Here's the story of why I'm riding across america

Hello, I’m Dave Nowlan. I cycled from Encinitas, Calif., to Cape Cod, Mass. from April 22 through May 28, 2012 in an effort to raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and to help fund research for a cure. My wife, Claire, and daughter, Julia, both have MS. I broke my back in a sledding accident almost three years ago; I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have recovered without being paralyzed and was able to ride this long cross continent adventure. Click on this link to “my story” for more information and why I continue riding. Here is a link to Information about MS

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Day 15 Oklahoma

We made it to Oklahoma today.  A new state is a great feeling, we're officially in Tornado Alley now.  The weather changed significantly overnight.  When we started out this morning, the weather was cloudy, in the 60s, with a strong northeast headwind, but this was welcomed compared to yesterday's 103 degree oven.  I spent most of the time on Route 66 today, happily leaving the interstate to the motor vehicles.  Adjusting the route a couple of days ago is paying off with more towns, associated infrastructure, and paved road options.  We traveled a much safer route today. 

I pedaled to an even 100 miles, from Groom, TX to Elk City, OK. Here's the map of today's ride.  Today had more rolling hills than yesterday, to keep things interesting. We passed through mostly grain farms, cattle ranches, and some open range land. We've entered America's breadbasket. We're also just starting to see some trees.   With a little good fortune, we're hoping to make Oklahoma City tomorrow.





3 comments:

  1. Glad to see you are traveling a safer road. That highway stuff sounded scary. Great milage for a Sunday - keep up the good pace - and make sure you are tracking that weather there - tornado alley is nasty!

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  2. April-Ortega's Indian MarketMay 7, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    Hi Dave, !!AWESOME!! Its a great blessing when we can take charge of our lives and be able to fight hard for what we believe in and inspire others to do the same. I wanted to post this alot earlier but time got ahead of me, which you might wish for on those days that you want to only ride 50 or less miles. My blessings are with you and your family. On April 30th you road thru Gallup, NM and Claire decided to take a detour and ended up in Ortega's Indian Market on RT.66, we are a 5 generations store that sells our local native america Indian Arts, Crafts and Jewelry. This is were I had the pleasure of meeting her ("Hi Claire!") and her telling us about you and your quest. My heart skipped a few beats but don't worry I'm okay. I can't say just how proud she is of you and what your doing, as well as I! My prayers to you: "That GOD gives you everlasting POWER to fight and never give up, and that he pushes you most on those days that you just don't want to do it anymore, and that his blessings are upon you and your family thru the thick and thin and for all that lies ahead, that he is riding with you every pedal of the way, and mostly HE IS ALWAYS THERE! GODS SPEED DAVE!! Claire this includes you too! Oh, and hope the gifts you bought are truely enjoyed. If there is a next time around, we hope to see you again and be able to meet you Dave. Safe traveling.

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  3. Glad to see you escaped Texas (some don't, you know). Keep safe and pedal on!

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