By Bob Lee  Ride dates: April 23 & 24

April 23: Richmond, VA to Fredericksburg, VA  - 66 Miles
April 24: to Woodbridge VA - 56 Miles

On Monday, some fences were knocked down to allow us to have a few firsts.

To begin with, recognition by Kim Komando as the “Cool Site of the Day” was a first.  This was big!  For the past few weeks, we have had an average of about 300 visitors to the site a day.  On Monday, there were over 8,600 visitors — areal first place performance. Thanks Kim!   

Another first is that the odometer clicked past the FIRST 1,000 MILES!  Now there are just 5,500 miles to go.  Hope you will ride along.  How’s your seat?  Be sure to get up and stretch every so often.

By Bob Lee  Ride Date: April 25,

Woodbridge, VA to Washington, DC - 38 miles

It is a little sad to leave the family stomping grounds, but we need to move forward.

I had some good roads...

...and some challenging roads like US 1 —which I needed to call about...

...to ride before I connected with the first bike path on my route.

By Laura Lee Horak   Ride Date:  April 26

Chicago, IL to Washington D.C. - 612 Miles (by air)

I would like to introduce myself – I’m Laura Lee Horak, Bob Lee’s daughter, 40 years old, wife and mother of four, and your GUEST BLOGGER for the week.

In our society turning 40 is considered a major milestone and one that is usually marked by a significant celebration.  “Happy Birthday” is often followed by “do something special for yourself.” 

This year I took my friends’ advice —literally.  I left my 4 children behind in Barrington, IL flew to D.C. on the morning of my birthday, grabbed a Starbucks and People magazine and met my Dad in D.C. for a week of biking.

By Laura Lee Horak   Ride Date: Friday, April 27

Washington D.C. to Marriottsville, Maryland - 44 Miles

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...   

I awoke with a start at 6:00 a.m... I thought I heard Kyle, our 3 year old, falling down the stairs…

As it turns out, I was in McLean, Virginia and it was the sound of thunder and incessant rain.  What a way to start my first day of riding! Our incredible breakfast of crepes, bacon, and fried eggs distracted us a bit from the weather. 

The weather is part of the Ride so we decided to leave as planned.  The first part of the ride was supposed to be quick, flat and easy – a 14 mile ride on the Rock Creek Bike Path.  We spent the first hour with our friend Tim Kollar trying to decide if the path before us was actually the Rock Creek Bike Path.  Tim was so patient and headed off to his job at the Treasury Department a couple hours late.  We mutually decided that his assistance was a good use of the taxpayers’ dollars.   

By Laura Lee Horak   Ride Date: April 28

Marriottsville, MD to Delta, PA - 55 miles

With one day of biking under my belt, I started out the day feeling great!  I even hung up my running shoes for biking shoes. . .

My Dad was at a different place than I was.  After a month on the road he struggled with the decision of which one to ride?!?!

The day got even better when my Dad suggested that we stop for a donut after only 15 miles on the road.  It is typical to go 20 to 30 miles without a “snack” in sight, so the Reisterstown’s Dunkin' Donuts was a welcomed sight!

By Laura Lee Horak   Ride Date: April 29, 2007
Delta, PA To Marietta, PA - 36 Miles

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY BOB LEE!!!!!  The Ride is now legitimate – 65 years old and 6,500 miles!  What a gift to be 65 and full of mental and physical endurance. 

My Dad has always been a determined and goal oriented person.  What I admire most about his drive is that he never lets it get in the way of his relationships with friends and family.  No matter what he has on his agenda he will make time for you.  Our basement flooded recently and my Dad was there within minutes - shop vac in hand.  He was in the midst of job obligations, preparing for the Ride and packing to leave for Mexico the next morning but he was still there. 

By Laura Lee Horak   Ride date: April 30, 2007
Marietta, PA To Ephrata, PA - 30 Miles

I am quickly catching onto my Dad’s daily routine.  After a good breakfast, the first thing we do is assess the day’s riding conditions – sun? wind? hills? distance? snack inventory?  Today’s ride was “thumbs up” on all 5 accounts. 

