Tuesday, May 22, 2012
American Cancer Society OVER $10,000.00 Raised WOW!
Well we finally did it, we have reached our goal. Donations kept coming in, all be it slowly, and they now stand at $10,320.77. I did not know how much Kay and I would raise and I am totally blown away by the generosity of everyone. Thank you all again. Bob and Kay Marincic
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011 Cross Country Ride
This is my last blog, promise. This is the first time I have done anything like this, cross country ride and blogging, both have been fun. The biggest remark I get from people, other than about the ride itself, is you did this by yourself, no one rode with you or no sag (support and gear) wagon coming up from behind. I did try to get someone to go with me. I had contacted a few other riders on the internet about their plans, but we either did not have the same dates or routes in mind. Andy, a local friend was going to go, but he got a nasty gash on his arm two weeks before the start that knocked him out of contention.
Other than six nights of staying at friends houses, I stayed at motels along the way. Most of these older motels were on the main routes before the interstates were built, they were cheap, but all had wifi and cable tv. Some of them were not pretty and I spent around $45.00 on average per night for the trip.
The money we raised for The American Cancer Society stands at $9585.77.
What's next? I plan on doing a lot of local riding with an occasional multiple day or week ride thrown in. I've been asked to give a talk to the local Rotary Club, I'm not a public speaker, but it sounds like fun. Apparently, this ride is of interest to some people. In the fund raising letter that Kay and I sent out, I stated that this ride inspires the imagination. Well, this ride certaintly has inspired me and the memories will be with me for the rest of my life. How about a 20th anniversary ride when I reach 82! Now that inspires my imagination. Thanks and God Bless. Bob and Kay
Other than six nights of staying at friends houses, I stayed at motels along the way. Most of these older motels were on the main routes before the interstates were built, they were cheap, but all had wifi and cable tv. Some of them were not pretty and I spent around $45.00 on average per night for the trip.
The money we raised for The American Cancer Society stands at $9585.77.
What's next? I plan on doing a lot of local riding with an occasional multiple day or week ride thrown in. I've been asked to give a talk to the local Rotary Club, I'm not a public speaker, but it sounds like fun. Apparently, this ride is of interest to some people. In the fund raising letter that Kay and I sent out, I stated that this ride inspires the imagination. Well, this ride certaintly has inspired me and the memories will be with me for the rest of my life. How about a 20th anniversary ride when I reach 82! Now that inspires my imagination. Thanks and God Bless. Bob and Kay
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
$9280.77 is the total raised so far for the American Cancer Society, simply amazing! I am still accepting donations and will foreword them to the ACS if there's someone who has not made a donation and still wishes too. $10,000 sounds like a sweet number to me.
Alright, time for True Confessions. My second day on the ride was to the small town of Jacumba, Ca. As I came into town on a downhill run from a tiring ride, I met up again with Tim and Faye from Kansas at a small convenience store. They told me they had made arrangements to sleep in the Methodist Church in their sleeping bags. An interesting older local man advised them it would be safer than the old park where they had planned to camp, since it was so close to the Mexican border. When I asked the old man about the only motel in town, he told me that it was closed for an extended remodeling.
Now what? I got out my Iphone and found out that there was a resort a couple of miles out of town on a dirt road. It sounded pretty good and reasonably priced when I called, except for one thing. The receptionist answered the phone as "DeAnza Springs Resort and Nudist Camp". She assured me that clothing was optional. Since I'm Lutheran, did not have a sleeping bag, and this was the only place in town, I made a reservation. I did not put it in my blog at the time, better to explain to Kay in person first, she will understand? My stay was uneventful. DeAnza was pretty deserted, but gets busy in the winter when its not so hot.
The other thing I did not mention in my blog, I thought my ride was over in Deming, Nm. I did say that I had a sore calf muscle, but I thought it could be a blood clot and so did the doctor I saw at the hospital. I rode about 30 miles into Deming, basically one leg and went straight to the hospital. The pain was not in the whole calf muscle but seemed to be localized. After a sonagram and other tests the doctor said I may have a small tear or at least a bad strain. If it was a tear the ride was over. He advised 4-5 days of rest for a strain. I told Kay on the phone that I was at a restaurant so she would not worry.
