TRAVELING WITH GOD ON ANGEL'S WINGS

OneRepublic - I Lived

2014-09-25T13:43:00.001-07:00

I've posted this video ...well It's an amazing video by @OneRepublic. Watch, enjoy and you'll understand why I've included it in this blog. ;)

Keep the wind at your back and keep rollin'...Much love!

LONG LONG SUMMER

2014-08-25T00:07:00.004-07:00

I love the movie THE HORSE WHISPERER. I know, what does that have to do with cycling? Not much. But that's how my summer has been. I've been sick and not got to do much of anything. It's been horrible. My family doctor retired from family practice and finding a new team of doctor's has been next to impossible, frustrating and humiliating. New legislation is making it difficult to get the medications that have allowed me to function somewhat normally. It's just generally sucked. Then there have been other storms on top of that. I really just wish for some happy smooth sailing for a change for a while. Normal would be wonderful!

That said there has always got to be some beauty out there or what would "life" be? My baby girl just started her senior year of High School! I'm so very proud of her and Wow...that empty nest is hitting! Long rides will likely be on hold til at least next summer. (I do hope to get one, maybe week long(?) trip in) but then..well, it will be an entirely new chapter in my life. It's my hope to get my daughter to embark on a long tour with me but not one that I've got high hopes will happen. Then will be the time to try to accomplish my dream of seeing as much of this world and meeting as many people out there, learning as much about different cultures etc as I possibly can. I truly believe our differences, what makes us unique, is what makes "us"/ humans so fascinating and beautiful. And I personally, am a Christian and so taught that we were all created in God's image. Can you imagine!? A God who is ALL of the amazing and wonderful traits we can see and experience in each other if we only choose to see and experience the good rather than fear and hide from the different. Or look for the bad. Have you noticed how often people do that, look for the bad? "I bet he/she..." and it's an assumption of the worst. Why do we do that? I promise you, take a long distance bike tour and you will see things with an entirely new perspective. (I NEED A NICE LONG BIKE TRIP RIGHT NOW!)

Anywho..I've got a little riding in this summer.,had some nice local rides (got severely sunburnt on one of those rides! WEAR SUNSCREEN!) It's my intentions to pick up the pace now that I'm starting to feel a bit stronger.

In the meantime I thought I'd share some pictures from the past few months...,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

We spend a lot of time at Missessinewa. The campground there is fairly nice. They could have better showers and could learn a few things about off hour check ins from Texas State Parks. Also if its a really nice weekend or a holiday weekend call ahead or go early. On weekends like those they fill up fast. And they're a big campground! Usually you can find a fairly private campsite, close enough to "neighbors" but not too close. They have hiking, swimming, fishing, Frisbee golf, and a nice campstore, picnic shelters with grills and some reasonable riding within the recreational premises. Most of the time we ride there from home, sometimes some of us ride while some will drive the gear, and occasionally we drive it all (bikes included).

There are lots of wildlife at the reservoir, from bird watching to deer, chipmunks, and raccoons...Watch out for the masked bandits! We stayed in a cabin one weekend and those critters tried to tear through the screen to get into our cabin! They are fearless and will come right up to your campsite, porch you name it and they WILL steal any loose food they can get their grubby little paws on. Just consider yourselves warned. That said, they are cute!

They drained the Heron pond (what I call it) this spring for some reason. It looked really bare. It's filled again now.

I equate the Nickleplate Trail with Mississinewa as we usually ride it about halfway then cut east to the park. The Nickleplate is a beautiful trail but be warned, it has little to no facilities. Your best stops are riding a short distance west at Bennett's Switch to a small convenience store/gas station on 31 or there is both a bar and a convenience store/deli in Bunker Hill (might be more? I do know that those are available) and then the next stop is Peru which has a large selection of just about anything before heading back into no-man's land. Someone really needs to add a few port-o-pots at very least. It is well kept though.

Another fairly local ride we typically begin from France Park..

France Park or "The cliffs" is west off of 24 out of Logansport. It's a nice park/campground although it is hilly and has LOTS of trees so finding a level tent camping spot isn't as easy. They have a nice camp store and plenty to do right in the park, with a descent area of fair day riding within the park as well. During the summer they have a beach, concessions, and a zipline, miniature golf, fishing. And nice although too few showers. And also can be completely packed on holidays and nice weekends which as big as it is and if you see it on "normal" days, is difficult to believe.

France Park is near the beginning of The Panhandle Trail. You can either ride to it or drive, It adds a few good miles to your ride to ride to the trail head. At least at this time. They are trying to arrange it to where the trail can be accessed from France Park. For now though it's probably a good 6 or 7 miles give or take to the trail head. I personally thought what we rode of the trail was beautiful and it was as pleasantly aromatic as it was beautiful. While once again they didn't have the needed facilities it wasn't that far from town to town and they seemed quite accustomed to cyclists. I'm anxious to return and ride the complete trail. Here's a few pictures from the trail head to Royal Center...

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Now come on, look back a few pictures! CROOKED CREEK! Really? Can you not figure out what comes next?????

If you build it he will climb....

How many bunnies do you see???

McGovern's is suppose to be really good. We didn't eat there though...we chose like several other cyclists to eat at the deli at the gas station. Well priced great value and not bad overall. (the pea salad needed some sugar. ;) )

We saw some interesting sights...like obviously not everything is bigger in Texas!

On the other hand...

Oh Thank God! Free Air!!!!!

Wait...that's just 24 hour air...ugh...

