I opened the Hannibal paper this morning and here's what I found on the front page. Thanks Don; great story.
http://www.hannibal.net/stories/07262007/local_news_j3_001.xml.shtml
Hannibal native rides bike over 900 miles to raise awareness about ovarian cancer
By DON KRAUSE Of the Courier-Post
For 10 days and about 920 miles from Vail, Colo., to Hannibal, Brad Wingate and Bob Lewis rode their bikes with a purpose for others. They weren't raising money, but they were raising awareness about ovarian cancer - disease that often goes unnoticed until it's too late.
Wingate's interest in ovarian cancer is personal. His wife, Susan DeFrank Wingate, lost her battle with the disease in 2005.
Wingate, a Hannibal native, lives in Tempe, Ariz, and Lewis resides in Mesa, Ariz.
"It comes on so subtley," Wingate said about ovarian cancer Wednesday afternoon during a reception for him and his riding partner at the James E. Cary Cancer Center. His wife was diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease. Looking back, she realized she had most of the symptoms, but didn't make a connection, he said.
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer include: pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort, vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets, such as gas, nausea and indigestion, frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection, unexplained weight gain or loss, pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and /or feeling of fullness, ongoing unusual fatigue, or unexplained changes in bowel habits.
"Just pay attention to your own health," he said. "If you see changes you should tell the doctor."
A long-distance bike rider, who logs about 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, the CycleQuest ride was a method to raise awareness. In addition to the ride, a blog at www.cyclequest.blogspot.com kept others informed of their progress as well as provided additional information on ovarian cancer.
That communication vehicle generated good responses, according to Wingate. "I see that as very successful."
The goal of the trip was to create awareness of the disease and its symptoms, with the ultimate goal of saving others.
"If we can do that for one person, so they don't have to go through that - life goal achieved," he said with a thumbs up sign.
The trip to Hannibal ended Tuesday, but Wingate isn't done. He hopes to do another ride in the fall. Next year, maybe expanding the ride and doing something larger with more cyclists.
"We're not sure. We'll see where it goes."
We fly out late this afternoon from St. Louis. CoolByke in Hannibal is shipping our bikes for us.
Brad (and Bob)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Festivities Continue!
Today, the James E. Cary Cancer Center in Hannibal hosted a reception for Bob and I and presented us with certificates of apreciation for our efforts to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Thanks so much to David DeProspero and all the other new friends we met. We really enjoyed ourselves. KHQA-TV was there along with the Hannibal Courier-Post newspaper.
Here's the story that ran today in the Quincy, IL Herald-Whig.
http://www.whig.com/289436019846996.php
Cyclist's trip over, but journey to find cancer cure ongoing
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
By Steve Eighinger
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Brad Wingate completed an 890-mile odyssey Tuesday, but his mission is never-ending.
Wingate, 46, formerly of Hannibal and Quincy, Ill., rode his bicycle from his home in Tempe, Ariz., to downtown Hannibal in an effort to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. The disease claimed his wife, Susan, in 2005.
"The most gratifying part of this has been the response of people along the way and what has been written on the blog," said Wingate, who made the trip with fellow cyclist and friend, Bob Lewis, a Mesa, Ariz., resident. "I really didn't know how all of this would work, but I wanted to help bring awareness to the signs of ovarian cancer."
Wingate's blog can be viewed at the cyclequest.blogspot.com Web site.
"Ovarian cancer is insidious," Wingate said. "Early detection is key to saving lives. That's why we're riding, to alert families to the warning signs."
Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries and the average woman has a 1-in-67 chance of developing the disease, the fifth most-common cancer among women.
The cause remains unknown and older women are at the highest risk. About two-thirds of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women 55 and older and about 25 percent occur in women in between the ages of 35 and 54.
Symptoms are often vague and non-specific and by the time the disease is diagnosed the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries. Some of the symptoms often include:
* Pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort.
* Vague, but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion.
* Unexplained weight gain or loss.
* Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection.
* Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness.
* Ongoing and unusual fatigue.
* Unexplained changes in bowel habits.
If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, a doctor should be consulted. A Pap Test will not detect ovarian cancer.
