By the numbers

Miles travelled: 3853.6
People who told us we were crazy: 3852 (Sarah's mother was the one person who supported us from the start. Thanks, Suzie).
People who entered the bet against us in Peru, Indiana: 10
Money we won from proving them all wrong: $100
Days on the road: 60
Rest days: 10
Average miles per riding day: 77.1
Most miles in one day: 112
Tires used: 10 (Lisa's still on the originals and had no flats, but she can't steer)
Jars of peanut butter consumed: 21
Icees drank: 75
States Crossed: 13
Mental breakdowns (main criteria = tears): 6
Steroid shots: 2
Mg of Advil: countless
Beers: Not enough
New friends: thousands
New friend firemen: 20
ISO-1s: 1
Number of mountain ranges in Oregon: too many
Average temperature in Oregon: 108 degrees
Last time it was 108 degrees in Oregon: 1930
People we've met who are more hardcore than we: 3
Bull elk sightings: 4
American Idol Auditions: 1
Youth inspired: 85
Radio apearances: 1
Shrunken Breasts: 6
Current money raised for Children's HeartLink: $1450

Things we've learned

Iowa's not flat.
Neither are Oregon, Pennsylvania, nor California.
Your butt will never go numb.
Pearl Izumi's worth the extra money.
Stretch.
Take that bike maintenance class.
Training might help.
Amish people know best the hills.
4000 calories are hard to consume.
A surprising number of bars come equipped with free showers.
A surprsing number of campgrounds do not.
The Haitians are right; beyond mountains, there are mountains.
Milk.
One can never have too many parents on the road.
There are a lot of white people in America.
10 pounds is a lot for a tent.
Ohio smells like sulfur.
The wind will always find you.
Jelly Bellies.
Dogs like cream cheese crab rolls in collapsible containers.
Said crab rolls are not good bike food.
Stop biking when you start crying.
If you look desperate enough, someone will help.
That guy was right, wear sunscreen.

An Ode to Bob and Doris

This is a poem about Alkali Lake;
We arrived there one day in need of a break.
We could write a song. Nay, a Romantic Chorus,
But even that's not enough to thank Bob and Doris!

Last day pictures

1. Dipping day #2. Front tires.
2. Lisa's friend Tarek met us in New York and then again in San Francisco. It was his birthday.
3. Lisa and my bike on Patti's car in San Francisco. We're not riding them.
4. Celebration dinner with Tarek, Tawfic, Tami and Kristine. Bottom's up. Thank you guys so much for a great welcome, making us feel like rockstars, and for dinner. It was delicious! Especially the specially ordered drinks.

And yet, there are more pictures

1. Melissa's self portrait.
2. We made it! That's the Golden Gate Bridge. And that's us. On the San Francisco side.
3. The Redwoods are all they're cracked up to be. Notice we look stressed? That's because my tire had a hole in it and we just needed to get to the next bike shop by 5:30. We made it.
4. This is why you buy the expensive shoes. That's Lisa's foot.
5. Cows. Not something you expect to see on the turnout of the PCH. By the way, those turn outs are necessary when the road winds precariously close to the edge of the cliffs and has no shoulder.

More Oregon and California Pictures

1. The motorcycling dentists we met outside of Yellowstone were impressed.
2. Also in Yellowstone, we met Jim Clause (no relation) from Lakeview, Oregon, which happened to be on our route a week later. He and his wife, Lorrie, took us in and fed us an amazing steak dinner complete with the best sweet corn we've had yet. Thanks!
3. Jim also set us up with his sister, Gail, in Eureka, Calif. Gail thought we were a joke until we showed up on her doorstep after biking up the steepest hill in all of America (ok, Lisa biked; Mel and I walked). Thanks to Gail and her husband, Bryan, for the delicious Mexican dinner, for taking us in, and for setting us up on the radio.
4. Primary colored helmets. Self explanatory.
5. Mel's gears broke, so she experimented with new options while I fixed my tire, which had gotten yet another hole.