$3.85/gal!!!!! Bwahahahaha...not on a TerraTrike!!!!!! ;)

Ready to roll again????

And so the sunsets...

Join me next on Kokomo's Industrial Trail...

Keep the wind at your back and keep on rollin'.....

DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN!!!

2014-06-22T23:33:00.002-07:00

Yeah, you'd think riding or not that by my age I'd know to pour the sunscreen on huh? But noooooo.....and OUCH I'm paying!

(Update). Well we went riding Sunday. It truly was an absolutely gorgeous day! Stupid me, I thought I had enough base tan that I wouldn't burn. I've gone to the pool with no sunscreen and not burnt. So, I took my 30spf I just waited too long. Leading to a trip to emergency care1. Going to have to rig up some sort of umbrella to provide shade while I'm riding (can't afford to buy one :\). But I'm blistered & sick from sun poisoning. The nice doctor said I should be feeling some relief from the steroids in 24 hrs. I think I'm feeling a bit better this evening, maybe

So be smarter than me....put on plenty of sunscreen BEFORE you set out and the spray on works great easy to recoat later without just spreading road grime.

Have fun & stay safe!

Keep the wind at your back and keep Rollin'...

WARM SHOWERS GUESTS

2014-06-22T23:30:00.002-07:00

I thought this had posted!

A couple weekends ago I got a message from Warmshowers and had the honor or hosting our first Warmshowers guests. Ben and Sandra are riding across the United States from Pittsburg, PA. It was such a treat to get to meet them, although the house was torn apart when they arrived. I feel so bad about that! (Visit again and I promise it will be more prepared! ';) ) Ben is an environmental engineer and Sandra is about to embark on becoming a doctor when they return. Sandra is originally from Cologne Germany. (I hope I got the town right?) and this is her SECOND trip across the United States! GOOO SANDRA!!!!!
They were such wonderful and polite guests. Ha, didn't even shoo Lucy out when she decided to intrude as they tried to get to sleep! (BTW she has never done that before...she usually stays away from guests!) I so admire their gusto! And here they were Andy's age and teaching me a LOT! Thank you to both of you! I am so impressed!!!

If you would be interested in being possible hosts for touring cyclists you can find out more at Warmshowers.org

ALWAYS A BUMP IN THE ROAD

2014-06-06T13:33:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or does there always seem to be a hurdle to cover? Well here's the latest...as you know I'm not your typical long distance cyclist. I have Myalgic Encephalomylitis or as it's known here in the States CFS and FMS (Fibromyalgia). I've always seen my doctor before and after my rides, have to pay very close to what my body is telling me (or I should) and sometimes it gets the upper hand. Ironically, just before planning to ride for CFS/FMS awareness my doctor retired from family practice leaving me without a family doctor! Grrrrr....so, we're in limbo at the moment. I've been riding trying to build my endurance and strength but haven't decided if we will set off on such a major ride without medical supervision. There are a number of possibilities- 1) I could get lucky and find a new and wonderful family doctor without much of a blip. 2) I could chance things in God's hands. 3) (likely) We will attempt some week long rides thru Indiana, Michigan, Ohio...near home and see how I do. Right now I've been struggling with sleep issues and RLS, or what we thought was augmentation from my RLS medication but it's looking like it might be something more serious. We'll know more after some testing. (Ugh..) I'm asking for your prayers and good thoughts that it's NOT anything more serious. I really am frustrated and discouraged right now. It just feels like everything keeps going wrong. Our pipes busted coming from our water heater, our AC is broken because someone had stolen the copper tubing from the central air unit and put it all back together nice and neat so it went undetected when we bought the house (and it's been pretty hot), the car has had some issues (which is fine by me for the most part because I'd love to see everybody pedaling but not so fine by those who travel in carpools an hour to work daily!), someone I love dearly is going to have his first baby in July and more people I love are going to be coming up from Texas to be here when the baby arrives and I would hate to miss all of them, it's my last summer with my baby girl before her senior year and she has a bunch of things SHE wants us to do and I've learned the painful way not to let those moments pass me by, a number of people close to me have been diagnosed with cancer and it seems like a bad time to be gone far. (Lost a good friend when I was gone last time) ....you get the picture if you are a "signs" person like I am. Sometimes God wants us to wait a little and it seems like this MIGHT be one of those times....I just don't know. Time will tell and your prayers will certainly help.

In the meantime! We rode the Industrial Trail in Kokomo the other night and I was really impressed!!!! I had rode it once before and thought it was nice but I'm not big on trails that have a lot of busy crossroads and that is one downfall of The Industrial Trail as with any inner city trail. But WOW KOKOMO! You've done Good! I was especially impressed with my hometown having the first trail I've been on that had not just port-o-pots but an actual "depot" like building with bathrooms, water and a place where you could air up your tires and hang your bike with tools to work on it! It was really cool! They've obviously worked hard to keep it nice despite a few spots where vandals had knocked over a light or two. Why do people feel compelled to do such things??? If I could suggest anything to Kokomo I'd suggest perhaps a "free camp" for cyclists ...maybe at the end by the picnic shelter by the Eagles? Or down at the point of the UCT park? I've Free Camped in some town parks and it really doesn't have to be anything fancy. The UCT park would be great because they could keep a bathroom open and it's near the police station if they feel the need to have a drive by patrol which I doubt would be all that necessary. It probably would not get used all that often but would be nice to have and once they join the Nickel Plate with the Industrial Trail there might be more of a need? Just thought. But yeah, it's a nice little ride, well kept, plenty of stops and shops, places to eat and it gives you a feel for the city. Kokomo's "sights to see" are not far off the beaten path either should you choose to venture to say Highland Park or Kokomo Beach or one of the Malls so if you are riding thru Kokomo Indiana don't just stick to the main road or the back roads...venture in and pick up the Industrial Trail. It's worth the ride. I didn't take my camera along but will try and get some pics for you.

