If you are outside the US or Canada and would like to donate please go to www.chamberlainsociety.org and make a general donation. It all goes to the same heroes for the same cause.
thank you for helping support these brave men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom
0 Comments
Short story long
Many of you that followed my blog and posts know I met a guy in Amarillo TX during high winds while he was taking down a flag at his place of work. It was a really neat brief encounter in that we were both in the right place at the right time (maybe a twenty second window) any sooner or later and our history would have been different. Yesterday I received a package from him. Now, on a ride line this I don’t have room to pick up souvenirs and or memorable items. All I have left at this point are memories and the pictures I took along the way. Well, he sent me the flag that he was taking down that day. It is really the only tangible I have from all those miles. That Flag sums up the whole ride. I met him under that flag, I rode across this great country seeing the flag in all the cities I came to. My helmet even has the flag across the top. But most importantly the cause I rode for and raise money for. The Joshua Chamberlain Society. While many may disagree, that flag is one of the most important symbols of our freedom and liberty. And the JCS heroes, these Soldiers and Marines, sacrifice themselves to protect these freedoms. That flag will always remind me of my ride and a the chance meeting that morning. If you would like to make a donation still you can here https://e.givesmart.com/events/hmf/ My adventure has come to a close. I am home and just want to wrap up a few thoughts. Many of you know about my trials and attempts at crossing th US. Those times while disappointing to me taught me a lot about things. I love to ride my bike always have. But I am not a professional athlete by any means.
. I am a 47 year old guy who wanted to check a box that was important to me. I learned I am not a 200 mile a day guy. I can do 100 before lunch and another 70 or so late into the day. But after that I need to rest. Riding on my own under my rules and plan is what helped make me successful this time. I had to make some on the fly route changes to keep old injuries from cropping up. I only had to worry about where I was and where I was headed. Come to think of it I did not meet one bicyclist going either way doing what I was doing. I had a few terrifying close calls with vehicles in New Mexico, Missouri, and Kentucky. I had three flats, and replaced my rear tire in Farmington. Food resources were very challenging. Some due to covid closures and to small town America drying up. There were days of intense heat and nights of cold. So many dogs chased me I lost count. I am thankful for my wife and family supporting (enduring) this with me for so many years. I also thank my friends and coworkers for following my ride and donating to the cause I supported. When my now older sons and I did our first ride across Kansas and Colorado many years ago we raised money for The Joshua Chamberlain Society, a St. Louis veterans charity that aids wounded and fallen heroes for life. I have a few interviews to do with a couple papers over the next week or so and plan on leaving my fund raising page up for a bit to see where donations land. I got hit by heavy rains for most of the Colonial Parkway. I did save two more turtle lives thoigh bringin it to five turtle lives saved because of my efforts
James river heading into. Richmond on my last day. After a lot of rain. I am postin g a few things just to have the record of it. As many of you know my blog crashed in the last day. REAL NICE!
This is looking like a rain gear day real quick. A bit of a headwind coming off this storm but I’m rolling along. Maybe 40 miles to Richmond
Perfect morning for cycling. There is so much cool American history up here. My reroute is taking me through some really neat civil war history. This reroute was just winging it and has turned out really awesome. I think I only have 60 something to go for today. I would have pushed into Yorktown but I have wanted to do that section for years now and I decided I wanted to do it in the daylight. I’ll send Tracy lots of pics for the email updates.
|
Don ForthBeginning May 31, 2020 I will embark on a 3200 mile solo bicycle ride with no support vehicles following. As with my rides in the past I am raising money and awareness for The Joshua Chamberlain Society |