That night I talked to my son, Blake. He had the same symptons himself before and a doctor told him to take more salt, after all it was hot and this is a dry climate with lots of sweating. I had so much salt that night that my face and hands were swollen the next morning. I also ate a couple of bananas, since I had not had one for two days, not all small towns out there sell them. I took an unplanned day off the next day. Tim and Faye caught up to me that night and we planned on biking together the following day if I was able. My problem must have been a severe cramp, I was still sore but much improved two days later, and I made sure to get more salt and I would buy two bananas at a time after that so I would have one as a spare. We biked together for half a day until our routes diverged, they went south to El Paso and I went north to Alamogordo. Tim and Faye have since finished their cross country and are now at home in Pratt, Ks.
A few words about my bike, I rode a Trek 7.6 FX, what a great machine. I've had no mechanical problems since I bought it, it's light (when not loaded down with baggage) and a joy to ride. I also cannot say enough about the Bontrager Hardcase tires. They are Kevlar (bullet proof) lined and held up to some pretty nasty road debris. The flats I did have were caused by the tiny steel belted wires from tire pieces that seemed to work there way through the Kevlar fibers, but the tires held up against glass, screws, and other sharp objects that I ran over. I may do one more blog on Dec. 31, to give an update on donations received.
The whole experience of riding across this great country has been a truly unique experience for me and cannot be summed up in one word, but I will try. AWESOME! Like I said in the letter that I sent out to many people before the ride, it inspires the imagination, and it has mine.
Alright, time for True Confessions. My second day on the ride was to the small town of Jacumba, Ca. As I came into town on a downhill run from a tiring ride, I met up again with Tim and Faye from Kansas at a small convenience store. They told me they had made arrangements to sleep in the Methodist Church in their sleeping bags. An interesting older local man advised them it would be safer than the old park where they had planned to camp, since it was so close to the Mexican border. When I asked the old man about the only motel in town, he told me that it was closed for an extended remodeling.
Now what? I got out my Iphone and found out that there was a resort a couple of miles out of town on a dirt road. It sounded pretty good and reasonably priced when I called, except for one thing. The receptionist answered the phone as "DeAnza Springs Resort and Nudist Camp". She assured me that clothing was optional. Since I'm Lutheran, did not have a sleeping bag, and this was the only place in town, I made a reservation. I did not put it in my blog at the time, better to explain to Kay in person first, she will understand? My stay was uneventful. DeAnza was pretty deserted, but gets busy in the winter when its not so hot.
The other thing I did not mention in my blog, I thought my ride was over in Deming, Nm. I did say that I had a sore calf muscle, but I thought it could be a blood clot and so did the doctor I saw at the hospital. I rode about 30 miles into Deming, basically one leg and went straight to the hospital. The pain was not in the whole calf muscle but seemed to be localized. After a sonagram and other tests the doctor said I may have a small tear or at least a bad strain. If it was a tear the ride was over. He advised 4-5 days of rest for a strain. I told Kay on the phone that I was at a restaurant so she would not worry.
That night I talked to my son, Blake. He had the same symptons himself before and a doctor told him to take more salt, after all it was hot and this is a dry climate with lots of sweating. I had so much salt that night that my face and hands were swollen the next morning. I also ate a couple of bananas, since I had not had one for two days, not all small towns out there sell them. I took an unplanned day off the next day. Tim and Faye caught up to me that night and we planned on biking together the following day if I was able. My problem must have been a severe cramp, I was still sore but much improved two days later, and I made sure to get more salt and I would buy two bananas at a time after that so I would have one as a spare. We biked together for half a day until our routes diverged, they went south to El Paso and I went north to Alamogordo. Tim and Faye have since finished their cross country and are now at home in Pratt, Ks.
