Here Are The Facts!

2005 Big Ride Across America:


Why are we doing this?

Stan:
Ever since the last time I bicycled across the US in 1986 (after I graduated from college), I have yearned for the opportunity to explore our wonderful country again – from the road on my bicycle. The pace is quite different than from behind the wheel of a car whizzing at 70 mph, and I have fond memories on how wonderful the whole ride was. The beauty of our country is just so amazing to me, and the solitude that is fond in states like Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota is something that one can only absorb on bike at 14 mph. I can’t help but think back to the lessons I learned about the pioneers who came over this same land some 250 years ago, and begin to feel like one of them all over again. Each day will bring on it’s own set of challenges, wind, sun, heat, rain, soreness, but time passes quickly when you have so much beauty all round you.

I also remember the incredible people I met along the way as well… and it’s a different kind of relationship on the road with those you talk to. At work, during all the meetings, it’s always about, “who is going to do this?”, “why wasn’t this done?”, “when is this going to get done?” – I’ll admit that as a business owner, that I’m very guilty over this kind of daily interaction. Maybe it has to be that way - work is a “war” of sorts that requires a close coordination of activities in over to prevail and, as a casualty, our concern over others and their personal feelings, ideas, needs get thrown to the wayside. It’s different on the ride because it is a solitary challenge, not one that requires the dependence of so many.

You are never going to see many that you run across on the road, so, your interests and conversations are vastly different. “What do you do?”, What’s it like to live here?”, “How big is your family?”, “Where’s a good place to eat?”, “What’s there to do in your town?” - and every time you get to learn a little more about others, and about yourself. You can’t help but feel good when you share interactions, and get invited to sit down with a stranger you just met at a diner for breakfast, “Come over here kid so we can chew your ear off for a little bit.”

You also learn a lot about yourself. The ride is more mental than it is anything and of course pits your fortitude against the trials and tribulations of the day. Cheryl and I have both seen the same response from far too many when someone first hears about our ride this summer. “Why in the world would you want to do that?”, with a quick and polite comeback almost apologizing for dissing your dream. Sure you get tired, get a sore butt, get aches from the shocks of the roadway shooting up your arms to your shoulders, get a sore back sleeping in a tent with a 1” “mattress” under you. But, in accomplishing the challenge you set for yourself, you gain so much in persevering and learn more about yourself and what you can do. I am sure that I would never have been able to start my business if I hadn’t been able to cross country back in 1986. I never would have had the guts to take the chance, if I hadn’t taken the chance I did earlier… and learned that it didn’t really matter whether you succeeded or not…rather, that you tried. My life has been about setting a challenge and working to accomplish it. This bike ride is yet another one for me to accomplish, this time with a partner which definitely adds a different dimension to the journey. I am very sure I will learn many things about myself that I hadn’t explored before making it all worthwhile.

Just even in writing this, Cheryl pointed out something to me that I hadn’t thought of. Taking a vacation, sabbatical, whatever you call it, is a very personal choice. I have always sought out the “sports vacations”, bike rids, skiing, canoeing, etc… That’s just me I guess, because no sooner do I look strangely at those who ask “Why in the world would you bike across country?,” than I am quick to say “yeachh!” to those who take some time off… to go to a Holiday Inn, 7 miles outside of Disneyworld… every single vacation they get the chance to? Each of us is different and it’s important to appreciate the other point of view.

Cheryl and I have been cycling for over a year now and we participated in 2004’s GOBA bicycle ride, (a week long ride which travels through different stops in Ohio with 3,000 other cyclists). We had a great time last year, and talked of tackling something much more grandiose – traveling across the country. On the GOBA ride, we learned that the American Lung Association sponsored such a ride across country, The Big Ride. After following the adventures of the 2004 Big Riders on the internet over the summer, we were hooked and signed up for the ride.

Because we are traveling on a tandem, we get a lot of comments about how well our interpersonal relationship must be in order to be together so close for such a long time. That is really the challenge for me this time around. I really want Cheryl to experience this passion that I have and hope that, by sharing this experience, we become even closer as partners. But, I realize that this is going to take a lot of work, as there will be days, when nerves are going to be frayed over the pains from the road.


Cheryl:
All of what Stan says above is certainly true for both of us but more importantly for me in this website I want to formally thank a few people for making this dream become a reality. Number one would be Stan, without his support and reassurance I am sure I would not have the strength to be here on my own. I have had many years of trials and tribulations, both of my parents passed away when I was pretty young and I had Robin at a very young age and that in itself showed me I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. But Stan has been able to show me the world in a different way. I have been able to do things I never was able to do before. He always continues to support and encourage me, I knew sharing the United States on a bike with Stan would be a trip I could never imagine and could not pass up!

Number two would have to be my daughter. She has been my focus for 20 years now. I tried to do everything that would somehow benefit her. I tried to raise her to be independent and strong and know that she can achieve anything she puts her mind to, and she has accomplished so much for which I am so proud of her. She gave me the strength to go forward with this trip, and has been there to listen to my concerns and calls me routinely to support anything I wish to do. I remember one card she gave me that says she was very thankful for the time I gave to her but now go forward with my dreams and do something for me. This sabbatical is a time for me and a time to set out a goal and accomplish it.

The third person or persons I wish to thank is Applewood, my employer, without them this would not be possible. They have enabled me to take the time off, they have supported my dream and are there for moral support whenever I need. Again Applewood I thank you, I am looking forward to what I will bring back to my work, I feel this accomplishment will enable me to see there is nothing I cannot do.

Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors. When we first got the idea and were trying to imagine if it was possible I was skeptical whether or not we could raise enough money for the Lung Association, but YOU were there by our side and saw the great things that can be accomplished. Losing my mother to cancer was devastating, I cannot change that, but I hope to be able to prevent that from happening to some other young child. That is my primary reason for taking on such a challenge like this.

I won’t repeat all of what Stan said above, I do believe he is right, this is going to be a challenge, but I feel with each others support and love and the support of our family and friends we will be able to accomplish this goal. So to you THANK you and watch the web site. Send a note if you can to keep in touch and keep us in touch with reality, somewhat!!!