This was Wingate's second such journey, having traveled in 2004 from Minneapolis to Hannibal. Wingate said the cycling adventures renew his appreciation for America and its people.
"We have a beautiful country and people are basically the same everywhere," he said. "I am warmly welcomed wherever I ride. People are curious about my travels and many hold their own dreams of pursuing a similar adventure. I'm a big believer in following one's dreams.
"We never know how much time we have left."
Wingate ran into heavy rains in Colorado and battled a strong headwind much of the trip, but overall found the journey quite exhilarating. Wingate and Lewis stayed in motels most nights, except for two camping stops along the way. The daily rides usually started around 6 a.m.
Wingate and Lewis covered an average of 100 miles each day, winding through Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri, mostly on U.S. 36.
Wingate was born in Hannibal, but grew up in Quincy. He graduated from Quincy High School in 1979 and later attended then-Quincy College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has lived in Tempe for 18 years, working for Recreational Equipment Inc.
Wingate said he normally returns to the Hannibal/Quincy area "about three times a year" to visit friends and family. This trip, however, was designed to be more than a normal vacation.
"I didn't want to do the basic vacation," Wingate said. "I wanted to make a difference."
We're getting the word out...
We fly back to Phoenix tomorrow.
It feels good to relax.
Brad (and Bob)
Here's the story that ran today in the Quincy, IL Herald-Whig.
http://www.whig.com/289436019846996.php
Cyclist's trip over, but journey to find cancer cure ongoing
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
By Steve Eighinger
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Brad Wingate completed an 890-mile odyssey Tuesday, but his mission is never-ending.
Wingate, 46, formerly of Hannibal and Quincy, Ill., rode his bicycle from his home in Tempe, Ariz., to downtown Hannibal in an effort to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. The disease claimed his wife, Susan, in 2005.
"The most gratifying part of this has been the response of people along the way and what has been written on the blog," said Wingate, who made the trip with fellow cyclist and friend, Bob Lewis, a Mesa, Ariz., resident. "I really didn't know how all of this would work, but I wanted to help bring awareness to the signs of ovarian cancer."
Wingate's blog can be viewed at the cyclequest.blogspot.com Web site.
"Ovarian cancer is insidious," Wingate said. "Early detection is key to saving lives. That's why we're riding, to alert families to the warning signs."
Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries and the average woman has a 1-in-67 chance of developing the disease, the fifth most-common cancer among women.
The cause remains unknown and older women are at the highest risk. About two-thirds of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women 55 and older and about 25 percent occur in women in between the ages of 35 and 54.
Symptoms are often vague and non-specific and by the time the disease is diagnosed the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries. Some of the symptoms often include:
* Pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort.
* Vague, but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion.
* Unexplained weight gain or loss.
* Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection.
* Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness.
* Ongoing and unusual fatigue.
* Unexplained changes in bowel habits.
If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, a doctor should be consulted. A Pap Test will not detect ovarian cancer.
This was Wingate's second such journey, having traveled in 2004 from Minneapolis to Hannibal. Wingate said the cycling adventures renew his appreciation for America and its people.
"We have a beautiful country and people are basically the same everywhere," he said. "I am warmly welcomed wherever I ride. People are curious about my travels and many hold their own dreams of pursuing a similar adventure. I'm a big believer in following one's dreams.
"We never know how much time we have left."
Wingate ran into heavy rains in Colorado and battled a strong headwind much of the trip, but overall found the journey quite exhilarating. Wingate and Lewis stayed in motels most nights, except for two camping stops along the way. The daily rides usually started around 6 a.m.
Wingate and Lewis covered an average of 100 miles each day, winding through Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri, mostly on U.S. 36.
Wingate was born in Hannibal, but grew up in Quincy. He graduated from Quincy High School in 1979 and later attended then-Quincy College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has lived in Tempe for 18 years, working for Recreational Equipment Inc.
Wingate said he normally returns to the Hannibal/Quincy area "about three times a year" to visit friends and family. This trip, however, was designed to be more than a normal vacation.
"I didn't want to do the basic vacation," Wingate said. "I wanted to make a difference."
We're getting the word out...
We fly back to Phoenix tomorrow.
