Let the training begin

I never think I'm doing enough for the people who sponsor the tour - so this year I pledged 10,000 push ups before I leave in June for Nova Scotia.
                                                                             

No, I wasn't drunk when I made the pledge. This is to help me get in shape for the 1,700-plus miles that lie ahead. At least that's what I'm telling myself

Training is pretty basic. Turn on WISN and Mark Belling at 3 p.m. Listen to the podcast on my computer while completing 10 sets of 20 military push ups. Throw in some arm curls with my sand-filled Flintstone weights, maybe a set of dip off a chair (those are tough), some random cleaning during set recovery to spice things up and by 6 p.m. I've got the first phase of my winter workout complete and the house isn't as messy.

I'm sure this scenario is similar to how Vin Diesel trains.

I scratch notches in my daily diary. Stay consistent - which is the secret anyway, right? Reviewing my stats from 2009 are incredible; my God I was sculpted. Knocking down 250 push ups a day with my toes on a step in an attempt to ramp up the level of difficulty.

Starting over now and completing 100 push ups on my knees was a harsh reality check. I watched YouTube videos of guys doing push ups just to get inspired. Three weeks before the announcement I managed to complete 1,900 push ups on my knees so I could be ready to go with a full military routine once the pledge was in place.

I'm at a 'little pink girl' stage of training but I'm making progress. As of today I've completed a total of 880 push ups with 142 days left before I leave.

Things like this note from Natalie that I received while biking in Alaska keep me focused.

Judy  Wow! What an accomplishment. I enjoyed following you every step of the way. You inspire me.  In the midst of struggling with my training this summer you have put my mind in a different place to move forward. Thank you for that. Your perseverance has motivated me beyond what my mind is telling me I can do right now.  You are a blessing to many, that is apparent.  So many qualities. You have found your gift and are using it with purpose.  Be Epic  Natalie :-)

This is me working to 'Be Epic.' Next week I start my program with ThedaCare. They've selected members of the media to participate in a pedometer challenge. Walk/run 10,000 steps a day. They supplied me with a $15 pedometer. I also had to find a training buddy. I put a shout out and a man named Mark said he'd be game.

Mark is 53 years old..... he's also a mailman and walks 10 miles a day. That'll push me!

I'll close today with another favorite note from a guy named Mike. He followed my last tour in Alaska.

"I am happy and relieved that you are back home safely..... It is amazing to me that you manage to make it through these trips without getting raped, mugged, or just plain run over...... When you are gone it takes up a lot of my time just praying for you......"

-Sincerely, Mike

Primary sponsor secured for Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's

For the second year in a row USCCA has agreed to come along for the ride.
                                                                               

Last week I threw out an email blast to a dozen corporations in the Washington County area in an attempt to secure a primary $10,000 sponsor for this year's bicycle tour from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin. In less than 15 minutes Tim Schmidt, founder and president of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, responded. "I'm in," said Schmidt.  "I just really like what the ride stands for, the fact you work to give back to the community and that the money benefits a local organization."

Schmidt and the USCCA were primary sponsors for last year's Ride 2 Remember in Alaska which raised $20,000 for Alzheimer's activities at Cedar Community. That money was later matched for a total of $40,000.

This year Cedar Ridge resident Helen Reinke offered a generous $10,000 match in an effort to encourage a primary sponsor to step to the plate. An official announcement regarding this year's tour will be made during an event Thursday, Jan. 30 at Cedar Ridge. 

I can't say enough how much I appreciate the strong early show of support from Tim and Helen; their generosity is truly amazing.  More good news ahead.  Stay tuned! 

Fox 6 Followup of Ride to Remember: Interview with Video

Click HERE to watch the video and read the followup article on my "Ride to Remember" trek across Alaska in an effort to raise funds for Alzheimer's programs at Cedar Community!

Aaaaaaaaand....HELLO, WEST BEND!

This feels comfortable....

Many thanks to:

• Sponsors
• Supporters
• Donators
• Cedar Community, who gave me this wonderful opportunity
• Special thanks to my hard-working editor, Ginny; I couldn't have done it without your help (Editor's  Note: Awwww, shucks! It weren't nuthin'...)

