A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen – On our way to raise awareness for Pancreatic Cancer through our support of the Pancreatic Cancer Network – we discovered the pure power of hope.
Each day Rob rose and rode. The first five miles he pedaled with sheer willpower, as he knew the miles would come a bit easier with each pedal stroke.
Now imagine living each day with a devastating disease – this same feeling of expectation must be amplified tenfold. We believe joining hands with PanCan is one way to pedal through those first five miles every day – holding onto hope with that desire for a certain thing to happen – one more good day with friends and family – one more moment to love and be loved.
These last few weeks away from travel and the road have given us both time to reflect on Rob’s ride.
This accomplishment has become much more than putting the miles behind him.
On August 27, 2023 – on what would have been Scotty’s 64 birthday – Rob dipped his tire into the Atlantic Ocean and raised his eyes to the sky. He rode 3,788 miles.
There’s more to tell about his last days on the bike leaving New York and traversing Massachusetts, but for now – we surround ourselves with friends and family. We are filled with awe and joy.
While I have been away from my computer and taking a long technology break – Rob made his way across Massachusetts and home to South Walpole on August 3, 2023.
We’ve been home resting, resetting and relishing the simple pleasures of an almost two year old grandson! Starting him on the bike early – Go Asher Go!
Hey Poppa Rob – [Poppo] that bike looks a little small for you!
On Saturday – August 26, Rob will leave South Walpole on his birthday to embark on the last leg of his cross country cycling adventure. He will ride almost 90 miles to Dennis, MA – where friends will host him for his final night on the road. On Sunday, August 27 – on what would have been Scotty’s 64th birthday – Rob will complete his ride in memory of their friendship.
Rob and Scotty were born a mere 5 hours apart in August, 1959.
Leaving New York, Rob has some route challenges due to a faulty GPS signal – Sometimes Rob just gets into the zone and rides and rides and rides – hence the up and back loop on the Garmin – The Adventure Cycling maps are a dependable route system for so many reasons – leaving the route presented some challenges until Rob entered Massachusetts and more familiar territory.
Rob arrived in South Walpole ahead of schedule after encountering some rain and almost being conquered by those dang Berkshire Hills! What!? – Those are mountains!
So for over 75 miles – he pumped up and down those rolling hills of western Mass.
The previous climbing record was 4,872 feet on June 8 going over Sherman Pass in Washington State. We both really thought this record would stand for the duration of the trip. However, on August 2 in the Berkshires – that record was surpassed when he climbed and climbed in and around Westfield, Massachusetts clocking over 5,768 feet!
His new Ascent PR!!
Remembering in March as we drove across Massachusetts, we chuckled at the rode sign along the Mass Pike in what appeared to be a humorous boast.
Just riding by today – hope to be back for a show sometime soon!
Crossed the Appalachian Trail in western Mass – Feels like going home!
You know you are in Massachusetts in August when you see fresh PMC route arrows! Rob followed the Pan Mass Challenge route from outside of Carlisle into Franklin – and then made a beeline for home.
There’s always so much more I want to say – but for now – I just want to thank you all for your support.
I’ll be in touch again on Monday with what may be my final post on this ride anyway …
YUP – that’s a 2018 Honda Gold Wing – purchased just east of Springfield, MA – yes, he did cycle to see the motorcycle and took it for a test ride – wish I had a photo of him on it with his bike helmet!
Rob started his final month on the bike with a solid ride through Albany. Only one glitch with the route along the way today.
Bicycle route DETOUR today in the final hours did not deter Rob or dampen his spirits. Even after reading map’s warning:
When I asked Rob if he had to dismount – his response:
I have skills!
The DOT created this route for cyclist – only on one side of the road, which happened to be facing traffic – UGH!
Overall, Rob had beautiful views of the canal and the capitol all day.
Along the Erie Canal
His route to Rensselaer brought him through the Rockefeller Empire State Plaza and along the New York State Capital building with a close up look at the Cutout People Sculpture contrasted against the marble walls of the Legislature Building.
Early to bed today, which means early to rise tomorrow as he prepares to leave NY and ride through western Massachusetts!
Rain followed Rob most of the day on Saturday until we could rendezvous in Camillus for the night.
We will part ways for now – I am headed toward home and Rob will continue his ride across NY and into Massachusetts.
He hadn’t travelled more than 5 miles before he got his first flat tire of the trip. On the bright side it was sunny and he was able to find the culprit – a piece of glass.
