Monday, April 24, 2017

Getting Started

Bob & Tom Keegan on Oregon Coast
In 2007, Bob Keegan completed the Trans America route by bicycle.  He blogged when he could and almost always ended his post by saying "Life is Great" or something like that.  Hence...the name of this blog. 

As this year marks the 10th anniversary of that epic ride, what better way to honor Bob's memory than to do the ride again.  So...three of us (Gloria and Michael Keegan and Eric Mast) will start out from Florence, OR on May 24th.  Our plan is to finish the ride in 3 months - ending in Yorktown, VA on August 24th.  Family members and friends will be joining us along the way.  We will try to keep everyone updated by blog as we cycle.

 Preparations have been intense.  We each have new bikes that we hope will propel us up the mountains we encounter (yeah...right!), and various other gear - trying not to take too much to carry in our saddlebags.  Lucky for us, we will have a Support and Gear wagon (SAG) for the first 20 days. Our legs are very thankful to those of you who will be supporting us!

Bob off the bike for a bit!
In 2007, Bob raised money to support polio eradication.  We are not raising money, but if you would like to donate in memory of Bob, here are some places that he would have approved (not in any particular order):

 Habitat for Humanity
Doctors without Borders
Our House
PATH Foundation
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
CDC Foundation Bob Keegan Heroes Fund
CDC Foundation Louise Martin Fund
East Coast Greenway Alliance
Adventure Cycling

Our next post will be on or around May 24th after we have begun the ride.
Ride on!



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15 comments:

  1. The Singing LibrarianMay 24, 2017 at 4:25 PM

    Hope Day 1 was great. Thinking of you and yours. Keep those pedals moving. ❣️

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    1. Ride On!June 1, 2017 at 9:50 AM

      Thanks, Peggy! Yes...keep the pedals going. It's very slow sometimes, but I just keep spinning & eventually get to my destination. Appreciate your encouragement my friend❤️

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  2. UnknownMay 24, 2017 at 5:16 PM

    Gloria & friends, Wishing you the best experience.
    Tom & Georgian

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    1. Ride On!June 1, 2017 at 9:51 AM

      Tom & Georgian - thanks for the well wishes. It has been a great experience so far. Yesterday in the painted hills was incredible! Wish you were here😘

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 24, 2017 at 5:17 PM

    Hope all goes well for you and your fellow riders.

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  4. Rob & NaaMay 25, 2017 at 4:35 AM

    Safe travels Gloria! All the best from Hua Hin Beach! We're thinking of you.

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    1. Ride On!June 1, 2017 at 9:54 AM

      Hi Naa & Rob - thanks for thinking of me! Wish you were here - I think you guys would love this route...on a motorcycle🤣 Please pass my regards on to the Hua Hin crew.

      Delete
  5. Sarah CMay 31, 2017 at 11:07 AM

    Happy travels. Thinking of you all the way xxxxx

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  6. UnknownJune 1, 2017 at 10:30 AM

    Hi Michael. I hope you all are have an awesome riding experience

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    1. Ride On!June 4, 2017 at 11:45 PM

      Thanks, Myrna. I am a little slow responding to comments, but we are having a great time. 7 mile downhill runs are incredible. The scenery has been stunning. I am afraid this will end all too soon! Michael

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  7. Ride On!June 18, 2017 at 10:53 PM

    Hi Jenn! Sorry for the late reply. Internet out here is frustrating! So good to hear from you! Bob loved spending time with you on the Okefenokee. We often laughed about him flipping his kayak. That was a fun weekend. Glad his memory lives on in your science classes. He would be so proud! Thanks for the well wishes~

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  8. AnonymousJuly 19, 2017 at 6:30 PM

    Hello Michael,
    I have enjoyed your postings. This trip is spectacular. Did you change your email address? I wanted to email you something and the email address is not going through that I had for you.
    Janet Lowry

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  9. AnonymousAugust 7, 2017 at 10:27 AM

    Michael! Suttons here! How we treasure your adventure updates! So looking forward to hearing about your "trip of a lifetime" when you return home! Take care, experience everything your travels have in store for you - doing this for the rest of us who are so proud of you!

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    1. Ride On!August 7, 2017 at 10:16 PM

      Hi, Suttons! Glad to hear you are enjoying the updates. We are having a great trip, although we are about to hit the longest really steep hills in the next few days.

      I look forward to seeing you in just a few short weeks!

      Michael

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  10. Ride On!August 7, 2017 at 10:10 PM

    Hi, Janet. Sorry to take so long to respond. Jim from the ATM team or Myrna should have my new email address. It was in the email I sent out when I retired.

    The trip is indeed spectacular. I can't believe it is already August!

    Michael

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