Raise One For Anne

As much as these rides were intended to raise money and awareness for SUDEP research and epilepsy, it was a chance to remember Anne in a positive way and have a bit of a celebration for her. A three years later wake, if you will.  The final ride itself was just a 26 mile ride up Michigan’s White Pine Trail from my hometown of Rockford to Sand Lake, where I lived until I was 3. We were joined by our friends Jennifer, Jeff, and Michael. That in and of itself made the ride noteworthy. Having people along made Lisa and I want to sit up and talk rather than putting our heads down and finish as quickly as possible. Thanks to them for taking time out of their evenings to get a bit of exercise with us.  I really need longer arms or another person to take this picture.   By the time we got back to Rockford and   The Rockford Brewing Company  the party had already started. Many cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and friends had already started Raising One For Anne. 230 miles in 5 days complete.  

As Lisa and I compared notes today over breakfast, neither of us were feeling it. Hours more of sleep sounded better but we had commitments today. More on that later. The Northern edge of Torch Lake. We left Bellaire a little behind schedule and before we could get something approaching warm, the climbing started. There were some real tough ones today. Some at above 10% for a bit. Doing that with tired legs made it a struggle. But it was pretty. Elevation gains usually make for great views. We road through a couple of cherry orchards too. About mile 40, a water stop was in order. It was hot and we were trying compensate for lethargy with more water and food. But we had reached the Southern side of Torch Lake. Topped off we pedaled on and made it back to Bellaire for our toast at Short’s Brewing. Today we were joined by my Mom, my Aunt’s Susie and Sharon, and my college Mom, Mary Ann Greene-Walsh! It was great to see them all. We’ve covered 203 miles so far. Tomorrow the final 26 with a

This ride is a metaphor of some sort for struggle but at the moment I lack the capacity to flesh it out. We made our drive up US 23 this morning to Cheboygan. The bike path we(I) thought was paved was gravel. But it looked packed down. We figured we’d just slow down a bit. Lisa and I took our setting out picture and pushed off. After about a mile of riding 8mph and our wheels sliding all over, I stopped and tried to re-route us. That’s a task that’s always fun in an unknown area. Lisa, smart person that she is, said, “Instead of being frustrated, why don’t we just go ride  M-119 ?” Brilliant! We had to drive near there anyway for our next hotel. The route is one we have ridden several times. It’s absolutely beautiful even though it’s challenging.  And it’s paved.  Back to the car, reload the bikes and make haste for Harbor Springs. Once, there we re-situated the bikes, water bottles, etc. and set off...again.  I love this route. Even the county road we use to go

More donations came in today! So much awesome! We audibled on our route start point. Rather than starting at our toasting spot, we chose to start and end here. Wouldn’t you? There was a stiff wind blowing out of the NW when we took off from the Oscoda Public Beach. The first part of our route was Westerly so it was a cross-headwind. We thought, “Well, that will push us on the way back...” The terrain is mostly flat with new and old growth pine plus some areas like the above. It smells like Christmas.  We reached our turn South onto M-65 and picked up a massive tailwind. Weeeeeee! 20+ mph with little effort. Before the biggest hill of the day climbing out of the Au Sable River Valley. We turned back East once on the South side of the river and my bike started to feel like I had a shock absorber on the back.  Uh, that’s not right. Sure, enough another flat.  Why? I’m stupid. Yesterday, when I had my flat, I missed a tiny piece of glass that had actually caused that flat and not running o

Before I recap today’s ride, Lisa and I would like to thank everyone who has donated so far. After a flurry of donations yesterday, we are now over $4,000! If you haven’t yet donated and would like to or know someone who is interested, here is the link:  Raise One For Anne Donations Today we wanted to finish before noon because it was supposed to be hot and thunderstorms were predicted for the afternoon. So, in a very non-vacation like manner we got up at 5am to make our preparations for the day and start our hour drive to Caseville, MI to start our ride.  Lisa thought it a good idea to take a picture before setting off.  Making use of the wide shoulder on M-25 we set off and first of today’s issues popped up. I must have been drinking when I planned the route. My cycling GPS was telling me to turn inland after only 2 miles. I disagreed. We stopped and looked at a map and decided to ignore the directions. I angered the GPS. It beeped and flashed red lights at me. It’s not the boss of m

If you ride 66 miles one day and 44 the next does that count as a century? No...okay. Just for that, here’s a far off picture of Mt. Grovetucky...or is that the Franklin County Landfill? Back to back rides will be part of our lives for a week. The only way you know if you can do it is to do it. Is it easy? No. But we are doing the hard things so that someday people won’t have to live what Anne’s family and friends had to live through.  Have you donated yet? The link is right up there on the left.

As the Tour de France had its Gran Depart today, Lisa and I headed out for a tour of Franklin and Madison Counties. Unlike the last week or so, the temperatures were comfortable.(59F at the start.) It was nice to work up a sweat from work and not from just sitting still. The wind was odd today; coming out of NNE. That led to a rarity: a tail wind when going West. But it wasn’t super strong. We kept our pace pretty well. We’re just a week away from beginning our adventure. ALL!

It’s still smoking hot here in Central Ohio. Yes, Robert Smith it’s  HOT HOT HOT So, once again Dawn Patrol was in order for our 40+ mile ride.  Once again with the long shadows that we’d be praying for if we left too much later. The lack of intense Sun made the humidity that much easier to adjust to. Traffic was light and rabbits were still running around. Luckily, there were no close calls with the latter as they aren’t as suicidal as chipmunks.  A few entries ago I posted a picture of some local corn. Here’s another. WAY past knee high by the Fourth of July. We plod along to the start of our “grand tour”. Every dollar donated makes all of 1700 training miles we’ve ridden so far this year worth it.