Thanks for the support - onto new adventures

It's been a whirlwind of emotions since returning home - - elation from the accomplishment of pedaling 1,031 miles, memories of wonderful people and beautiful scenery, realization of the fatigue and soreness from the challenging hills followed by more hills, and the comfort of being home and knowing I helped raise nearly $30,000 this tour for Alzheimer's.

I ran into tour sponsor Helen Reinke upon my return. "What's next," was her immediate question.

I will keep you posted. I'm sure there's another tour in the future - the planning has only just begun.

A mighty thanks to all the sponsors, supporters and my web editor - I could not have done it without you!

Racine radio interview Monday, June 2

                                                                            

I'll be joining WRJN afternoon radio host Ted Ehlen live on Monday, June 2 to talk about the upcoming Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's. We'll be chatting just after 3:35 p.m. on AM 1400.  You can listen in live by logging onto wrjn.com

Honoring veterans

                                                                      

Had the privilege to drive a local WWII veteran, Carl Kircher, in the West Bend Memorial Day Parade. Kircher enlisted in the Navy in 1946 when he was 19 years old. He went to San Diego for training and then served for two years at the Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois.

Less than a month before the tour leaves.  Behind the scenes:

- I've topped 8,000 push ups. Only 2,000 left to go!
- The only credit card with zero transaction fee and no annual fee outside the U.S. is the Capital One card. Sign me up!
- I've successfully secured eight sponsors for radio updates on AM-1470 WBKV in West Bend. I'll be calling in live updates on Monday's and Friday's.  Sponsors include: Goeden's Auto Body, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Common Sense Citizens, Shorewest Realty - Paula Becker agent, Wisconsin Lift Truck, Salberg Law Office, Swede's St. Kilian Inn, and Shop My Closet.
 - Next Monday afternoon I will be on Ted Ehlen's afternoon show on WRJN in Racine talking about the upcoming Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's.
 - Word is the new jerseys have arrived at Husar's House of Fine Diamonds. Set to pick up on Friday - stay tuned!

Superhero thanks to Thrivent Financial

                                                                        

Spidermen (a.k.a. Stone and Crosby) with an impromptu flexing contest at the annual Thrivent Fish Fry at the Washington County Fair Park. Thrivent Financial is a primary sponsor for this year's Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's.

On a side note: Just 35 days left before the tour gets underway. Tonight I'm searching bicycle shops in Halifax trying to find a place to stay the day I land. I'll be getting in to the airport around 1 a.m.; I'll sack out there for a couple hours and then spend the day touring Halifax.

I found Halifax Cycle Gallery and contacted the owners to see if someone from their shop would be willing to host me for an evening - give me a safe place to stay, maybe some mapping tips and a nice bit of hometown Nova Scotia hospitality.

I'll keep you posted!

7000 push ups! Knockin' em down - training for Nova Scotia

                                                                           

Back in December 2013 when I started rallying sponsors for the 2014 tour I made a promise I'd finish 10,000 military push ups in exchange for a $10,000 donation. USCCA stepped up with a generous donation and now I'm close to meeting my end of the bargain. I've been knocking out push ups since December - starting on my knees and building my repetitions from 15 to 20 to 25. Behind the scenes - I struggled during the winter months when the weather was miserable and I lost focus - but I'm back on track. Up to five sets of 30 military push ups each day - - or more!

I reached the 7,000 mark today. Feels like I've accomplishing something. I know it has definitely helped with my running and my confidence.

The tour leaves in a little over a month.  Stay tuned.....

Thanking sponsor Thrivent Financial

 

Thrivent Financial is one of the primary sponsors of the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's and they will be hosting a Fish Fry Fundraiser on Friday, May 16 at Washington County Fair Park. Money raised will benefit the Volunteer Center’s Youth Volunteer Initiative which kicks off this summer with Camp Superhero. Tickets can be purchased at the Volunteer Center, Washington County Fair Park, Glacier Hills Credit Union, Cedar Community, WBKV-WBMI, WTKM or online at volunteernow.net  

I will be volunteering at the event and have my touring bike on display LOADED with gear. I'll also be available for questions AND hope to unveil this year's tour jersey. See you Friday. The event starts at 4 p.m.

49 days and counting....

                                                                          

The start of the tour is about a month out -- and YES it's starting to feel like crunch time. Working daily to get in shape (YEA - - passed the 6,000 mark on push ups!!) and keep up on my radio sales, speaking engagements and publicity machine.

My mother is eager for me to get going. She's feeling stressed by how many people ask her, "When is Judy leaving?"

