Day 22 - October 13th and beyond

 It has taken a few days to be able to share the last day of my ride. Part of that was the chaos of traveling home to Las Vegas, getting unloaded and unpacked, and doing all the follow up chores that come with being on a trip. But there was also an emotional unpacking I needed to do. I have been flooded with people celebrating me and the accomplishment of crossing the finish line and to be honest, I didn't know how to handle that.

When I woke up Thursday morning it was just another day to ride my bike. I had met with the coordinators on the pier the day before so I was expecting to be shown in by Sgt. Woodhams of the Santa Monica Police Department. I knew the director was going to be keeping a path clear for me to ride onto the pier itself, and I knew my friends would be there to support me. I went down to breakfast at the hotel, met up with my friends, mom, and husband, and we went over the plan once more to make sure everyone was ready. When we were sure all of us were on the same page we gathered our gear, locked in the route on our GPS and four of us set off to ride from Pasadena to Santa Monica.

I was right on with the speed I expected us to keep but I severely underestimated the buses and red lights making our way through sections of West Los Angeles. I think we hit 80% of the lights red if not more. We had a time we were aiming to arrive and we were cutting it close. There was one rest stop planned at a donut shop along the route and the plan was we would take a break then the guys riding with me would head out ahead of me to reach the pier in time to see me arrive and give me a small cheering section. I waited ten minutes for them to get a head start but I started gaining ground. When I called Steve to say I was hitting the street where Sgt. Woodhams was waiting for me they were just ahead of my position. Luckily I needed to make a stop so he could sign a very special name onto my jersey. 

When I rode up to where he was waiting I wasn't prepared for what I would see. There were three motorcycle officers, an SUV, and 2 side by sides staged to accompany me. I had a full escort. They determined I would lead the pack and they would simply be there for support. I started to cry and the emotion of the moment overtook me. I gave him my jersey to sign and proudly wore the name of a man who meant so much to so many but sadly lost his battle with PTSD. He was exactly the type of person the ride was about. When he finished and I was wearing the jersey once more we set off to ride the last mile to the end. Every time I pushed on the pedals I felt like crying. I couldn't believe they went so far above and beyond for me. I knew there would be the small line of yellow shirts waiting at the End of Trail sign for me though and I was grateful my friends and family were there to join me for such an amazing moment.

As I crested the top of the ramp I looked down but did not see a short line of yellow shirts. I saw 2 lines of purple flags, more waving in the hands of my loved ones, and a crowd of people cheering as I descended the ramp. Just as I was surprised but the turn out of the additional officers, who presented me with a challenge coin to commemorate achieving my goal, I had no idea that the pier director had spoken to people from the booths and businesses along the pier to tell them what I was doing and several came out to congratulate me. My friends threw balls of streamers covering me in confetti as I reached the end and I was able to raise my bike up in victory. The director gave me a gift bag of souvenirs and the officers all posed for pictures with me. A wonderful man who covers events in Santa Monica interviewed me and I was swarmed in a group hug. It was so much more than I could have ever dreamt it to be when all I asked for was permission to ride my bike to the sign. They all went so far past my expectations and I will be forever grateful.

I want to take a moment to thank some people individually. Jim Harris and Sgt. Doug Woodhams who made my day at the Pier unforgettable. The officers who joined us on the ride and surprised me into happy tears, I'm sorry I don't know their names. Fabian Lewkowicz who interviewed me and promoted the charities. The wonderful team at the hospital in Vinita, OK who took such great care of me both in the ambulance and hospital when I crashed. Tom's Cycles in Tulsa, OK, Bicycles of Tulsa, Wilson Cycles in Bloomington, IL, Celestial Cycles in Oklaohoma City, OK, and Two Wheel Drive in Albuquerque, NM for getting and keeping the bikes running smoothly. Liz and Alex at the Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK for making our stop even more memorable and giving me the dream of having my bike involved in the pictures even though I was recovering at the time. The people who took the time to chat with us along the route, donated time, water, and of course supported the charities, you helped keep us going each and every day. Adam from Redeeming Eden Youtube channel who met us out riding and interviewed me about my ride to share with his viewers. My friends, Nell and Cory Stanard, Duncan McCartney, RC Craven, for taking the time to join me and be a part of this incredible journey. Victoria Kaer who helped create all the graphics and designs with Steve for my Facebook page, car magnets, shirts and jerseys, and all of our handout materials. Hahn's Military Supply in Las Vegas for the generous donation. Each and every person who donated anything they could to help the charities. My wonderful husband Steve Boyd who not only accepted this crazy idea of mine but supported me, joined me on the adventure and was a constant push when I needed it. And of course, my mom, Gail Fournier. She was in from the beginning once she realized I was serious, gave up 6 weeks of her life to be here with me to do this, and was everything I needed and more while out on the road. There are so many more people to thank and I know I am forgetting them. I apologize that I am still recovering and please know that anyone connected to this journey in any form has meant the world to me, when all I did was simply represent a huge number of people who deserve to be seen and understood. I hope I made even the slightest difference as they continue their fight. Thank you for coming along on this mission with me. I will be going live on the Facebook page in the next few days to make the donations to the charities. I hope you can join me one last time. 

Day 21 - October 12th

 Today began the same way any other day would have. We got up early, dressed and loaded the vehicle. But we didn't start riding right away nor did we drive to a starting point nearby. Instead we drove 74 miles from our spot at the Wigwam Motel down to the Santa Monica Pier for a meeting with the executive director and Sergeant of the Santa Monica Police. We discussed the logistics of where and when I will meet up with my escort tomorrow and the parking plans for the vehicles as well as what the other riders will do after they separate from me. 

While we were there the officer told us about a friend who had sadly lost his battle with PTSD and taken his own life earlier this year. He asked if there was a way I could ride for him the way I have for others along my journey. I don't have any blank bib numbers but there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to honor his friend. When I meet up with him in the morning I will be having him sign his friend's name on my jersey so it will be with me when I cross the finish line. It will be another added layer of emotion but one that I can't imagine not being able to give someone who is helping me so much.