A few words about my bike, I rode a Trek 7.6 FX, what a great machine. I've had no mechanical problems since I bought it, it's light (when not loaded down with baggage) and a joy to ride. I also cannot say enough about the Bontrager Hardcase tires. They are Kevlar (bullet proof) lined and held up to some pretty nasty road debris. The flats I did have were caused by the tiny steel belted wires from tire pieces that seemed to work there way through the Kevlar fibers, but the tires held up against glass, screws, and other sharp objects that I ran over. I may do one more blog on Dec. 31, to give an update on donations received.
The whole experience of riding across this great country has been a truly unique experience for me and cannot be summed up in one word, but I will try. AWESOME! Like I said in the letter that I sent out to many people before the ride, it inspires the imagination, and it has mine.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Nov 2, 2011
I forgot to mention my last day day of riding. I left early as usual, it had been raining but it stopped for the first hour of riding. When it started raining again, it was just light rain and it actually felt refreshing since I was already hot from pedaling. That feeling soon disappeared when it started raining hard. This was my first and only day of riding in the rain, thank goodness. It was dark and raining with traffic, not a good combination. It rained most of the morning and when I got my eleventh flat near downtown Jacksonville, I changed it in the rain in a bad neighborhood very quickly. I had already changed a flat in the dark. Now I still have to change one in the dark while it's raining and I'll have all the boxes checked off.
When Kay and I drove out west a few years ago in the spring we would see bike riders out in the middle of nowhere and I would wonder what in the world are they doing out here. Now I know what they are doing and I am that rider. During my research for this ride, I read an article entitled "You don't have to be Lance Armstrong to bike across the USA". The article was right, but you better be prepared physically and mentally, it is a long hard ride. I hope Kay removes all those books from our bookshelf about sailing around the world. If you want to try this ride someday, I'm proof that it can be done, just follow the solid white line.
I will make one last blog on Nov. 23 to give everyone an update on the fund raising total which is now over $7500.00. We are still accepting donations, thanks again for all the support! Bob
" Life is a daring adventure or nothing ar all". Helen Keller
When Kay and I drove out west a few years ago in the spring we would see bike riders out in the middle of nowhere and I would wonder what in the world are they doing out here. Now I know what they are doing and I am that rider. During my research for this ride, I read an article entitled "You don't have to be Lance Armstrong to bike across the USA". The article was right, but you better be prepared physically and mentally, it is a long hard ride. I hope Kay removes all those books from our bookshelf about sailing around the world. If you want to try this ride someday, I'm proof that it can be done, just follow the solid white line.
I will make one last blog on Nov. 23 to give everyone an update on the fund raising total which is now over $7500.00. We are still accepting donations, thanks again for all the support! Bob
" Life is a daring adventure or nothing ar all". Helen Keller
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Nov 1, 2011
I'll have to finish my closing thoughts tomorrow, this homecoming business is more tiring than the riding. Kay picked me up at the airport this morning. When we got to Oglesby she had arranged a police car and fire truck escort thru town with sirens blaring and lights flashing. In true Kay fashion, well wishers were at the house to welcome me home and people were coming and going all afternoon. Thank you everyone! I'm too tired to write anything else tonight. Good night.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Day 41 Macclenny Fl to Jacksonville Beach 51.3 miles 5.5 hr rain
I did it! I crossed the USA on a bicycle. It took 41 days, that's less than 6 weeks. I did the work, but still find it amazing. The total miles for the trip is 2670.9. The average was over 72 miles per biking day, of which there were 37. I had four rest days. I had only biked up to 70 miles 4 times before in my life, but I had never gone more than what my average was for this trip. I did bike many shorter trip this summer, over 2700 miles usually at a fast pace. I guess I'm in pretty good shape. I repeated a prayer many times for the strength and stamina to complete this ride and the wisdom to know when to stop. When my front tire hit the salty water I knew that time had come.
