Cedarburg, WI – The team at 5 Corners Dodge Chrysler Ram Jeep and 5 Corners Isuzu Truck & Auto jumped into the bicycling theme of the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s and remembered stories about their first bike.
Knocking down the 100-mile challenge
August 9, 2021 – Salem, IL – Logged 100 miles and some change on Sunday, August 8. It started as a challenge ride to raise $100 for 100 miles with matching donations on my behalf and then it turned into an Amazing Race at the end as I was crossing paths with a strong line of severe storms.
This was the first rain during the entire tour.
The 100 miles was from Goreville, IL to Salem, IL. I did head out of Selma for the final 12 mi with my eye on Vandalia, IL but Mother Nature was barreling at me at 50 mph and I was racing her at 14 mph and it was easy to see the outcome would not be in my favor.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the tour. Your money stays local to do good in the community.
If you’d still like to take part in the $100 challenge, the donation information is below. (Any amount is accepted.)
Day after 100 mi: Finished strong and woke up a bit sore and fatigued. Back-to-back 100-mile days would be pretty challenging.
On a positive note, my new hip from May 2020 held up great. This was our first century together and I think I’ll keep her.
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
VIDEO | I was feeling a little bit jumpy as I took the first bite
August 7, 2021 – Bardwell, KY – Crossed from Tennessee into Kentucky around 9:15 a.m. on Friday.
Stopped for dinner. I can’t say it was love at first bite. (see video below)
Aaah…Kentucky. Rolling hills, beautiful green scenery, and dog chases. Never just one; always 3 coming after you at one time.
Between hill climbs and dog sprints, I sure did earn my groceries today. So I explored my options after 45 miles of road and the 51 Grill in Bardwell caught my attention.
Three frogs. Six legs total. Lightly breaded. Not too salty. Lot more meat than I expected. White meat; a little stringy at times. Not fishy. Yes… like you expected… tastes like chicken.
The peach dumpling pie was homemade. It was warm in the bowl and perfect with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. Simply the best. Lots of sugar.
I could have had a peach dumpling chaser but instead treated my new friend Carolyn to a slice. She was 84 and playing solitaire on a tablet by herself at a table in the corner.
I asked if I could join her and she eagerly said yes. Carolyn was black and blue above her left eye. “Broke my glasses when I fell,” she said, pointing to the missing arm on the left side.
Carolyn was retired from working at the local ambulance company. She said her daughter was a nurse. She was working when Elvis died. “They closed all the other doors on that floor when they brought him in,” she said.
For such a tiny woman Carolyn had an unanticipated 32-ounce styrofoam glass of tea sitting on the table to her right. The glass almost dwarfed her… until her Friday fish Fry was served and then she peered out front behind that.
Carolyn watched me eat the somewhat greasy frog’s legs, dipping them in ranch dressing. “Doesn’t look like you’ll need that to-go box,” she said.
Hat tip to Pam and Jen from The diner in Columbus. They let me sit for a bit after a couple dog chases and a surprise gravel road.
And Chad at the auto repair shop who set me up right by the big fan in the shop to cool off and have a cold bottle of water.
Saturday it is onto Illinois.
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
The 5 Corners Team remembers their first bike
Cedarburg, Wi – The team at 5 Corners Dodge Chrysler Ram Jeep and 5 Corners Isuzu Truck & Auto jumped into the bicycling theme of the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s and remembered stories about their first bike.
VIDEO | Shelby Forest General Store from 1934
Shelby, TN – A sign at the side of Hwy 388 heading north about 10 miles outside Memphis, TN read “Shelby Forest General Store 2-miles Established 1934.”
I debated for less than two seconds and thought this is what is so great about bicycle touring.
The Shelby Forest General Store had a worn wooden porch with a standard wooden bench out front for sitting, making high-minded decisions, and monitoring traffic.
Owners Doug and Kristin Ammons saved the store from being razed.
The story is told out front on a sign designed to resemble an historic marker as follows:
Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s | Hey, Babe…
August 8, 2021 – Christopher, IL – Recorded this earlier just to be sure I added in one more story about the kindness of strangers on this ride. Getting closer to the 100-mile goal today. Think I’m gonna meet my end of the challenge for the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s!
https://youtu.be/xjqJXYrljcc
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
$100 = 100 mile challenge for the Amazing Ride For Alzheimer’s – Are you in?
August 8,2021 – I decided to throw down a $100/100 mile challenge with 100% of the proceeds going to music programming for seniors at Cedar Community.
I started the video below but cell signal left and I had to get moving.
Here’s the scoop:
I’m pedaling hard today; trying to get in 100 miles.
You pledge to donate $100 to Cedar Community (donation information below) if I make the 100 miles.
That’s the challenge; short and sweet.
What say you?
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
VIDEO | Drifting into Illinois
August 8, 2021 – Goreville, IL – Sometimes you just have to trust the signs; small indications that it is probably best to get off the road and call it a day.