After the meeting ended we made our way back to the starting point at Wigwam Motel, had a quick lunch and I began my ride around the time I normally would have been completing my day. It was warmer and the marine layer from the ocean had already burned off so it made it slightly less comfortable to ride but with only 45 miles to complete today I pushed on with very short breaks. We knew we had several things to accomplish when we got checked in so I kept that as my focus. We did go out to a favorite spot for dinner to celebrate the finishing of another successful day then as soon as we got back to the hotel we got to work. We had to unload the rest of the gear from the car, get our laundry together and washed, switch the treads on a friend's bike and then meet with him and two others who were kind and supportive enough to drive down from Las Vegas to join me for my last day. 

We are getting to bed later than we would like but we have met with everyone taking part in the festivities tomorrow and gotten all the chores done we needed to in order to be ready. It was a short ride but a very long day and tomorrow is sure to run the full spectrum of emotions. I am excited to share it with everyone. 

Day 20 - October 11th

 Today was the longest day I had left going from Barstow to San Bernardino. It was a total of 81.2 miles according to my GPS app on my phone. I knew that there was a part that I would have to rack and drive because it was only passable on a mountain bike and none of my three would qualify but it was still set up to be a great ride.

We started from the Route 66 Motel in Barstow again and followed Main Street out of town where it turned into National Trails Highway. As soon as we left Barstow behind we were back in the high desert, pedaling up the hills and passing rocky outcroppings and looking at the mountains in the distance. We checked out a sign for the Two Sixes Company before heading to Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch. We mentioned the stop to my mom but hadn't showed her any pictures or described it so she was surprised when we pulled up and she saw the trees made of glass bottles throughout the yard and all the knickknacks spread across the property.

From there we headed off through Victorville and drove through the Cajon pass where we knew we would have to use the car. As soon as we pulled off the I-15 we paused on the side of the road and pulled the bike down so I could finish the ride. I took Cajon Blvd. down to a turn that took us to a defunct diner and because it was mostly downhill in that section I made great time and didn't need to stop for long. We pushed on and made our way through back roads to Foothill where our hotel, and one of my mom's bucket list places to stay was located, The Wigwam Motel. I want to take a moment and thank Samir from the Wigwam Motel. When I reached out about the ride and the desire to stay here he came through for us big time and donated a room so we could stay and help with the extremely tight budget we have been operating on. He is a rockstar and the room is wonderful.

Tomorrow will be a long day because we are meeting with representatives from the Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica Police to figure out the logistics of my last day on Thursday. When we get done with the meeting we will then reverse our route, drive back to the starting point and I will ride the 50 miles to Pasadena. I also have some friends coming to join me for the final day and they will be showing up tomorrow night. I know I will have mixed emotions on Thursday morning when everything is said and done but chief among them will be gratitude that I was able to do this and for the people who have stood by me and supported me and the charities to make this trip the success it has been.

Day 19 - October 10th

 Today was the first of my shorter rides. I specifically designed the ride to have the last 4 days be shorter to help bring my body back down from the intensity of the ride. I have been looking forward to getting to these days for a number of reasons but the shorter distances were definitely on the list. I left right from the hotel this morning and thankfully because of the drive to check out the route last night I knew where I was going and what to expect. It was all sun again and I wore a brim attached to my helmet to keep the heat and sun off me as much as possible.

My first stop was just a painted road marker and I went right by it before I knew it was even there. The next stop was at an RV park in Newberry Springs. When we stopped for some water and to take a quick picture the dog at the owner's house decided to announce his displeasure with our arrival. He eventually gave up and laid down but I kept an eye on him as I have with all dogs long the ride. Many dogs are not fans of bikes. 

From there I had just over 15 miles to a small market next to an old hotel ruins in Daggett. When I rode up to the front of the market the clerk was outside and asked where I was riding from. I told her we had come from Ludlow but when she asked about the Day 19 on my jersey I explained I have been riding for 19 days coming from Chicago. When my mom went inside to check out the drinks and snacks the clerk asked her more about the ride and what it was for. Before we took off for the last part of the journey she came back out and donated several bottles of water to the ride. I was touched and gave her a wristband as a thank you for supporting us.

The last leg from the market to Barstow was less than 10 miles but I had to ride for the final time along the I-40. I had previously made the decision not to get back on the highway but after driving the course yesterday I decided I could handle it one last time. I felt my heart race as I climbed the entrance ramp but got onto the freeway and the shoulder was wide and clear. I pushed as hard and fast as I could to get off there and back onto surface streets. I could feel my heart rate come back to something like normal as I turned onto Main Street in Barstow. I pedaled hard up the remaining hills and arrived at Route 66 Motel in just under 3.5 hours from starting. As soon as we loaded up we went to lunch at Roy's Cafe, another Route 66 site and then tried to check in early if possible. 

We were told the rooms weren't ready but they were gracious enough to accommodate a room switch request to keep us on the first floor to make moving the bikes and gear easier. We ran a few errands and appreciated that the early arrival gave us time to check out a couple things around town. I also confirmed a meeting I am having with the Santa Monica Pier to solidify the logistics of the last day on Thursday. I have 3 more days and this trip of a lifetime will be complete. Thank you to everyone that has helped, supported, and of course, donated to the charities. I couldn't have done any of this without my team and you.

Day 18 - October 9th

 Sometimes things happen beyond our control. We planned to see Goffs, Fenner, Amboy, and Ludlow during the ride and we did make it to each location but it required detours and compromises to make it happen. 

My stop was in Needles, CA but because I was working on a tight budget the hotel I was able to find for the night was 20+ miles away in Bullhead City, AZ. It meant we had a much earlier start than we wanted because we had to drive back to the starting point. We have seen a lot of road closed signs and detours and grew concerned when we saw a sign saying Goffs Road was closed but thankfully it was just a sign in place for upcoming construction work taking place later this month. We went down the sun drenched road with the temperatures already on the rise. My legs were burning as I attempted to get them into the zone for the ride. 