By the way...it's 46 miles from Mitchell Airport to West Bend!

Milwaukee to West Bend.... Yes, I'm biking it.

Homeward bound.

Steve McQueen, an Alaskan legacy?

One of the best photos at the Alaskan State Trooper Museum in Anchorage; actor Steve McQueen arrested in 1972 for reckless driving.  Love how he has a busted nose and is giving the peace sign in his mug shot....

Alaskan Pipeline Art

Cut from a piece of Trans-Alaskan pipeline; artist, Chad Dietz

Final hours in Alaska spent at Harley Davidson dealership on Spenard Road in Anchorage.

The Lucky Wishbone

Final day in Alaska and having lunch at the oldest diner in Anchorage - the Lucky Wishbone.

Established in 1955 by George and Peg Brown, who packed up the kids and dog and moved from WISCONSIN to Anchorage.  The couple bought land at the edge of town (2 miles out of town at that time; his friends said he was crazy - nobody would drive that far) - 5th and Karluk St. and built the restaurant - t's been there ever since.  The restaurant has dine-in and a drive-thru, and is known for it's fresh chicken, lean hamburgers and long-term staff.

The initial restaurant was small; there was inside seating and a drive-thru.  

George said he hated the drive-thru.  "When I bought out my partner, I was going to close it up, but then I looked at the books...well, as you can see, I kept it."

George has heavy square glasses that are tinted yellow.  It's a look that hearkens to his days in the Army Air Corps.  There's a vintage photo of George in uniform on one side of an old grandfather clock (see below) behind the waitress station.  On the other side is a 1950's photo of his wife, Peg.

Peg (L) and George (R) Brown

Owners of the Lucky Wishbone Restaurant

Originally from Wisconsin

"When I met her, I was smitten, " said George. "She died five years ago and on her headstone it says 'Beloved mother and a hell of a partner.'" The pair had been married 67 years.

George Brown (age 91)

"Came here from the small town of Hager City, Wisconsin; it's across from Red Wing, Minnesota," said George.  A green and white Hager City sign hangs on the wall across from the table where George sat, talked, was interrupted, and talked some more.  "Put the wife, kids, and dog in the car and came up the Alaskan Highway because I needed to make some money," he said.

WWII pilot Bill Brooks (97) was eating at the restaurant.

The inside of the diner is filled with memorabilia from local pilots and the neighboring Merrill Field.  George flew P-40's in WWII.  "Transport planes in the China, Burma, India theater," yelled George above the growing din.  All the tables at the Wishbone are now full.  There's a pickup in the drive-thru and a party of four waiting at the door. "Here's my good friend," said George, jumping out of his seat to greet Bill Brooks (see picture above) - a pilot in WWII.  His buddy, George, pays tribute to him with a much younger photo which he pointed out on the back wall.  Brooks is dressed in pilot leather with a white scarf in the photo, looking very Errol Flynn.

Famous Chicken from Lucky Wishbone restaurant

Made it! Over 850 miles logged! Flying home tonight....

Made it to Anchorage!  Ride2Remember has been a total of over 850 miles on bike in the great state of Alaska!

These are some of the flowers I saw along the way.

 Busy day as I pack my gear and fly back home....    THANKS to all who followed along!  Hope you had as much fun as I did!

I leave tonight, land in Denver and hit Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon, then trying to pedal home.

I'll keep you posted.  C'mon back!

Final Leg...Anchorage Bound!

View from "the office" yesterday....

Wasilla to Anchorage - the final frontier

Road construction? Piece of cake!

Backtracking a bit.  On my way to Wasilla, even on the bike, I ran into construction.  Rode 7 miles in the pilot car with Amanda.  She was a hoot juggling 4 radios and 3 coffee cups.  "No, move that one - now wait, let me see.....yeah, get rid of that one, there's dirt in it," she said.  These construction jobs are lucrative.  "Made $90,000 one year, but you work yourself to death for five months."  Sometimes Amanda didn't even go home.  "NO, we don't want them hiring more people, because that would cut into our overtime!"  

She dropped me within 5 miles outside of Wasilla.

