Road Trip!

Well, once again Mr Jerry Hogg and I are on the open road with a bunch of bikes and supplies.  This time is different.  First, Dad and Carl are with us which is awesome.  They keep us jumping.  Second, we are in separate trucks as their is no Mother Ship and we do miss her.  But we also realize there is a reason we are driving two smaller vehicles.  We aren't sure why yet, but we know there is a good reason.

On Thursday we drove from Phoenix to the metropolis of Jackpot,  Nevada.  We made it all the way to Wikieup, AZ before we had our first "encounter".  Mom had made cinnamon rolls for us to have for breakfast.  We stopped at the Shell station and were sitting around the table enjoying the rolls when a lady walks up and asks if we are the guys from POPs Ride.  We are like, "Yes we are"  She tells us they had been following us for a few miles, saw our signs, looked us up online to learn more about us.  You see, her Dad has PD.  She made a donation, liked us on Facebook and shared it will her friends and family.  WOW.  How cool!

Thanks to Spectrum Graphics for the signs!  If you need some sweet vinyl decals, a vehicle wrap or some HD Signs - give Jared a call at Spectrum and tell them you are friends of POPs.  Tell them thanks for supporting us.

We ended the day in beautiful Jackpot where the restaurants close at 9pm.  We had driven for 12 hours, lost an hour because we moved to MDT and then ended up eating at Pizza Hut.  Yes - we violated one of my travel rules - No Chains.  But we had no options and we were hungry.

Today, we had another good travel day.  We drove from Jackpot to Yakima, WA.  We met some friends of Carl's in Twin Falls, ID for breakfast and got to see their 5 week old baby girl Grace.  Good times.  The day's drive was shorter than expected so we drove down to see the Twin Falls on the Snake River.  As we were heading to the interstate and driving across the Snake, we saw about six people getting ready to parachute off the bridge.  Jer H and I were on the same page and we pulled over quick to watch.  I have a video on my phone and will load it when possible.  These guys are truly crazy.

Then we drove.  We finally decided to grab lunch in Ontario, OR.  I was looking through the GPS for a non-chain restaurant and found one called Hog Rock Cafe.  Since Jer's last name is Hogg, I thought this would be a nice surprise for him.  But, we couldn't find the place.  Gertrude said we had arrived but Dad and I couldn't see the cafe.  We turned around and pulled into Matsy's.  I figured this was a safe bet as there were a lot of local cars.  We sat down and ordered.  We had real hamburgers - real meaning real beef that was handmade into a patty.  As we were eating, our waitress stopped by and asked if the truck with the bikes was ours.  We said yes, she said cool.  After we were done eating, she brought us our check and told us two of the meals were on them because the Owner's Mom had PD.  WOW - another PD connection because of the signs.  I wonder how many more connections will be made because of the signs?  As we were heading to the trucks, the cafe staff was outside and thanked us again for what we are doing.  They thanked us!

Most don't know the struggles we have faced planning this ride.  This has challenged me in many ways and forced me to be patient and have faith.  Many "random" people have reassured me (us) that "it will all work out."  When you are a planner, "winging it" is a bit of a challenge.  Just about two weeks ago I was looking for one last driver.  We are still working on lodging for about four nights but we have faith something will happen.  Even if it is a clear night sleeping on the beach. :O

Once again, I am being shown how many good people are still out there.  No matter what you read or hear about - there are a lot of good people out there - in the U.S. AND in Canada!

Thanks again to everyone who is following and praying for us.  We will do our best to be good ambassadors for the Parkinson's Community.

Tomorrow - POPs goes International as we head into Canada.

To sum up the last two days - Random Acts of Kindness Do Exist.  Be prepared for them and be amazed.

Good Night All.
Shane

Just Checkin'

Just checkin' to make sure this links to everything.

One week from today, I will be in Phoenix and we will be finalizing the packing.  Then, Thursday morning at 6am - Dad, aka POPs, Carl, Jerry H and I head out for Jackpot, NV.  It will be a long day but I'm sure it will be filled with laughs and fun.