The sun was shining and the 25 mile per hour winds were at our backs.  Check out this quick video clip to appreciate the wind conditions.

Our day started with an incredible encounter.  About a week ago, Bob from Lancaster, PA discovered the website via Kim Komando and became enthralled.  He immediately contacted my Dad and offered to “wave his golf hat” as he passed through Lancaster County.  Well, he did better than that.  Bob (age 68) and Don (age 66) met us at a roadside church and escorted us through the incredibly gorgeous backroads of Lancaster County.

By Laura Lee Horak   Ride Date: May 1
Ephrata, PA To Glenmoore, PA - 30 Miles

HAPPY  MAY  DAY!!!!  Did you remember to share a May Basket with a friend?  Since I was little I can remember picking a bouquet of flowers,  leaving them at my Mother’s door, ringing the doorbell and running.   We saw some gorgeous flowers today that would have made the perfect May Basket bouquet.  Mom, we are sending you these photos with love!

By Bob Lee   Ride Date: May 2
Glenmoore, PA - a day to visit

Déjà vu.  In 1985 Anne and I left Laura in the parking lot at Duke University. With tears in her eyes she said, “How can you leave me here like this?”  After years of preparation and the challenge of being accepted in one of our finer Universities, our family separation was still difficult.  This morning we packed up Laura’s bike and I said farewell in the parking lot with tears in my eyes and me playing back her same line.

By Bob Lee   Ride Date: May 7
Milford, PA to Middletown, NY -  36 Miles

Since I have been on the road, most days blend together.  It makes no difference if it is a weekday or a weekend.  Today, I knew it was Monday – laundry day.

Yesterday some of the fly fishermen asked if I had seen any bears.   I think they were asking more for their concern than mine.  I wasn’t taking the trout from the bear’s creek.

In this area they have experienced a late spring due to unusually cold weather.  Last night we had frost warnings.  This delay has allowed me the opportunity to really catch up with spring.  It was nice to see the forsythia and daffodils in bloom.

By Bob Lee   Ride Date: May 8
Middletown, NY to Rhinebeck, NY - 60 Miles

Isn’t it great to be…

Our freedom allows us the opportunity to be the best we want to be and make the best of the rest of our life.  Not every day is all “blue sky” but it is that way for me today!

There are special areas I would like to revisit with Anne someday – to ride together,

By Bob Lee   Ride Dates: May 9 - 10
May 9 - Rhinebeck, NY To Salisbury, CT - 42 Miles
May 10 - Salisbury, CT To Windsor Locks, CT - 55 Miles

I don’t like to combine days but when I get behind it seems like the only way to catch up. If you haven’t visited western Connecticut, please do so some day.  To me it is the beginning of New England with rural and yet in some cases sophisticated small towns and pretty farms in between.

By Bob Lee   Ride Dates: May 11 - 12th
Windsor Locks, CT to New York, NY

I woke this morning to thunderstorms but knew I had to move on since I had an interview with Fox & Friends at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I thought of this quote as I moved into the Big Apple.

"Nature does not hurry,
yet everything is accomplished."
Lao Tzu 6th Century BC

Just for the record, I was in a van with my bike.
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By Bob Lee   Ride Dates: May 14 – 15
May 14 Quinebaug, Ct To Northborough, MA - 42 Miles
May 15 Northborough, MA to Derry, NH - 57 miles

For those checking the blog on a daily basis I am sorry to have fallen behind. The faster I ride the more behinder I get.  Anyway —there will be times like this…

Before we go sightseeing I would like to make everyone aware of a program that can really help pave the way to reaching our goal of $500,000.00.  Sometimes the road to success has a few challenges or potholes along the way,

But — with everyone’s help and a little ingenuity we can pave the road for smooth riding.

