Category: Uncategorized

Well, life does throw some curves. Ride launch for May 30th is scrubbed.*

As the last modifications (additional solar panels, bike racks, generator storage, repaired water system, …) were finished, the van would not start. The error messages / diagnostics indicated issues with the electrical system, not seemingly related to the changes made. The alterations were scrutinized, and one of the messages said to ‘see shop.’ The van was transported and resides at our local Mercedes dealership awaiting attention from their Sprinter Service Center. As many service centers are backed up with demand, this is not surprising, though we have pleaded for ’emergency attention.’ We are hopeful for sooner versus later. Nonetheless, departure to the West Coast is ‘on hold.’

In the meantime, Melissa and I are planning some additional local riding together and individually. We are doing some additional pre-charging of electronics for our bikes (lights, Garmin, radar, …). Cathy and I are pruning / selecting ‘essential’ stuff to accompany us on the journey. AND continuing to get the house ready for the house-sitter, including Cathy’s manual and calendar of events (e.g., when are the trash and recycling collection days).

Below is a ‘family photo’ taken at an afternoon tea in North Royalton, OH. My Dad is the excited participant seated between Cathy and my sister, Mel. My sister, Carm, is standing next to her husband, Steve. On the far right is my Dad’s friend Karl, while I am on the far left. Maybe you can smile!

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* Scrubbed is a NASA term that means they’re no longer going to try to launch that day and that they’re going to come back another day and try again. Cathy’s and my family both have some roots with NASA. Her mother and father retired from the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and my sister, Carm, retired from the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH. Also, ‘on hold’ means a countdown is suspended.

Minus 6 days is a bit of a misnomer, as we have been ‘planning’ for this adventure for close to two years. There were at least a few that indicated they would like to participate, and provided some input to the course and ‘method.’ Am thankful to all of them, as they helped to hone the approach to be safer and possibly even more fun.

Cathy (my wife), Melissa (a good friend) are about to depart to meet up on the West Coast this coming weekend. Cathy and I will be driving our home-away-from-home van, carrying our bikes (essential, and including Melissa’s), clothing, gear, camping stuff, and some replacement parts. Our plan is to meet up with Cathy’s friend in Portland, OR on Saturday/28MAY, pick up Melissa on Sunday/29MAY, and start riding on Memorial Day/30MAY2022.

Why? A few years ago a gentleman (Neil Hanson) came and addressed our Rotary Club of Littleton. He had biked across the United States in three stints, California to Denver, Denver a bit East, and from there to the East Coast. He had gathered three books where he described his journey, sometimes alone, sometimes with his son, and sometimes with a friend. He shared some of his thoughts, the pleasure of being able to meet friends along the way, and the joy meeting others, while experiencing the United States from a bicycle.

In my eight years of somewhat serious biking, it has been a plethora of wonders and joy, meeting and riding with good people, and not without along with some challenges for which I am grateful. My father died last year at the age of 97 1/2, and my mother died the year before, just shy of her 95th birthday. My hope is to share some of the Joy and Wonder of our adventure, maybe share a story or two about my parents, manage to ride safely and stay healthy, and have some fun travelling along the way, sometimes biking with others (Thank you Melissa! Thank you L2RC! And others?), and maybe riding alone a bit. I can’t thank Cathy enough for setting the foundation of support for this journey together.

We are crossing our fingers to depart in the next day or so.

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There are also nine non-profits with whom we have some affiliation that will be ‘profiled’ along our journey. We will be collecting funds, and will ensure the contributions have a match. More on that later.

For now: Cheers!