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

Monday, May 14, 2012

Day 23 - In The Groove

Today was a very good day in Illinois, the weather was perfect, except the persistent headwind which kept my mileage in check, We started in Greenville, IL and ended in Casey, IL for a total of 88 miles for the day.  Here's the link to the map of today's ride. 

We said good bye to Route 66 yesterday and picked up US Route 40 today.  It is similar to Rt 66 as it existed before the interstate highways were built and follows along I70.  Rt  40 in this area is straight and mostly flat.  I'll try to follow this route through Indiana into Ohio if possible. 

Many folks have requested how many miles I have ridden and how many are left to go.  In fact, you even got me wondering how I'm doing for a big picture point of view.  So I went through several days where I didn't report the miles due to various bike problems, wrong turns, detours, and back tracking, which throw off the numbers tracked by the GPS.  To total miles ridden to date is 1,940.  Estimated miles yet to cover is approx 1200.

Last night I was quite tired when updating the day's activities and beside my grammar mistakes I forgot to mention that while we were at a gas station in Missouri Matt Christiansen, who read the sign on the car's rear window, approached me, offered me some Cliff bars, and Gatoraide to help my on my journey.  Then he made a generous donation to the MS Society on behalf of my ride.  Thank you Matt!

Also, Keith Walston met up with Claire and I in Missouri.  Keith is a team captain for a local MS ride and we were able to get acquainted.  We discussed the Bulhead City climb, his brother did it :)

Today I also came up on another cross country rider on Route 40.  Alex is riding from LA to Washington DC.  He is carrying all his gear on his bike.  He is riding at a slower pace so we rode together for a few mins and exchanged information about our routes, times, etc.  Then I accelerated to keep on my own pace.  You really have to respect those guys who ride with all their gear on their bikes.  Maybe next time...


Greenville IL is Where the Buffalo Roam











Claire Wants This Truck

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3 comments:

  1. annie cMay 15, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Fantastic news on your progress East.
    We love to read about your adventures every day and look forward to the map and the videos. Just loved Ada's playground chat with the camera she is precious. Thought the map of theh country was just super ! Also enjoyed Liam's vocals on youtube. Can't wait to give you both a big giant hug at Old Silver Beach.
    Annie and Kev

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 15, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    Wow Dave that was a quick 2,000 miles from our perspective, of course, not yours... Pace yourself and continue to share adventures of the homeland... ~Vic

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ken LudwaMay 15, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    Dave, great job so far! Hope you are enjoying Southern Illinois. Today you passed about 50 miles from my hometown of Centralia.

    Godspeed!

    ReplyDelete

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