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

Friday, May 25, 2012

Day 33 May 24 - Bones

Today was a successful but difficult riding day.  We made it to Utica, NY riding 92.3 miles.  I decided to travel south from Weedsport in order to ride on US Route 20 as it is a fairly direct route toward Albany.

On the way to Route 20 we stopped to sync up.  Claire noticed some beautiful flox flowers off the road. She went over to take some pictures and noticed some bones among the flowers.  She wasn't sure if they were human or animal, so she took a few pictures.  When I got to Marcellus, NY I went to the police station and reported that Claire found some bones. Officer Len Richer helped us out and called the State Police to investigate.  The State Police called Claire back and informed her that these were deer bones, not human.  Case Closed.  Len has a few friends who have MS and was supportive of my ride and glad I was riding for MS. Thanks Len!

When I arrived at US Route 20 I was greeted by several long, steep climbs coming right behind each other.  It was very slow going so at lunch I conferred with a local, Betsy, who said I would do better to head north to Route 5 east, which happens to be the road I started on in Weedsport, before heading south to Route 20. I took Betsy's advice and rode back to Route 5 and had a much better ride to Utica to finish for the day.

Here's a link to the map of today's ride.

















4 comments:

  1. Hi Dave. I see you're approaching the tri-city area, where I spent five years while at RPI. Lots of hills ahead as you cross from New York into Western Mass. Good luck with the ride.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Dave and Claire, I have been following you on your journey. I am so excited that you guys are almost HOME !! The Mass border looks pretty close. You are Awesome for undertaking this ride.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dave, you and Claire are doing great! I've enjoyed following you on your journey. We have had multiple people at CCR ask where and when you will be completing your ride. I'm sure you are, but please post on your blog when you know! Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing you back on the Cape and at CCR!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just saw what you wrote in one of the comment replies about when you'll be arriving. I'm going to post it on our facebook page to get the work out to FitPlan and CCR people. Thanks Dave!

    ReplyDelete