July 2010
2 posts
July 16, 2010
Three thousand miles, nine states, and seven weeks. This is not a trip. This is not a vacation. This is a journey, a moment that has been stretched over 55 days, a moment full of wisdom and frustrations, joys and irritation. Every day has been humbling and every conversation has left lasting impressions.
Today we rode into Yorktown, VA. After waking up at camp just 30 miles away from our ending...
July 6, 2010
Today was a good day for the ride, difficult at points, bringing back the strain that has made this trip so worth while. Last night we stayed in Richmond with a fraternity brother’s parents who were gracious enough to cook us dinner and make up fresh beds for us. Mrs Lunceford even rode the first 15 miles with us today, which happened to be the hardest 15 miles we’ve had in weeks!
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June 30, 2010
My Old Kentucky Home:
It feels great to be back in the Bluegrass, even smells like home. Yesterday we made the journey from Illinois to Kentucky on a ferry that carried us across the Ohio River. After reaching the other side we all made it a point to mark our territory…by peeing in the grass. Spirits were high as we strolled through more familiar territory and last night made us feel more...
June 2010
10 posts
June 26, 2010
Hey everybody, today’s entry will encompass a few days all put together, so don’t be confused if I say yesterday and it was actually a few days ago:
USA USA!!! Yesterday was a day of celebration, as USA pulled out a win against the Algerians in our third World Cup game! Yesterday was also pretty out of the ordinary for us. We fnished 45 miles by lunch and decided to drive in to...
June 21, 2010
On the road again!
I met the guys in Wichita, Kansas two days ago on their rest day. After enjoying a nice night in a hotel bed we hit the road at 6 am on Sunday, headed for Toronto. The guys finished early and we had a chance to sit around at our campground most of the day. I filled my time by getting lost in the world of Harry Potter and enjoying the beautfiul lakeside view we had from our...
June 9, 2010
Late night in Colorado Springs! It’s been a rough day in comparison to the beginning of the week. The guys rode 114 miles today, biking on terrain that turned to hills that rolled as far as you could see and cross-winds that would nearly knock you off your bike. But as always, they pushed through it and we made it to Colorado Springs late tonight! Every day I’m inspired by each of them...
June 8, 2010
Good morning from South Fork, CO! Yesterday was a great day for the ride. The day was supposed to be a grueling test of endurance and will, boasting a 10 mile mountain that looked to go straight up. But instead of dragging their bikes up the mountain, the guys handled it like it was a hill back in Kentucky, finishing the day by one o’clock, the earliest we’ve finished a route in the...
June 6, 2010
Day of Rest! Today we are relaxing in a hotel in Pagosa Springs, CO. Sleeping in a bed was a nice change of pace and the riders were in serious need of a day without riding. After nine greuling days of battling hills and 100 degree heat, the guys are beyond relieved to have this day as a chance for some good restation (rest and relaxion).
Last night we had one of the coolest conversations of the...
June 5, 2010
The rolling hills of Colorado? We woke up this morning at six, packed our gear, and departed from the little Baptist Church we took refuge in last night in Mancos, CO. The drive so far has been nostalgic to say the least. Green hills for miles, covered in trees and pastured valleys, reminds me of my Old Kentucky Home more than any scenery we’ve passed through so far. I’m sure the...
June 3, 2010
Finally out of Arizona! We made it across the border today and entered the lovely land of Utah. The scenery just gets better. With massive rock features growing out of the ground every few miles, the land looked like a cave floor with stalagmites growing from the ground (learned about those in middle school). The route to Bluff, Utah wasn’t easy, but the guys have clearly gained endurance....
June 1, 2010
I want to take today to remember my grandfather, Gdad, who passed away this morning. GJ Minton lived to 85 years and had prostate cancer for 35 of them. I can’t imagine having a better grandfather, or a better man, to model such joy and love for people. This ride may be for Alzheimer’s, but we ride for all of those who inspire us, all who have touched our lives in ways that push us to...