Amanda, my pilot-car construction escort.

Raspy voice and raw sense of humor.  She could chat it up with those construction guys - even make some of them cross their legs!  She talked a LOT about the high bear population in the area.  "There's a grizzly out here big as a Volkswagen."

When I left the vehicle, she told me not to be "bearanoid."  

Anyone Want to Claim "Spike?"

Outside the Valley Hotel and Coffee Shop in Palmer.

FOUND:  6-foot tall Velociraptor.

Brown, green and scaly.

Not nice.  Bites hard.

Answers to the name of "Spike."

On a brighter note....

Dr. Bill Mitchell

Had lunch at the Valley Hotel and Coffee Shop with Dr. Bill Mitchell.  

He ordered a piece of strawberry-rhubarb pie....and waited.  Another waitress finally brought him a piece. Half-way through the original piece, the waitress said she was warming his pie, and she brought over a whole new piece!  Bill laughed, and took it in stride.

I listened to his stories about how he took up running at 52.  Shook Bill's hand when I left and he hung onto it and grabbed my tab.  

What great hospitality as I wind down my tour of Alaska!

Wasilla Radio Station - Country Legends 100.9 "Well, Hello Dolly!"

Yep, that's me!

Stopped at Country Legends 100.9 in Wasilla on my way to Palmer.

Palmer Historical Society....A Taste of Wisconsin, and Rice Lake!

Palmer Historical Society 

Colony House Museum

House built in 1936, restored to its original appearance.

(Palmer originated as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal Resettlement Project that relocated 204 families to establish a farming community in the Matanuska Valley.)

Tin reads "Rice Lake Swiss Cheese Factory, Rice Lake, WI"

Vintage wind-up tin motorcycle toy and wooden TinkerToys!

Teddy bear and teapot in children's room

Sewing book in woman's bedroom

Woman's Art Deco mint green vanity set

Metal sign on wall in hallway.

Heading into the Home Stretch

Willow to Wasilla.....

Made it 32 miles from Willow to Wasilla on Wednesday 

and finally found the "Welcome" sign.

Heading to Palmer today, and then Anchorage.  Fly out Friday!

Wasilla Farmer's Market

Stopped at a mid-week farmer's market in Wasilla and bought a couple of cookies from Marissa (12), who was raising money to go to softball camp. "I know they don't look that good, but it's for a good cause," she said.

Other vendors were selling Alaskan fireweed honey, homemade crafts, jams and jellies.  Followed the market for 2 blocks, which ended at the Wasilla Historic Museum.

And they call it...PUPPY LOVE

Uh oh.  Free puppy holding at the Iditarod Headquarters.....

Can You Say "Scooby Snack?"

I would totally sleep in here.

(Just outside Wasilla, AK)

On the road to Wasilla and..What's That I Hear?

Sunny and mid-70s as I make my way to Wasilla and the famed Iditarod Museum.

Yup - Houston, Alaska.

Betcha didn't know that.

Had to climb up a hill through tall grass to get to the sign.  

Thought nothing of the rough path, but now with branches breaking in the nearby woods, I'm rethinking the warning sign for moose and I'm outta h.................................................

Letters on the Road...

Received this email today and was greatly encouraged!

"Hi Judy...Attached is a photo of my grandma, Stella Ligino Malcolm, 12 years ago with my son Joe.  She was 92 and still taking care of her home and garden on her own.  She's now 104 (or will be in August), has severe dementia and lives in a nursing home in Illinois.  She's still sassy, but I miss the mischievous sparkle in her eyes.  At age 3, she came over on a ship with her mother and big sister from Yugoslavia to meet up with her father.  (In a rush, the trunk holding their valuable possessions got left behind on a train between New York and Chicago - can you imagine?!)  Eventually there were 7 more siblings and 8 cousins living next door.  I grew up knowing them and credit that experience with my love of geriatric nursing.  Although I'm now a "full-time mom", I miss the patients and might like to return to that field one day.  Who knows...maybe at Cedar Community!  Thanks for fund-raising for a noble cause.  I love reading about your biking adventures...and your column in general (=.  Enjoy Alaska!"

Sincerely,

Kirsten