Rob planned a route using the Warm Showers App to his next stop for Sunday night. Unfortunately, the electronic line doesn’t tell the whole story of the route.
He encountered an over 1,500 foot decent in less than 5 miles – scary steep hills – scary fast speeds!
And Seasonal Limited Use Highways made for some rough miles.
Rob made it to his Warm Shower hosted by alumni of Colgate University – nicely stocked with some snacks and cold drinks – a welcomed dry space to air out.
Monday would be a long day in the saddle as his navigation systems failed him a bit and led him the long way round. He did make it back onto the Erie Canal Trail and was excited to be away from the unpredictable steep terrain. At one point, he clocked over 45 mph on a downhill!
Back along the relatively flat elevation along the canal – and most of it is paved from Utica to Albany.
After over 100 miles in the saddle today – Rob arrived in Amsterdam and will be treated to breakfast at a local diner – which just happens to be owned by his Warm Showers Host! Lucky Man!
Now I know this excerpt from Juliet’s famous soliloquy is her lament about why Romeo has to be a Montague, the sworn enemy of her family – the Capulets – And of course the “Oh Captain, My Captain” is Whitman’s famous poem mourning the loss of President Lincoln. I just couldn’t resist…
Here’s why each reference works. In his first attempt to cross the border North of Niagara, on Adventure Cycling Map’s designated bicycle route, Rob followed instructions to report to the Toll Captain.
Only there was no Toll Captain to be found – just a worker who also appeared perplexed as to why there was a need for a Toll Captain – he then suggested that Rob should just go over “there”and ride up the sidewalk.
Only to find that there was no sidewalk and the next construction worker told him to go into the traffic lanes – which now is close to two hundred cars long [no joke].
Knowing he is now on his own and determined to cross as quickly and as safely as possible – Rob wove his way along and then through the line of cars.
Finally coming to a lane head and knocking on a passenger car window to ask to cut in line, so he could safely approach the toll booth.
Left Michigan from Algonac via Walpole Island Ferry
July 21 through July 25, 2023
View of Walpole Island from Algonac, MI
There is no ferry to take across Lake Erie at Marine City – What?! Didn’t see that update on the AC Maps until we had arrived, which was just after devastating winds, rain and hail that knocked out the power lines all along the route.
Luckily, Rob did not encounter much rain or severe weather on his route – He just had a long day in the saddle from just west of North Branch riding over 90 miles, as he had to keep pedaling to connect with me at the ferry.
Walpole Island is located on the mouth of the St. Clair River on Lake St. Clair. This small island has been occupied by aboriginal people for thousands of years. Most of the First Nation are Anishinabe, Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi.
Walpole Island Ferry is run by the locals of the First Nation reserve in southwestern Ontario. The ferrymen loved Rob’s bike set up and were smitten with the RIVIAN too.
The island has rare flora and fauna and the only self-sustaining population of the northern bobwhite – a ground dwelling bird with a very distinct whistling call “bobwhite”. Spending most of our time outside, we tend to hear more than your average daily bird call.
Some crossings were smoother than others…
Some of the route was on a well maintained bike path – but there was a hazard or two –
Like a train stopped blocking the way – Rob would have gladly walked his bike across the rails – Not today. He ended up riding south to find another way across.
After pedaling close to 3,000 miles along designated bicycle routes, Rob encounters his first Share The Road signs in Ontario.
He also had several brushes with rough shoulders – I mean like ankle deep gravel rough!
Or maybe no shoulder at all – which is fine as long as there’s is little to no traffic.
More shoulder treachery – Looks safe enough – Don’t be fooled and definitely – do not cross that white line!
On July 25, Rob had to travel North at this unfortunate ‘roadblock’ – no way to get passed this closure. Bad timing it appears on his part as noted on the closure sign –
Coastal views of Lake Erie from Port Bruce to Port Stanley to Port Burwell and onto the Fort Erie.
Some roads are definitely more radical than others!
Leaving our B&B in Vienna outside of Port Burwell on Monday morning – headed to Selkirk Provincial Park
Relatively short ride at 62 miles, brought Rob to the shoreline for a picnic lunch and an afternoon swim.
The bicycle path is call the Friendship Trail from here to Fort Erie and it lived up to its name…
Rob met a fellow cyclist from a group riding for the Habitat for Humanity Charity – From Winnipeg to Niagara.
