Iowa!

So we apologize that we haven't written in quite a while. We don't always have internet access. Anyway, since we wrote last we have traveled quite far, learned quite a few things, and have more than quite a few people to thank. It's difficult to remember as we pass through so many towns and meet so many people but we'll do our best to be as thorough as possible and at some point hope to post more photos.

In Ohio: we met Barb and Hope and their beautiful Icelandic horses. When the forecast called for tornadic activity, they kept us out of the weather, fed us, and got us back on the road when the warnings had passed.

We came across two other cross-country cyclists, Adam and Paul who were riding to get bikes for the children of our service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We shared a room, some food, and had a great time swapping stories and giving/receiving advice.

We also need to thank Beth from Bryan, OH for the amazing hospitality, kindness, and breakfast!

In Indiana, it was Pops Butz (who I stayed with when I was walking through) who put us up and made us feel right at home. Thanks also to his grandson John, for all his help getting us back on the road.

When we had a little tire trouble near Nappanee, Indiana it Jospeh Miller and his family at Burlington Bike Shop who fixed us up free of charge and got us on our way again.

We met two really wonderful guys at a gas station in Walkerton, thanks for all the help and for going out of your way to help two complete strangers!

Thanks to Paul from Gary, Indiana for the food, kindness, and hospitality and for helping get back on track!

When it rains it pours and when we ran into some bike trouble (flat tires, popped tubes, and a broken spoke) in a very short span we had some really amazing folks who gave up their time and opened their homes and hearts to us. God was really watching over us and we want to say thanks Vic for everything and thanks to Paulette and Brett for helping us get our bikes repaired and getting us back on the road and where we needed to be.

There are of course plenty of other people who have helped make this trip possible and countless others who send good thoughts and prayers our way! Thank you to our families, Ekta and Janene who call or email often to check in and encourage us and send their love and support!

Joe and Greg

Day 6: Out of the Mountains and into the Wind

The thunderstorms in the morning brought some strong winds throughout the day so we weren't quite able to hit the 100 mile mark...but if all goes well, tomorrow we'll be on the other side of the Ohio-Indiana border. :) Does anyone have friends or family near Kendallville, IN?

Day 5: Border Crossing

It was a great day, we covered quite a few miles (not quite 100) and met some really really wonderful people. In the morning we set out from Pennsylvania and in the afternoon crossed the border into Ohio. Before we reached the border however, we were lucky enough (if you believe in luck) to run into Debbie Lewis (our Guardian Angel posing as a representative from Cannondale) she invited us into her home and onto her farm to play with the animals (pictures to follow) and provided us with enough biking gear to make it across the country comfortably and safely! We can't express enough how grateful and truly blessed we are to have met her.

After we reached Ohio we met up with Tamara and Bob (who I met three years earlier when walking across the country). They let us clean up, fatten up, and rest up and showed us the meaning of hospitality.

At the End of Another Day

Today was another long and difficult day. Western Pennsylvania has nothing but roads that treat us with contempt, luckily the people we've met have been more than accommodating - Thanks again to Amber and Bien, Thanks to Libby from Keystone Smiles for warm food and a bed, and Thanks to Carol and Kaden for the donation and for helping us get to Knox to find our place to stay for the night. If all things go well, we should be in Ohio tomorrow!

joe and Greg

Day 3 over and out...

We didn't get a chance to post yesterday, but we've had two very successful days and of course we have several people to thank. We would like to thank: Amber and Bien for their hospitality, Danielle and the folks from the Uptown Diner in Bloomsburg for the water, Franz from the Dutch Wheelman Bike Shop for the help with our equipment, Chuck in Hazleton for the directions, Gary from Altoona and Tyler from State College for everything! So far we're feeling good and putting a lot of miles behind us. Goodnight!

joe and greg

Day 1

So we got a jump on our trip. We woke up this morning at 4 AM as we were taking Ekta and her dad to New York City to catch an early morning bus for Niagara Falls. After seeing them off we headed to Perth Amboy to begin our ride. We parked the car in New Jersey and biked well into the afternoon. We took a nice break, picked up a few last minute odds and ends for the bikes and after a few hours, set off again. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather, and our trip was made easier by the fact that we didn't have to take our panniers or any of our gear since we would be spending the night in Stroudsburg. Tomorrow will be another story but we have friends in State College, PA who will pick us up as far into the state as we can make it and give us a bed for the night. Thanks Amber and Bien!

6 Days to Go

Six days left before we take off! Several people have expressed interest in joining us for a little while on the ride. If you do want to meet up, just shoot me an email (jxc422@gmail.com) and let me know when and where you want to ride with us and I can give you our mapped route and estimated arrival dates/times. Thanks!

http://www.milesformom2010.com/

Our new website

www.milesformom2010.com has been launched!

It allows users to see our facebook updates, connect to our blog, make donations and find out information about where we are and what we're up to each day. We want to thank Bien at Concepcion design for putting the page together!


Cheers,
joe and greg

Thank You!

Three years ago I spent several months walking from Stroudsburg, PA to San Francisco, CA to raise money and awareness for MS. During that time I crossed paths with so many kind, generous, and thoughtful people, who were always more than willing to provide help in any way, shape, or form. As I gear up for this bike ride I have heard from so many of those same individuals who are once again offering their hand to make this a safe and successful trip. Thank you so much for all your help!

joe


Here's a link from the walk:

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2007/aug/21/walker_brings_attention_disease/


above is a photo of Greg and I on day 6 (near Port Matilda, PA)