeying the safety rules.
Don't worry about cooking for the group - There is never any shortage of helpers at dinner time.

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