Today's post was submitted mostly by the guys themselves (Blogmaster gets a break)...
(June 6, 2007) Today we concluded a very long ride from Blythe, CA to Peach Springs, AZ (approximately 150 miles) We conquered the mountainous dry state of California and have crossed into Arizona. We plan to ride from Peach Springs to Flagstaff on Thursday, which will put us almost halfway through Arizona. Albert, once again had mechanical problems and had to use a replacement bike which was generously donated by The House of Bicycles in Osceola (thank you tremendously!). We rode some peaks and valleys leaving California averaging at times 27.5 mph. Spirits and confidence still remain high to reach our final destination.
After reading the comment posted by "Elkhart UPS Driver" tonight - I just wanted to add how very proud the families of the riders are. People are asking us all the time how things are going on the ride - and we are extremely proud to say that the team is being VERY successful - even ahead of schedule at this point. So riders, your employers and coworkers are behind you. Your families are behind you. And obviously, God is behind you (with a tailwind).... Ride safely!
WE MADE IT!
Albert, Gary & Steve dipped their tires in the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Amazing! Fantastic! Unbelievable! Strong! We couldn't be more proud!
UPS brothers in Ocean City
Steve is seen here with two hard-working UPSers the team met while on the East Coast. They were kind enough to take a quick picture as a show of support for what the guys have accomplished. Very cool.
UPSers Really Deliver!
Albert, Gary and Steve - proud to display the UPS banner - and very grateful for the tremendous support of the UPS family back home in Indiana. This blogmaster thinks the C2C team has given new meaning to "WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU"....
Teamster Pride!
Proud to display the Local #710 banner at Ocean City! Thanks to Pat Flynn, Gerry Pauli, and all of the Teamsters for their support of this ride!
InShape Indiana!
The banner is a reminder that Hoosiers need to (and can!) be in good shape! Thanks for the banner, Ben Deady from the InShape team.
Washington Monument
Absolutely breathtaking - what a moment!
White House
Gary, Steve & Albert (and two kids whose parents didn't get the memo about moving your kids out of other people's pictures) in front of the White House.
What a Team!
Here they are.... almost to Washington, D.C. - strong, healthy, and doing something many people only dream of. Way to go, C2C riders!
We Are Family!
It was a wonderful day when we got to visit with our families! Here you see Tressa, Brennan & Gary Decker (Brady was at camp), Albert, Steve & Anita Hosinski and their girls. The families are SO PROUD of this team - what an amazing accomplishment you are realizing!
Elkhart's Finest!
Jim Boor & Gary share a handshake and some words of encouragement in the hot parking lot. It was a real morale booster to have UPS leadership show up to greet the team as they arrived in Indiana!
The Bourbon Duo!
Jamie Stapleton & Albert shared some laughs. Thanks for making the trip to Frankfort, Jamie!
UPS leaders meet the Team!
Gary, Jed, Teresa, Albert, Mike Kovatch, Steve, Jamie & Jim in Frankfort, IN
Life in an RV...
Steve is rehydrating after his ride. The Beaver is looking good, gentlemen! Someone has been cleaning house, haven't they?
Bug Bite!
Hang in there, Gary! Keep taking your Benadryl & using the hydrocortisone cream and ice. We think you still look "mahvelous!"
Take Me Home...
....Country Roads, to the place I belong - West Virginia - Mountain mama...take me home, country roads. (Are you humming yet?) Here you see some of the lovely scenery that West Virginia has to offer.
Beautiful West Virginia
Here's Gary standing next to one of Wheeling, WV's beautiful lakes. Picture perfect!
Don't Do It, Albert!
In what appears to be either a comical or crazy moment, Albert lays his head on the tracks. You're almost to the end, Albert! Don't give up now..... (ha ha)
Workin' on the Railroad...
Steve is doing his best "Vanna White" impression as he shows us this railway.
We Made It To OHIO!
Here are Gary & Albert at the state line sign.
OHIO Photo 2
Gary & Steve are at the zero mile marker as they enter Ohio.
The Long & Winding Road
This is what it looks like, folks. With only 3 riders now, the guys are riding solo in shifts. Most roads do not have as much shoulder (or any at all) as this photo, so safety continues to be an issue. Ride safely!
Back Home Again in Indiana!
Albert & Gary proudly display the UPS flag at the Indiana state line. Welcome home!!!
Corn, Corn, & More Corn!
Albert & Gary
Illinois: Corn, Corn, Corn
The guys paused for a quick picture in what turned out to be the major scenery as they crossed Illinois today....corn! Albert & Steve show that the Illinois corn is definitely "knee high by the 4th of July" as the old saying goes!
Albert & Gary - Iowa
Because they're getting in such great shape, losing weight, eating healthier, staying away from alcohol....you might have to squint to see these two "slim" guys....but it's really Albert & Gary at the Iowa sign. Looking good, guys!
Welcome to Iowa!
