Day 5 - we all gotta strive

Today we rode from Elma to Toledo, 62.5 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain...so you could say this was a recovery ride.  We made it to Toledo at about 4pm.  It was a good riding day all around.  The weather was great - partly to mostly cloudy, a slight breeze and beautiful countryside.  

I posted a video on FB of how the terrain and country looked today.  If you haven't seen it, visit www.facebook.com/popsride and find the post.  It was posted by about 10am.  

Dad and Carl once again turned every mile.  They called today the day of the butt because everyone's southern region was a little tender.  This is normal as we build our buttolerances and wait for the bruises to heal.  The good news is no one has saddle sores.

Carl and I tried to make up some good songs for all but I just can't replace Tom Casey.  However, we did learn that we can cover the miles faster without Tom.  We are not sure why.

This morning we rode up on Jer and he was talking to a local farmer.  Across the road were the farmer's lamas.  One of them photo bombed me.

We had lunch in Centralia, WA at the Rotary Riverside Park.  When we rode in we passed some BMX freestyle guys and they were like, Nice Shirts.  We told them where we were headed and they said we were crazy.  Carl asked them to do a trick so one of them hit a ramp and did a backflip...without a helmet or pads.  Now tell me who is crazy.  They were cool about what we were doing, wished us well and told us to watch out for glass as the locals like to toss bottles into the bike lanes.  

Then we rode some more, found a couple of good hills and then found a really good downhill.  The sign said 16% grade and we think it was about 1/2 mile long.  Dad and I maxed at about 39ish mph.  I was a little nervous watching Dad fly that fast but he was having a good time, as we all were.  Good Times.

One of the coolest things I saw today was this:

How cool is it to know there are still places in this world which rely on honesty, integrity and values.  This wowed me.  So far, this trip has been a constant reminder of all the good things and people out there.  Those who are excited about what we are doing.  

I hope we are making a difference.  

Today I rode in honor of Brian Baehr.  Brian has PD.  Another amazing person we have met through our PD connections.  He and his family are also very active in the AZ PD community and encouraging others with PD.  He remains positive and driven to find a cure.  Brain - keep on, keeping on.  You are a force PD hadn't planned on encountering.

Good night.