We finally made it to the Goffs Schoolhouse Museum where my mom was able to get a stamp in her passport and we got to check out items from a school house that is over 100 years old. There was even a sign on the grounds that read Goffs, CA Rattlesnake Capitol Of The World but thankfully we didn't see any. Once we were done checking everything out we made our way back to the main road and on to Fenner, CA.

It was a quick stop for a snack and some drinks because it was getting very warm. I knew the path between Fenner and Amboy was closed because it has been as long as I have been visiting California. Because of the length of time it has been closed and the fact it was initially closed due to storm damage I had serious doubts about my ability to make it through. We decided it would be best to rack the bike and drive to Amboy in order to make sure I wouldn't have any issues where I would be out of radio and GPS range. When we arrived in Amboy we had some snacks and prepared to ride the last leg to Ludlow but just a mile and a half from the gas station in Amboy we ran into another road block. Recent storms have taken out bridges along National Trails Highway between Amboy and Ludlow making it completely impassable. We had no choice but to rack the bike again and drive the rest of the way. 

I am disappointed I got to actually pedal so few of the miles designated for the day but just like dealing with anxiety, things come up and you have to find a way to make it work. I am fortunate enough to have a great team with me and they have kept me going whether my issues were physical, emotional, or even problems with my equipment. We did all drive the short route to Barstow to make sure my next ride would g smoothly and there would be no more road closures ahead. I am excited to get to the next few days and finish strong.

Day 17 - October 8th

 This morning started cold, 48 degrees cold to be precise. I was layered up with my sports bra, tank top, sleeves, a workout jacket, my jersey, and a windbreaker for warmth and still celebrated every second of sun I could get. I pedaled away from the Grand Canyon Caverns where we stayed last night and went West along old Route 66 toward Kingman. We were almost at our first stop when I felt the back tire of the bike get soft. I looked down and sure enough, it was slowly sinking to the ground. There was sealant in the tire so I tried to pump it back up but almost immediately we saw sealant bubbling out the side of the tire. I had slashed the tread, not just punctured the tube.

We switched bikes and I pushed on through Truxton and stopped at the Hackberry General Store. I had been there back in May and saw a keychain I wanted that said "I rode Route 66". I didn't buy it at the time because I hadn't accomplished my goal and while I still haven't quite crossed the finish line I had planned to pick it up today but unfortunately it was no longer there. We talked to the man that worked the front desk and he gave me a few ideas of places to look for it before we took snacks we purchased and sat out on the covered patio to rest for a few moments. 

As we moved on I knew I had a long stretch ahead of me. The leg between Hackberry General Store and our lunch stop at Mr. Dz in Kingman was almost 30 miles. It was also completely out in the sun and the only breeze was what I created as I rode. Not far into this part a lovely family saw me ride by and asked my chase team what I was doing. When they explained why I was riding the family donated $20 to the charities. Once again I am floored by the generosity of the people we have been lucky enough to meet. I was wearing down as we approached our lunch stop and could feel my body temperature rising so I radioed that when we stopped I needed a bottle of Electrolit, a cold water, and a cooling towel. I then focused on riding as hard as I could to reach the spot I would get what I needed.

As I pulled up to the front of the restaurant I saw someone standing there clapping for me. It was a wonderful man I know in Las Vegas who had reached out to Steve and coordinated a surprise for me. He rode his motorcycle out to Kingman just to meet up with us and cheer me on. He even was kind enough to buy me and my team lunch before we went back out on the road. We checked out the drive-thru spot across from the restaurant and got my mom another stamp in her passport before it was time to push on.

The day was heating up significantly and as I rode on toward Cool Springs I prayed for shade. I got it in the form of clouds crossing over the sun but it was brief and didn't help as much as I hoped. I stopped once again to get my cooling towel and more water before we pulled into the souvenir shop at Cool Springs. When we got there we saw several people noticing us and one guy came over to talk to me and film me for his Youtube channel. Several others took pictures with me and asked what I was doing. I felt a little like a celebrity for a couple minutes. Shortly after we arrived we noticed a small cell of thunder clouds creeping in and I jumped on my bike determined to beat them. Upon leaving Cool Springs on our way to Oatman, however, we ran into a long, constant climb filled with nothing but curves and very few guardrails. It was terrifying but I did get to see a burro heading up the mountain right at us.

When we finally made it down we passed through Oatman and headed on to Needles. We are now settled into our hotel and have accomplished several chores including changing the treads on the bike I slashed open the tire on this morning. Tomorrow is the last of my longer days and after that it feels like things will wind down quickly. I can't thank everyone who has supported me on this enough for what you have done. You helped make me believe I could do this and it has been one of the best, most healing experiences of my life. Thank you!

Day 16 - October 7th

 Flagstaff during morning rush hour can be intense. We started the ride from the VFW and made our way through the city but it didn't take long to reach the end of the side roads and start riding along the I-40 once again. Just like yesterday there were sections covered in debris and I felt like I was riding through an obstacle course but we kept going and things were going well. Just a few miles outside Parks, AZ where I was scheduled to make my first stop, I heard a series of honks. While riding there had been a handful of semis going by that honked and I couldn't tell if it was another truck or my chase car behind me. We have a signal that if I hear honks from my chase vehicle I am in potential danger and need to bail but by the time I figured out it was the car I also saw why, a large truck with an oversized load was already going by me. 

The truck barely made it passed the car that was on the shoulder behind me and if I had been over in the middle of the shoulder the part of a manufactured house the truck was hauling that stuck out would have taken me down very quickly. We made it to the exit without a scratch but I was shaken deeply by the experience. I sat and enjoyed a snack while my mom and Steve checked out the offerings at the stop. While we sat there we met a very nice couple who asked about the ride and we found out they both grew up in the midwest like we did. She even asked to take a picture with me.

