Miles: 101 - Total Miles: 1,567 - Total Ascent: 42,491 ft. As an optimist, I am very humbled and extremely proud to inform you all that as of tonight, I have completed 1/2 of this journey! Only 24 days until I dip my front tire into the Pacific Ocean.
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Big day today - lots to talk about. So, here we go... This morning, early into the ride, I was dealing with typical mind games. I would think to myself, "Wow, you have so far to go - even 100 miles, today!" When, amazingly, amidst the brief period of discouragement, I looked up, and saw a billboard that I have never in my life seen before. (For better understanding of why this was so symbolic, please read the post dated August 4th.) How great it was to have a man like Dick Hoyt inspire me here, in the middle of Kansas.
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.However, today's highlight, thanks to Lisa Gropp, my Public Affairs Rep., was being greeted at the main gate of the Army base at Fort Riley - "The Big Red 1" 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Crabtree and his assistant were there at the gate to greet me. We talked about my mission, my experiences, the history of his unit, "The Big Red 1", and took photos. Msgt. Crabtree then presented me, on behalf of Colonel Ingram - (Brigade Commander), with their unit coin - a keepsake token of honor and respect. Then, a member of the base public affairs showed up, camera and all, and conducted an interview with me to be used for their base media. To Msgt. Crabtree and the soldiers of "The Big Red 1" - thank you for your time, your service, and your sacrifice. I was then given permission to ride across the base, where I visited a remarkable veteran's cemetery, and exited through the west gate.
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Considering that I'm not in Pennsylvania, and trying to find the middle of nowhere, I decided to try Interstate 70 (AGAIN). It seemed like a good idea at the time. Little did I know, that the Kansas State Police also has an Officer "Schmucketellie." Needless to say, I received an escort to the very next off ramp. It wasn't all bad, considering I at least made it 15 miles before being detected!
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Once on the surface streets, a lady by the name of Debbie Clark pulled up beside me and asked if I was "the guy riding coast to coast." She was quite excited and asked if I would pull off to the side. Debbie got out, asked to take my picture, made a donation to O.M.E.H., and said how thrilled she was to see my coverage on last night's news!
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Once in Abilene (at the recommendation of Steve Reichle) , I ate dinner at the Brookville Hotel - a world famous family style chicken dinner restaurant. This place was truly unbelievable. They have been in business since the 1870's! Their menu consists of only one dinner:
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One half skillet chicken
mashed potatoes and chicken gravy
family recipe cream style corn
baking powder biscuits
relishes
sweet/sour coleslaw
cottage cheese
home style ice cream
(plus 5 Mountain Dews)
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Not bad for $13.50! So the next time you are driving through Abilene, KS, you MUST stop at the world famous Brookville Hotel for the best dinner you will have ever had!
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Thank you all for your support of my mission, and your interest in my journey. I have received some excellent advice for my tendinitis, and even spoke with a nurse at a sports medicine clinic in Topeka. Lots of ice, ibuprofen, and careful riding. I hope to see you all at the Huntington Beach Peir on Saturday, October 20th.
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"I CAN!"
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12 comments:
Chip, that's starting to worry me. Please, don't use the Interstates. You know how in my years as a State Trooper I saw how bikes and people lose terribly when struck on freeways. Be safe, Semper Fi.
Mike, Anaheim
Chip,
Anytime I feel somewhat down or that my schedule is too busy with the new family responsibilities, all I have to do is look on the blog and remember a good friend of mine is riding 101 miles that day and it all goes away. You are amazing, take care of the tendon and knee and keep it up. We are all very proud.
P.S. 5 Mountain Dews, you're the man.
Brian
Chip, Do you feel it? The momentum is building!!! More and more people are tlking to more and more people...soon this whole journey will reach a tipping point and the blessings will overflow the cup. It may already seem like that to you now. Keep up the great work. Fair winds and flowing seas brother,
Dave
Hey Chip. What a great day you had!! The ride though the base must've been pretty cool and then to be recognized by a woman on the road...what a great feeling! I'm so proud to be able to call you my brother-in-law. Keep going and I'll see you at the beach!!