It feels good to relax.
Brad (and Bob)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Day 10 - Arrival in America's Hometown
3p.m. Arrival in Hannibal! We had a BUSY stretch of U.S. 36 from Macon to Hannibal. Many, many semi trucks and gravel shoulder in many spots. Just west of Monroe City, about 20 miles from Hannibal, Bob took a spill and has some road rash on an elbow and a knee. His bike's front brake was not functioning so my brother John was on scene to give him and the bike a lift to nearby Hannibal.
When I arrived in downtown Hannibal I was greeted by Mayor Roy Hark, my mother, sister and brother, Bob, and another cycling friend Bob Scott, who had motorcycled out to greet Bob and I earlier in the day.
WGEM-TV caught up with me in the final few miles of the ride and did a story that aired last night.
Lots of things going through my head so will sign-off and post something a bit later.
Thanks for everyone's support and comments. It means a lot.
Brad (and Bob)
Early this afternoon, we'll be dipping our front wheels into the Mississippi River, officially concluding this formative CycleQuest ride.
We left Macon under sunny skies. It's a beautiful day. Hannibal here we come!!
Thanks for all your support during this long distance event. We have been lifted up and carried along by your kind words and prayers. Thank you.
I'll post a final update later, most likely as I enjoy a giant coffee at Java Jive!
Brad (and Bob)
When I arrived in downtown Hannibal I was greeted by Mayor Roy Hark, my mother, sister and brother, Bob, and another cycling friend Bob Scott, who had motorcycled out to greet Bob and I earlier in the day.
WGEM-TV caught up with me in the final few miles of the ride and did a story that aired last night.
Lots of things going through my head so will sign-off and post something a bit later.
Thanks for everyone's support and comments. It means a lot.
Brad (and Bob)
Early this afternoon, we'll be dipping our front wheels into the Mississippi River, officially concluding this formative CycleQuest ride.
We left Macon under sunny skies. It's a beautiful day. Hannibal here we come!!
Thanks for all your support during this long distance event. We have been lifted up and carried along by your kind words and prayers. Thank you.
I'll post a final update later, most likely as I enjoy a giant coffee at Java Jive!
Brad (and Bob)
Monday, July 23, 2007
Day 9 Riding Like the Wind
6:30 p.m. We had a great day on the bikes, riding 98 miles to Macon, MO...a mere 62 miles from Hannibal. Tomorrow, a metric century and we're there.
We feel the ride winding down; feeling a bit contemplative about it. What an amazing thing we've done..come together as a community united to raise awareness and help save many more lives through early detection of ovarian cancer. We've connected with the great people we met along the way, the multitudes reached by this blog all over the country, the 82 chapters of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and who knows how many thousands by the four TV stories and several major newspaper stories that have been done or will be done by the end of the day tomorrow.
If you're within the range of KTVO-TV in Kirksville, MO - Ottumwa,IA tonight you can catch the story they did this afternoon with us.
We're planning to be in Hannibal tomorrow at 2p.m. We hope to see some of you there! We'll roll down to the Tom & Huck statue on North Main and change from bike shoes into Keens for the first time in more than a week.
The Kansas Pizza Huts can rest easily tonight. It's over. Well, until next time. (Cue theme music from JAWS)
Brad (and Bob)
12:15p.m. The rain and lightning stopped this morning, and we have the wind to our backs for a change. YEEE hawww! We're averaging about 15 mph with more than 40 miles in so far today. Macon, MO is our goal for today.
KTVO-TV, which is the ABC affiliate for the Kirksville-Ottumwa market in NE Missouri, called me on the road this morning. They're going to meet us along U.S. 36 today for a story that we assume will air this evening.
We're still a GO for arriving in Hannibal tomorrow around 2p.m. at the historic Tom & Huck statue on North Main Street.
We're almost there. Susan would have loved to be on this ride.
Later!
Brad (and Bob)
7:00 a.m. It's raining in Cameron, MO this morning, with occasional lightning, so we're going to wait for awhile before departing. We're ready to get going. We had a pre-breakfast; I had two donuts, a bagel, two Belgian waffles, apple juice, orange juice and abundant coffee. We'll stop down the road a bit to have a hearty actual breakfast.
This forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms until noon, then isolated rain until 7p.m. Looking east, the weather looks good.
We expect to arrive in Hannibal tomorrow around 2p.m. We'll ride to the Tom & Huck statue on North Main street to officially conclude this particular CycleQuest ride.
Gotta go...Bob is up at a DQ having a snack.
Brad (and Bob)
We feel the ride winding down; feeling a bit contemplative about it. What an amazing thing we've done..come together as a community united to raise awareness and help save many more lives through early detection of ovarian cancer. We've connected with the great people we met along the way, the multitudes reached by this blog all over the country, the 82 chapters of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and who knows how many thousands by the four TV stories and several major newspaper stories that have been done or will be done by the end of the day tomorrow.
If you're within the range of KTVO-TV in Kirksville, MO - Ottumwa,IA tonight you can catch the story they did this afternoon with us.
We're planning to be in Hannibal tomorrow at 2p.m. We hope to see some of you there! We'll roll down to the Tom & Huck statue on North Main and change from bike shoes into Keens for the first time in more than a week.
The Kansas Pizza Huts can rest easily tonight. It's over. Well, until next time. (Cue theme music from JAWS)
Brad (and Bob)
12:15p.m. The rain and lightning stopped this morning, and we have the wind to our backs for a change. YEEE hawww! We're averaging about 15 mph with more than 40 miles in so far today. Macon, MO is our goal for today.
KTVO-TV, which is the ABC affiliate for the Kirksville-Ottumwa market in NE Missouri, called me on the road this morning. They're going to meet us along U.S. 36 today for a story that we assume will air this evening.
We're still a GO for arriving in Hannibal tomorrow around 2p.m. at the historic Tom & Huck statue on North Main Street.
We're almost there. Susan would have loved to be on this ride.
Later!
Brad (and Bob)
7:00 a.m. It's raining in Cameron, MO this morning, with occasional lightning, so we're going to wait for awhile before departing. We're ready to get going. We had a pre-breakfast; I had two donuts, a bagel, two Belgian waffles, apple juice, orange juice and abundant coffee. We'll stop down the road a bit to have a hearty actual breakfast.
This forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms until noon, then isolated rain until 7p.m. Looking east, the weather looks good.
We expect to arrive in Hannibal tomorrow around 2p.m. We'll ride to the Tom & Huck statue on North Main street to officially conclude this particular CycleQuest ride.
Gotta go...Bob is up at a DQ having a snack.
Brad (and Bob)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Day 8 - Welcome to Missouri!
6:50 p.m. We made 79 miles today with a headwind the whole way! From Hiawatha, KS to Cameron, Missouri. I thought prevailing winds were supposted to go West to East? It was a little unsettling riding through the St. Joseph, MO area. There is quite a bit of road construction going on. On our route, which I would not take the next time, we encountered a lot of debris on the shoulder - what appeared to be old, twisted metal from cars, half of a refridgerator. I'm serious. We saw potholes 8-10 inches deep. Bob called them potholes to Hell. It was unsettling. At one point I thought we'd found Jimmy Hoffa! :-)
So, We're in Cameron for the night, beyond the urban, metallic road carnage of day 8.
We're 150 miles from Hannibal. I think its most likely that we will be arriving in Hannibal Tuesday. After a week of the wind, the hills, the heat, and just the challenges of riding a fully loaded bike, that appears to be a good, prudent plan.
We'll have the schedule posted for our arrival and the news conference at the Tom & Huck statue on North Main Street in Hannibal.
Welcome to Missouri, Bob. "Thanks Brad! Let's eat!"
Brad (and Bob)
Earlier....
Good morning! We had a good overnight rest in Hiawatha, Ks. It was 67 here this morning and it got up past 90 I think.
We are 48 miles or so from the western Missouri border so we'll end the day in the Show Me state! Kansas has been great. The people are terrific and we've had a lot of acquaintances in recent days. And let's not forget those Pizza Huts. I know they won't be forgetting us! :-)
Here's something to ponder on this summer Sunday:
This year, more than 20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It has been diagnosed in girls as young as age eight, and women in their 90s. In fact, Susan's mother recently informed us that a woman she knows died of ovarian cancer at the age of 94.