Took off early at 7 a.m. sharp on Saturday to clock 100 miles, cross from Kentucky into Illinois, and make time.
Within 16 miles that plan went sideways… but, you roll with it. This is vacation.
https://youtu.be/PfxEvz3PYVo
Some great challenging hills, awesome roads, and great sights including the 90-foot Jefferson Memorial Cross at the Confluence.
Brief history: Started in 1937 when a few members of the community choir spearheaded by Mrs. Noah Geveden erected the small wooden cross on a hill at the ancient buried city now known as Wickliffe Mounds Research Center in Wickliffe, Kentucky.
Originally it was a 35-foot pole with cross arms.
Bill Howle wired it with 325 bulbs. The bulbs were lit during Easter and Christmas each year.
In 1981 it became necessary to seek another location for the cross. It was then that the idea was born to build a cross tall enough to be seen from the tri-states of Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky. The cross would be 90 feet tall and lit at night for all to see.
Fundraising began and 51 churches were represented on a committee. The original estimate for the project started at $150,000; by the time the project was done, it cost $316,405. Groundbreaking was held on May 22, 1994 with coverage from local TV and newspapers.
Slipped across the quarter mile bridge over the Ohio River and Mississippi River and found the great Hwy 37 north. Clipped off a steady 16 mph on the flats before hitting up/down.
Which brought me into Goreville and “the signs.” It was about 4 p.m. but the weather was great, lots of daylight left and I could get 15 more miles in to Marion, IL.
Then I thought I heard someone talking; like a radio broadcast. I stopped and checked; my phone was off. Started again and heard it again… slowed and then an apple bounced past me, and then a bunch of grapes.
Upon further investigation, part of my hobo pack on the back of my bike had slipped down the bungee cord and rubbed against my back tire – that created a hole in the bag and the eventual attack of the fruit salad.
I decided to handle the loss by running over a nail and puncturing my back tire.
Luckily I’m still in town and rolled safely under the canopy of the local liquor store to fix the flat.
In steps Josh who asks if I’m riding the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.
Josh said his church, United Methodist, has a free place for bicyclists to stay.
And with that I listen to the signs, fix the bike, roll back into town, meet Bill and Clairus Pritchett who let me into the church and you can watch the video above to see what my church motel for the night looks like.
What a great start so far in Illinois.
On a side note: Moving forward, when I roll my bike into the weeds to take a picture I will now be sure to scan for snakes first. Scenario below.
Now who wants to go back in and retrieve the bike?
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
VIDEO | Nearing the Illinois border: Fort Jefferson Cross at the Confluence
August, 2021 – Headed north on Hwy 51 to the Mississippi River and crossing from Kentucky into Illinois in 11 miles or so.
The road turned into a huge hill and at the top, there was this lovely reward.
It is the site of Fort Jefferson overlooking the Vast Mississippi River and the cross has to be 5 stories high. Simply Awesome!
From RoadsideAmerica.com: 95 feet tall and made of metal, perched on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. It reminds river boaters just whose religion is in charge on the Kentucky side.
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
VIDEO | Frogs legs for supper in Kentucky; tastes like…
August 7, 2021 – Bardwell, KY – Crossed from Tennessee into Kentucky around 9:15 a.m. on Friday. Wasn’t necessarily looking for frogs but I found them anyway. Read on.
Aaah…Kentucky. Rolling hills, beautiful green scenery, and dog chases. Never just one; always 3 coming after you at one time.
Between hill climbs and dog sprints, I sure did earn my groceries today. So I explored my options after 45 miles of road and the 51 Grill in Bardwell caught my attention.
Three frogs. Six legs total. Lightly breaded. Not too salty. Lot more meat than I expected. White meat; a little stringy at times. Not fishy. Yes… like you expected… tastes like chicken.
The peach dumpling pie was homemade. It was warm in the bowl and perfect with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. Simply the best. Lots of sugar.
I could have had a peach dumpling chaser but instead treated my new friend Carolyn to a slice. She was 84 and playing solitaire on a tablet by herself at a table in the corner.
I asked if I could join her and she eagerly said yes. Carolyn was black and blue above her left eye. “Broke my glasses when I fell,” she said, pointing to the missing arm on the left side.
Carolyn was retired from working at the local ambulance company. She said her daughter was a nurse. She was working when Elvis died. “They closed all the other doors on that floor when they brought him in,” she said.
For such a tiny woman Carolyn had an unanticipated 32-ounce styrofoam glass of tea sitting on the table to her right. The glass almost dwarfed her… until her Friday fish Fry was served and then she peered out front behind that.
Carolyn watched me eat the somewhat greasy frog’s legs, dipping them in ranch dressing. “Doesn’t look like you’ll need that to-go box,” she said.
Hat tip to Pam and Jen from The diner in Columbus. They let me sit for a bit after a couple dog chases and a surprise gravel road.
And Chad at the auto repair shop who set me up right by the big fan in the shop to cool off and have a cold bottle of water.
Saturday it is onto Illinois.
Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The 2021 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.
Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.