Idaho, Oregon, California Pictures

1. Did you know Oregon has mountains?
2. We met Mike the Fireman at the hippie camp in Ashland, Or. The whole place smelled like sulfur from the "healing mineral baths", so he took Lisa out on his sweet bike to buy some potable water. As they were preparing to leave, a half naked girl asked for a ride on the basis that "Beamers make me wet." She then asked Melissa if the three of us were intimate lovers. Later the same evening, a man felt my calf and declared that he "felt power."
3. Finally!
4/5. Our first day in the Pacific Ocean, which is on the other side of the country, "clear 'cross town," as someone in Indiana told us. Little did we know what the next six days would entail. Turns out sea level is full of mountains too. And whoever said all roads are graded to 6% LIED.

PACIFIC OCEAN!!

We made it!! Arrived in Crescent City, CA yesterday after spending eight days biking through Oregon during the hottest week the state has seen in the past 100 years. We have so many people to thank and stories to tell from that week but we'll have to post them later since this library is closing in 8 minutes. Now we just have to do our 400 mile cool-down ride from here to San Francisco.

IDAHO

Attention: After many, many failed attempts, the much anticipated American Idol Video has successfully been posted. Please scroll down to see Freda's performance. And see if you can spot the judge who's not like the others...

Idaho is HOT. And windy. We descended from the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies directly into the 103 degree heat of the desert. The 30 mph head winds ALMOST got the best of us one afternoon when it took us 3.5 hours to ride the last 23 miles. Freda was convinced she was pedaling and not moving forward. But we persevered! And we beat Lance. Again.

Rexburg, ID was filled with SnowCone Shacks and the wonderful hospitality of Tony Perkins and Lana Grover. It was by far and away the softest grass we've ever slept on and the best milkshakes we've ever eaten. And your advice on our nutrition needs has led to our daily consumption of a quart of chocolate milk. Each. (Except Melissa). And a big thanks to Mike (the angel) from Idaho National Laboratories who magically appeared on the side of the road with cold Gatorade and Salted Nut Rolls because he'd seen us suffering for 2 days. Good luck on your 200 mile race! (in one day).

Now we're taking a rest day in Caldwell, ID. This should be our last rest day before we roll into the Pacific Ocean. We have to get over the Cascades. Everyone who told us it was all downhill from the Rockies was lying. Lying.

#1: we were a little scared of radioactivity. but things are ok, i think. anyway, "all injuries are viewed as preventable."












#2: Lisa's new tent died. After about a week of use. Eureka has kindly sent her a new one.






















#3: Sometimes I think Freda's tent looks like a cross between Slimer and the sandworms from Dune--especially when the mesh is closed.















#4: Waaaay too hot in the Boise valley to read inside the tent.














#5: Especially when your reading material is so steamy.

Bison!

We had to stop to let the bison cross the road.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks (Lisa's cousin has more pictures)

#1: The snow-capped mountain that we crossed















#2: In front of the Tetons. Lisa is NOT pregnant in this picture; she just wears funny clothes











#3: We taught our new friend, Kevin, to play Euchre



















#4: Freda, with attitude

#5: Self-explanatory, I hope

Muddy Gap and Dubois...WY

#1: Truly the middle of nowhere
















#2: Taken just before a 7 mile descent











#3: Going up into Grand Teton park

#4: We took pictures in our Dubois shirts for the people of Dubois, PA. There's also a Dubois, ID, but that was 20 miles off of our course. Sorry, guys.

Lisa rides the mechanical bull at the Wyoming state fair

In the end, she had to tell the operator that she was done because he could not get her to fall. Evidently, she has a second calling in bull riding. Note that she's getting air in the third picture.

At long last, the video...

The Caldwell, ID Library ROCKS!

Here is Freda's tryout. Basically, she's America's Idol. For further proof, check out the leg tan lines AND the shadows created by her calves of steel.

Yikes! Internet is difficult to find in the west

Sorry--again!--that we haven't updated the blog in a while. We promised pictures and videos from Wyoming, but the internet in many of these places isn't fast enough to upload things. So you'll have to wait just a *bit* longer for that priceless video of Freda thrilling the crowd at the Wyoming Idol tryouts. I promise you; it's worth the wait.