Keep the wind at your back and keep rollin...

2014-05-23T07:08:00.001-07:00

Van Halen & Sammy Hagar - Where eagles Fly (Subti…: http://youtu.be/5XknxDmT1CQ

FIBROMYALGIA AND ME/FATIGUE SYNDROME

2014-05-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

This settles it. My next major ride is going to be directly for ME/CFS & FMS awareness. Being that I have been diagnosed with both since I was a teenager most people who know me or get to know me get introduced to the illness' if they haven't been already but awareness doesn't seem to be enough. We can talk all we want but if nobody is interested then nobody is going to become "aware" and if the general public does not become aware of just how devastating these diseases can be then it's going to take forever for Science to get anywhere near finding a cure. Meanwhile thousands upon thousands of people will suffer severely daily, some even paying with their lives.

For whatever reason some medical professionals, more so than not (although that tide is slowly turning) are in denial about the severity of these diseases, some even refuse to give them any validation at all. I've known of doctors with this attitude who became sick with it themselves and their peers, knowing how disbelieving they were, still labeled them as psychosomatic. Is that ridiculous or what!?

Trust me and the millions of others, it's real, very real,l very upsetting. Here is just a small example of what happens. I was visiting family in Ohio when I began having horrible abdominal pain. Nothing helped. I suffered the ride back to Indiana and went to our doctor who immediately dismissed it as just another symptom of my CFS. Now one of the skills I have developed pretty well, admittedly not perfect but pretty darn well over course of living with this most of my life is recognizing when it's fibro muscle pain or not and I knew this just did not feel right. It felt more internal if that made sense? So I saw a different doctor who immediately said "Well that sounds like gall bladder. Has anyone checked your gall bladder?" I told him no and he sent me right over for an ultrasound which revealed mine was completely full and partially collapsed. I needed surgery asap. I should mention that my former doctor was not BELIEVING in my illness, she was believing I was a hypochondriac and brushing me off is what she was doing...and I was paying the price. Others who believed if I would just "change my way of thinking" as if I could think myself out of fevers and swollen lymph nodes, low platelets, Other countries recognize ME/CFS as potentially fatal. It baffles me why such a serious illness that affects so many would be dismissed so Did you see any major sports organization wearing Purple ribbons for us May 12th? Did you see any major celebrities speaking out about it on TV? I didn't even though I know of some who are said to have it. They likely don't want to admit it publically because of the stigma attached. We not only have to battle the illness' but we also have to constantly defend out character if we are diagnosed with these.

I've wrote that I have these. I wouldn't be able to do these rides were it not for my recumbent trikes, again I will say they are a Godsend. I've also said that I'm not going to hide the bad days. I'm going to commit to vlogging more with the next ride so that you can see for yourself, and tell you more exactly how I'm feeling physically and honestly. Sometimes when I pay close attention to not over exerting myself, take breaks properly etc the riding on the recumbents HELP. Getting too much sun does NOT help. I've been very fortunate to have such a considerate riding partner who I fully give all credit to for pulling way more than his share of the work when it comes to pulling the trailer most of the time, then unloading and setting up camp while all I do is organize and prepare dinner. I've wanted to try a solo long distance ride but I know all to well that my riding partner does so much of the work, I don't know that I can do it alone. I spend so much time preparing physically that that is why I often forget other important points to check-like major events happening or the wild life that live in the area. (Florida) Life is just constantly more complicated, painful and humiliating, all of which could be lessened if only people were better educated/informed about the diseases-especially doctors.

So, for this reason, I believe I want to devote my next ride to raising funds for FMS/ME/CFS research and advocacy. I've lived with these longer than most so please feel free to ask me questions if you would like to know about it. I'm also asking you to pledge. It takes funds to make these rides. We travel pretty cheap but we do still have to eat, and pay for campsites and occasional motel rooms as well as occasional typical bike repairs such as flat tires. (Hoping for a sponsor who will cover some of those) We will keep the costs low and all profits will go to research and advocacy for FMS and ME/CFS.

I'd love to meet others with the illness' and possibly tell some of your story if you wouldn't mind. If any of you are at a place where you can and would like to ride along with me even for just a short distance, I'd love that! If you are bedridden with this and along my route and willing to be interviewed on my vlog PLEASE let me know! I'd like people to see all extremes of this beast. That it's not just "muscle aches". If you are another patient suffering with this and have felt helpless to do anything here is your chance! You can help me get people reading and viewing -supporters who will become educated and or pledge. And you can help by telling your story. I will cover as much ground as I can and check on here for your invites along my route once I have it posted, I will be your legs so you will no longer be invisible without a voice! My hope is to make this ride this summer.

Check in for further updates....

FLORIDA 2014

2014-04-09T00:30:00.001-07:00

Here it is FINALLY!!! I figured it out!!! Hope you enjoy it!

Weather

2014-04-04T12:39:00.003-07:00

Okay...why does my blog disappear over and over???? I get so far and hit enter to start a new paragraph and *bleep* it all disappears!!! This week has NOT been good!!!!

