Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Monday, April 12, 2010

Hill Country Sweepstakes

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to experience first-hand the Hill Country of Texas!

Grand Prize - one week of touring the Hills of the Lone Star State. You will recieve one water bottle, two luna bars, and unlimited usage of our new lightweight airpump. Evelyn's bike is free for the taking.


Consolation Prize - two weeks!
Participants need to answer the following three questions.
1. Last night we celebrated our arrival in Austin. Who drank what?
2. How many miles did Evelyn ride with Ruth and Mary Jo through our Texan Trail of Tears?
3. Why did Lance name his shop Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop?
Winner will be announced in forty-eight hours.

Ruth and Mary Jo

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10 comments:

  1. DonApril 12, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    Could it be that third prize is 3 weeks riding through Texas???

    ReplyDelete
  2. EvieApril 12, 2010 at 6:08 PM

    Hmmm...I see you have no entries yet...what could that mean? i have made it home and washed my two pieces of clothing. Hope you had a great time in Austin and are ready to ride in the morning. I will be giving a mid-term at 9 am and wishing I was still riding. Love to both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Becky, Jon and Madeline SchneiderApril 13, 2010 at 4:58 AM

    1. Mom - margarita
    Mary Jo - Wine
    Evelyn- fruity coctail

    2. 813 miles

    3. He named it in memory of a biker named Johnny.

    How about we change the grand prize to a week in St. Augustine since that's where you're finishing up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NoraApril 13, 2010 at 5:12 AM

    Before I enter, got any other prizes? Love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  5. bobApril 13, 2010 at 7:43 AM

    1)margarita, Evelyn 2)wine MJ 3)Ruth red drink. 612 miles. Bike shop named after the yellow jersey . I'll take 3 weeks in the texas hill country with pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
  6. julia kApril 13, 2010 at 8:07 AM

    This is way too hard, but since Bill is in my chair and gave me all the answers, it would be unfair for me to enter. Just love knowing you are drinking it up and getting massages in your spare time. Julia

    ReplyDelete
  7. MaxannaApril 13, 2010 at 9:24 AM

    1.Mary Jo has the white wine for sure. And I'll go with Ruth with the Margarita and Evelyn with the Fruity Pink Stuff.
    2. Mellow Johnny was Lance Armstrong's racing nickname.
    3. And finally- I'm going with 783 miles- all the Texas miles- by my review there was a flat tire on day one in Texas- and again in Day two. You've had two raining days- and many, many hills- and then the final day into Austin with with the wrong turns. So I'm thinking that most of those days had some "bright moments" with lots and lots of Texas size tears.
    Max

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jon MorleyApril 13, 2010 at 4:56 PM

    I agree with becky on all the questions!

    ReplyDelete
  9. John B.April 13, 2010 at 10:55 PM

    1. M.J. the white wine, Ruth the margarita and Evelyn the Cosmo
    2. 435 miles and miles of Texas
    3. Mellow Johnny was his blood doper

    And I'd prefer the laughing gas from Bill's dentist as my prize.

    ReplyDelete
  10. marty longApril 16, 2010 at 6:59 AM

    We had a LLCPAC Meeting this week. We missed your wisdom. Keep on truckin' on! Marty

    ReplyDelete

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