Today--October 6--is also my father's birthday. Were he still with us, he would be turning 71.
Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Monte's Ride featured in Phi Delt Blog--on Monte's Birthday
Phi Delta Theta has a long-running commitment to funding for Lou Gehrig's disease through the fraternity's Iron Phi program. (Lou Gehrig himself was a Phi Delt....) When the Phi Delt's read about our Monte's Ride adventure, I was asked to contribute to their blog, which I was more than happy to do! You can read our entry here!
Today--October 6--is also my father's birthday. Were he still with us, he would be turning 71.
Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!
Today--October 6--is also my father's birthday. Were he still with us, he would be turning 71.
Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Iowa Alumni Magazine features Monte's Ride
The August edition of the Iowa Alumni magazine is out, and it features a great write-up of our efforts. If you've found our website via that article, welcome! Please explore the many entries since we began planning our trip last fall. We're still fundraising toward our goal via the links at the right side of this page!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monte's Ride at REI Ft. Collins
Hard to believe it's been 2 months since we arrived in Iowa City! On Thursday, Sept. 1, we're slated to do a presentation at our local REI, which will cover just about everything about bike touring--route planning, bike building, training, fund raising, etc.
Learn more at http://www.rei.com/event/28418/session/35030
Learn more at http://www.rei.com/event/28418/session/35030
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Final Day: Washington to Iowa City
Our final day began with thunder and heavy rain. We did the 12 miles to Kalona in a light drizzle, then ate a hearty lunch and headed on.
Just 18 miles to go!
Tim, the University of Iowa photographer who came out to shoot pictures of our last leg, recommended a beautiful route into town through Amish country.
Here are Cat and Kieran passing an Amish farmer in his buggy.
The rain fell heavily the last ten miles, but we finally passed the city limits sign.
At 3pm, we rolled up to Dey House, the Writer's Workshop's home.
A reporter from the Press Citizen was waiting for us. So was Uncle Chuck, and it was great to have family on hand for our arrival!
The ride was an amazing experience, and a great way to honor Monte and all the brave people who have dealt with ALS.
And we're all really glad we don't have to get on a bike tomorrow morning....
Just 18 miles to go!
Tim, the University of Iowa photographer who came out to shoot pictures of our last leg, recommended a beautiful route into town through Amish country.
Here are Cat and Kieran passing an Amish farmer in his buggy.
The rain fell heavily the last ten miles, but we finally passed the city limits sign.
At 3pm, we rolled up to Dey House, the Writer's Workshop's home.
A reporter from the Press Citizen was waiting for us. So was Uncle Chuck, and it was great to have family on hand for our arrival!
The ride was an amazing experience, and a great way to honor Monte and all the brave people who have dealt with ALS.
And we're all really glad we don't have to get on a bike tomorrow morning....
Day 13: Oskaloosa to Washington
Hard to believe it's our second to last day on the road! Temps were lower, with a high of 91 as we lunched in Sigourney. To Kieran and I it felt almost cool out.
South of Keota we stopped for a cold soda.
Brianna, our server, got the whole story of our ride and we had her sign our flag.
On a beautiful country road headed into Washington we saw pigs...
And corn....
With my cycle-computer on the fritz, I felt like Magellan finding my route armed only with a sextant. Although in this case my sextant was an iPhone 4.
We stopes at the picturesque Tyrone cemetery, with gravestones dating to the 1830s.
As the shadows lengthened, we pulled into Washington, only 33 miles from our destination.
It's been an incredible journey and we've been met by kindness at every turn, from friends and strangers alike.
Here's a brief video of the end of our day 13 ride....
South of Keota we stopped for a cold soda.
Brianna, our server, got the whole story of our ride and we had her sign our flag.
On a beautiful country road headed into Washington we saw pigs...
And corn....
With my cycle-computer on the fritz, I felt like Magellan finding my route armed only with a sextant. Although in this case my sextant was an iPhone 4.
We stopes at the picturesque Tyrone cemetery, with gravestones dating to the 1830s.
As the shadows lengthened, we pulled into Washington, only 33 miles from our destination.
It's been an incredible journey and we've been met by kindness at every turn, from friends and strangers alike.