The weather has been rainy and left behind flooded streets. It's warmed up some but still not "nice". I'm getting ants in my pants here!!!! That said, I do need to get my trikes in to see Dave at Victory for another "checkup" (or tune up?) The Florida ride and "other" circumstances were pretty rough on them. Note to self: Remember to take in some more cookies or perhaps some homemade soft pretzels to the guys at Victory. They've been really good to me. And hopefully in a couple months they will help me pick out a new sportier/faster trike! (hopefully) I've already been going over in my head...do I stick with my old original TerraTrike or do I try a Cat? Decisions decisions....I do have this attachment to TerraTrike, having actually met them during the contest and all...but oh those Cats looks really nice!

Anyway, it's soooo dreary. I keep thinking "I should still be in Florida right now." Did I make a mistake coming back early? No, I've been in a bad flare since I returned. I think I made the right decision. But I do want to be able to get out and work on my stamina!!!! Does anyone have Mother Natures direct number??????

WELL THIS WASN'T WHAT I EXPECTED...

2014-03-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

My computer power cord went out and it took me a while to figure out what was going on with it so I wasn't able to post for a while. That said I got so frustrated with riding in Florida it's probably a good thing that I've had time to cool off. No offense. Florida is Not bike friendly though and there is no "slow time" of the day. We faced heavy traffic everywhere at all hours. Add to it that the bad weather continued except for one mild day which I managed to get sunburnt (I'm allergic to the sun and get sick if I get burnt). You get the picture.

Also my poor planning did not help. I thought bike week in Daytona was in February. I should have checked. Always check. I was wrong. We landed in the Daytona area smack dab during bike week. Fun? Perhaps if you are prepared for triple the usual price for lodging which we were not. So, we rode from the Econolodge in Ormond Beach off of HWY 1 which btw google navigator will take you to the LaQuita Inn across the Hwy and about a block down from the Econo. If you happen to look for it via the navigator go on past the overpass and you'll see it. (Their breakfast is packaged danishes and coffee period...no juice, no milk, no toast, muffins, cereal, doughnuts...just three kinds of packaged danishes like out of a vending machine and coffee.) Aside from their "breakfast" the staff there was very nice and helpful and the rooms were nice for the coupon price. Oh the wifi was nonexistent.

Given that everything was booked or OY-VAY expensive on down A1A our planned route we decided to reroute and head across to the gulf side. An older biker (motorcycle) man told us to take 40 across. Said it had a good shoulder and would be the fastest and safest etc. HA! I'm wondering if one of us offended this man somehow? 40 had virtually NO shoulder and no stop traffic heading too and from Bike Week. Meaning too that probably half of those were drunk drivers who often swerved over the little bit of shoulder we had to ride on. Further, well let me just say I didn't know that there were black bear in Florida and 40 is also called the Scenic Black Bear Biway. I guess they have a rather large black bear population. This not only was a bit worrisome as far as riding thru it but also meant no camping for us other than the Volousia County Speedway where we met some very nice people who were there for Bike Week. To camp in campgrounds and state parks in Florida you must have a vehicle and/or air tight containers which you can hoist you food away from your camp overnight (including anything such as campstove and utensils...anything that smells of food) Our "kitchen" is in a less sturdy tote which could not be hoisted with some snacks scattered in out main tote. Further we didn't take a heater other than the camp stove and the one night we did camp due to it seeming less of a risk camping around other campers than riding at night amongst predominantly drunk drivers I kept praying "just let us wake up in the morning Lord. Please let us survive this night." I had my "mummy bag" closed and let me tell you having to get out to go potty was SHOCKING to say the least. BUT a BIG THANK YOU to the speedway for allowing us to camp for free and even having their bathrooms open and working.

I was so preoccupied with having to watch the cars and trying to ride on the pavement but stay out of traffic as much as possible all while keeping an eye out for bear that I didn't take pictures along 40. It was pretty. I'll give it that. In a car it would be a very pretty drive. A nice change from the Bee-line we usually take. I'll be less afraid to take off on roads unknown to cut across the state when in a motorized vehicle from now on. Just the opposite actually. Along the way we came to the town of Astor. One of the only oasis along this route. We stopped at subway for lunch and the library to recharge phones. And I concluded that starting out with no "training rides" if you will. I mean it's been ...grrr...and still is....winter here in Indiana so I hadn't had a chance to ride since last fall. AND I was starting out with Bronchitis thinking that I was going into a warmer climate so I'd just go easy and heal fine while riding. But now I'm realizing the weather not cooperating and my poor planning are helping the bronchitis kick my butt, I'm feeling horrible. We offered a nice man named Dennis $20 and he gave us a ride a good distance to Silver Springs I believe. It was to his church, I think it was called Edge of the Wood Catholic Church. From there we STILL had several hours pedaling and came into the town of Silver Springs by nightfall where we got a room at the Days Inn mainly because I was feeling so sick and the campground was going to be very cold that night. Little did we know the campground was still two hours pedaling away too! The ride all in all wasn't too bad. It was hilly and the traffic typical. We witnessed a truck hit a motorcycle and SOMEHOW the bag with my dirty clothes, my favorite and newest best clothes, wasn't tied down on the trailer but rather just stuffed in and it fell off un-noticed along the way to the campground. When we got to the campground (my mind is drawing a blank at the moment as to the name) it was nothing like the ad said and they didn't seem to want us there. The people we were told to see, the hosts I believe, didn't know how to check us in and made quite sure that we knew we couldn't stay long then pointed us to a small area as close to the highway as you can get and right in their "playground" and literally next to their pool which we were unsure if it was open or not. It was full but really disgusting. Not a place I would recommend at all. And again we like to froze. So feeling worse I found a coupon for a hotel in the area and feeling even worse made the decision that that was enough and called my husband to come and get us.