I want to thank everyone for their support in this trip and especially for the donations to the American Cancer Society. I know some were waiting for the end of the ride or donating by the mile. You can still send Kay and I those pledges made out to the American Cancer Society. I will make a few more blogs, so don't go away yet. God Bless. Bob and Kay
I want to thank everyone for their support in this trip and especially for the donations to the American Cancer Society. I know some were waiting for the end of the ride or donating by the mile. You can still send Kay and I those pledges made out to the American Cancer Society. I will make a few more blogs, so don't go away yet. God Bless. Bob and Kay
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Day 40 Madison Fl to Macclenny Fl 86.8 mi 9 hr 77 deg
My front tire was a little low again for the second day, another steel belt wire was in the tire. I think this was number ten flat. I decided not to count the flats, somehow thinking this would lessen the number, wrong again. The temp was 40 to start with and it did not warn up above 50 for two hours. I started in the dark again knowing that the winds were not projected to be strong until later in the day. I finished the first 50 miles in the same time as the last 35. I'm glad I started early, I was slugging it out all afternoon with the wind, sometimes showing less than 10mph on the speedometer on level ground. The last two heavy days of mid 80's have paid off, I'm only about 50 miles from the beach, that's what get-home-itis will do for you. Tomorrow will be a mad dash of city riding which takes longer because of all the stop and go. See you on the beach!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Day 39 Quincy Fl to Madison Fl 88.1 mi 9.5 hr 72 deg
When I left it was still dark. I wanted to beat the crowd for the Florida State home football game in Tallahassee. I was making good progress until I got a flat in my rear tire, which I fixed by a guard rail. The second picture for today shows a locking nut for a presta tube which holds the tube to the wheel and a valve cover. This was left by someone before me when they changed their flat. Well, I got caught in traffic, so I did a little partying with some FSU fans in the preceding picture. If you can't beat em you might as well join em. I could not stay for the game, had to go. Tomorrow will be a long 80 plus mile day again with a strong headwind. I forgot to mention yesterday, that I'm in my last time zone.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Day 38 Bonifay Fl to Quincy Fl 75.1 mi 6.5 hr
The restaurant by the motel was not open so I biked to Chipley about 10 miles and had breakfast at Billy's, a small local cafe with a very friendly owner. A pall of smoke hung in the air for many miles, this forested area is really dry and is under an advisory for potential forest fires. I was slightly worried, but the smoke eventually dissipated.
Sometimes when your on the road you start thinking way too much. Today was one of those days. I know I'm getting close and I started thinking about how and why I got here. I thought about my cousin John and brother Jan who both died of cancer and all the cancer survivors I know. I couldn't help it, but I started to cry, big crocodile tears. Pedal and cry, I was in a real funk for about half an hour. I finally snapped out of it when reality sunk in, knowing I still have a lot off hard work before me before I hit the beach. Thank goodness. At a Cottondale gas station stop an architect from Tallahassee approached me. He was a biker who had biked from Boston to Texas twice, apparently he did't get it right the first time, a mistake I will not make. A real nice guy, I was glad he came up to me, we had a nice conversation.
Sometimes when your on the road you start thinking way too much. Today was one of those days. I know I'm getting close and I started thinking about how and why I got here. I thought about my cousin John and brother Jan who both died of cancer and all the cancer survivors I know. I couldn't help it, but I started to cry, big crocodile tears. Pedal and cry, I was in a real funk for about half an hour. I finally snapped out of it when reality sunk in, knowing I still have a lot off hard work before me before I hit the beach. Thank goodness. At a Cottondale gas station stop an architect from Tallahassee approached me. He was a biker who had biked from Boston to Texas twice, apparently he did't get it right the first time, a mistake I will not make. A real nice guy, I was glad he came up to me, we had a nice conversation.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Day 37 Pace Fl to Bonifay Fl 102.1 mi 8.5 hr 90 deg
What a monster day I had today. It must have been the oysters on the half shell from yesterday. I felt good today, but I was looking for maybe 70 miles. When I got to DeFuniak Springs before 2:00p and already had over 70 miles I looked at the map to see what town I could possibly reach and it was Bonifay which would put me over 100. The temp. which had been 90 had fallen to 78 as the clouds rolled in and I checked the winds and they were forecast to be a light cross wind, so I decided to go for it. I didn't think I would get a century under my belt with so few days remaining. I'm looking at possible being on Jacksonville Beach on Monday baring mechanical, weather, or injury problems. That would be over a week before I thought I would finish. Four more biking days to go!
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