Love, Ellen
ps. I heard a song on the radio that you might like. You've probably heard it actually. It's a country song and Billy Ray Cyrus (don't judge) sings it. It's called, "Some Gave All."
Hi Chip!
In my cycling class I don't like to tell the class how much time we have left of a routine until we are at least 1/2 way done. Who wants to hear "you only have 50 more minutes left" when your class is an hour long! So now I can say it...You are over 1/2 way there and well on your way to the 2,000 mile mark!! That's got to feel good to know from here on out you have cycled more than what you've got left to go.
5 MOUNTAIN DEWS - Chip, Chip, Chip:)
I love hearing about all the people you are meeting along your way. Doesn't it make you feel great to have someone come up and ask, "Are you the guy riding from coast to coast?" It's got to make you feel proud! I'm proud just to be the friend of the guy that's riding from coast to coast!You are awesome, keep it up!
Nikki
Chip,
I saw this saying on a poster yesterday and thought of you...
"Great men are not born...they are great in history's eyes for what they stand for,and how they act upon their stand"
(There was a picture of the statue of liberty and the American flag in the background)
Keep your head up Chip you have a lot of people rootin' for yah!
-Julie Sanford (Anderson)
Hey Chip:
I have been reading all of the comments you have been receiving. Don't let all of this go to your head. To me, you're just a little guy that sat on my lap telling me; when I die, you're going to have me stuffed and sitting in your living room. Is that still an option?
That was so great that you got the reception you did at Fort Riley. You have to accomplish a great deal to have the Army come out to honor a Marine (ha ha).
See you soon buddy. I'm leaving for Kansas tomorrow evening.
DAD
hmmmmmm...So, I go to watch the video about you in the news and it says that the featured video is "man shoots at officers". After hearing about how many times you've been pulled over, I thought, Oh dear...HA HA NO, I never thought that but seriously, that was the featured video right next to yours when I looked at it. I'm forwarding the video to friends. How cool!
Hi Chip, I was looking through some old pictures today. I have quite a few of you kids at Grandma and Grandpa Roberts' house celebrating different holidays and birthdays, and some just ordinary days playing around. I looked at the ones of "little you" (some where you were about two years old). I thought how unbelievable it is that the little guy in those pictures is now a big guy on a fantastic mission! We are all so proud. What will everyone do when you finish? I'll miss all of this excitement! Take care. Lots of love, Aunt Annie
Chip ~
Scott's Grandpa retired from the army...as a colonel and he is buried there at Fort Riley.
How ironic about that billboard, WOW!
There's just SOMETHING about that Mountain Dew, isn't there???
Chip,
I just wanted to let you know that I talked to another one of my Orthopaedic buddies and he mentioned to follow the following process...Ice first, then take your anti-inflam., then get some heat on it to get blood flow to it...you should be fine as long as you don't stress it significantly...the repetative process of biking should be fine...nice to chat with you the other night...ride on my friend...family is doing good...
Jay O
Officer Lussier,
If I had to bet, I'd say there's a far greater chance of a cyclist getting hit on a country road with a narrow shoulder, traffic traveling atleast 65 mph, and not patrolled by police, then they do while riding on the wide shoulder of a frequently patrolled interstate!
Brian,
You are great. Thanks. Now I'm going for six MD's!
Dave,
Thanks, but when you wish for fair winds, can you try and make them be tail winds?
Ellen,
Wow, that was so nice! And yes! I did hear that song..... 15 YEARS AGO!! Ha ha!
Nikki,
Thanks for the encouragement, you are great.
Julie,
Thanks, it's nice to see your comments on the blog!
Dad,
I did! I really wanted to see you "stuffed", sitting in our living room.
Jacob,
If that were true, it would have read, "Man uses pepper spray, air horn, and a dog beating stick." (I don't need to mention the bb gun)
Aunt Annie,
Yes, 91 Daniels Avenue sure saw the best of times.
Carrie,
Bummer, I would love to have visited his grave sight!
Jay,
Great, thanks!
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