Coach Dave

March 18,2009

Dave Moore is the man from my home town of Gettysburg, Pa who rode the Cross Country Challenge with America by Bicycle in the summer of 2007. I contacted him upon his return home wondering if he thought I could do the ride. He thought I could and encouraged me to pursue my interest. Dave has cycled many hours and miles with me the past two years. Last summer, we did a week long ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway with Coach Arlene and friends as a result of Dave's immediate reaction, "let's do it", when told Arlene wanted to ride the Parkway. That trip was a test for me to see how I would fair on back to back long days. I did okay and this only encouraged me more to attempt my own Cross Country Challenge. Dave will be joining me this summer of the first leg of my trip - riding from San Francisco and arriving in Salt Lake City eleven days later.

Coach Bob

Coach Bob Rodweller also completed his Cross Country Challenge in the summer of 2007 with America by Bicycle company. Bob is an outstanding athlete, cyclist, and caring, supportive person, who has given me a lot of direction in the technical side of cycling. He is a very knowledgable, patient, and encouraging coach. Frequently Bob has generously given his time to travel to ride with me and make suggestions that would help me improve my cycling efforts. I have enjoyed working with someone who appreciates the great outdoors as much as I do. Bob usually carries a camera on his rides because you never know when you might see some great "yard art", landscape, wildlife or great friends that you might want to photograph. I look forward to his continued support in my own Cross Country Challenge!

Over the past two years I have been working with three coaches to prepare for this adventure. Coach Arlene completed her Cross Country Ride in the summer of 2007 at the age of 67! I knew that I had to contact her and ask for her perspective on the ride - we have become great friends in the past two years. Arlene is from Alabama, far away from Pennsylvania, but is very straight forward and supportive when answering questions, any time I need it during my training. She has been my super hero and the inspiration for my own challenge. Arlene told me early on that she lived by the three "ps" while training and completing her ride - prayer, practice, and perseverence. I have found myself focusing on all three items over the past year. I only hope that I will be able to make her proud!!

Two years ago a man from my hometown took part in the America by Bike Cross Country Challenge ride. I followed his blog and those of several other people on that ride daily until the end of their adventure. Several things occurred due to this experience and one of them was the beginning of what was to eventually become my own effort in completing this ride.