So I found this coupon for a place called THE GOLDEN PALMS INN & SUITES. for $47/night. I check in and there were two men at the front desk. Both were very nice and helpful. I told them that I wasn't sure when my husband would be able to get down there so for the time being I wanted to get the room for just three nights and then I would likely need it for more but I didn't know for how many. The man waiting on me told me that he wanted to forewarn me that I probably wouldn't be able to get a room that weekend and if I could that they would be more expensive at any of the hotels around there due to the "Gator Nationals" but that I should be okay thru Friday. I thanked him for letting me know this and paid for the three nights. Wednesday I knew that my husband expected to be there Friday morning so I went to the office and told them I would like the room for one additional night to which the woman then told me that it would be $59.99 instead which was what flashed on their Marquee so I expected that and said okay and started to pay and she said I could just pay upon check out. Friday morning when I went to check out she was holding a housekeepers meeting and asked if I was checking out? I said yes and she said she would just put it on the card. I was a little uncomfortable with this, as I'd been keeping my receipts but said okay more just looking forward to going home. On the way home we withdrew some money and the balance seemed off so I checked and we discovered I was charged $105 for that last night. My husband called and the woman said that I shouldn't have been given the coupon discount beyond that first night and she charged the card to make up for it! Hello? She claimed the coupon stated it.

DARN FOOT!

"LET'S TAKE A SELFIE.."

Mmmmmm...a bacon tree!!!

LOOK AT THAT REALLY COOL BIKE!

Oh that coupon....

You tell me??? And can a business go back and alter their charges to make up for what they believe to be their own mistake on previous charges that were already accepted and paid for? Not discuss it with you, nothing just help themselves to your bank account? I was livid and have filed a complaint with the BBB.

So I left what was my favorite state when I began the ride with a very bitter taste in my mouth for it not caring at that time if I ever returned. I've sense cooled down (not regarding The Golden Palms!) and realize that much of it was my poor planning and bad judgment and only Mother Nature can control the weather etc. It's just at the time...it felt horrible! lol

I'm going to try to get those video's of the bike trail in Flagler up. It really is such a beautiful (and safe!) ride. I'd love to share it with you!

Keep the wind at your back and keep rollin' on!

March 7, 2014 Did we make a wrong turn???

2014-03-06T10:03:00.002-08:00

I did come to Florida right? Yes, there is the ocean. The weather yesterday and, while not as bad today, still much like an Indiana October. Today isn't too bad but we are in for some bad storms so we are taking the day off from riding.

So far we have rode from Saint Augustine to Flagler beach where we were extremely thankful to Bill at Camptown who graciously offered us some of the best beef and noodle soup to warm up to that I personally have ever had. He runs his business from a truck and if you can find him I highly recommend you give him a try! The soup was better than in some of the finest restaurants, so if you are here for Bike week stop in for some soup and a sandwich and say hi

Then we made our way further along the Flagler to Marineland Trail . Which is a wonderful trail to ride. I have some video of it lost somewhere in the abyss of my camera. Being technologically illiterate as I am, I will continue trying to retrieve it so you can see just how beautiful that ride is in places. Mostly is hugs the Atlantic Ocean but in the places where it doesn't it meanders thru wooded areas that are a sight worth seeing in and of themselves, as well as quaint little sea side shops and restaurants. (Would be fun during the international surfing contest.) Since it was so cold and getting dark we stopped by SI COMO NO INN and the owner Marti insisted we stay for the night since riding at night in that weather was not only cold but dangerous. I didn't have a pen on me to leave a message in her guest book but want to thank Marti for her very gracious hospitality. SI COMO was delightful! Each room is eclectically unique, clean and beautifully decorated Equipped with cable tc, a microwave, coffee maker and mini frig and has a nice little patio to sit on, They have an outdoor kitchen for guests to use if they wish to cook bigger meals, an onsite massage therapist.

After there we weaved our way thru lush marshland and wooded state parks to get to the econolodge in Ormond Beach to hold out while some nasty storms blow over today. Again I have some pictures and video of this too and will include those for you to see as soon as I can figure out how to get to them. ;)

In the mean time keep the wind at your backs and keep rollin,

Homesick

2014-03-03T18:37:00.001-08:00

Starting out this ride homesick and missing my family. Hopefully once we get working harder at the riding this let's up some.

ON OUR WAY

2014-03-02T09:48:00.001-08:00

Finally on our way to Florida! Going to be a rough start for me. I have bronchitis and my RLS medicine is augmenting.. I am NOT comfortable and I'm exhausted to start. Found a med that helps my pain though that's not a narcotic. That's cool.

We've been in jacket weather or warmer all the way so far and we're not even close yet!!! I cannot wait to see the ocean again. It has some sort of power over me that is calming and healing.

Until later...keep the wind at your back and keep Rollin.....

MORE BITS OF INFO DISCOVERED

2014-02-23T09:02:00.001-08:00

With less than a week til we head to Florida I'm still discovering little treasures of info on the net! I'm always looking at our next ride and as those of you who follow know, we are working on a very big ride to raise money for The American Cancer Society and funds to help families who are hit financially by their child's battle with cancer. Having lost our son it is our hope to help assure that other's will never have to live the nightmare of burying their child and in the battle with cancer this is so possible! Along the way we also intend to visit children's cancer hospitals and being the silly characters we can be, bring a little bit of sunshine to the children who are robbed of a "normal" childhood. Exactly how or to what extent we are still working on, as our main focus at the moment is The Wounded Warrior Project and accomplishing over 1000 miles after a long cold snowy winter up here in Indiana has kept us cooped up inside.