                                                                               

We've signed off on the final proof of the jersey and that's gone to the printer - big thanks to Helyn at Husar's House of Fine Diamonds that helped with the process.

Also giving a big shout out to sponsor Thrivent Financial as their big Fish Fry Fundraiser is next week Friday, May 16 at Washington County Fair Park.

Money raised will benefit the Volunteer Center’s Youth Volunteer Initiative which kicks off this summer with Camp Superhero. Tickets can be purchased at the Volunteer Center, Washington County Fair Park, Glacier Hills Credit Union, Cedar Community, WBKV-WBWI, WTKM or online at volunteernow.net  

Teaming up with WBKV AM 1470

                                                                     

Let's give a warm biker welcome to WBKV AM 1470 in West Bend!  The local radio station is jumping on board the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's tour and broadcasting weekly updates.

Morning show host Bob Bonefant will bring listeners up to speed on my daily progress, mileage and current location and then twice a week I'll join him live on the radio with stories of my adventures as I pedal from Nova Scotia to West Bend.

Be sure to scroll down the left-hand column and join in as a 'Follower' on the tour. We're trying to double the number of 'Followers' before the tour flies out to Halifax on June 27!

Big THANKS to West Bend Noon Rotary

                                                                               

A great turnout this week as the West Bend Noon Rotary held its meeting at Jumbo's Frozen Custard and featured ME as their guest speaker.  The primary topic was the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's and the upcoming tour bicycling from Nova Scotia to West Bend.

Talked about the sponsors, the miles, the goal to raise money for activities for residents with Alzheimer's at Cedar Community. Announced the West Bend radio AM 1470 WBKV will be carrying live tour updates on the morning show. I'll phone in a couple times a week and speak with show host Bob Bonefant and bring everyone up to speed on my mileage, my whereabouts and the latest adventure.

I showed everyone at the meeting the photo of me and my dad and my sister on the Steffes 'baby-seat bike' from 1965 and told the story about my dad getting pulled over by the cops in Shorewood. "You can't do that," said the officer to my father.  My dad pushed off the curb and said, "Arrest me."

I know my father, who has Alzheimer's, doesn't remember the story but he laughed the hardest when he heard it!
                                                                          

                That little red-headed one up front that looks like a boy is me.

Guest speaker at West Bend Noon Rotary

                                                                                     

Save the date, Monday April 28! I will be the guest speaker at the West Bend Noon Rotary meeting at 4 p.m. at Jumbo's Frozen Custard, 1014 S. Main St.

                                                                     

I will be talking about this year's bicycle tour for Alzheimer's. I will have my bicycle on hand as well as some vintage photos of my dad and his famous baby-seat bicycle. I will (hopefully) be able to unveil my new tour jersey and share some exciting news about sponsors and a local radio station that's jumped on board to provide live updates during the three-week tour!

Bring your friends and family to Jumbo's on Monday, April 28.  We'll see you there!

Riding in tribute...

                                                                        

We did this last year with great success and we'll do it again on this year's tour from Nova Scotia. I will ride in special tribute each day to a family member or friend.

All it takes is a $100 contribution to the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's and a photo. About a half-dozen people have already submitted donations, photos and requests.

We will post the photo atop the webpage in a 'special tribute' section. There are about 20 available days open for special tribute - - where I will spend that day riding in someone's honor.

Send a postal address and I'll also mail a post card from the road.

You can email the picture to judyharley@yahoo.com.  Please send a name and some contact info. The check can be made out to Cedar Community Foundation. Be sure to label 'Amazing Ride' in the lower left memo section.

This year's tour leaves June 27 for Nova Scotia.

The West Bend Noon Rotary will be hosting a public speaking engagement about the tour April 28 starting at 4 p.m. at West Bend tap & tavern.

Thanks for the support!

Received a nice donation today from Patrick Madden of the Madden Vanderloop Law Firm S.C. To date I've raised a little over $25,000 for Alzheimer's activities at Cedar Community. Other primary donors include USCCA, Wiedmeyer Trucking, Helen Reinke and Thrivent Financial. There are still two sponsorship spaces left to fill on this year's jersey -- and time is running out as we should go to layout and print before the end of March. Give a shout if you'd like to join in the effort on this year's Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's as I bicycle from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin.

Below is one of my favorite photos from my Germany tour in 2008.

                                                                               

                                                                         

Spring training run - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

Sunny skies and temps in the 50s today and FINALLY able to get a nice day of training outside!  Had this song in my head during my 5. 3-mile training run. Also a BIG sponsorship thanks to Thrivent Financial.

Seth Rogen fights for Alzheimer's research