Today, July 26, was a rest day – so we toured Niagara. Rob is off to cross the border tomorrow at Niagara Falls – I will most likely cross the Peace Bridge here in Fort Erie into Buffalo, NY.
Stay tuned for more from Carbon Zero RIVIAN Adventure with Jules and Verne tomorrow.
Left Michigan from Algonac via Walpole Island Ferry
July 21 through July 25, 2023
View of Walpole Island from Algonac, MI
There is no ferry to take across Lake Erie at Marine City – What?! Didn’t see that update on the AC Maps until we had arrived, which was just after devastating winds, rain and hail that knocked out the power lines all along the route.
Luckily, Rob did not encounter much rain or severe weather on his route – He just had a long day in the saddle from just west of North Branch riding over 90 miles, as he had to keep pedaling to connect with me at the ferry.
Walpole Island is located on the mouth of the St. Clair River on Lake St. Clair. This small island has been occupied by aboriginal people for thousands of years. Most of the First Nation are Anishinabe, Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi.
Walpole Island Ferry is run by the locals of the First Nation reserve in southwestern Ontario. The ferrymen loved Rob’s bike set up and were smitten with the RIVIAN too.
The island has rare flora and fauna and the only self-sustaining population of the northern bobwhite – a ground dwelling bird with a very distinct whistling call “bobwhite”. Spending most of our time outside, we tend to hear more than your average daily bird call.
Some crossings were smoother than others…
Some of the route was on a well maintained bike path – but there was a hazard or two –
Like a train stopped blocking the way – Rob would have gladly walked his bike across the rails – Not today. He ended up riding south to find another way across.
After pedaling close to 3,000 miles along designated bicycle routes, Rob encounters his first Share The Road signs in Ontario.
He also had several brushes with rough shoulders – I mean like ankle deep gravel rough!
Or maybe no shoulder at all – which is fine as long as there’s is little to no traffic.
More shoulder treachery – Looks safe enough – Don’t be fooled and definitely – do not cross that white line!
On July 25, Rob had to travel North at this unfortunate ‘roadblock’ – no way to get passed this closure. Bad timing it appears on his part as noted on the closure sign –
Coastal views of Lake Erie from Port Bruce to Port Stanley to Port Burwell and onto the Fort Erie.
Some roads are definitely more radical than others!
Leaving our B&B in Vienna outside of Port Burwell on Monday morning – headed to Selkirk Provincial Park
Relatively short ride at 62 miles, brought Rob to the shoreline for a picnic lunch and an afternoon swim.
The bicycle path is call the Friendship Trail from here to Fort Erie and it lived up to its name…
Rob met a fellow cyclist from a group riding for the Habitat for Humanity Charity – From Winnipeg to Niagara.
Today, July 26, was a rest day – so we toured Niagara. Rob is off to cross the border tomorrow at Niagara Falls – I will most likely cross the Peace Bridge here in Fort Erie into Buffalo, NY.
Stay tuned for more from Carbon Zero RIVIAN Adventure with Jules and Verne tomorrow.
Left Michigan from Algonac via Walpole Island Ferry
July 21 through July 25, 2023
View of Walpole Island from Algonac, MI
There is no ferry to take across Lake Erie at Marine City – What?! Didn’t see that update on the AC Maps until we had arrived, which was just after devastating winds, rain and hail that knocked out the power lines all along the route.
Luckily, Rob did not encounter much rain or severe weather on his route – He just had a long day in the saddle from just west of North Branch riding over 90 miles, as he had to keep pedaling to connect with me at the ferry.
Walpole Island is located on the mouth of the St. Clair River on Lake St. Clair. This small island has been occupied by aboriginal people for thousands of years. Most of the First Nation are Anishinabe, Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi.
Walpole Island Ferry is run by the locals of the First Nation reserve in southwestern Ontario. The ferrymen loved Rob’s bike set up and were smitten with the RIVIAN too.
The island has rare flora and fauna and the only self-sustaining population of the northern bobwhite – a ground dwelling bird with a very distinct whistling call “bobwhite”. Spending most of our time outside, we tend to hear more than your average daily bird call.
Some crossings were smoother than others…
Some of the route was on a well maintained bike path – but there was a hazard or two –
Like a train stopped blocking the way – Rob would have gladly walked his bike across the rails – Not today. He ended up riding south to find another way across.