But here is a brief update about our time in WY:

We left Casper with heavy hearts. Sutton and Rick were so great, and their house was so cozy... The ride was good, though, and we ate a delicious breakfast at the Sunrise Diner at mid-morning. Thanks to Francine for the awesome eats and for donating to CH. We rolled into our destination, Muddy Gap, pretty early that day. As luck would have it, another cross-country bike tour was passing through there (www.biketheUSforMS.org). First we met Don, Dustin and Dustin's incredible handlebar mustache. As we were all headed in the same direction for the next few days, Don and Mason (and the rest of the riders) generously offered to let us throw our panniers in their sag wagon and ride with them. So after "crushing" all of the blue freeze pops at the only gas station in miles, we freed ourselves from those 40 lb bicycle fetters and took off for Jeffrey City.

Do not camp in Jeffrey City. They have the largest, most aggressive mosquito population in this continent, I think.

The next few days were lovely. We had lots of new company, played some Euchre, ate a lot, didn't have to carry our bags, climbed some mountains (9600 ft!!), didn't get eaten by bears... so great! And to everyone who mentioned that the Tetons are spectacular: you are beyond right. On the way (down) into Moran Junction, the mountains came into full view. It was cold, yes, but absolutely worth the trek.

Yellowstone was wonderful as well. Lisa's parents and cousin, Adam, met us in West Thumb with...SWEET CORN! They also drove us to the parts of the park that we would have been too lazy to bike to (namely anything remotely off of our route) and put us up in a sweet hotel last night. There was a hot tub and a pool! Thanks a million for giving us the chance to rest, restock and refuel before the last leg of our trip. The venison jerkey is a lifesaver, by the way!

We will attempt to upload videos and pictures when we get to another spot that has internet, which we believe will be near Boise. Thanks again to everyone for the support!

Nebraska/Wyoming Pics

Welcome to the West

As much as we loved Nebraska, arrival in Wyoming meant for all of us a true sense of accomplishment. I mean, we rode our bikes from Manhattan to the wild, wild West. And boy is it wild. There's really just not that much here. Three houses, occupied or not, constitutes a town. We have to be a little more careful about planning our rest stops because, you know, we need water every once in awhile. Lisa seems to need it less.
Before I get carried away, let me just thank Annette at the Bunk House Motel in Chadron, Nebraska because even though I couldn't find a place to get my legs waxed (see previous post), she made us feel right at home and didn't kick us out when we got bike grease all over, well, everything. This is a great place to stay if you're ever on Route 20.
So back to Wyoming. I think our entrance into Wyoming was the moment when we all realized exactly how incredible and awesome we are. Did I mention we rode our bikes to Wyoming? Have you ever even been to Wyoming? In a car? Probably not. You should, though. There may be only 500,000 people here, but they're all family. That's what we've been told. And they've adopted us. Our first night in Wyoming was after a rough 93-mile day that involved a construction-ridden hill into the wind when it was 100 degrees, dusty, muddy, trucks, you name it. We will never speak of it again. The folks at the Manville Community Alliance Church took us in and gave us use of their kitchen and backyard for the night. Thank you, and we're excited to be on the annual PowerPoint presentation.
From Manville, we basically beat Lance Armstrong as we flew to Casper, WY just in time for my Wyoming Idol audition (see video). In case you were wondering, we'll never know if I won. We didn't have time to stick around for the finals even though my presence was requested. And yes, the winner of Wyoming Idol goes on to compete in the Fox extravaganza.
While I was performing, Melissa met the nicest woman in Wyoming. Sutton kidnapped us and took us to "the most beautiful spot in all of Wyoming." She wasn't lying. Right now we're watching the river flow by as elk and antelope frolic in the surrounding hills. Sutton also took us out to Poor Boys' Steakhouse where we each put 16 oz. of delicious, juicy, mouthwatering, decadent, tender, sumptuous slabs of red meat into our systems which we expect to power us through the looming ... In case we were worried, she and her husband, Rick, also took us out for pasta at Red Lobster the next day for lunch. Thank you both so much for your hospitality and kindness. Meeting people like you is what makes this trip what it is.
A stop at Ragged Edge Bike Shop revealed some slight maintenance issues, and the mechanics were a bit concerned, but duly impressed with my "burliness." They said that the only dude who was more hardcore than we had not only done the trip solo with one outfit, but also strapped a dead bat to his handlebars. Yeah, he wins.
Finally, I have an announcement. After much harassment and many days of suffering both on and off the bike, Lisa has finally purchased a new tent, complete with an escape hatch in the roof. This new item has lowered her total weight by at least 7 pounds. To cut another 6 oz, she also lost the kickstand. Goodbye, trusty tent. Goodbye, less trusty kickstand. I won't say we'll miss you.
Mrs. Schmidt, stop reading.
Tomorrow, we'll be entering bear country. We feel prepared. Just like we were for this trip.

