Today I ride in memory of Sidney Thomas Rainey, father of grandma Ola. At 91, Ola is still a peach, active, and witty. One of fifteen children, she has also lost a brother and husband to cancer. Listening to her talk about moving to Missouri in covered wagons was unreal.

Paddy Phelan is in my thoughts as well.

I rode out of Kooskia for Rose, born with cerebral palsy, doctors didn’t treat her scoliosis because they didn’t expect her to live long enough for it to matter. Today she has survived cancer, birthed two children, and made raspberry jam from scratch. Stories like hers are what keep me going.

Scavenger hunt! Bilqis and Valerie thought things could use a little shaking up, so they gave each group a list. Arvind, Brandon, Julia and I savored to journey from Frankfort to Fairbury. We met Molly the cow. Her caretaker, Ben, gave us directions to the oldest bulldozer in the world. After explaining how the dozer revolutionized the pipeline industry by quadruplijg the length of pipe that could be laid in a day, we talked about his father who was struck with cancer. As we entered Fairbury, we stopped and met Lloyd and Kathleen, who have been married sixty two years.

Today Chris Young completed his first century with Stephen Hersey, Brandon Knight, and me. We passed through Topeka and some Cargill industrial grain silos. If ever you hear the middle of America is flat, stop listening. It’s one big lie. Just ask Steve.

Beautiful morning outside the church, sun rising over the courthouse across the street. As I ride, I will be thinking of Royce. We are all extremely grateful for the hospitality shown by her and the Paola community. Muireann can be seen showing her gratefulness for Nate. Nate bravely confronted a dog that nearly unsaddled Muireann.

Last night a fire broke out in Dennis’ building. The entire block was surrounded by emergency workers. Had the doctor clear me today. No strep! Stayed with the big van while Arvind and Jane expertly procured lunch for the riders.

I am proud to be riding with so many others in honor of Chris Young’s grandfather on our way in to Kansas City. Shortly after hitting one thousand miles, our group stopped in Independence, the start of the Oregon Trail. Tonight we provided dinner for the Hope Lodge. An hour and a half of preparation resulted in a delicious spread featuring marinated chicken (David Conover’s grandmother’s famous recipe). I was lucky enough to meet Karen, an amazing individual.

Warm and wet. I am taking today as an opportunity to dedicate my ride to all fathers struck with cancer. Especially fathers of my fellow riders: Brian, Muireann,and Bianca.

One water stop. No lunch. With the intention of attacking a food challenge. Our plan was foiled by poor planning. The lack of food added to my already grumpy mood. Turned out for the best, though. Eating a twenty eight inch, ten pound pizza with four people within an hour was nearly impossible. Attempting the challenge with only two would only have ended with embarrassment and failure.

Also, I am sleeping in Clayton tonight.

Riding through the rain for Nick’s dad today.

Sunrise on the Ohio. Decided to check out a detour over a mountain, taking the day over 120 miles.

An evening stroll through Louisville yields quite the view of downtown and across the river to Indiana.

Our hosts at the Gilda’s Club are awesome. They managed to get barbeque donated for dinner. And they have a deck. The weather is beautiful. Should have used more sunscreen…

An off day in Kentucky! Pickle on a stick at the Fayette county Relay for Life, also home to the infamous Mr. Relay competition. Next morning I was given a tour of a equine rehabilitation center. The tour guide/ owner also owns a company that sells hyperbaric chambers for horses. She is branching out to Abu Dhabi and camels. Apparently camel racing is big over there. After the horses I got some eggs Benedict. Thinking of you, mom.

Driving the water van was more complicated than anticipated. A missing bridge with a detour involving a stint on the interstate led us to chart our own course around, adding 12 miles to an already long day.

Christopher Lubas’ fraternity brother, Tom, went above and beyond the call to host 25 strangers during finals week at UC. He didn’t blink as the greasy bicycles piled into the basement, made time to show us around campus and point out the best place for a drink, and even cooked burgers for everyone. To express our gratitude, we didn’t even stay the night. The local Hope Lodge was able to put us up instead. As the photos indicate, it was an old church with beautiful stained glass.

All those awards from national… the house was awesome.

Ripped it right out.

After a ninety three mile day pacing between twenty and twenty five, today’s leisurely ride provided an excellent respite. Today I rode for fellow rider Jane Williams. Around the dedication circle this morning there was unanimous heartbreak.

One for all and all for one, Muskehounds are always ready. One for all and all for one, helping everybody. One for all and all for one, it’s a pretty story. Sharing everything with fun, that’s the way to be. One for all and all for one, Muskehounds are always ready. One for all and all for one, helping everybody. One for all and all for one, can sound pretty corny. If you’ve got a problem chum, think how it could be.

There’s a voice that keeps on calling me. Down the road, that’s where I’ll always be. Every stop I make, I make a new friend. Can’t stay for long, just turn around and I’m gone again. Maybe tomorrow, I’ll want to settle down, Until tomorrow, I’ll just keep moving on.