Ovarian cancer is the quiet cancer. The symptoms can be subtle. Until there's some sort of diagnostic test or cure, symptom awareness is best. We have to catch it early. Outcomes are better when we do.
(Ssee symptoms list in the right column of this blog -> -> -> ->.)
Also...During fiscal year 2006, Congress allotted more than $150 million to breast cancer research, $80 million to prostate cancer, and just $10 million to ovarian cancer research.
Let's work together and see what we can do to make this situation better.
So, We're in Cameron for the night, beyond the urban, metallic road carnage of day 8.
We're 150 miles from Hannibal. I think its most likely that we will be arriving in Hannibal Tuesday. After a week of the wind, the hills, the heat, and just the challenges of riding a fully loaded bike, that appears to be a good, prudent plan.
We'll have the schedule posted for our arrival and the news conference at the Tom & Huck statue on North Main Street in Hannibal.
Welcome to Missouri, Bob. "Thanks Brad! Let's eat!"
Brad (and Bob)
Earlier....
Good morning! We had a good overnight rest in Hiawatha, Ks. It was 67 here this morning and it got up past 90 I think.
We are 48 miles or so from the western Missouri border so we'll end the day in the Show Me state! Kansas has been great. The people are terrific and we've had a lot of acquaintances in recent days. And let's not forget those Pizza Huts. I know they won't be forgetting us! :-)
Here's something to ponder on this summer Sunday:
This year, more than 20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It has been diagnosed in girls as young as age eight, and women in their 90s. In fact, Susan's mother recently informed us that a woman she knows died of ovarian cancer at the age of 94.
Ovarian cancer is the quiet cancer. The symptoms can be subtle. Until there's some sort of diagnostic test or cure, symptom awareness is best. We have to catch it early. Outcomes are better when we do.
(Ssee symptoms list in the right column of this blog -> -> -> ->.)
Also...During fiscal year 2006, Congress allotted more than $150 million to breast cancer research, $80 million to prostate cancer, and just $10 million to ovarian cancer research.
Let's work together and see what we can do to make this situation better.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Day 7 - Saying Goodbye to Kansas
8:18 p.m. We're overnighting in Hiawatha, Kansas. It's 72 degrees and really nice after the hot day with head winds we experienced. Still, we logged 113 miles averaging 12.9 miles an hour. Ride time in the saddle was 8 hours 45 minutes.
Hiawatha is the largest city and county seat of Brown County. It is the largest city on U.S. Route 36 between St. Joseph, Missouri and Denver. Hiawatha is named after the legendary Onongada and Mohawk Indian leader Hiawatha. Hiawatha is nicknamed the "City of Beautiful Maples" because of its countless trees that produce delightful colors in the fall season. This year is Hiawatha's 150th anniversary.
There you have it!
We're in an RV park in the City of the Beautiful Maples, with our tents set up under two massive soft maples. Its fun to camp when it's not too hot and you're not too exhausted. I can tune in my Grundig shortwave radio and bring in the world. Australia, the UK. Cornfields across the road, and the BBC is right here in my one person tent. Oh Jeeves, bring us some iced teas, won't you? Thank you, ole boy!
There is a Super WalMart down the road which may be our best option for food. I hope they're up to the challenge. We're powerfully...POWERFULLY...hungry. Giant box of Cheese-Its anyone?
We are 240 miles from Hannibal! Tomorrow, a new state; we're 30 miles from the Missouri border!
Araceli Pedroza with WGEM-TV called media central tonight. She's going to cover our arrival Monday/Tuesday. I remember watching channel 10 when Charlie Griffith anchored the news, and Cactus Jim hosted afternoon cartoons for the kids. Cactus was a little scary now that I think about it. When he drank milk from his plastic cowboy boot cup,and he did frequently, he always admonished us - the youthful viewers - to "kink our pinky." No Cactus, no.
Let's take a look back at the rest of the day...
3 p.m. We're just outside Seneca, Kansas with 76 miles in so far today. We'll probably overnight in Hiawatha which will be about 30 miles from the MISSOURI BORDER.