Ha! Hopefully I can hop right back on and ramble along with as much ease as I'm rambling here! Anyway..while doing my research I stumbled on this little gem and wanted to pass it along. We're hoping we can work this into our route. It looks like so much fun! THE MIDWEST RECUMBENT RALLY begins Aug 8 thru Aug 10. As another side note, I know that there is another recumbent rally held in the beautiful Smokey Mnts. I will have to look it up to provide the link for the exact details but it promises to be a wonderful time as well! If anyone plans on going to these give me a shout out on here so we know to look for you!

Keep the wind at your back and keep on rollin'....

AN INTERESTING LITTLE TIDBIT OF INFO

2014-02-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

In doing my research while prepping for our upcoming rides I stumbled across a little bit of interesting info I wanted to pass along! I live in Indiana and just found out that my home state is one of a handful that has chosen to participate in a "no-turn-away" policy for non-motorized campers who happen to stop at their state parks even if they are full. This is way too cool and something that all states should do as far as I am concerned. I mean there is nothing worse than to be riding a long hard day, run into unexpected delays causing you to get to your destination later than expected only to find out they are full...the sun is sinking low and you have nowhere to go for the night. It's not like you are in a warm comfy car that you can, if you have to, pull over in a parking lot for a few hours shut eye. We have to keep on pedaling with sore muscles, in the dark (often more dangerous & difficult to read street signs etc) for who knows how far hoping for a place to eat & sleep before the dawn.

Way to go Indiana!!!! Can't wait to hit the road and explore my home state a bit more ....as soon as this snow disappears!!!!!

http://www.bicycleindiana.org/images/DNRPolicy.pdf

Keep the wind at your back and keep rollin'...

WHAT'S NEXT???

2014-02-18T10:57:00.000-08:00

OK....Well, as I said, any donations that come in on the blog during this ride is going to be banked to go towards funding the up coming ride which we are planning to be a long and most challenging ride yet! We are going to attempt to ride both the Northern and Southern Tier of the entire USA, as well as the East and West Coast to gain donations for the American Cancer Society and to help families who have been hard hit financially due to their battle with cancer, starting first with those who have had to cease treatment due to lack of insurance and funds or better said -Due to urgency.

Why American Cancer Society? I believe most of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another. I personally lost my mother to her battle with Glioblastoma a very fast growing, terminal, and vicious primary cancer of the brain that is particularly difficult to beat because when it spreads it does so with such tiny spider like trails so small that they would simply be very lucky if they got it all during surgery. My Brother was just diagnosed with Leukemia as was my daughters principal (also my friend from HS) following a ong boout with   A friend just lost her husband to brain cancer, my grandfather (mom's Dad) had multiple mylenoma.

Cancer touches so many lives and it effects the entire family. With a lot of cancers we are so close to finding out the cause and cure.

Until then keep the wind at back and keep rollin'...

Love,
MamaBear/Aka RecumbentBaby45

Watch out Florida...We are on our Way!!!

February 18, 2014

2014-02-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's finally just about here! I have to say all this snow we have up here in Indiana right now will definitely help me when it comes to missing my family and friends on this trip. Good Lord, just when we think we have had out last bout of winter we get hit with more of that cold powdery white stuff. I don't care if I ever see snow again! I will be soooooo glad to move to Florida...no snow, daily riding, and who knows maybe I can mold my family into long distance cyclers????? I can dream huh? ( Note: For your own sanity never try to make a long distance cycler out of a non long distance cycler! lol Finding a complimentary riding partner is very important or you will hate each other in a very short time of living on the road, cramped quarters, long days of exhausting riding, some days of little funds thus little food, days of bad weather riding, ...you get the idea. Some people prefer to ride in silence, others talk all the time-we tend to strike a happy balance without offense when one needs their space. Another example is the stops. I like to get my momentum going, needing to stop constantly bugs me to no end. You just need to find someone you can put up with day in and day out for a month or more, who you can communicate with without offending or being hurt by and that isn't always your significant other, it could potentially put an end to a relationship just like some couples can't work together some cannot ride together.) Anyway, after this ride my riding partner has to go back to the racing circuit for a while so the family is going to pick up the slack...we'll see how they do! ;)

I don't mean to discount The Wounded Warrior Project by talking about my next ride. I personally choose the causes I ride for from the heart so they all are extra special to me. My father we a decorated WWII Vet. He always told us that he was "just a cook" in the Army. We found out different when he passed away in 2002. Turned out that he was a Squad leader (Is that the right term?) He accomplished the most while losing the least men and while he never received a purple heart he fulfilled all of the requirements. He was not drafted. He chose to serve his country. I also have uncles, friends , a nephew and some kids that graduated with my late son who are like my own who have or are serving. This is my way to say Thank you to all who have served or are serving or will serve to protect our Freedom. I wish I could do more. I'm using a smart phone app that anyone who rides a bike, walks or runs can use. For us on bikes they will donate $.10/mile that ea of us rides to The Wounded Warrior Project ( Walkers and runners get more) If you have a smart phone you can do this too! If you would like to donate because our ride has inspired you please go to THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT to learn more and to make a donation. I would really appreciate it if you would put #RideAmerica in the memo of checks written for donations so we can potentially track how much we bring in Thank you! Donations that come in on my page right now will go towards helping us continue riding on our next tour which is going to be a big one! I'll tell you about that in my next blog!