After a longer than normal break I got back on the bike and jumped back on the highway. We headed toward Williams which is such a fun Route 66 city. As we got into town I started having a panic attack. The feeling of being back on the highway had terrified me. I had to pull over and take deep breaths as I talked myself down from an anxiety attack, something very familiar to those who struggle with PTSD. I knew right then I needed help from my team. So many who battle this disorder aren't able to reach out, either because they don't have the support system they need or they don't know how to ask for the help they need. It took me years to be able to say I'm not ok and need help. Today I asked for that help. I was physically capable of pedaling but I was not emotionally ok to do so on the highway. I voiced these concerns and we agreed we would drive to my stop in Seligman which would get me off the freeway.

Not only did Seligman rescue me from the I-40 but it also was a spot I have looked forward to because it is where the idea for the ride began over 3 years ago. We made a brief stop at Delgadillo's Snow Cap where I sat with Steve and launched the first plan for the ride. We also got a stamp for my mom in her Route 66 passport while eating at the Roadkill Cafe. 

The final stop for the day was 25 miles further down the road at the Grand Canyon Caverns. We got in early enough to take the caverns tour and I was thrilled to be able to show my mom something we have enjoyed in the past. Tomorrow we will be heading through some awesome places and ending in California, our 8th and final state. We are coming down to the end and I can't wait to cross that finish line.

Day 15 - October 6th

 Last night we didn't sleep the greatest. When the alarm went off this morning I had already been awake for the better part of three hours. Between noise around the hotel and bad dreams I knew I was going to struggle waking up today. Even with that personal battle though, it was one of the fastest times we have gotten ready and loaded. We took off from the parking lot of our hotel in Holbrook and within the first couple miles I was riding on the I-40.

Riding on the side of the highway was the source of many of my bad dreams. I was stressed about being that close to the fast moving traffic but having to cross over the exit and entrance ramps were probably the most terrifying part of the ride. We made it to Joseph City where we stopped to grab a quick snack. While I was eating my mom and Steve ran into the gas station we stopped at and when he came back out, Steve handed me a surprise. He got me a little stuffed bear with a Route 66 hoodie on. I have been looking for a bear to go with the Marine bear I brought with me. I named him Joey after Joseph City where he came from.

From there it was just over 20 miles to the next stop and another spot I have been looking forward to for the entire ride, Winslow, AZ. I rode my bike right up onto the park created for "Standin' On The Corner". We checked out souvenir shops where I was able to finish getting the presents for the members of my team I wanted to do a little extra for. We also had lunch at a Route 66 diner called Falcon in Winslow before heading out to a now defunct trading post called Meteor City near a large meteor crater and then another trading post in Winona.

The last leg was from Winona to Flagstaff where I had to climb up hill after hill because Flagstaff was built on the top of what feels like a mountain. Shortly after getting off the highway for the final time today I was able to get on a bike path and take that all the way to the end. It was beautiful and well maintained but the best part is that there is a section of the original Route 66 built into path so I was able to ride on a part of history. I made great time getting into Flagstaff so we had time to check out some Route 66 stops and even a museum. Tomorrow will be my last day with any significant distance on the I-40 and I know my mom and Steve will be relieved to get off that part. It has been even more work for them keeping me safe than it has for me to ride it.

After tomorrow I move into California and will be in my final state as well as getting to some shorter milage days. It is bittersweet that there is only 1 week left but at the same time I am ready to have accomplished my goal and get back home. Thank you to everyone who has been following this adventure, I hope you have enjoyed it so far.

Day 14 - October 5th

 Today was an emotional day for me. Anyone who has followed along with the stories here about the ride, or that we have talked to much about the trip, know how intertwined the memory of my dad is to what I am trying to do. He never knew the true extent of what I went through or was a part of any of my recovery. Unfortunately he passed away before I got to a point where I could openly talk about what happened in my life and how I came to be diagnosed with PTSD. He was my champion, my defender, and one of my heroes but I don't think he ever knew. We sadly never had the best communication.

The ride started on what would have been his 70th birthday. Today is officially 15 years since he passed. I knew it would be a difficult day. I started riding and as has been my pattern recently, it was an uphill climb right from the beginning. I rode to my first stop, a church in Prewitt, NM where I was grateful to get to rack the bike for the next section. I was supposed to ride across a dirt rode and with the injury to my shoulder not healing very quickly because I keep pushing it and not allowing it time to rest, it wasn't going to be possible to handle the pain it would cause to attempt such a path. We got to the Continental Divide and got the chance to take some pictures and a couple souvenirs. We then had lunch at the Route 66 Diner in Gallup, NM.

From there I pushed along some back roads where we saw the incredible scenery and even in two different places we spotted wild horses. One of the horses was scared of my bike and took off running next to the road, eventually crossing in front of me but I was going slow enough I wasn't in danger of hitting it or it hitting me. I saw prairie dogs and birds flying overhead. It was breathtaking. I rode under a beautiful blue sky with puffy white clouds and one looked like an angel wing which we all decided was a sign of my dad watching out for me. 

We crossed into Arizona, the second to last state on my journey and made our way to Holbrook. We will be taking off from a travel center here tomorrow morning and I will be pedaling along the side of the I-40 all day. I hope you are enjoying the pictures of the journey so far and we can't wait to share even more once we get to Flagstaff tomorrow.

Day 13 - October 4th

 I know it is the thirteenth day but it wasn't unlucky at all. We began the day in Moriarty leaving right from our hotel. I was on side roads in the beginning so we felt safe even though there was a little more traffic that usual to contend with. The first dozen or so miles was a climb but after that I went down the side of a mountain for close to twenty miles. I have never had to ride my brakes so much in any ride I have ever done but it was definitely the right way to go today. I admit there may have still been some trepidation about my previous crash making me more cautious as well.