After pedaling close to 3,000 miles along designated bicycle routes, Rob encounters his first Share The Road signs in Ontario.
He also had several brushes with rough shoulders – I mean like ankle deep gravel rough!
Or maybe no shoulder at all – which is fine as long as there’s is little to no traffic.
More shoulder treachery – Looks safe enough – Don’t be fooled and definitely – do not cross that white line!
On July 25, Rob had to travel North at this unfortunate ‘roadblock’ – no way to get passed this closure. Bad timing it appears on his part as noted on the closure sign –
Coastal views of Lake Erie from Port Bruce to Port Stanley to Port Burwell and onto the Fort Erie.
Some roads are definitely more radical than others!
Leaving our B&B in Vienna outside of Port Burwell on Monday morning – headed to Selkirk Provincial Park
Relatively short ride at 62 miles, brought Rob to the shoreline for a picnic lunch and an afternoon swim.
The bicycle path is call the Friendship Trail from here to Fort Erie and it lived up to its name…
Rob met a fellow cyclist from a group riding for the Habitat for Humanity Charity – From Winnipeg to Niagara.
Today, July 26, was a rest day – so we toured Niagara. Rob is off to cross the border tomorrow at Niagara Falls – I will most likely cross the Peace Bridge here in Fort Erie into Buffalo, NY.
Stay tuned for more from Carbon Zero RIVIAN Adventure with Jules and Verne tomorrow.
Given the proximity of Wisconsin and Michigan to Alberta – it was not a surprise to encounter some of the wild fire smoke that we have been warned about for several days now. This is a close up of Rob’s view as he approaches Manitowoc on Sunday.
The bottom layer is a smoke and it was quite evident the closer he rode to Lake Michigan.
To highlight the positive – Rob has only encountered two really unpleasant bike routes – Rt 93 out of Eureka toward Whitefish in Montana and yesterday along Bicycle Rt 20 on Wheeler Rd in Michigan – Not only was the road undesirable with little to no shoulder to ride on – he got yelled at by a passing car! It’s a state designated bicycle route buddy – geez!
U.S. Bicycle Route 20 is a numbered bicycle route that is planned to run from the Oregon coast to Marine City, Michigan, so approximately 400 miles have been designated as of 2021.
Rob entered Beast Mode yesterday as we had trouble finding a spot for the night due to a Angler Tournament and an Invitational Golf Tournament. He pedaled through Midland and onto Bay City!
TOTALS for Wednesday!Verne and Rob charging in LudingtonLe Roy rustic campingSome manmade sights along Bicycle Route 20 in LeRoy, MichiganNotice the lack of shoulder on this designated bicycle route.
A highlight of riding yesterday was being on the Pere Marquette Rail Trail – named after Father Jacques Marquette (1637 – 1675) who was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan’s first European settlement. Later the Pere Marietta Railroad, incorporated in 1899, would also bear his name. Interesting tidbit of history – the railway was used exclusively from 1900 to 1947 with a passenger steam locomotive. Chris Van Allsburg used the Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive as his inspiration for the now classic Polar Express.
This friendly European couple Rob first encountered waiting the board the ferry in Ludington – have shadowed us along the route through MidMichigan.
Rob will ride today just west of North Branch around the Otter Lake region and we will camp tonight then onto Marine City on Friday to camp along the St Clair River, which serves as a boundary line between the United States and Canada.
Who knows – we may even have time to explore Walpole Island!
Riding East with the coast of Lake Michigan in our sites. Three days of moderate rides with somewhat favorable winds out of the north and west.
Fawn Lake in Shawano
After a rest day in Antigo WI – Rob rode onto Shawano for a campsite stop after 68.6 miles and ended early afternoon.
Next day we did not have a firm destination – looking at two factors – Rob’s legs and available campsites.
He found me!
Landed in De Pere after a hot 57.1 miles across for lettered county routes
Rob’s legs won and the campsite was a capture by Julie at Apple Creek, which was fully booked online. When no one answers the phone, I just have to keep my fingers crossed and throw up a prayer, drive on in and hope for the best.
After 60.2 miles in some heat and a bit of unexpected smoke, Rob arrived in Manitowoc early afternoon. We will take the ferry across to Ludington, MI tomorrow.
Posting about the Wisconsin Routes tomorrow in Carbon Zero – Full Charge ahead off to the ferry tomorrow!
ROB’S RIDE 