Keep the wind at your back and keep on rollin'.....
Love,
MamaBear/Aka RecumbentBaby45

BRING ON WARM WEATHER!!!!

2014-02-17T19:43:00.001-08:00

I cannot wait to get back on these babies!!!!!!

Video from last summer

2014-01-30T00:14:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to see a short little video of a sunrise ride in the country this last fall. :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201163900475715&l=8612749323437949417

CYCLING TEXAS I 2013

2014-01-07T19:13:00.001-08:00

Wooowhooo!!! Yes! I FINALLY got this posted and to the right place!!!!!!!! All of this and this isn't a great video, I'll tell you that right off. This is my first cycling tour video and my best pics from it are trapped on my broken down desktop upon which I used to do most of my video work and keep most of my pics. :( I'm afraid of taking it to have anyone look at it because there are precious irreplaceable pictures on there... Are there any computer experts out there who know if my pics can be saved in order for them to fix a computer that will not boot up at all? I know, I know...that doesn't tell you much. Eventually I'll have it looked at. In the meantime I wanted to get the pics I do have posted before our next journey which is rapidly approaching!!!

I'm getting really excited about the Florida ride. I know those who know me are saying "Duh" but seriously I've been reading profiles of potential hosts from warmshowers.org and most of them are incredibly interesting. If I can just get over my shyness I think it will be so interesting to meet many of these people! Hint...if you happen to be a warmshowers.org host from Florida reading this and might be interested in hosting us when we are there please please message me! I know I'd feel so much more at ease if I knew people at least a little before staying with them/you. If you haven't noticed, I'm not in many of the pictures. I'm the shy one, although I'm also the one who once I feel comfortable will be full of questions and talk your ear off! lol I ESPECIALLY can't wait considering here in Indiana we are sitting under a record snowfall and have just faced record wind chills! Oh I cannot wait til we move and I can ride regularly!!!!!

Btw, did I mention we will be riding for the Wounded Warrior Project? There is an app on my phone that allows me to choose a cause and they aleady have companies who have pledged .10/mile and there is two of us riding. We will be riding over 1000 miles if all goes as planned. I sure would love to see more donations come in as well! I'm already thinking about my next cause but it's going to take some planning.

Well....I'm off, got to clean up my mess on the other pages! lol
Type to you again soon!
Happy Trails......

YOU CAN STAND UNDER MY UMBRELLA

2013-11-19T11:53:00.002-08:00

I posted this on my facebook...wanted to share it any place possible. The more it is shared the more likely we are to find a team of organizers and sponsors etc....please contact me if you wish to help or will you at least share? THANK YOU!

Thinking, there has to be a way to quickly organize a ride to help raise money for those who lost everything in the storm this week. (Hopefully riding quickly south...I HATE the cold!) but I'm so scatter brained lately I can't think to pull it together!!!!! I'm open to doing the peddling and a LOT of it if anyone wants to help pull together a charity ride to help our neighbors who aren't going to have very good holidays otherwise. I know we'd need sponsors or a sponsor to help with covering food and boarding at night..not picky, eat light and willing to camp with electricity (for heater) and showers, and likely spare tire (tube) or two ( Would gladly wear warm under amour or clothing with sponsors names/info on it and talk about your product), would need help getting pledges...can be as low as .05 or .10 per mile, we'll RIDE to make it worthwhile! Perhaps one sponsor would be a local restaurant and would host a send off meet & greet where a portion of the profits could go to the benefit and people could offer flat donations as well? Just some ideas...but is there anyone who can help pull it together??? I'm up for a LONG ride! Challenge me and help rebuild Kokomo and make sure your friends and neighbors have a good holiday season? Any good organizers up to working with us to pull this together??????? Run your ideas by me if so and we'll go from there!

Oct 13, 2013

2013-10-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I *think* I have good news! I'm not 100% positive but I think Shawn is back as my riding partner! And I have promised not to act like a spoiled princess this time. (scouts honor!) We've been talking some about leaving out after the first of the year to ride thru Florida and up along the panhandle ending at Shawn's mom's in Groves Texas. Or vice versa, heading out from his mom's so he can spend the holidays with her and riding to Florida.

I wanted so bad to make the trip across the lower part of the US this winter from Saint Augustine, Florida to San Diego for the Wounded Warrior Project but with the move and the stress of sorting through Andy's things I've thrown myself into a flare with my illness and have had to slow down some so that long of ride just isn't wise for me at this time. Maybe next winter...if I can get a lot more miles under my belt and build my strength back up. We would definitely need a sponsor or funding of some sort to help us make that ride too so waiting gives us time to TRY to find someone willing to sponsor us. It will take more planning and a support driver for the second stretch of the ride. (as in someone driving a camper for us to stay in and to carry gear and extra water etc. Not to mention just in case of emergencies. Ha, not that we would run into any of those huh???)

It is possible we could have a group of riders for that ride actually. I've been talking to a few other bent riders in my area and so far they're showing interest in a local recumbent riders club. I really think it would be a blast to travel across the country to raise money for such a wonderful cause with such a great group of people! I suppose we would welcome any of you Bi-peddlers who might have the inkling to make the trek too. After all it is for a really good cause! ;) I'll fill you in on that more once I get moved and settled in and we have time to talk about our future riding plans, see how many we have here who truly are interested in a club etc. If you are a bent rider in or near the Kokomo, In area who would be interested in joining a group please contact me. It's still in the early stages but I'm thinking meeting at least once a month during the closed in (winter) season, maybe more often during riding season. Exchange information on our experience with our bents, trails, etc and plan group rides both leisure and fundraiser/charity . I think these bents need to be seen by more people! They truly have been a Godsend to me health wise as well as being just plain and simple fun. I'm sure there are others out there who thought their days of riding bikes and feeling the freedom of the open road, wind in their hair and sun on their skin were long gone. But many can probably get it back with a bent. (Hey TerraTrike you really should hire me as a spokes person...I probably talk more about your bents than your showroom sales people! lol orrrrrrr....fix us up with a couple of Ramblers??? I hear those are even better for the kind of riding we do! I'm just saying...)

