VIDEO | Ride along with me!

July 7, 2017 - Netherlands - Come along with me as I video the ride!

Amazing Tour Photo Gallery: Netherlands

July 7,2017 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - A quick photo gallery and a list of some of the towns and cities I've pedaled through:

Amsterdam, Lisse, Leiden, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Monster, Hekendorp, Oudewater, Delft, Montfoort, De Meern, Breukelen, and Weesp.

Each day I feel like I've gone 100 or more miles but I think that's actually the amount of times I've stopped and checked my map or asked for directions. 

The churches, canals and city centers have all been brilliant, colorful and full of life and history. 

I am never alone on the bike trails. However, my skills are minimal compared to the Dutch. They bike with purpose and enthusiasm - they can also bike with no hands and text at the same time. 

There is a reason so much of the Netherlands is green. The powerful overnight storms knocked the weatherproofing right out of my tent last night. 

I'm headed north of Amsterdam for the next few days.  Locals say that's where a lot of traditional life is located with wooden shoes and women in Dutch caps. 

From the stories it sounds a lot like the Amish in Wisconsin where they rather frown on having their photo taken and the surroundings have also turned very touristy, probably similar to the Wisconsin Dells. 

We will soon find out. 

Thank you to all the supporters who have been so generous to give to the music and exercise programs at Cedar Community. 

And if you've received a post card please consider adding it to the collage on the second floor at Cedar Ridge. It would be nice to grow the photo quilt and I promise you can have your card back when the tour is over.

Finding Wisconsin in the Netherlands, Part I

July 4, 2017 - Gouda, Netherlands - you just don't know what you'll find that reminds you of home as you traipse across the country.

Bumped into this Harley dealership while leaving Zevenhuizen. And then I happened upon another bike shop in a little town of Moordrecht. 

Lene, 59, started the shop as a bicycle business and Shell gas station. 

About five years ago he started to get ill because he was working 13-hour days, so he cut back to just bikes. The electric bicycles are big business in Holland. 

"They're called the Transporter," said Lene.  "People love them but after about five years the battery goes bad and then it's about €400 to fix.  People don't like to hear that news."

He said the new engines were too quick to market.  

After 30 years in business Lene hopes to retire in just 3 more.  "So I can do what you're doing," he said. 

I happened to like the variety in Lene's store refrigerator.

Making my way into Gouda.

Meet Harley..... Did I or didn't I?

One of my most favorite encounters so far has been with Harley in Erick, Oklahoma. 

After a much-needed rest stop at the Roger Miller Museum 

I drifted down the road to a building that had 

a ton of colorful vintage business signs.

"Take as many pictures as you like," said Harley. 

He was the owner of the shop, with was the former City Meat Market turned into a frequent tourist stop just off Route 66. 



Harley was dressed in well-worn blue-and-white bib overalls. He was minus a shirt...probably cooler that way. Harley, 76, had his gray hair pulled back in a ponytail. His voice was gravelly and his personality eccentric.



I found him endearing, entertaining and lonely. 

"Take as many photos as you want," he said again as he flipped on the lights inside the store. 

There are photos with Harley and his beloved wife Annabelle; the pair apparently drew more attention than the local museums. 



"Now what are you doing on this bike trip," said Harley. "You want a cold drink?"



I declined and Harley came back with a root beer and poured it in a frosty mug that looked like it could hold 64 ounces. 



I explained the tour and then got distracted by a picture frame full of rattlesnake tails. 

Harley had a lot of musical instruments mixed in with his old-school items. 

There were tambourines and markkas. "Let me sing a song for your dad," said Harley as he strapped on his guitar. "Roll that video." 

And with that Harley belted out a dedication tune of Route 66 to Al Steffes. 

Some people might have been scared. I thought it was wonderful. 







After the song Harley said, "You want to come over and see my house? I call it the castle-slash-sanitarium." 



How could a gal resist! 



I felt a little uneasy. I could see through Harley's shtick ... But I was nonetheless a little wary so I .....



STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT.... Did I go along with him or not?

Riding Proudly In Honor of My Dad, Al Steffes, Today

Today I'm dedicating my ride to my dad, Al Steffes, who has Alzheimer's. 

Feel free to join the tour and let me ride in tribute to someone you know.

3 Dementia Bills Get Governor's Signature in Wisconsin

This happened in Wisconsin today:

From The Wheeler Report:

Today, State Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) and the rest of the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia had three significant bills from the Wisconsin Cares Legislative Package signed into law by Governor Walker. Each bill will directly help those living with dementia and their caregivers.

READ MORE HERE.

Behind the scenes: Prepping for the tour

I'm glad it's raining. It makes it easier to stay indoors and get the million things done before I leave on tour. I deem this - crunch time. My friends say "it's sooooo interesting" why don't you write about it.

Personally, I think it's a little mundane - but I'll take a 10-minute break and let in you in on some of the prep work that goes on behind the scenes.

First, I'm pretending I leave this week. Wednesday, to be exact. This gives me the opportunity to stress out twice. Actually it helps me tie up loose ends, prevents procrastination, and then - in the event of some unknown emergency - I am ready.

As you can see above, I'm writing thank-you notes to all the people who made donations. This year I have homemade stationary!  Thanks to Cedar Community.

I have about 50 of those left. Once the weather clears I'll try to deliver the ones in town on my bike. It'll be good training and I may be able to introduce myself personally. It's that added touch and yes, I do save a stamp. (you're thinking it anyway so I might as well say it.)

My one-day packet project is now turning into four days. I have a team back home that watches out for me. They each get a packet with a house key, all my emergency numbers, my flight info, and copies of my social security card, license, and my will. I know...  morbid - but I'd rather be prepared.

I've also reviewed all my checking and savings accounts and made sure I have a POD - so none of that gets caught up in the courts. Finally the packet includes my credit card numbers and the number if I lose my card or its stolen then I can call my team and they can call to cancel. Yes - I try to think of everything.

I have my bike boxes, my tour jerseys, my tools, tubes, tires are all lying in a somewhat organized pile. I'm trying to cut down my gear by 20 pounds and I'm not having much luck. I know I'm going to hit a lot of up down and hauling around 80 pounds of gear is too much.

You saw Dan Brunner, the guy from Kewaskum walking the Pacific Crest Trail - he's going to be gone five months and all he took was 10 pounds.  Jeesh!

Cables and power cords and European plug adapters OH MY! I haven't even got to that segment of equipment yet.... much less a map of Italy. That sounds like something I should push to the top of my to-do list.

Stay tuned!  Tour leaves June 3!

Making My Bed in Toronto Airport (Delay)

TORONTO- Bit of a rough start.  Delayed flight out of Milwaukee combined with customs and cumbersome bike box adds up to missed connection to Halifax.  "Take the train, transfer, and it's only six minutes away," said the helpful agent. "Oh, and you'll have to take that bike box and your morning flight leaves at 6 a.m., so be here by 4 a.m." It was already 10:45 p.m.  I just decided to sack out at the airport.  Had my air mattress and sleeping bag, and made do in a corner by the luggage carousel.

Arrived well ahead of time for my 2-hour flight to Halifax and already another delay as the front tire is swapped out on the plane.

I have the tools and feel like helping.  I'm going to ask.

Stay tuned.