At long last... pics.

And finally... an album with most all of the pics I took on my journey.

ATL to the Arctic

 

The Final One.

What more can I write?  My ride may have ended, but my sister's battle continues.  In just two days, she will begin radiation that runs every day for 7 weeks, and restart the weekly chemo as well.  I rode and we all did our part - we raised $9,000 for Susan G.Komen.  Since all of the money raised was through the Passionately Pink for the Cure program, the money raised will stay in the area where the donation originated.   That being said, we have helped raise money for many Georgia and southeastern grants and programs supported by Komen dollars.

As for the ride, it was thought up, planned, and executed all in one summer.  Right when my sister and my family needed it most, we all had positive thoughts and and something to focus on during Kris's treatment.  It was a way for all of us to support her and the lives of folks we don't even know at the same time.

Before I left, many of my reasons for doing this ride were a sort of cross bond for my sister and me. Through a series of challenging and mentally draining events, we shared this summer together a bond to carry on through the tough times.  She did it and so did I, with the support of so many people.  I want to thank all of the people and the sponsors for their support and their roles in making this trip a successful and positive one.

We are going to have a get together on the 25th of Sept -- that's in two weeks.  We are planning on 5:00 PM until about 7:00 PM at Zuffy's off Buford Highway - the same spot we had the original fundraiser.  You can find directions here.  My sister and I want to invite anyone that wants to come down that evening and say hi and hang out for a bit.  It's going to be a very casual and relaxed.  I hope that some of you have time that day to swing by and catch up and check out my nearly 1000 pics that didn't get posted. 

One Week

I have been home one week. After spending so much time in remote areas and riding alone for the last 5 weeks, Atlanta seems very overwhelming.  I look back at the photos and they seem ancient!!  It wasn't that long ago that I was on the road, but it sure seems like it.  I guess we can get sucked into the easy city life so very easy and fast.  The one big thing is having a CAR!   Not having to ride the bike to get to every single place I want to go.  Not having to pack the bike so the weight is right and it rides ok, then suit up, and helmet up, and lastly, put on my gloves.
Or better yet, putting my gloves on, then my helmet, only to take my gloves right back off to get the chin strap done on the helmet, only to realize I have to take the helmet back off to put my ear plugs in, then put my helmet back on, then put my gloves on, then actually be ready to ride.  It was always an event to get ready.
Packing the bike was a big deal as well.  If I put too much weight on the back of the bike, it would "unload" the front wheel and the bike wouldn't handle well. I f I got the weight right on, it was like a dream and the bike would be fine.  Just getting that balance right had me constantly trying different ideas, and after a few days, I found what worked in making the ride comfy and not terrifying at all times.  I eventually got all my packing and suiting up down pretty well and I was very comfortable with the bike by the end of it all.

When I arrived in GA, I rode right to my sisters house to visit.  She was SOOOO happy to see me and I her.  It was great to catch up with her and the family.  I busted out the computer and began showing her the nearly 1,000 photos I had, explaining what was what and how things were.  I told her the whole big story about turning around in the Arctic, only to turn back around again and head north alone.  I told her about getting a flat my first day in Alaska, and how I tried so very hard to stay interesting in my blogging.  To write and post so she was able to read along and keep her mind busy.  She told me just how great the trip was and that it really did mean alot to her.  I was glad to hear that.
I spent the night that evening at her house then I was off to ride into Atlanta.  It was BKs birthday and I wasn't about to miss it.  I told her I'd be back in time, and sure enough I arrived on the day of... not a moment too late.  It was great to see her and of course Broccoli Dog, and show her all of my pics and videos and tell her the stories, too.

I'm glad to be home.  I fell back into my ATL life easily and I am happy for that.  I opened an automotive shop just before I left and while I was gone my business partner did great.  I arrived home to a shop full of cars!!  He and I have been busy all week bringing some really great antique cars back to life, as well as helping a few vintage racers see another lap around the track.  It's been great and I'm happy to do it.

As for the party, it's in the works and tentative for Saturday, September 18th.  So mark your calenders and when I can confirm, I will post up and let you know.

Start to Finish.

Well, I made it home.  I made it from Atlanta to the Arctic, back to Atlanta.  We raised money and awareness all along my route, starting in Atlanta and ending in Atlanta.  Covering new ground each day and taking a different route home than the one I took there.

From this - a completely clean and stripped bike:

To this:

 

A dirty, scratched, and road-weary bike that proved itself and never once faltered or stumbled along the way.  Not a single problem from this machine.  Through the heat, the rain, and the cold, up mountains, through mud and dirt, and back to highways, it never even balked at these changes.

From this muddy pass in the Brooks range of Alaska:

 To the big GA welcome center:

This was a welcome sign for me, even as a GA native.  I'm glad to be home and get back to helping Kris on the home front.  I rode straight to her house when I arrived home to GA.  She is currently in between chemo and starting radiation.  Her radiation treatment is everyday for 7 weeks (!!), AND she has opted to take the experimental chemo during her radiation treatments.  If that's not tough, then I don't know what is.  She is truly a tough cookie.