So far, the journey of planning for this ride has been so different from the 2011 Ride I'm not sure they can even be compared.  I'm excited to see what will unfold in the next few weeks.  Yes - and also a little nervous.

Well, I should sign off and finish a few other tasks before heading to bed.

Can't believe we are about ready to head out on another ride…another adventure.  Excited to be doing this with Dad, Mom and Shannon.

Good Night All.

Shane

86

The number of days until we ride again.

The number is small if you are planning the ride.

The number is large if you are ready to start making an impact.

What this number means depends on your perspective.

I am learning that perspective is huge in life.

Your perspective on an event impacts
               your reactions
                                    your thoughts
                                                         your feelings
                                                                             your future.

In the almost three years since we finished our first Ride, I have seen the impact perception has on those diagnosed with Parkinson's.  Some are angry - why me, why now.  But, most are positive - they almost taunt the disease.  I'm sure they have all had their bad days and went through the anger stage but they have moved on - accepted what has been dealt them - and are living life.

If you are a numerology person - is it significant that 8+6 = 14, the year POPs will ride again and here I am, writing to let everyone know it is 86 days until we ride?  I don't know, maybe just another random thought which either made you laugh at me or wonder if I fell off my bike again.  Guess it depends on your perspective of me. :)

Stay tuned as we will once again Blog after the ride each day and let you know what we saw, felt and experienced.

Shane

Ride The Rockies Day 1

Hello. First, I will probably not have everything capitalized right because I am on my iPad. Today we rode almost 80 miles and had elevation gain of 3,233 feet. We also experienced allot of head wind. I am beginning to think I am the reason for the wind. I rode today with Sheri Stecgart and Steve Hovey. Steve is Sheri's cycling coach and has PD. man can Steve ride! I don't think he switched to the small ring until we were 30+ miles in. Me I was in the small ring about 2 miles in. Steve is a lot like Carl and Dad.....AMAZING!!! Positive can do attitude and is not letting PD stop him. Steve is from New Jersey and recently rode in a century that climbed 8,500 feet! Craziness! And absolutely Impressive! Sheri and I laughed the whole day. Mostly she was laughing at my problems. My new go pro camera bracket broke. Then my tail light broke. Then she started calling me sniffles cuz my nose kept running. She will probably call me rudolph tomorrow because my nose is so red. Last nude Dad and I had dinner with Sheri and tonight we had dinner with Steve. Food on the ride is a little disappointing. You have to buy everything but water, Gatorade, bananas, orange slices,pretzels or animal crackers. PB&J is $2 or $3. I saw a steak sandwich for $12. I struggle paying that in a restaurant. We were all a little surprised but ya gotta eat. Dad went to the Black Canyon National Park today. He said it was really cool. A lot like The hoodoos in Bryce. While there he ran into Lauren and Tim from DPF. They went for a hike and then lunch. So far good trip. I am tired and a little sun burned. Guess I will apply more screen tomorrow. Tomorrow we ride only 68 miles but climb the first 40+. Until tomorrow, ciao' Shane, aka Marty, aka Beaker, aka Sniffles

We're Back!

Hello.  We are back and ready to ride.

I will try to blog each day we are in Colorado for the 2012 Ride the Rockies.

Thanks
Shane

Reality

This week at work something happened.  Nothing monumental.  This "something" happens four times a year.  Not sure why this time was so impactful but it kind of made me a little depressed.  What was it?

The office network told me my password was going to expire in 13 days.  You are probably all thinking, "that's it? his password is expiring?"  Yep, that's it.  Normally, all it means is I haven't changed my PW in 90 days and now I will have to create a new one which I hope not to forget for the next few days.

This time it is different.  This PW reset is special, unique.   It means we have been home from POP's Ride for 90 days....three months.  This made me question what have I accomplished in the last three months.  At first I would say not much.  I have no motivation.  I have no desire.  I have no drive.  I feel as though I am going through the motions - get up, go to work, maybe go hiking, go see a movie, eat and sleep.  These all seem so insignificant so without purpose.