Not long after I reached the bottom of the mountain I also made my way into Albuquerque. We saw a large group of hot air balloons in the distance which surprised us because the weather was cloudy and gray. I left my chase car as I rode onto a bike path, almost immediately I lost radio contact with the car. Shortly after I blew the front tire of the bike and had to call to arrange a place to meet the car to take it into a local bike shop. I want to give a huge shout out to Two Wheel Drive bike shop for jumping right in and getting us ready to go again. We made a quick stop to get my mom a stamp in her passport since it was just down the street from one of my stops. Then we were off again. I was riding and feeling pretty good when a storm cell opened up and hit so hard we once again had to rack the bike. We drove briefly to get past the bad weather and I was able to get back on at a Post Office parking lot in New Laguna.

From there I made my way back to the I-40. Today there was a much higher amount of traffic and Steve was on his CB radio almost constantly trying to let the truckers know I was there. I was hurting terribly and with clouds hanging low, swollen with rain and threatening another assault we had to make a decision to either push on until the finish or end the ride for the day. I chose to keep going. About six miles outside Grants I took an exit because the pain in my shoulder was immense and I needed the break. Steve let me know I could stay off the highway and take the road running next to the gas station we were at which was the Historic Route 66 so we figured that was our best option. I was only a couple miles out when the rain came back with a vengeance. It came down in buckets and soaked me head to toe. But I pushed on. I had Steve's voice in my radio telling me just three more miles, keep going. He encouraged me all the way through to the end and when I rode through the Neon Drive I nearly cried. The pain was there but it was also the hardest I have had to push and the most miles I have done since I was injured. 

I am still out here, digging deep, and working to do this ride for those I am riding for, the charities, and for myself as I heal little by little everyday.

Day 12 - October 3rd

 This morning I had a difficult start. While I am focusing on healing and doing this ride to bring awareness to those struggling with PTSD, I can't ignore that I have trauma of my own to deal with and last night it came screaming at me in a series of nightmares. I tossed and turned all night and even managed to throw myself out of bed. I jarred my shoulder on the landing and was already feeling sore when I got up. The route started out on some very rough roads and we made the decision to stay on a main street instead of following the pre-designed route. At one point I did turn off the main road to follow the path on my navigation but right away it put me back on uneven pavement. I also popped both the front and back tires of the bike I began the day riding.

I switched bikes and took off again but shortly after I started riding I once again hit loose gravel and before I could get my feet out of the straps on pedals I slipped and fell down, feeling my shoulder scream in protest. Honestly I should have called it a day right then but I got up and walked the bike to the street and began riding again. Not too much further the route tried to take me down dirt roads on the property of a ranch and we had to rack the bike and drive to the next stop.

I began riding once more and was doing fine along a frontage road that ran parallel to the freeway but eventually that road ended and I had to ride along the side of the I-40. It wasn't nearly as scary as it sounds and I have ridden in worse conditions. The shoulder is wide so I felt perfectly safe as I made my way along the side. We reached Santa Rosa where we had lunch and made a side trip to the Blue Hole, a spot I have heard about many times after Steve did the Run For The Wall motorcycle ride. I wanted to experience it but didn't have the courage to jump into the icy water. While in the visitor center we met a wonderful couple that asked about the ride and donated $20 to the charities. Mark and Sherry were kind enough to take pictures with me and wished us luck on our journey. They also warned us about some bad weather in the direction we are heading so we will be keeping an eye on that.

If you want to check out the picture with my incredible donors as well as the rest of our adventures while we promote PTSD awareness you can go to the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 where you can also find out more information about the charities and how to support them.

Day 11 - October 2nd

 Today we hit the midpoint in more than one way. We finished the 11th of 22 days and also crossed over the halfway mark of Route 66. It took a few hours to reach that milestone and we had some great experiences along the way. We got up and loaded before the sun even rose and got to The Big Texan just as it broke the horizon. We took some start of day pictures then headed out, riding through town and even getting a couple miles on a beautiful trail before getting to the frontage road that ran along the highway. I have spent several days exploring frontage roads and it is fun to pedal while watching the traffic on the highway go zooming past.

Today as I was riding I heard an RV going by and honking at me. I waved but it wasn't until later I found out it was a couple I met yesterday who made a donation to the charities who saw me out riding and wanted to show additional support. 

Our first stop today was the famous Cadillac Ranch where I was able to get pictures of my bike with the paint covered cars in the background. There were close to a dozen people spray painting the vehicles as we walked around and we saw a guy selling souvenirs made from paint chips that come from the cars. We saw a group of motorcyclists that pulled up as we were leaving and later they passed us as we continued our trip toward Vega. We had some construction to contend with but pushed on and saw the Hickory Inn Cafe but it is closed on Sundays.

As we left Vega and set our sights on Adrian, the halfway mark of the trip. While on a quick break we saw another cyclist coming toward us. He came over and shared his mission of riding 48 states in 4 years and said Texas was state number 45 so he is almost done. He is riding for addiction recovery awareness and told us his own story of recovery. His name is Adam and he has a Youtube channel called Redeeming Eden. I was honored he wanted to interview me for the channel to share my story and I am thrilled to promote him as well. He will be turning 40 just a few weeks before I do so it was another kindred spirit moment. 

We had lunch at the Midpoint Cafe before going to the Glenrio Visitor Center and officially entering New Mexico. We ended the night in Tucumcari, NM and are excited to be heading to Moriarty. While I will be taking on new challenges everyday I am happy I am slowly recovering from my crash injuries and always pushing forward. We have less than 2 weeks until we cross the finish line!

Day 10 - October 1st

 This morning I was once again able to walk out the door of my hotel room and get on the bike. I rode from Shamrock, TX to McLean, TX where we met a man who was hanging out at a gas station with his son selling flavored popcorn bags for the Cub Scouts. He told us he was in the service and shared a story of meeting another cyclist a few years ago who rode across the country form New York to California. He told us where to expect hills and where the land would level off and become easier riding and from everything we saw, he was right on. He wished us luck as we got gas and headed out to see a restored Phillips 66 gas station down the street. 