I rode the whole way.  There was something simple about it. I knew every day what I had to do.  I was riding for a cause and I had a purpose.  I achieved and overcame.  It was a great experience and I would not have changed a thing, except the reason for the ride.  My sister should not have to be dealing with her disease - no one should ever have to combat cancer.  I'm sure that the money raised for Komen will go to the right grants to help others, as well as research to try and find a cure for this disease.

I hope to have a welcome home party to thank everyone that was so supportive of this ride.  Once I have the details, I will post them up.  Thank you all and please keep checking back, as I will keep the site going as much as everyone would like.

Riding the interstate

So Monday - Idaho, Wyoming.... and that's it.  In the west you can ride all day and still be in the same state.  I rode all day and into the night a bit, and ended up in eastern Wyoming.  Camped and set my sight for eastern Nebraska yesterday (Tuesday).  I did that and a bit more.  From Cheyenne, WY,  if you ride 582 miles, you get to St. Joseph, Missouri.  Along the way I got many questions as to the bike, where I was going, and where I was coming from, but mainly folks asked where I was headed.  It was strange to say home.  All summer the answer has been, "I'm riding to the Arctic Circle in Alaska, to raise money for the Komen Foundation, it's a breast cancer charity..." The women I talk to tell me stories instantly about others they know who are survivors or talk of themselves and their personal stories without skipping a beat.  I mean, I'm a complete stranger.  But I guess since I seem sincere they open up right away and tell me how they made it through similar circumstances.

The men I meet say, "Oh really.  That's a long way," and then ask about the bike.  Fuel mileage, comfort, why in the name of all things holy am I carrying a second set of tires that are dedicated dirt tires.  Then I have to explain about Alaska and Canada and how the roads are not as wonderfully paved as they are down in the lower 48. I tell them of the Dalton Hwy and how I'm on my third set of tires.

Some folks, guys and girls, have even asked, "Isn't it frozen?"  The first time I got that question, I had to take a second and compose my answer as to not sound like a jerk.  I wanted to make them feel okay for asking me this question.  There is a major misconception as to the Arctic, and since the Discovery Channel tv show "Ice Road Truckers", people think the Haul Road is in a perpetual state of frozen chaos with crazy truck driver drag racing up to Prudhoe Bay to get that oil!!  It's kinda funny.  But everyone that I've met has been very, very nice.  The whole trip I have found that the most curious people have the best stories.

Anyhow, I've rambled enough and I'm headed east and south at a rate of 70 to 80 miles an hour, depending.
See you guys soon.

Good news...

My sister had her final Chemo treatment last week and today marks the first Monday in weeks that she gets to sleep in. She is a trooper and did a great job keeping herself healthy and as happy as she could be. I know the wonderful comments everyone made mean a lot to her and I appreciate all the support.

Back in the Lower 48

Thursday, I rode right into the interstate rush hour just north of Seattle.  As soon as I could, I turned left, making my easterly heading toward Wenatchee, Washington.  My brother Matt's Forest Service base is in Wenatchee, and also where his helicopter is stationed.  I missed Matt by 2 days (as he was off work and back home in Idaho), but I was able to stay with his buddy Chuck, who pilots the machine when Matt is on his off days.  They switch shifts - 12 days on and 12 days off. 

Me out in front of the big Bell super 205:

I rode out of the traffic and into the forest, up and over Stephens Pass, then down into the "Apple Capital of the World" (according to the sign).  

Top of the pass:

I stayed the night there with my sights set on Superior, Montana for Friday morning.  Superior is a small town just west of Missoula, Montana, where I have a good buddy that's a smoke jumper. He and his wife (who is an ex-jumper herself) set me up to stay with them my second night back in the lower US. 

After a pretty uneventful ride from Washington, through Idaho, and into Montana, I arrived here:

This is my buddy's house.  He and his wife, in true Montana spirit, hand build this home.  It's a timber framed house, meaning that the frame of this house is made out of large timber without a single nail or screw holding the frame together.  All wood dowels and very complicated joints.  It's a very cool place.

The inside of their house:

I hope they don't mind. It's just very cool and impressive.  I spent some time up here years back, helping do a few things on this house and also working on one of their old Toyota LandCruisers. I knew then that this place would turn out awesome.

So my first days back have been great.  I'm now at my brother's house in Idaho and I'm going to take a rest day tomorrow.  Then the plan is to head for the south Monday morning.  BKs birthday is Friday and I'm hoping to make it home for that.  So far, so good...  A lot of the excitement has rubbed off for a lot of the folks out there.  For me, I'm just tired.  I still have to make it home and get back to work!!

I really hope that the awareness and money we have raised does some good.  When I found out about my sister, I knew right away that I wanted to do something special for her and try to make a difference somehow.  Not only in her life, but in the lives of all everyone with cancer.  There are people out there that are willing to fight for and with their love ones affected by cancer- the donations and support prove this tenfold.  I thank everyone that has done either for me and my family, as well as anyone who needs the support of a loved one.  The positive attitude and kind words that many of you have written on this blog are a testament of the spirit and desire to help one another.