More Donation Shout-outs

Thanks so much to Sophia and Ken, Erica, Jennifer and Tim, and Nor for the donations! You guys are awesome!!

Nebraska

Nebraska has been everything that Iowa was not: flat, windless, and having smooth roads. We love this state! If anyone ever has to bike across Nebraska, they should take Hwy 20, which is one long stretch of (fairly) smooth road that goes through little towns filled with free camping, swimming pools, and amazing museums (see previous post). The only thing they don't seem to have is a place for Freda to get her legs waxed. After nine straight days of biking, we're taking a rest day in Chadron, NE. We were trying to capitalize on a predicted easterly wind that was supposed to last until yesterday. I think it blew at about 3mph on the first day and then turned into a headwind for the next three. At least it's flat here.

Nebraska highlights:

Camping out with Aaron Bullington in Plainsview!

The Klown Doll Museum.

Finding out that my tent doesn't leak! (I just wasn't assembling in correctly...)

They make great pie in every town.

The route 20 map

Did we mention it's flat?

We're headed to Wyoming tomorrow. Hoping to be in Casper by Friday to experience not only the Casper State Fair/Rodeo festivities, but also Wyoming Idol! Exciting posts are yet to come.

Iowa

Roadside mulberries. An Iowa highlight.

So it turns out that Iowa's not flat. Ever. In five days of biking across this state I think we encountered about 20 miles that were neither up nor down a hill. And the wind blows all the time at 20mph from the west. I'm convinced that we'll be biking into the wind 90% of the time on this trip, but Freda and Melissa read on some bike website that no matter which way you bike across the country, you'll have the same number of days with a tailwind as with a headwind. I think it's the same website that said Iowa is flat.

Even though winds, hills, and road conditions were less than desirable, the people of Iowa were AMAZING! Thanks to Al and Nancy Schmidt who put us up for 2 days and fed us very large quantities of fruit, ice cream, potato salad, candy, and red meat. Thanks to Armando, Mike, and Tim for letting us camp out in the Grinnell park and to Erin and Steve McDowell who met us that night for dinner. You guys are great! Thanks to Joyce Patterson for all of her hospitality in Boone and to Dave and Linda Grieve for driving over from Ankeny and for dinner at the Golden Corral, where we'd been trying to eat ever since we started this trip. (It was Freda's first Golden Corral Buffet experience; she was both excited and appauled at the food choices). Thanks to Tim and Kelly in Sioux City. Tim for the ride to the sporting goods store (which was 5 miles away from where we were staying) and Kelly for the great advice on biking out West and for escorting us through the busy streets of Sioux City, IA at rush hour. He's also our new bike idol.

Quick video

ok, our time on the computer in Bassett, Nebraska's public library is running short. So we won't be able to talk about the past few days in detail. BUT----! Here is an amazing video from the Klown Museum in Plainview, NE. It was voted Nebraska's "Best Attraction of 2008."

Donations shout-outs

Thanks to Mrs. LaFortune, Pamela Zwolinski-Gliozzi, Tina and David, Laurie, and Brett, Brittany and Natalie for supporting our cause by donating to Children's Heartlink.

At the cheese factory

More pics from days 14-18

Brett shows us how it's done on the slip 'n' slide.

Lisa tries to copy the kids' form. Check out those awesome tan lines.

Family photo. Yay! You guys are awesome!

Crossing the Mississippi.