From there we made our way to Alanreed, TX. We stopped at the post office hoping to check out the gifts but it was closed. We got some pictures in front of a fake jail cell and after some rough roads I needed to rack the bike for the day because my shoulder was screaming. But I was very excited to get to Amarillo anyway because my wonderful husband, Steve, was landing early in the afternoon. We made a stop at the hotel and somehow we got lucky that at noon they already had a room for us. We checked in and brought in the bikes as well as our bags then went back to the airport to pick him up. I jumped out of the car to give him a hug as he loaded his bags and we took off toward our lunch stop, The Big Texan.

The Big Texan is home to the 72oz steak challenge. You have to eat the entire steak, and all the fixings in under an hour to get it free. No one took the challenge while we were there but we still enjoyed great steaks, checked out the gift shop, and got a bunch of pictures. We also made a couple Route 66 stops to get my mom's passport stamped and met more wonderful people who asked about the ride and one even donated to the charities. We have been so fortunate that almost everywhere we go we meet sweet and supportive people and so many of them have asked for information or have given to the charities. I couldn't be more grateful to all the people we have met and the things we have been able to do as we make our way across the route. If you would like to check out pictures from our adventures you can follow along on the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 and you can also find information on supporting the charities on the pinned post.

Day 9 - September 30

 Today was a great day. Yes, I am still in a large amount of pain from the crash. Yes, I had to modify the amount I was able to ride. But I was able to ride. That was all I wanted. We decided to give me a good test but not push things too hard in case I wasn't strong enough to push very far. We started at what would have been my lunch stop on the Timber Creek Bridge in Sayre, OK and pushed on from there. It was mostly up hill but not too steep so I just lowered my gears and pushed on. 

It took a couple hours to reach the first stop in Erick, OK where we paused for a couple pictures of a now closed antique store. While walking around we met a couple women who were driving from Missouri to Albuquerque, NM for the hot air balloon festival this weekend. I began talking to them about the ride after they asked about the car and one of the ladies told us about her son who was in the Army and struggled with PTSD. He went into a counseling program and was able to make great strides but she understood why the mission was so important to me and decided to make a $25 donation for the charities. I got a picture with her and wished her well, fighting back grateful tears as we all said our goodbyes. 

We moved on, riding on a frontage road along the side of the highway and I had to face the first large hill since my crash. I was nervous but I forced myself to go down it and ride like I normally would, aware of my speed and the road but I didn't let myself crawl down it. I wanted the momentum because I knew I had a steep climb on the opposite side. We had to stop along the side for some water and a quick rest because I was starting to hurt but we were less than 10 miles from the end so I kept going.

We had looked up where our hotel was and where the stopping point was located and it happened that I rode past the hotel we are staying at to go a block further to the Blarney Inn. We checked in and the hotel manager gave us a huge room so we could fit all of our bikes and gear in which we are extremely grateful they did. Tomorrow we will be heading to Amarillo and I am aching but looking forward to continuing my journey and my healing. I am also excited that my husband will be flying into Amarillo so he will be joining the ride tomorrow and will be able to help with getting even more amazing pictures and videos, being a support morally, and also enjoying the trip with us!

Day 7 & 8 - September 28th & 29th

 I am combining posts because I spent the last 2 days in the vehicle working on healing from my crash and so there was a significantly smaller amount of things we truly experienced. Yesterday on the first stop though, I got to see something I have wanted to see for years, The Blue Whale of Catoosa, OK. Ever since my husband bought a book of ghost towns and roadside attractions in the U.S. I have wanted to check it out. While we were there the guy working the gift shop made a dream of mine happen and pulled my bike down for me so I could get the picture of it in the whale's mouth even though I was in a sling. I was able to talk to him and the incredible woman he works with, Liz and Alex, about what I am working toward and they shared pictures and my story on their Facebook page. They were a highlight of the day all by themselves.

From there we drove on to Tulsa where we went to Tom's Bicycles to try and get the damaged front tire repaired on the bike I crashed. He didn't have the rim I needed in stock but took it upon himself to call around and find me one and while he did that he did a tune up for free on the rest of the bike. His kindness nearly brought me to tears. After we left his shop we made our way over to Bicycles Of Tulsa where the crew was happy to help by selling us the exact rim I needed and a new helmet since my old one is also destroyed. They even gave us a discount in honor of my ride.

My mom found a spot in her passport at the Buck Atom statue to get stamped so we made a quick stop before heading to the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum. We saw several old cars and even learned they give rides in a 100 year old Packard on weekends. We finished in Stroud at the Rock Cafe, a place that has been on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives but when we were there it was quiet. We still had to drive to our hotel several miles away but were ready for a good night sleep. It was an interesting night since it was a converted hotel from possibly a nursing home and we spent the night trying to figure out how to get the bikes and gear into the room with us.

Check out this morning came early and we drove straight to Oklahoma City. I was scheduled to stop there but not see the OKC Bombing Memorial. Since the third and final bike shop we were going to was needing a few hours to squeeze us in we took the opportunity to stop by and check out the museum and memorial site. It was moving but with the 1 October anniversary happening in a couple days I struggled a bit seeing it all. I remember it happening but I was twelve at the time and realizing in 2025 it will have been 30 years already took my breath away.

We came through Hydro on the way to the hotel tonight and learned the Lucille's Gas Station landmark was damaged in a recent storm. It isn't too bad but still sad when old landmarks fall apart. We are in another independent hotel tonight and enjoying the variety of everything we see between the chains and the places from the heyday of Route 66. We had looked into places to check out and spots to eat but as soon as we unloaded we felt our exhaustion. We have been running on adrenaline since the crash and it ran us down as we settled into the room. Now that we had showered and I have taken some meds for my shoulder we are turning in for the night. With any luck I will be back on two wheels in the morning.

Thank you to everyone that has been donating to the charities and supporting me as I make my way whether on two wheels or four. I may have to do some small modifications until I am 100% but I will be on the bike and pushing forward to complete this mission. You can follow along on the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 and there is information there in the pinned post about how to support the charities as well.