As I ride I see a number of signs where states were promoting “Adopt-A-Mile’ to clean up the roadsides and I applaud this effort.

But then, as I traveled from state to state I started to see other signs, which really caught my eye and my heart.  It is great to see what our marketing staff can accomplish!

Yes, EVERYONE can adopt a mile or two or three or…?  For just $20 you can Adopt A Mile and have your name listed as a Donor to A Ride for Three Reasons.  Now would be a very good time. When making any donation by check or credit card just put “MAP” in the code section. Your donation will purchase the appropriate number of miles.  Please encourage your friends, family, e-mail list, club members, work associates and companies to join the effort by adopting miles.  Thank you in advance.  If we can pave the 6,500 route, it will get us much closer to our goal.  You will be able to track our progress and a see list of who has adopted miles right from the home page.
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By Bob Lee   Ride Dates: May 16 – 19
May 16  Derry, N.H. to Kittery, ME - 43 Miles
May 17  Kittery, ME to North Windham, ME - 72 Miles
May 18  North Windham, ME to Freeport, ME - 25 Miles
May 19 in Freeport, ME To Catch Up On A Cold and Rainy Day

On the outskirts of Exeter, New Hampshire, I stopped to visit with these ladies from the local garden club.  They assured me that volunteerism is not dead.  Just think how much is accomplished in this country by people giving not only their money, but also their time.

I took a picture of this house to give a feel for many of the older home that I have been seeing.  You can see as the families grew or the parents aged additions would be added.  On many of the rural homes, the barn is actually connected to the house.

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By Bob Lee   Ride Date:  May 20
Freeport, ME To Newcastle, ME - 43 Miles

I would like to crow some more praises for L.L. Bean

You don’t need to look around for someone to help you.

I found they listened.  They will even walk the extra mile to help.  I am impressed.  I stopped by late this morning on my way out of town to look for a reflector light for the back of my bike. Within a couple of minutes the sales person offered to get a state book of biking roads, then offered to drive 3 hours to pick me up in Bar Harbor to get me to the airport!  A good business is made of good people!

By Bob Lee   Ride Date: May 21 
Newcastle, ME To Camden, ME - 34 Miles

I didn’t need to look at my watch to see what day it was.  The answer, my friend, was blowing in the wind and Monday was flapping in the breeze.

Last night I stayed at a very nice B & B named The Tipsey Butler .  Sarah and Tony have been the Innkeepers for a few years and is another example of someone following their dreams.  For years Sarah had a successful career on Wall Street working for a private bank, but wanted more out of life.  She wanted a life.  They gave up their careers and came to Maine – not for wealth but for a richer life. Life is not easy, but Sarah looks back with no regrets.

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By Bob Lee   Ride Date: May 22
Camden, ME to East Orland, ME - 42 Miles

What a way to end the day yesterday…

And to start a new day today...

Some people ask if it is lonely traveling solo?  Last night I spend the evening in a popular B&B within one block of downtown Camden – the Camden Windward House. This morning I sat at a table by myself but I was not alone, my table companion was this lovely tulip. Too often we let this beauty slip past us, without a second thought. All life is amazing.
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By Bob Lee   Ride Date: May 23
Orland, ME to Bar Harbor, ME - 42 Miles

One day can make a difference. I will show you why at the end.  Last night when I got up to get a drink the bathroom was slightly illuminated by a security light outdoors.  I looked into the white sink and I thought there was something black in it.  This morning when I was getting up my guest was headed down to take a nap.

I am glad I traveled through Maine at this time of the year. Spring has arrived, but the tourists haven’t, and the black flies are just coming out.  The timing of this RIDE has been great so far.  Early in the day I talked to a reporter from the Bangor Daily News where they have done a nice write up on the RIDE.

It seems like everything is just waking up and getting ready for “the season” which starts this weekend.  Many businesses have been closed all winter and are busy cleaning, fixing, painting, mowing and hoping for a good tourist season. Everyone is busy as bees...