Allen's Interview on D.C.'s "Let's Talk Live" television show

From Wednesday, June 23rd

Day 21 - Tuesday, May 18

Day 21 Tuesday, May 18 - #1
In Danville, KY at Super8. Yesterday pulling out of a parking lot I messed up my back.


Day 21 Tuesday, May 18 - #2
A bridge is out, so we had to loop around.

Day 20 - Monday, May 17th

Day 20 Monday, May 17th #1
We left the monastery, getting ready to ride. Starting from Maud. It's a rainy, wet, cold day.


Day 20 Monday, May 17th #2
Mercer County - this one's for you Bob!

Day 16 - Day 19

To all my girls at home


Taking the day in Louisville to try to set up media contacts...spread awareness.


Bryan has reviewed the maps - 929 miles to go! If we do a bare minimum of 25 miles a day, we could finish on 6/18.


Headed to Buffalo to pick back up where we left off and headed to Bardstown, KY. Unsucessful with media/news. Bryan got a lot done.


A closer look at the bike


Hot pavement and childhood memories


Hello to Mom and Dad


Biggest downhill yet


The terrain is definitely changing


Feeling a lot better today. Enjoying the beautiful countryside.


Day 18 - Saturday May 15th
(Turn up the volume). Staying at a monastery in Bardstown, KY.


Day 19 - Sunday May 16th
Second day at the monastery. Terrific day.

Day 17 - Friday, May 14

Day 17 - #1

Day 17 - #2

Day 17 - #3

Day 17 - #4

Day 17 - #5

Day 17 - #6

Day 16 - Thursday, May 13

Hi Everyone,

Just want to apologize in advance for the onslaught of blog posts...and for not posting any in a while. I've had some technical problems but now that those have been worked out, I'm playing catch up, so I will hopefully be posting a bunch of his video blogs today and tomorrow. Also, for anyone that hasn't checked out his facebook page for his trip, I try to do quick updates on their frequently on where he's at and what he's up to. Bryan, his driver/support partner, has also been very busy making his own video's of the trip to share with everyone. They are nicely done, editing and all, and offer another perspective of the trip, (besides just a closeup of Allen's face...lol). You can find Bryan's youtube channel and watch his video's here.

Thanks for your interest in following Allen's trip! Click here if you'd like to donate, every little bit helps! We are just shy of being only half way to Allen's goal of $10,000.

And thanks so much to everyone who has donated thus far, including those that have donated other things, like supplies, care packages, free hotel rooms and meals, just to name a few. Allen could not have made it this far without all of the love and support from his friends and family and supporters, including all of those he's met along the way!

Sincerely,

Andrea

Starting with Day 16....many more to follow:

#1

Big Hill

#2

The Funs About to Begin

#3

Airhorn to the Rescue

#4

Oops!

#5

37 Miles Today and Killer Dogs

#6

Shoutout to Jenna and the Red Roof Inn

Day 15 - Falls of Rough, KY to Eastview, KY

Where is Allen At? - Google Latitude

Hi everyone! I've re-added Google Latitude widget to the right sidebar of the blog. I had briefly added it last week, but the next day it was incorrectly showing him in Southern Indiana instead of his location in Kentucky. So I removed it temporarily, and have been checking it every day to make sure it was correct, and it has been. I'm not sure if the mistake had something to do with cell phone tower locations as I read in a web forum, (although he was in Kentucky he was very near the border of Southern Indiana, and it's possible, I suppose, that the nearest cell phone tower was located in Indiana) or the fact that Jefferson County, KY, where he was (and is still), has cities in it's county borders that are actually part of the state of Indiana. I'm not sure what the problem was. Whatever the case, it seems to be consistently correct since I removed it, so I decided to place it back on the blog. We welcome any feedback, especially if anyone notices it's not showing the correct location.