Day 6 - September 27th

When we started out it was the first time we were able to just walk out the door, get on the bike and ride away from the parking lot. I was on the bike pedaling as the sun came up and made great time to Galena, KS. I gave a little fist pump as I crossed over the state line both going into Kansas and leaving it to go into Oklahoma. We passed quickly through the less than 20 miles of Route 66 in the state of Kansas and reached the second stop ahead of schedule. 

After leaving a place called Dallas Dairyette I was heading toward Miami, OK for our lunch stop when I came up to a fork in the road and the route I was on curved but the navigation said to stay straight to follow the route. I had the phone in my pocket to keep it from overheating in the sun. I reached in to pull the phone out but it caught on my pants and fell to the ground. Before I could stop her, my mom, who was right behind me on the shoulder to keep traffic pushed away from me, ran over the phone. It was destroyed. That is how I use my navigation and all my apps for the bike so there was nothing I could do but rack the bike, use her phone to find the closest store, and go buy a new phone. I had been considering it at some point because my old phone was 4 years old and needed to be replaced anyway, but yesterday was not when I envisioned that happening.

Once we left the store we got lunch and I let my new phone charge up so it would be ready to take on the rest of the route with me. We went to a place called Otter Cove where we met a group of sweet and very supportive women who asked about the ride and were so thrilled to meet us we gave them wristbands to wear and postcards they promised to share to tell people about what I am doing. After that we were off to get back to the stopping point so I could start riding again.

While getting the gear on the bike a man from down the street rode up, very excited to see another cyclist. We chatted for a few minutes and his wife joined, taking pictures of him with me and my car then they also asked for information because they wanted to follow my progress. Then, I was finally back on the road. I began cruising and was back to making good time. The sun was intense and I used my cooling towels a bit but I was enjoying myself again. The breeze from riding was dancing in my hair, the trees swayed around me. The farm fields stretched for miles and everything was serene. 

I climbed a hill and was enjoying my reward of coasting down when my tire struck loose gravel on some uneven pavement. Everything became a blur as I slammed down. I don't know what the crash actually looked like but it hurt a lot. I remember seeing the road ahead of me then lying on it and not being able to move. I could hear my mom and eventually others around me asking about calling 911 and moving traffic around me. I remember hearing that a sheriff's deputy had arrived and he came over to talk to me but I could still barely move. I was lying on my left side and my arm hurt like hell. I was able to force myself onto my back and take some deep breaths. Nothing was making it hard to breathe. My head hurt like crazy but I wasn't feeling dizzy. Still, I knew I had hit my head pretty hard and there was the possibility of a concussion so I mentioned that when they asked what I was feeling.

They went through a series of questions about what happened, at least what I remembered, and several people stayed with me and even helped load the bike onto the rack so my mom could follow the ambulance when it arrived. By that point I was talking and they got me to my feet. I walked myself into the ambulance, sat down on the gurney and immediately asked the EMT if I would be able to ride the next day. He smiled and said that was up to the doctor. When we pulled up at the hospital I was determined to go check on the bike but the doctor and 2 nurses were at the room waiting for me. Once again I got up and walked from one bed to another then they brought in a portable x-ray machine to check me out. Thankfully I didn't break anything or even dislocate it. I was millimeters away from potentially shattering my orbital socket but mostly I am just banged up. The doctor was not ok with me riding again until I could put solid weight on my shoulder and comfortably raise my arms above my head so I have a day or two of driving my route while promoting it with people I meet but I will be rolling again as soon as possible.

Day 5 - September 26

 This morning we left Waynesville, MO and headed further west. It was a longer day with more rolling hills and the beginning of the day was already giving us challenges. Almost as soon as we got out on the road there was construction. We had to go around it taking us off the planned route my husband and I spent hours creating. We found a route that would get us where we needed to go but it was all gravel, in some places the stones were so loose and sharp none of my bikes could make it through. The road was only about a vehicle and a half wide so we spent the entire time worried someone would come from the other direction or speed up behind us. The dust was difficult to even see through, but we made it to the other side and nearly kissed the ground when there was pavement again. 

It was like that on and off to the first stop which was a convenience store along the way. I took a quick picture but it wasn't anything super exciting. As we continued on we came across a library and museum where they stamp the Route 66 Passport my mom has so we ran in to get a stamp and free gift, a 4" x 4" window cling. From there we made our way to Redmond's Candy Factory and a building that claims to be the World's Largest Gift Store. Being from Las Vegas and seeing the Bonanza World's Largest Gift Shop all the time I joked that I was ready to throw down on behalf of my home. It was a neat place to check out though.

From then on it was mostly the rolling hills and greenery we have enjoyed until about a half mile from a spot called Gary Gay Parita. There we found ourselves stuck because the road was closed again and when we tried to go around on the next street it was also closed. It took Google, some guessing and luck, to get us around to the spot it turns out we could have gone straight to. The signs are up to keep heavy trucks from crossing a low weight bridge. At Gary's we met a wonderful, fun, and funny man who sold us a few souvenirs and told us about yet more construction on our route and the best way to get past. We thanked him and headed to the last two stops, a bar that was closed and the hotel we are staying at tonight. This is the first one that hasn't been a Holiday Inn Express or Candlewood Suites because my day job company, The Venetian Resort, has a partnership with IHG, the parent company to both of those chains. We are enjoying a different style motel tonight though and being able to park in front of the door, be on ground level, unload, and walk right in was priceless.

It is now time to get some sleep so we are ready to get back at it tomorrow. We will be in three different states tomorrow, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. You can follow along on the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 or check out my website www.writingforces.com to learn more about the ride, the charities, and how you can help support the fundraising efforts for them.

Day 4 - September 25

 Everything is so green! I know it sounds funny to be amazed by that, especially because I grew up in the midwest, but having been in the desert for years now you can begin to forget. I love my home in Las Vegas and find the colors of the mountains and surrounding areas to be gorgeous but here it is all rolling hills and green everywhere around me which is equally beautiful. 

