Seth Rogen fights for Alzheimer's research

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

Big announcement - 2014 tour details coming next week

There's a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes as I prep for my 2014 three-week bicycle tour.
                                                                             

Coming up Thursday more details will be announced for this year's Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's. Sponsor letters are going out as we speak. A list of sponsor levels is posted below.

And take a look at this year's biking logo - created and donated by the extremely talented Michael Albiero. There is a clue in the graphic regarding this year's destination. Can you figure it out before next week?

My goal in the next 7 days is to find a primary sponsor for the front and back of this year's jersey. There's already a generous donation of a $10,000 match on the table. It would be great to unveil YOUR company logo along with the tour logo on the same day. My contact info is below.

Spread the word - - the big day is drawing near!

                                                                      

                                                                               

Sponsorship Opportunities

All proceeds benefit the Memory Care Program at Cedar Community

$10,000 +                     Yellow Jersey  Top prize at Tour de France

ŸCorporate logo on front and back of bicycling jersey ŸOfficial website with “Photo of the Day” and link to sponsors’ websiteŸEvent posters, press releases and email blastsŸOpportunity to provide company promotional banner for display during public appearancesŸPromotional mention during media interviews and announcementsŸRecognition in newspaper/radio/social media thanking all sponsorsŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸMotivational speaking engagement at your business or organization before and after the rideŸComplimentary Amazing Ride for Alzheimer's bicycling jerseyŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$7,500 - $9,999             Wheelie  Lifting the front wheel of the bicycle in the air

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jersey ŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸMotivational speaking engagement at your business and organization before and after the rideŸComplimentary Ride 2 Remember bicycling jerseyŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$5,000 - $7,499             Cadence  Pace at which you ride – general steadiness

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jersey ŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸMotivational speaking engagement at your business or organization before and after the rideŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

 $2,500 - $4,999            Wheel and Sprocket  Primary gears and parts of a bike  

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jersey ŸWeekly personal postcard from the roadŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

 $1,000 - $2,499             Chain Gang   Repair crew

ŸCorporate logo on bicycling jerseyŸPersonal postcard from the roadŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$500 - $999                   Pelaton   The large main group in a bicycle road race

ŸPersonal postcard from the roadŸRecognition on the “Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s” blog

$100 - $499                   Fans 

ŸPersonal thank you letter.

Contact Judy Steffes for more information at 262-334-4526 or judyharley@yahoo.com

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

Homeward bound.

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

Final Leg...Anchorage Bound!

View from "the office" yesterday....

Wasilla to Anchorage - the final frontier

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!

And they call it...PUPPY LOVE

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

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

Shooting for Wasilla

 View this morning as I hit the road in Trapper Creek...

Midway point...17 miles in.  Should easily make it to Wasilla today.

Gerard - another kind of hero

This is Gerard, a veteran and an athlete competing in a handcycling bike race in Fairbanks.

Met him during a rest stop this morning outside of Talkeetna.  He served from 1995-1999 and was injured when he was run over by a boat. Gerard was very quiet-spoken, had beefy arms and was missing his right leg.  Our meeting was brief, but it was an honor.

Mush! I say...MUSH!

Leaving Cantwell and heading south to Anchorage.  

Up at 5:30 a.m. to take the sled dogs out for a 5-mile pull on the ATV with  my wonderful  host, Jayne.  Her husband, Bob, pulled me out of the church in Cantwell, AK for a more comfortable place to stay, which included homemade lasagna, a wonderful bed and shower, and two adventuresome people who climb mountains, fly planes, run marathons and more.

Story coming!  Stay tuned!

Feeling very blessed that so many good people are taking care of me here in Alaska....

Alaskan Shout Out to Sponsors

Quick morning "shout out" to my sponsors!  Couldn't be doing this without you...thanks for your support!

PRIMARY SPONSOR:

United States Concealed Carry Association

SPONSORS: 

American Metal & Paper Recycling, Inc.

The Cottages on Golden Pond

CG Schmidt

Martin Jewellers

Wiedmeyer Express

Time Investment Company

Crossing the Nenana River - Hear the Wind Blow

Just crossed the Nenana River Bridge...DICEY!

The bridge has a windsock at the half-way mark to wan semi drivers.  Word in town was a person tried walking across the bridge in windy conditions when a semi passed and blew her right over the side!  I pedaled down the middle of the bridge with swift measure.  Made 'er.  I'm great - at least that's the word on the street.  

Another keeper!

One mile til breakfast....

Mike and Bizzy

Mike and Bizzy

Two of my coolest new bicycle friends - Mike (Missouri) and Bizzy (Denver).  They camp, and are full of bug bites.  We met at the 49th State Brewing Company in Healy.  I walked up and they said, "Hey, it's the Lone Ranger!"

They had seen me on the road by myself a couple of times - dressed in my Hefty bag.  They were making their way to Fairbanks on a very relaxed tour.  We had the same thoughts on the love of seeing the world by bike.

Put the Jaws of Life onto my wallet and stopped at the famed 49th State Brewing Company (see above).  They have organic ketchup, which still has a sodium content of 190 mg - but it's 'organic,' so that's OK.  Get this...my waitress, Kim, is from Lake Geneva, WI!  Crazy comfortable, good food, and they have the replica of the movie bus from the Sean Penn film "Into the Wild." (see below)  The movie studio left the bus used in the film after a 22-year-old woman died while trying to make it to the Magic Bus.

Note found in bus:

Alaskan Street Gangs

Truth.

Up next...Fairbanks to Anchorage - 367 miles and counting

Day 1: Making my way 367 miles from Fairbanks to Anchorage.  I'm riding the Parks Highway; it has a good shoulder; the same route takes about six hours by car.

Today was the "hilly" day according to the locals, and they were right - it was a chain stretcher.  I covered 59 miles starting at 11 a.m. and pulled into Nenana just after 5 p.m.

The most interesting place en route was Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn - a local tavern located midway between Fairbanks and Nenana - a pretty racy atmosphere.  I refilled my water bottles, bought some postcards for 25 cents apiece, and pushed along....

I also met another bike tourist, Jan.  Jan was from the Netherlands, and had been on the road for more than a year.  He was fully loaded with gear and supplies.

Fairbanks "Museum of the North"

A few pics from a short stop in Fairbanks at the "Museum of the North":

Fairbanks Daily Times (circa June 21, 1913)

Hand-made flag from a silk handkerchief, raised at the Summit 20,320 feet, 

Denali (Mt. McKinley) 1913

Part of the climbing gear.... a portable communion set.

Just as important as other gear, i.e., fur-lined goggles, single bit ax, galvanized sheet metal crampons and a portable stove.

Helen's Warning

FAIRBANKS - This is Helen; she's from France and working at the University of Fairbanks in the Biology Department.  "You keep a good pace," she said, as I biked up the hill with all my gear to the University "Museum.of the North."

Helen was riding a "fixie" - one gear, no brakes and, yes, it was designed that way.  "Oh, you should stay here longer," she said, as I explained I was getting on the road after the museum to head south.  "Watch for the wild fires," she warned. 

This Alaska - if it's not one thing, it's another.