MAP OF LOUISVILLE, KY

Also, as you've probably noticed we've been quite behind on getting the video blogs posted. Allen is only able to upload them to youtube when he's somewhere with free wi-fi, and after a couple days early on with no wi-fi connection, he had a slew of videos, which subsequently got uploaded in no particular order, and we've spent the last few days back and forth on the phone so that we could get the correct order straightened out and I could get them posted to the blog. I should have the last few days' blogs posted today, and we'll be caught up and current!

Hope your enjoying the video blogs! Allen is really enjoying making them for all of you, and in a sense, making you part of his trip. And thanks for all of the blog, website and facebook page comments cheering him on and for all of your support. Although Allen is not often able to answer them individually because he's staying pretty busy between riding, meeting with local press to bring awareness to his cause, recording and uploading his video blogs and other aspects of this trip, he's definitely READING them, and they're a nice reminder of all of the support he has from his friends and family and fans, and that they are cheering him on!

Thanks,
Andrea

Day 15 - Wednesday, May 12th - Looming Clouds, But a Bright Spot Out Ahead

Day 15 - #1


Day 15 - #2


Day 15 - #3


Day 15 - #4

Day 14 - Tuesday, May 11th

Day 14 - #1


Day 14 - #2

Day 13 - Monday, May 10th - Near Fort Knox in E-Town, KY

Day 13 - #1 - Clouds and (another) Pesky Killer Dog


Day 13 - #2 - Crossing My First Time Zone!


Day 13 - #3


Day 13 - #4

Day 12 - Sunday, May 9th - Owensboro, KY

Took a break today to visit with the family before they head home later today. Tim will be leaving with them as well, and will be missed! But Bryan, who is taking over, is ready to go!

Day 11 - Saturday, May 8th - Owensboro, KY

Knocked out 25 miles in an hour today and ending in Owensboro, KY and waiting for the family and Bryan Robb (the new driver) to arrive.

Here's a little info. about Owensboro, KY from citytowninfo.com website:

"Introduction to Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro, Kentucky, in Daviess county, is 80 miles SW of Louisville, Kentucky. The city is home to some 54,067 residents.

"Owensboro, History
Owensboro was first settled in the year 1797. It was initially known as "Yellowbanks" which referred to the color of the sand on the banks of River Ohio. The first general store of the area was opened in 1810 by David Morton and this led to a gradual growth in the population. The city was incorporated as Owensborough in 1817 by the Kentucky Legislature. It was later shortened to Owensboro. In terms of population, industrial growth, and culture it is the state’s third largest city."

Day 10 - Friday, May 7th - Henderson, KY

Yesterday's ride ended in Sebree, KY, and they stayed in Henderson for the night. Today Allen picked up from Sebree and rode to Henderson, so they'll be staying in Henderson again tonight. Then tomorrow, it's on to Owensboro, KY!

Day 9 - Thursday May 6th - Sebree, KY

Day 9 - #1 - Clear Skies and Hungry Buzzards


Day 9 - #2 - Hobbit House


Day 9 - #3 - Baby Hill


Day 9 - #4 - Speed, Speed and More Speed


Day 9 - #5 - Way Up On Top


Day 9 - #6 - Moooooooooo


Day 9 - #7 - In the Town of Sebree, KY


Day 9 - #8 - In Henderson For the Night

Day 8 - Wednesday, May 5th - Leaving Illinois

#1 - Riding the Ferry and Leaving the River Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast

#2 - Crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky


#3 - Kentucky is Different


#4 - Arrived in Marion, Kentucky

Day 7 - Tuesday May 4th

A Monster Hill

Seeing America One House at a Time

A Horse With No Name


Just Taking It All In

Day 6 - Camping at Shawnee National Forest

Allen and Tim are camping it tonight. They've managed thus far, through the generosity of others, to stay in motel rooms. So tonight will be there first night in a tent! People have been so kind all throughout the trip. As Allen mentioned in one of his video blogs, one motel employee they talked to went out after her late shift at work and bought them loads of groceries...bread, lunch meat, water, you name it! They've met so many awesome people along the way already. Their new friend, Tim Pheil, who Allen met just days before he was to leave on this trip, dropped everything the first day of the trip to come and ride along and help out. He left last weekend to take care of some business back home, but is planning on catching back up with them later this week. You'll probably see both Tim's in some of the video footage, as well as some of the photographs we also hope to get posted here on the blog soon.

