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05/30/2003 Entry: "* SCHEDULE CHANGE *"
We have certainly learned a lot in our first few weeks on the road. One of the things that we have found out is that there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. We have decided to take a bit of a shortcut from our original route in order to shave off some mileage. We will be departing from the originally planned route at Muddy Gap, which is just East of Jeffrey City, Wyoming. From Muddy Gap, we will be taking Highway 220 Northeast to Casper. At Casper we will get on Highway 20 and take that into Nebraska. We will go East on Highway 20 across the Northern part of Nebraska to O'Neill. From there we will take Highway 275 to Omaha. This should save us several hundred miles of riding and allow us to have some more free time off the bikes to juggle in the overnight towns.
This is the current plan, but we may deviate from this as needed. We have to be flexible and there are a lot of factors to take into account when we are deciding how far to go on each particular day. Perhaps you would like to hear what an average day is like for us. We set the alarm for around 6am. It usually takes us another few minutes to actually get up and start making breakfast. The standard breakfast is oatmeal and hot cocoa. After cooking breakfast, we have to clean up the dishes and pack up the camp stove. Then we begin taking down the tents, getting dressed in riding gear, and packing everything back onto the bikes. We have to do a brief mechanical check on the bikes to make sure spokes are in tension and tires have enough pressure. Around 2 or 2.5 hours after we woke up, we're finally ready to hit the road. We usually start off with 10 to 15 miles to begin with and then stop for a brief snack and stretch. Then we hop back on for another 10 to 15 miles. When we find another good resting point, we stop for what we call our "second breakfast." This involves getting out the bread, peanut butter, and honey and eat a lot of all three. Everyone usually has something else to go with it, but we eat a lot of peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Then we push on for the rest of the day and stop every 10 to 20 miles for a break. Our days are usually between 50 and 70 miles. Depending on terrain, weather, and mechanical problems we arrive in our overnight towns anywhere between early afternoon to evening. Once we get there we have to find a place to stay for the night. We usually check at churches to see if they have a place for us to sleep inside or if they know of a place where we can pitch our tents. We have had very good luck with people helping us out with a place to stay. After setting up camp, it is time to go get food. We eat a lot of food and we can only carry so much, so we have to stock up often. If the town is big enough, we also try to find a library to update the website. After eating and cleaning up, we try to find a place to juggle if possible. Often the bikes are in need of repair or adjustment which we squeeze into the schedule when necessary. When it gets dark we go to bed and then do it all over again the next day. As you can see, all this makes for a busy day. Our new route should give us a few less miles a day and more time to take care of everything else along the way.
Replies: Leave us a note! (9)
Are you guys into Yellowstone yet?
Am so looking forward to your next journal entry. And the pictures continue to be National Geographic quality, but then again I could be a mite prejudiced.
Take much care and stay well.
Love,
Jesse and Morgan's Granny Carolyn
Posted by Granny Carolyn @ 06/28/2003 01:27 AM CST
Does this mean no more Kansas? I went to high school (and just played pooh sticks) with Seager. I live in Lawrence, KS, and was looking forward to tracking you guys down when you got close. It looks like you need the change, though ... That's quite a schedule. At any rate, I think what you guys are doing is great; it's a terrific cause (and I'd love to be out there myself!) Take care!
Sandra
Posted by Squandra @ 06/27/2003 08:17 PM CST
Hi Gang,
It seems like you are really having an adventure,on your trip. Morgan, I am proud of you to keep up with all the rest. Hope you knees are O.K.
The pictures have been wonderful that you guys have taken.
Jesse don't worry if you don't complete the trip. Everyone is pulling for all of you to just have a good time and help the cause.
Love, Grandma
Posted by Patricia Goodell @ 06/26/2003 09:16 AM CST
Glad you guys had a day of rest. I think that's the one thing that got left out of the original schedule. Wish I could see Yellowstone with you. I saw a tape of a Discovery Channel show on Yellowstone with some information on the work a friend of mine does there. He is a biologist and each summer he spends several weeks looking for new bacteria there. Has been doing it every year since before the fire in '88. Keep up the good work these next few days with all the passes to get through. Looking forward to some more great pictures, Josh. love, mom
Posted by Joan (Josh's mom) @ 06/25/2003 04:17 PM CST
Hi Jesse! I was glad to finally see a new entry. It must be frustrating sometimes to not be able to find computers to use. Since I have to sit in a boring office, I enjoy seeing the progress you guys are making! Way to go!
Posted by Heidi @ 06/25/2003 10:04 AM CST
Glad to read your last entry, 6/24, I was starting to get concerned about you and then decided that you only had very small towns and probably no computers. Hopefully your tire problems will be solved for a while. I like your idea of reducing the mileage, let's face it, you don't need the abuse, plus it will get you to Omaha sooner for some food, friends and maybe a "real" bed. Keep pedaling and journaling and picture taking, like the photos. Aunt Nancy
Posted by Aunt Nancy @ 06/24/2003 10:23 PM CST
Thoroughly enjoying your journals and pics. Sounds like you're doing quite well in spite of elevations and breakdowns and weather. Really would like to be a little younger and with you guys, but your sharing your experience with all of us is the next best thing! Thanks. Hopefully, a friend and I will be flying a Cessna out that way sometime this summer and will see some of what you're seeing from the air. Maybe we'll have some pics to compare. Keep up the good work, enjoy, and be safe!
Uncle Tom
Posted by Tom Duggan.....Josh's Uncle @ 06/24/2003 08:41 PM CST
I'm glad to hear you guys decided to shorten the route. This way you won't kill yourselves and will have more opportunities to juggle and raise money. Is the riding getting easier? You should be close to getting out of the mountains by now, right? I hope you all enjoyed your day off! Take care!!
Posted by Jodi @ 06/24/2003 06:00 PM CST
Hi Guys! So GLAD to read the update! Have you found a motel for a night? It would/will be a nice break for all of you. Jesse - have you talked to the True Wheel? They have the RoadShow USA cell # - Dad talked to them on Saturday. Call when you can. We sure miss you & Morgan. Call SOON!!! Love, Mom p.s.Josh - more great pictures!!!! Love, Mom
Posted by Genie (Jesse & Morgan's mom) @ 06/24/2003 04:47 PM CST
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