Steve & Gary pose by the Iowa sign. They were only in Iowa for 4 miles, then into Illinois. But, they can honestly say they were in Iowa for part of their journey!
Rattlesnake!
We saw this dead rattler on the side of the road. Cool stuff for the midwest!
Bike Repairs - June 17, 2007
Steve helps Albert get his bike out of the Beaver & ready to send home with the Blogmaster. Albert has battled ongoing mechanical issues, but we are hopeful that his friends at Pro Form in South Bend can come through for him in time to get his bike back to him when the team arrives in Indiana. Hang in there, Albert!
Gary & The Blogmaster
After more than two weeks being apart, you can see that we are HAPPY to see each other! It was a quick trip to Bethany, MO to drop off more supplies & visit the guys... but well worth it. We had dinner at a local spot called "Camaro's."
Homeward Bound
Bob is getting ready to head home on Saturday, June 16. Thanks for everything BOB - the team will surely miss your pedal power.
A Lighter Moment
The guys look like they're enjoying a laugh on the side of the road....it's good to see those smiles!
June 15, 2007
Gary, Steve & Bob in Kansas.
You Can Do It!
Meeting the Texas 4000 team was a highlight today. Here you see some of our guys talking with the group from Texas.
Another Biking Team!
The Texas 4000 for Cancer is a group of about 24 cyclists riding from Texas to Alaska. Our riders crossed paths with them in Kansas today & the groups paused to chat and share pictures. We wish them well on their journey!
Kansas - June 13, 2007
Albert (unzipped for that disco look) & Gary (the grouch) pause to let us know they've safely arrived in Kansas. If you listen closely, you can hear them saying, "There's no place like home...."
Cows, Cows, Cows
The guys report that in western Kansas there's not much to report. The occasional herd of cows is the only excitement. Here you see Albert happy to be posing in front of a corral of cattle.
Eat Beef, Keep Slim!
Steve found a great slogan to pose in front of!
4 Corners - June 10, 2007
They've reached a milestone - the famous "4 Corners of America"....where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet in a perfectly perpendicular intersection. (I couldn't resist that - it's the math teacher coming out in me!) Here are Steve, Gary, Albert (nice new haircut!) and Bob at the 4 Corners monument. Looking great!!!
Nature's Beauty - 6-10-07
Yes, I'm talking about Gary! Well, the landscape is also one of nature's beauties! Here you see the majestic rocky terrain, dazzling blue sky, and one handsome bicyclist! Looks like the weather is cooperating and the view is spectacular.
What's He Doing? 6-8-07
Here you see Hoser either trying to climb, hide, or maybe pick to toe jam out of one of the elephant's feet. Which do you think it is? Ha ha!
Sitting on Elephant Foot
Bob, Albert & Gary pause from riding to do a little rock climbing...or elephant-foot climbing as the case may be. Did Bob & Gary knock Albert down?
Elephant Feet 6/8/07
In the Arizona desert, the guys passed by these rock formations which they thought looked like elephant feet. Pretty cool!
We're in ARIZONA! 6/6/07
Here you see Bob & Albert taking care of mechanical issues in the Arizona sun. The scenery is beautiful!
Riding into the Desert!
Gary & Bob head off into the sand and heat. Looks like FUN!?!
Albert, Gary & Bob - 6/5/07
Here you see the guys in the middle of the desert in California. They are riding in 109+ degree heat and doing great! Gary is wearing long sleeves because he didn't wear sunscreen yesterday & got burned. Guys - remember your SUNSCREEN! We are proud of you!
Oceanside, CA- 6-3-07
Here they are - proudly displaying their UPS banner. What can Brown do for YOU?
The Teamsters Support Us!
Here you see our proud Teamsters at the Pacific coast, ready to start the ride. Way to go, guys! (l. to r. - Steve, Gary, Albert & Bob)
The Coast To Coast RV
Here's the Monaco "Beaver." Very nice! You can see the little "Beaver" on the front. Isn't that cute?
Meet the Riders
Here are Bob, Albert, Gary, Steve and Jason
3 comments:
We are all watching your progress here at UPS. The girls put up an excellent bulletin board with updates from this website.
It takes a lot of courage and heart to use your vacations, away from your families to ride on a small bicycle seat for hours and hours a day through these fiercely hot days to raise awareness for these chosen charities.
There were many skeptics wandering how you guys were going to make it but now you All have set an absolute outstanding example and I hope we All will stand behind you with encouragements and Pride knowing our what you are sacrificing.
We are all proud of our fellow colleagues and Gordon Food Service rider and appointed Chef. Stay healthy and we will all(Union and Management) pray for a safe return.
Hey Gary Decker - my main question is how's the bootie holding up? I can't imagine 150 miles on THAT seat! Seriously, keep up the great work! Karol Leiter
The Indiana Air Operations are watching, and cheering you on all the way!!
Love the pictures! Keep 'em coming!
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