Here's a brief video of the end of our day 13 ride....
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Join Monte's Ride Final Day!
UPDATE: We'll be behind schedule while waiting for a break in the rain. Call Mitchell at 970.631.4054 for updates!
Any interested cyclists from the Iowa City area are invited to join us for the final 20 miles of our 800-mile journey to raise funds for the ALS Association and help fund a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease.
We'll meet around 11 am at the Kalona Community Center in downtown Kalona, and depart no later than noon for Iowa City. Our final destination will be Dey House, Writer's Workshop headquarters at 507 N. Clinton St.
Feel free to contact me at 970.631.4054 with any questions.
Mitchell and the Monte's Ride crew
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Any interested cyclists from the Iowa City area are invited to join us for the final 20 miles of our 800-mile journey to raise funds for the ALS Association and help fund a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease.
We'll meet around 11 am at the Kalona Community Center in downtown Kalona, and depart no later than noon for Iowa City. Our final destination will be Dey House, Writer's Workshop headquarters at 507 N. Clinton St.
Feel free to contact me at 970.631.4054 with any questions.
Mitchell and the Monte's Ride crew
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Kalona to Iowa City
Day 12: Massena to Winterset, Iowa
We woke early in Massena's park, made some oatmeal and hit the road before the heat got too intense.
The hills were still hilly, but the grades were less intense than the past few days. We rode through lush green fields with a southern cross breeze that kept us somewhat cool even as the temperature broke 90.
We stopped at the supermarket in Fontanelle and had lunch and a brief nap in the town park. I spotted the offices of the local paper, the Fontanelle Observer, and told them about the ride.
After lunch, more fields, more cows, more hills. In late afternoon we pulled into Winterset--home of John Wayne--and unloaded our gear into the air conditioned comfort of the Super 8. Our host, Bill, kindly did our laundry for us.
And finally, after a ling day of driving, Catherine arrived, helmet in hand and ready to ride.
The hills were still hilly, but the grades were less intense than the past few days. We rode through lush green fields with a southern cross breeze that kept us somewhat cool even as the temperature broke 90.
We stopped at the supermarket in Fontanelle and had lunch and a brief nap in the town park. I spotted the offices of the local paper, the Fontanelle Observer, and told them about the ride.
After lunch, more fields, more cows, more hills. In late afternoon we pulled into Winterset--home of John Wayne--and unloaded our gear into the air conditioned comfort of the Super 8. Our host, Bill, kindly did our laundry for us.
And finally, after a ling day of driving, Catherine arrived, helmet in hand and ready to ride.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Day 11: Malvern to Massena
We left Malvern early--for us--hitting the road before nine. We took backroads out to US 34, but bailed on the route after a few miles because of heavy traffic and a gravel shoulder.
Luckily Bruce and Deb recommended old 34, which was hillier but beautiful.
We had an early lunch in Red Oak, then headed on. By then the mercury was in the 90s and we started searching out any roadside shade.
Shade didn't help. We were severely wilted.
We went north on 71. In Grant, the Hay Loft was closed, but the proprietor kindly filled our water bottles.
We biked on, turned east on 92 and headed toward Winterset on our new, more northerly route. After just over 60 miles of riding the hills, we reached Massena.
Based on the sign, we figured they wouldn't mind us staying in their park.
We set up camp at the base of the town water tower.
Kieran even met a local guy shooting hoops and got in some one on one before dark.
I am very much looking forward to Catherine's return to the ride tomorrow evening!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Luckily Bruce and Deb recommended old 34, which was hillier but beautiful.
We had an early lunch in Red Oak, then headed on. By then the mercury was in the 90s and we started searching out any roadside shade.
Shade didn't help. We were severely wilted.
We went north on 71. In Grant, the Hay Loft was closed, but the proprietor kindly filled our water bottles.
We biked on, turned east on 92 and headed toward Winterset on our new, more northerly route. After just over 60 miles of riding the hills, we reached Massena.
Based on the sign, we figured they wouldn't mind us staying in their park.
We set up camp at the base of the town water tower.
Kieran even met a local guy shooting hoops and got in some one on one before dark.
I am very much looking forward to Catherine's return to the ride tomorrow evening!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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