Speaking of rolling hills, I think the entire state of Missouri is made of them. Riding, driving, however you get across them it is like a roller coaster. The temperature was a bit lower today which was nice though there was definitely an increase in windspeed. None of that mattered though, we couldn't stop staring at the scenery around us. Being in the more rural parts of the state a lot of the areas we go through look similar but we did get to go through the Route 66 State Park and it was breath-taking. We followed a scenic loop and even took a couple minutes to check out the visitor center where I got to tell the man at the front desk about my ride and he asked me to sign the guest book and give a short description of what I was doing so he could tell others about us. 

As we made our way further along we passed the World's Largest Rocker and I was able to not only get a picture with the rocker and my bike but also a group shot of me and my bike with a group of motorcyclists who are also touring Route 66. They are from Australia but had heard of the Run For The Wall motorcycle trip my husband takes that helped inspire my ride. It was fun and we all laughed about bikes and bikes on Route 66.

The end of the day was peaceful as we came into Waynesville, MO. There was a huge hill leading down to my final stop and my mom joked I should ride back up it and to the hotel since it was only a couple miles away. We decided not to try that though and instead got settled in then grabbed some dinner. We have been trying to check out new places or Route 66 spots but we went for Cracker Barrel because it just sounded too good to pass up. After that we went to the pool / fitness center for some stretching and swimming before passing out for the night.

If you want to see the pictures and videos shared from the trip you can check out the Facebook page Ride 22 on 66 and for more information on the ride and the charities you can see the Ride 22 on 66 tab of my website www.writingforces.com.

Day 3 - September 24th

 We got a late start. Loading was complicated, I felt like I couldn't eat because my stomach was upset, we went over the beginning of the route before I took off which took awhile so I was almost an hour late getting on the road. It was frustrating but we managed to get going. As the miles rolled by, my mood improved. 

Today was a lot of bike paths which, for safety reasons was wonderful, more complications for my chase driver. We spent far too long scanning the route on the phone to figure out where the path would end and she could meet up with me again. I would have finished at least an hour sooner if we could have gotten that part down quicker. But regardless of the prep time, once I got on the paths they were beautiful. I saw a ton of butterflies, including my dad's favorite, the monarch. Every time one flew near me I smiled. It was like having him right there with me. Most probably don't know but in a very real way my dad is on the trip with me. I believe he is watching out for me but I also carry a small memorial urn with some of his ashes in the bag on the top tube of my bike. He takes every ride with me.

I saw a snake, flocks of birds, even a deer grazing in a field. My mom also saw a few deer along the road she was driving while I was on one of the paths. We managed to meet up and tell each other about what we saw at the end of each path then began riding again. We had lunch in Edwardsville, IL in a charming pub where food for both of us cost less than $10. After that we quickly returned to the path and I was off again. Although before I mounted the bike we had a lovely gentleman come talk to us about the ride and my mom was able to hand him a postcard with information about what I am doing.

As I made my way along the second part of that cycleway I came around a corner and looked out over the trees. Rising above them, off in the distance, was the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. I was almost across the state line. With a renewed energy I pushed on and soon there was only one major hinderance to St. Louis, my massive fear of bridges over water and the McKinley Bridge that spans the Mississippi River. I took several deep breaths and rode on. When I reached the tresses at the center of the bridge there was a section off to the side for walkers and riders and I made it to the middle and tried to stop, put my bike up against a railing to get a picture with the skyline in the background but my phone was overheating from being in the sun for too long and the camera wouldn't work. Shaking from fear I got back on and finished riding across to the other side. 

Once I was off the bridge and up a hill at a gas station I had to stop for a moment to get myself back under control. When I regained my composure I climbed back on the bike and made my way to my mom at my next rest stop where I grabbed a snack and enjoyed the shade. The last two stops of the day were not far but the sun was setting and as I headed directly west a couple drivers nearly ran into me because my bright yellow jersey is nearly impossible to see with the sun in their eyes. I posted the pictures of our adventures and am excited for more to come.

Day 2 - September 23rd

 Today was a long day. My route took me from Chenoa, IL to Litchfield, IL. We passed today through cities like Normal and Bloomington, and I would like to personally thank the wonderful men who run Wilson Cycle in Bloomington. I noticed that the back bike rack was leaning slightly and stopped in to see if they had any in stock or any ideas that could help. They never tried to sell us anything, instead they came right outside, got down on the ground and started tightening bolts and looking at what could be the issue. They were able to secure it and make a recommendation in case I chose to upgrade the rack at some point and it wasn't even what they sold, just what they thought would work best for us. Before we left the son took a picture with me and one of the car with the logo and gofundme QR code on it to post to the Facebook page for the store and promote the ride.

We also met some wonderful people along the route in Elkhart where a group of men eating lunch asked about the ride and one had seen it on a sister station to one in Las Vegas and was able to answer why I was riding before I could. He said he had seen me on a station that turned out to be the local WB affiliate. I was flattered any of them had heard of me and two even came outside to check out the bikes before I took off riding.

We had another brief navigation error but thanks to a lovely woman who came out of a nearby office, we got directions to a bike path for me to ride and moved on. Everyone we have met has been incredibly nice and helpful. 

We had dinner at the final stop on my route sheet and it is the place I will start from tomorrow morning, the Artiston Cafe. It has been around since 1924 and predates Route 66. The food was delicious making it a perfect end to the day. Late in the afternoon we ran into a lot of rain so I finished my ride wet and cold and unfortunately popped a tire on the bike I was riding at the time but thanks to the foresight of my husband I have back up bikes, and my mom's quick response to come switch them out for me got me back on the road quickly. When we got settled into the room I worked on repairing the blown tire and I admit, I was struggling, There were a few tears and some major moments of doubt but words of encouragement from my husband telling me to just do what I could helped me refocus and fix it making me feel very accomplished. I know it seems silly but it was a big deal for me. 

Tomorrow we head for Pacific, MO and will already be through the first state on our trek. If you see the bright yellow jersey or the blue car with the stickers and magnets about the ride, feel free to say hi and take a picture with us. We always love to meet new friends.