May 31, 2010
It’s a good night in Flagstaff, AZ! We are fortunate enough to be staying in an actual hotel tonight, a well deserved rest for the guys. We started the morning of with some of that good ole mountain dew as the riders climbed 15 miles up a steep mountain with roads that snaked on forever.
After the first climb, we hit a downhill that ran through an old mining town called Jerome. It was a...
May 2010
15 posts
May 29, 2010
The desert is no place for a home! We’ve been in Arizona for a couple of days now and all I can see for miles is herds of cactus and stray tumbleweeds. This is the most I’ve ever missed Kentucky. Yesterday was a rest day and the riders took full advantage of some well deserved R&R. Wade was pretty sick all day, but he pulled through like a champ and rode through the sweltering heat...
May 26, 2010
It’s been a few days since my last entry and I’d like to apologize to all of my fans out there. I know you’ve been aching for some Jordan journal action. Well, our last day in California started with a morning of surfing, which I was real excited about, and ended with a chance to visit with some people directly suffering from Alzheimer’s. A local group called “Leeza’s Place” provides an...
Day 6-May 22, 2010
Another sunny day from the West Coast! Today we loaded up the Burb after breakfast and ventured out to LA to watch the Tour de California. Lance was injured this week so he was not present at the event, but we still got to enjoy watching the pros do their thing in sunny downtown LA, just outside the Staples Center. After an excellent seafood lunch (I ordered Salmon), we walked around the various...
Day 5-May 21, 2010
Hello from sunny California! Today was a good day for the crew. I got to enjoy some personal time while the riders took a 50 mile bike ride through beautiful Oceanside. While they were gone on their 5 hour endeavor, I went on a run in attempt to keep up with the physical condition these guys will be in this summer..I’d be ashamed to gain weight while 6 guys are bicycling across the country.
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Day 4-May 20, 2010
We have made it to Oceanside, CA! A fellow Fiji, graduate brother of USC, has opened his home to us. Along with excellent accommodations, our grad bro Jeff bought and cooked us dinner tonight. It was a wonderful change from the cramped Burb and greasy fast food that has been dominating the past few days. By the way, our vehicle has been named the “Burb” and our trailer is now going by...
Day 3-May 19, 2010
After waking up in lovely Holbrook, AZ the crew loaded the “Burb” and hit the Oregon Trail. It was a very short time before we had to stop in Winslow, AZ to grab some Arby’s and of course, stand on a street and recall the famous Eagles tune that hit the top of the charts 38 years ago. Today was definitely a tourist day and we took full advantage.
The views today only got better...
Day 2-May 18, 2010
Hello again! Day 2 of the trip out to Cali was even more eventful than the first. We’re really starting to get our bearings and are enjoying the open road the closer it takes us to Oceanside. We began the day in Shawnee, OK and are staying the night in Holbrook, AZ. It’s been another long day in the car but quite a few stories came from today’s traveling.
In Texola, OK we made a...
May 18, 2010
Continental breakfast at the La Quinta Inn in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Everybody is ready for another long day in the car, but today we only drive about 10 hours. Who knew La Quinta would be such a fine establishment? We almost didn’t get a room because their policy is usually 21 and up; fortunately Mitch is a sweet talker and Bud at the front desk felt bad for us when he saw us stagger in last...
May 17, 2010
Well, it’s technically Tuesday but we just arrived at the hotel we’re staying at for the night. Oklahoma is definitely bringing out my Southern roots. We left Etown at 8 o’clock this morning and after getting all of our gear situated, we managed to make it to the beautiful state of Oklahoma. Driving across America will be a journey laden with good stories and great views.
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May 16, 2010
Tomorrow morning I leave to meet up with the crew in Elizabethtown, KY. Monday we will begin the journey out to Oceanside, California where the riders will acclimate and warm up for a few days. Later in the week we will leave California for the trip of a lifetime! This journey will not be easy. The plan is to end up in Yorktown, VA around July 20. The bikers have been training vigorously since the...