Both Tim Kos, Allen's support vehicle driver, and Tim Pheil, his motorcycle-riding buddy, have been instrumental in making this trip as enjoyable, safe and successful as it's been so far. Tim Kos will be returning to St. Louis this weekend, and a new driver, Bryan Robb will be picking up where Tim left off, as the new support driver. I know Allen is really going to miss Tim, but he's also excited to have his new driver, Bryan, along for the trip!

Until then, check out the newest video blogs from Allen here, from Day 6 and their night of camping in Shawnee National Forest..

Day 6 - An Axe in the Hand is Worth...?

Day 5 - Hanging with the Family and ABC Channel 3 News

Day 4 - Rained in in Carbondale, IL

Day 3 - Riding through Southern IL

Day 2 - Video Blog - Ending in Carbondale, IL

Stopping in Carbondale, IL for the night. Lots of wind made for a slow ride today. Had an interview with the local town tribune newspaper, and meeting lots of cool people!

Day 2 - Morning Video Blog from Allen

Channel 4 News Coverage and Y 98.1 Radio Interview

Here is the channel 4 News story in case you missed it!



And here is a link to the radio interview Allen did this morning with the Phillips and Company morning show on Y 98.1 fm!

Allen's First Day (Video Blog Included)

Well, today was Allen's first day! We had a pretty exciting send off. At the last minute this morning, as we were waiting for a few more friends to arrive, he did a on-air phone interview with Y 98.1 radio. Then a few minutes later, Channel 4 News showed up and did an interview with him and followed us down to Koch Road where he set off to cross the JB bridge (Jefferson Barracks bridge). He rode 63 miles, and they finally stopped off in Chester, IL. His video blog is below.

Day 1 - Video Blog - Cycling through Illinois

This is a short clip from yesterday, just had some problems getting uploaded!

Packing Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Lately this blog of ours seems to be turning into this blog of mine..lol. But, Allen's not much of a typer. But he's planning on video blogging via his phone during his trip and uploading them here to this blog. And then I'll probably also still be posting occasionally during his trip.

Allen is starting to pack for his trip and I'm sitting here going over trip logistics. I'm starting to get a little nervous. About missing Allen while's gone, about the girls missing Daddy while he's gone, about all the little things that could go wrong (knock on wood). But, at the same time I'm really excited for Allen. For now I am on a hunt for an affordable gortex jacket. Those babies aren't cheap, $300 on average! Way out of our budget! But their essential...so I'm off to hunt on ebay! $30 gortex jacket, here I come!

Rain Rain Go Away!

Some of our friends were kind enough to throw a rummage sale fundraiser this morning, which we took part in. Unfortunately the weather did NOT cooperate, and it was chilly and rainy and wet all morning. So despite waking up at the crack of dawn, battling the wind and rain, and one very giant box of free donuts, we only had a small handful of customers.

But, we raised a fair amount of money for Allen's trip thanks to several generous people who came by to shop. And, our new friend Crystal, who also has Friedreich's Ataxia, came by all the way from High Ridge after reading the newspaper article, to meet Allen and support our sale! She and Allen talked for a long time and exchanged information and talked about possibly going cycling together after he returns from his trip. She's actually the first person Allen has met personally that has Friedreich's! We're looking forward to talking to her again soon.

All in all, it was pretty fun, despite the unruly weather and lack of customers. We relaxed and had fun with our friends, and gorged ourselves on donuts. :)

We're considering having another fundraiser rummage/garage sale soon. We are also going to be planning a poker tournament and some other fundraisers after Allen leaves on his trip. We still have a long way to go towards our goal of $10,000 raised for Disabled Athletes Sports Association. But I have faith we'll get there, eventually...and hopefully before Allen finishes! So, make sure you subscribe to this blog so we can keep you posted on our upcoming poker tournament and other fundraisers!

