Cinnamon Rolls, Beans for breakfast

Woke up to the smell of cinnamon rolls. Thought I had died and gone to heaven. mmm. Karin went all out and gave us a hearty breatfast of bacon, eggs, toast, and beans. She grew up in Holland, and from what I can gather, they serve beans in the place of grits (I grew up in Georgia). I've never had beans before a long ride ... but I figured there was a first time for everything.

Randy and his neighbor Carsten biked with me to the edge of their subdivision. Owen tagged along in a buggy ...

Owen took the role very seriously ...
After leaving the Lea's, I got on Route 1 and headed through historic Fredericksburg toward Richmond. The mileage wasn't as bad as the heat. And the heat wasn't as bad as the drivers. An old lady in a Lincoln came close to my handlebars (I don't think she could see very well).
Most of the others weren't as bad ... the beans ended up being good - I had more energy today than yesterday - must have been the beans.

Saw three deer. Two were bounding, and the other (sadly) had been involved in a traffic accident.

We finished up about 64 miles at 5:40. We pulled up to our host family (the Strickler's), and they had put up a huge welcome sign ...


Olivia (3rd to the right) did the painting. Harrison (yellow jersey) is our Richmond hero. We are doing a ride with him tomorrow called the "Tour de Harrison Victory Lap" to celebrate his victory over leukemia. Harrison and his family wanted to do a special ride to raise money and help other kids facing the same challenges that Harrison faced with his cancer.

They have already raised over $13,000 for research.

~ Austin

Day 1, Route 1

We visited the kids at Children's National today.  We met a family who knew the Lea's in Fredericksburg (our host family tonight).  Their kids had been treated together at Sloan Kettering in New York for neuroblastoma.

After the hospital visit, we had lunch with Tricia Benson who works with Curesearch. Part of Tricia's job is to lobby congress for better legislation to fund childhood cancer research.  Currently, she is working on the "Conquer Childhood Cancer Act," a bill that could fund up to $30 million dollars of research in a five year period.  The bill passed the house unanimously yesterday, but the Senate has to approve it before it will be taken to the President for signature.  The bill will still be an uphill battle, so if you happen to run into your Senator, tell them to support the kids. 

Had a Philly Cheese Steak at Colonel Brook's Tavern for lunch, and then got on the bike to ride to Fredericksberg.  I ended up heading north initially for several miles until I ended up back in the District during rush hour.  Evidently the lanes switch direction to account for peak traffic.  I ended up going the wrong way down a one way street.  What a surprise. Avoiding the other one way streets cost me about 10 miles ... ended up doing 64 down to get to Fredericksberg. 

We are now staying with Randy and Karin Lea.  Their son Owen is our hero here, and we're excited to spend time with him and his sister in the morning.  The neighborhood kids are planning to escort us out as we leave.  Everyone is meeting outside at 11:00 with bicycles ... I'm hoping for a big turn out.

~ Austin

Kung Fu Carsten: Cancer Kicking in DC

Made it to DC yesterday.  We visited Georgetown Children's hospital and gave out around 20 goody bags to kids of all ages.  It occurred to us that some of our goodies were better suited for children under 12, but that didn't stop us from giving race cars, temporary tattoos, and pink hats to 18 year olds.  

We spent the night with the Connolly family.   Carsten (10) is a leukemia fighter (as well as an aspiring black belt).  He showed us some of his attacks.  Its humbling to be taken to the ground by a 10 year old.  Adrienne and Jim prepared a great spread of fine foods and wine last night.

Austin, Carsten, Claire, and Tom

Tom drove down from Philadelphia to help us with our DC events.  He has been busy working since our first ride in 2006.  We hadn't been together since the big ride, and we had a fun reunion recapping all of our misadventures and comparing scars.  Tom has a great one on his left elbow from the first big fall - a badge of courage. 

Today with Tom's help we'll visit Children's National and then hit the road for Fredericksberg - 53 miles according to the maps.  Tom will head back to Philly, and I'll have to ride solo.  Paul is jumping on in Richmond, and Claire will be driving the support car.

~ Austin

Weeman

Today we announce that we are participating in the adventures of "weeman."  He is one of our Nashville heroes, and we will be seeing him at the finish line.  

Weeman (more commonly known as Colin) will be at the finish line on June 27.  Here is a bio that his parents sent us: 

Colin was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he hitched a ride around most of Europe with Mom and Dad before his first birthday. After returning to Chattanooga, TN, a workup for failure to thrive revealed severe gastroesophageal reflux which was treated with some success medically. However, during one of the upper GI scope procedures, an abdominal mass was noted incidentally which was eventually diagnosed as stage 2a Neuroblastoma, N-myc amplified. This is an aggressive tumor which is usually stage 4 at diagnosis. Now, after major abdominal surgery, over 7 smaller surgeries, 6 rounds of chemotherapy, and innumerable admissions and scans, Colin is poised to brave the rigors of a stem cell transplant, 12 radiation treatments, and 6 months of Accutane.

Since his diagnosis, Colin touched hundreds of lives around the world through his courage and resilience. Colin enjoys showing off original dance moves for his nurses and parents, throwing balls, watching Thomas the Train (A.K.A. Car-Car), and attacking daddy’s chin. He is also learning to share with his new 3 week old little brother, Ryan. With no current evidence of disease, Colin is ready to rally as a warrior against cancer. Rally on, Weeman!

~ Austin

Letter Party

Had some friends help stuff envelopes over the weekend.  We mailed over 265 people who have donated to Rally Across America in the last two years ... 

This picture of eager volunteers flaunting sponsorship letters was taken on Sunday.  What a good looking crew! oo la la.

Today Claire and I are picking up the support car in Atlanta, and then taking care of some last minute details before hitting the road for DC.  

~ Austin