There were two high points of the last three months - my sister got married and Shannon and I rode in the Colorado Copper Triangle.  Tracy, Joshua, Julia and Jillian - welcome to the family.  We all look forward to many fun times and good laughs in the future.

The Copper Triangle was....well....a challenge.  They may want to change the name to the Copper Triangle Challenge - 78 miles, 5,800 feet of elevation gain and 3,000 of your closest PD friends.  Good Times.  Shannon and I were honored to meet Lauren, Ally and Cindy our friends at DPF.  They have been very supportive of us throughout Our Ride and we appreciate all of their encouragement.

Back to the 90 day thing, I feel as though we should have accomplished more or should be further along in planning our next crazy idea.  I do not like waiting to learn what we will do next.  I want to know now.  Patience may be a virtue......my Dad's PD is not granting us the luxury to be patient.

Shannon has started to plan what we hope will be the annual, Phoenix ride.  Me, I have made a few contacts on my idea of selling burritos to 50,000 race fans.  I also have an idea for the next cross country ride.  Maybe it will happen in 2013 if I can secure enough vacation time.

Until the next update - Pray for those with PD and their caregivers.  Pray for the amazing research that is happening - you wouldn't believe some of what they have found.  Pray for those who were a part of Our Ride - that the experience was life changing and that they don't let the change just fade.

POP's Ride will continue.........

Ride Statistics

As you can imagine, Shannon, Kyle and I have been asked a lot of questions about The Ride.  There are the basics - Was it what you expected?  Would you do it again?  Did your butt hurt?  What did you think about all that time?  Anything you would do different?  What is your best memory?  What was your worst moment?  What was most unexpected?  What most disappointed you?  The questions go on and on and all are good and some are very difficult to answer.  Keep asking us about The Ride as it makes us think and remember all of the good times and amazing things that happened.

Here are some statistics only an accountant would probably track:

• Fuel (gas and diesel) used:  1,276 gallons
• Packages of Oreo's, various flavors:  15
• Bags of Ice:  85
• Jars of Peanut Butter:  3 Large
• Loaves of Bread:  about 20
• Gatorade/Pho-ade:  3 1/2 Large Containers
• Bike Accidents:  3 - Shannon rear ended Kyle on Day 1, Kyle caught a wheel on Day 8 and Shane caught a wheel on Day 42.  These are the only times Riders and Bikes hit pavement.
• Flat Tires:  21 - Bikes 20, Flex 1
• Total Miles Traveled:  Approximately 20,000 - Total of all miles traveled by bike, RV and Flex
• # of Ride Days:  33
• Estimated # of Hours on the Bike for SKS:  843 - assuming about 9 hours per day. 
• # of Rest Days:  9, We rode about 30 miles on a scheduled rest day so it became a ride day.  This was the only time we did not complete the planned miles per our schedule.
• # of Relay Days:  1, May 18.  The wind was incredible so we made the smart decision and each rode 20 miles....except for The Cannon who rode 40 (20 miles solo and 20 miles as rider support). 
• # of Unscheduled, Individual Rider Rest Days:  4 - We knew this could happen but it didn't make the days off, or the decision to take the days off, any easier.  Looking back, we know we made the right decisions.
• Unexpected Signs of Support:  2 - Lockhart, TX and El Paso, TX.  Seriously, there were signs (and people) cheering us on.  Way Cool!!!!!!
• Road Kill Count:  We stopped counting.  Unfortunately, we couldn't stop smelling.
• Total # of Riders who joined us (Shannon, Kyle & Shane) along the route:  22 - Yes, this includes the likes of Dad, Mom, Kerri, Kurt, Carl, Cole, Isaac, Casey, Jake, Keith, Kyle #2, Jordan, Justin, Jordan A, Theresa and a few others.
• Pictures Taken:  A Lot
• Jars of Assos Chamois Cream:  6.  Some of this cream disappered in the middle of two Knights.
• # of People who helped on The Ride:  11 scheduled, 5 unscheduled but much appreciated!
• # of People on Planning Team:  9, excluding riders
• # of People Benefited:  Countless

Thank you for supporting Our Ride.