- Andrea

Creve Coeur Mystery Bike Tour 2010

We had a great turnout at the Creve Coeur Mystery Bike Tour! We were a little nervous with this being our and DASA's first bicycle tour event, and we only had a small handful of riders who registered in advance, despite the blood, sweat and tears we all put in to promoting it for the last several months. But many of our cyclist friends assured us that a lot of people don't register in advance for this type of event, as they'd rather wait and see what the weather will be like, etc. So, we kept our fingers crossed! They were right. We had lots of riders and blew through nearly every t-shirt (free with registration). We even had a few random people riding or walking elsewhere in the park, who just came up and gave donations!

We were fortunate enough to have one of Allen's friend's, Derwood Tinny, who works at a local medical equipment shop (and who helped Allen get his new wheelchair recently) help us out bigtime with some last minute premium radio air time. His company had a commercial for the event professionally recorded and aired all day Saturday on 97.1. In addition, Derwood discussed Allen's trip in detail with the morning show radio host during his interview!

Creative Mobility was on site with their adaptive sports equipment and cycles, and had a solid crowd all day. Tim, from Sunset Cycles (Allen's bike shop) was on site offering free bike tech support and Children's Hospital's Safety Stop was on site doing free helmet fittings.

I had Ella's helmet fitted and also bought Chloe a helmet, since we couldn't find it at the last minute. The helmet was only $8 and it's awesome! It looks really cool, and it's much better quality than any we might find at Wall-Mart or Target for $15, much less $8. I wish I would have had more cash on me because Ella's helmet was really a little too big and it's old and a bit faded from the sun, and I would have gladly spent $8 for another one. And I think she was a bit envious once she saw the helmet Chloe got.

Al Swacker showed up with his band, Devil Baby Freak Show, just as the ride was wrapping up and played an awesome set live in the parking lot. There was one little boy who was maybe only three years old. He was completely transfixed by the band. I think he and his family were actually leaving the Lake House Restaurant and walking to their car, but he just stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the band, and then he started rocking out, jumping around and dancing. He would freeze every time a song ended and stand perfectly still. And as soon as the first strum of the guitar hit for the next riff, he would go crazy again. He had everyone cracking up. I think he ended up staying for almost the entire set, with his grandma and mom just watching him (along with everyone else, including us!) He even made a debut on stage, and the lead singer(who tap dances while she sings!) stepped aside to let him have a few moments in the spotlight. I made Allen record a bit of it with his phone video camera, so I'll have to try and get him to upload the video before he leaves on Wednesday and share it with all of you!

All in all the event was a big success. A BIG THANKS to all of our volunteers who did an awesome job! We couldn't have done it without the help of all of you.

- Andrea

About the Trip

I plan to hand cycle from St. Louis, Missouri through Washington D.C. to the East coast. I'll have an assistant who will be driving ahead in a support vehicle, and I will then meet up with them at specific meeting points throughout the day. I hope to keep my friends, family and supporters updated during my trip via blog and using Google Tracker & Google Maps to track my progress live throughout the trip. I'll be posting a link to the Google Map very soon!

My departure date is April 28th, 2010 - next week! I'm estimating the trip will take approximately two months. My goal is not speed but to complete the trip while promoting awareness for my disease whenever possible while also raising funds for DASA scholarships.

We are using maps purchased from Adventure Cycling for the great majority of the trip. We will be following our own route from St. Louis, Missouri to Murphysboro, IL, and then the TransAmerica bicycle route from Murphysboro, IL to Richmond, VA. The route then switches to follow the Atlantic Coast bicycle route from Richmond, VA to Washington D.C., and then continuing on to the coast.

Click here to see a google map of the trip route.