Day #7 - From Fire Department to Golf Course

The folks at Whiteford Volunteer Fire Department were so kind in offering up their facilities and parking lot for camping on Wednesday night and then giving the Wounded Warrior Program a donation to boot - we are all so grateful for their hospitality and generosity!

After a good night's rest Kevin was off to an early start on Day #7.

A total of 72 more miles were logged as the riders, both 2 wheel and too many wheels to count (bus & Jeep) skirted Baltimore.

Jim rode out to meet Kevin and Emi at the end of the day in Olney, MD.

The Blue Mash Golf Course graciously offered up their parking lot for camping - thank you Blue Mash!

Jim helped the riders stretch and work out the kinks of the day.

Then it was on to the bikes...

After a full week on their road they had some kinks to work out too!

Day #6 - Up, Down, Over & Through

From what I can gather, Day 6 was... challenging?  Though the day started out dry, rain came, gently at first then torrentially.  Then came the "hills" - the largest yet. According to Emi's blog, Kevin actually stopped to see if his brakes were sticking because progress was so slow.  Hmmm, I think that's when you'd see me walking my bike up the hill.  Or maybe you'd see me hitching a ride in one of these:

Later they had to ride into 20 mph head winds.  

In the end the day was a smashing success and they travelled over 70 miles despite all that Mother Nature threw at them.

Another river, the Susquehanna, was traversed and a historical landmark noted.

Locals cheered the riders on!

HELLO MARYLAND!

They set up camp last night in Whiteford, MD right at the fire department.  The fire department let them use their facilities and it was a very secure and relaxing night. This fire truck was formally from the Bronx and was used in NYC after the September 11th attacks.  

So many heroes across the US.

So much to be proud of in this wonderful, free country of ours.

We are blessed.

Day #5 - A Little History

Day 5 proved to be a pleasant ride.  Starting from Horsham, PA and ending in Reamstown, PA, a total of 73 miles were logged.

The ride went through Conshohocken, along Schuylkill River (via a quiet bike path) 

through Valley Forge National Historal Park, 

past Maple Grove Speedway and finally to Reamstown, PA.

The group had Hickory Run Campground all to themselves last night.

Hmmm..... Wild party?  Nah!

Day #4 - Bye Bye NJ, Hello PA

62 miles from Plunkemin, NJ to Horsham, PA on Monday (Day #4).  It was a beautiful day!

Sleep didn't come easy the night before but the riders were up and ready to go any way.

Along the way two bridges were crossed.  The first in Neshanic Station, NJ over the Raritan River (trivia - this is a Lenticular Truss Bridge).

The second was the New Hope - Lambertville Bridge spanning the Delaware River. This bridge does not allow bicycle riding so Kevin had to walk his bike across.

Rolling in to Horsham, PA for the night!

Day #2 and #3

After reaching Manhattan on Saturday, Kevin was able to spend time with his daughter, Danielle, and her boyfriend, Sonny, before saying good-bye to New York.

While there they got a little shopping in for some last minute necessities at Lululemon.

When the folks at Lululemon found out what Kevin and Emi were undertaking for their respective charities they kindly donated a cycling outfit to each of them.  So wonderful - thank you Lululemon!!

Sunday morning started with a ferry ride to New Jersey then a confusing ride through Hoboken and Jersey City.  Summit, NJ is where the official Adventure Cycling trail maps started which will bring Kevin all the way to San Diego.  The first leg of the trip is on the Atlantic Coast Trail which takes him from Summit, NJ to Ashland, VA where he will pick up the Transamerica Trail.

Yesterday Kevin traveled from Manhattan to Plunkemin, NJ.  

They happily met up with the Chip and Jim in the "bus" around Summit.  Now that the whole crew is together, riders and support, the fun can really begin!

Day #2

From Rockville Centre to Manhattan.  Tomorrow on to New Jersey!

Day #1 - The Journey Begins!

A foggy and rainy morning did not dampen our spirits!

Scotty drove us out to Montauk Point with a smile on his face!

Shannon set her alarm clock EARLY to come to see her dad off!

At approximately 7:00 AM this morning Kevin dipped his back tire in the Atlantic by the Montauk Lighthouse to officially start the journey.

After a few more pictures...

Then some more...

Then some more...

HE'S OFF!!!

Emi Berger is riding for Mentor-Connect and you can follow her on her web site (Transamerica-Slipstream.blogspot.com).  

Dr. Berger, Emi's father, came along for the first 21 miles and set a brisk pace.

By 9:30 AM they were already through Southampton on their way West.

Come back and see us often to follow Kevin on his ride.  There is a link on the top left that you can click to see his latest GPS checked in position.  Happy bike trails Kev!!

So Much Support!

THANK YOU!!!

Bags are Packed, Ready to Roll!

Well, not really but there's going to be a lot of packing between now and Friday! 

At least the "bus" has dressed itself for the trip!