By the way, if you are interested in purchasing a bent yourself, I ride a TerraTrike Rover. It's an extremely comfortable ride. Not really made for the long distance rides I take but so far they've taken the punishment well. You can check out all of TerraTrikes products at http://terratrike.com/ Check them out! Order a catalogue (they're free!) or find out where your local dealer is so you can go and take one for a spin yourself...I bet you get hooked!

Well...back to moving.

Love and peace to all,

RecumbentBaby45/Mamabear45 (One and the same!)

SEPT 10, 2013

2013-09-10T22:07:00.001-07:00

WOW, I think I'm becoming the poster child for Murphy's Law. I'm writing to you from the hospital tonight. I was admitted last night for some infection I can't pronounce or spell. But I am feeling much better and hoping to get released tomorrow (crossing fingers).

First of all I am by no means finished with my long distance riding, and I still very much want to continue and raise funds for Oklahoma disaster victims. I've just had numerous kinks thrown in my chain from ever direction. As I believe you know, we had to return home after my second heat stroke? The heat followed us back to Indiana. They had had an unusually cool summer until we got back then the heat just sored.

Then I had some health issues. They were worried about my heart due to some severe swelling and I had to be hospitalized to get the swelling down and have some tests run. During this time, when I was released, my riding partner left. I have to say that really hurt. I've had so much loss in my life lately to have him just leave. He didn't say goodbye, didn't speak to me, wouldn't respond to my calls or texts. It's been, yeah hurtful to say the least. When you spend a month on the road with someone to have them just walk away back turned. But I also look back and I feel bad because he honestly busted his butt on the Texas stretch of the ride. He did pretty much all the hard work and I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him. He pulled a trailer with 120lbs of our gear 99% of the way and when we would get to our campsites he would without being asked, unload and set up camp allowing minimal help from me. I honestly could not ask for a better riding partner, He spoiled me and for that I thank him from the bottom of my heart. I won't make that mistake again. From here on out I am riding solo or I am building two trailers so if I can find another capable riding partner we will be sharing the load equally.

Shawn if you read this, I want to thank you for all your hard work. Please don't think it went un-noticed or unappreciated. Thank you for taking such good care of me. I know I would not have made it half as far as I did without you. I learned so much from you and had you not been there during the heat strokes I never would have survived them. I owe you my life. Thank you for making
the ride fun "Ducky", for rescuing me and untangling my leg from the wheel when I found for the second time that I can indeed tip a recumbent! I wish so much that I could convince you to continue our journey. There are not many other's I would trust who I think would be even close to as capable as you as a riding partner. But I understand fully why you wouldn't want to ride with me when I look back. I promise (for what that's worth) you would not be carrying the full load. If you don't change your mind, know that I do wish you all the best with working on the cars with your cousin. Be safe!

It will be still a while before I can set out. Our landlords informed us that they were losing our home back to the bank so with me in and out of the hospital we have been trying to find a new place to live for the next year. Hoped to find something in my daughters current school district but there are no rentals available so I'm still unsure where we will end up and I hate moving my daughter after all SHE has been through twice in one year, not to mention it's going to disqualify her from any resident scholarships if we or rather since we are not moving to our new state until her senior year.

Keep in mind we are still grieving the still very new loss of our son and her brother. I am not by any means emotionally ready to sort through and pack up his room. It feels like a very final "He's no longer with the family" slap in the face or mac truck running me over.

It goes on! Derek was laid off for a normal shut down in June but they messed up something at the factory and none of the hourly line workers got any pay, no I take that back, they got a half a weeks pay...for an entire month. Needless to say we are behind on everything and deeper in debt. Slowly catching up on them. If I go solo this is even more important. And I need to prepare for my own protection a little bit more strongly before going solo.

Sooooo...I'm crossing my fingers and toes and praying hard to make it back on the road and be in the Smokey's as the leaves change.

Well, signing out from Howard Regional for tonight...

Much Love,
MamaBear45

Yay! I got my laptop fixed!!!

2013-09-09T14:01:00.001-07:00

I have a lot to update you on! I will write more tonight and share a lot of pics too! Four computers and every single one of them has been down...finally I have my laptop back!!!! Type at you tonight!

JUST A MINOR SET BACK

2013-08-10T00:50:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you all know we're still alive. Just had to take a break due to those heat strokes. I'm so anxious to get back on the road!!! I've been riding trying to get my strength back and should be ready soon...hope to head south to Gatlunburg, TN. I'm dying to ride Cades Cove. I have driven through it so many times I can't wait to take my time and see it from my trikes point of view! Then hoping to cut over to catch the Atlantic Trail and see Charleston and Savannah...

In the mean time I hope to put together a video/slide show of sorts of where we've been and what we've seen so far soon so keep tuned.

I sure wish some of you would subscribe so I could get to know you! ;)

Laidback and taking it easy....on the road again...

Mamabear45 alive and kicking!