We had lunch at the Pony Express Coffee Bar & Deli in Marysville. A guy we met said that U.S. 36 from St. Joseph, MO to Hannibal is all dual highway, which is great news! So far we've been on single lane roads with good shoulders. It's pretty warm this afternoon, but the landscape is looking more like Missouri; fewer large wheat fields and more cornfields. Talk to you later from Hiawatha!
11:45 a.m. - We've stopped for lunch in Marysville, Kansas. We've ridden 50 miles this morning with an average speed of 13.5 mph. It's sunny now, but less wind so we're riding a bit more easily. We've ridden some steep hills though, similar to the grade on Loveland Pass in Colorado (without the altitude of course). We take those a bit more slowly at 7 mph. We were thinking about shipping home the sleeping bags and one-man tents, but decided to hold onto them. Some of these towns only have one motel, and if the inn happens to be full we'd be "outta luck."
The CycleQuest media office in Minneapolis had an e-mail this morning from a reporter - Trevor - in Athens, Georgia. He inquired as to whether the CycleQuest ride would be coming through Georgia. (Bob! Come back!) Maybe, we'll do a Georgia ride at a later date, Trevor. Georgia is a beautiful state. A great idea. Thanks for your interest!
Earlier, we had a good overnight rest at the Super 8 in Belleville, KS. Here's something curious...the showers have new - non-intuitive - faucets. I was running the water and trying to ascertain how to turn on the shower. There is NO lever. Nothing! So I ran a big tub of warm water and thought about it. While soaking I realized that you have to pull down on the bottom of the spigot to activate the shower. And they call this progress. :-)
Bob and I had a pre-breakfast before getting the bikes ready to roll. Bob joined me in the kitchenette/dining room of the Super 8 with a big...I mean BIG... bowl of Fruit Loops. It's hard to get enough calories on these rides! The Super 8 offers a free breakfast to their guests, and we can testify to the fact that it is awfully filling.
We have 300 miles ahead of us, and if this is a good day, that'll be down to 200 tonight.
It was overcast and 64 degrees at the start. The winds are out of the south at 9, so it looks good weatherwise. That's what we like.
Thanks for your great comments. They mean a lot to us. We're already thinking of ideas to formalize CycleQuest into a permanent vehicle for promoting ovarian cancer awareness. More later. Meanwhile, if you want to get on a mailing list for future CycleQuest updates, please send your contact information with mailing and email addresses to my brother John: john(at)wingategroup.com. He's keeping track of these things while we're "at the mobile office."
We had an email from a reporter - Steve Eighinger - who works for the Quincy (IL) Herald-Whig. He's planning a story. Thanks Steve for your interest! Also, the two Quincy television stations, WGEM-TV (NBC) and KHQA-TV (CBS) have both been in contact with the CycleQuest North media office in Minneapolis. Quincy is across the Mississippi from Hannibal and upstream about 17 miles. I spent many years there, and a lot of money at the great bike shops. Madison-Davis Bike Shop has been in business since the early 20th century. Same ownership for decades. Cool.
By the way, Hannibal has a new bike shop called CoolByke. We were in there over the July 4th holiday. Nice shop!
I hope we have nice weather for our Hannibal arrival...hopefully on Monday afternoon late. But wind, heat, equipment breakdowns, etc. could change that. We're staying positive.
Later!
Brad (and Bob)
Hiawatha is the largest city and county seat of Brown County. It is the largest city on U.S. Route 36 between St. Joseph, Missouri and Denver. Hiawatha is named after the legendary Onongada and Mohawk Indian leader Hiawatha. Hiawatha is nicknamed the "City of Beautiful Maples" because of its countless trees that produce delightful colors in the fall season. This year is Hiawatha's 150th anniversary.
There you have it!
We're in an RV park in the City of the Beautiful Maples, with our tents set up under two massive soft maples. Its fun to camp when it's not too hot and you're not too exhausted. I can tune in my Grundig shortwave radio and bring in the world. Australia, the UK. Cornfields across the road, and the BBC is right here in my one person tent. Oh Jeeves, bring us some iced teas, won't you? Thank you, ole boy!
There is a Super WalMart down the road which may be our best option for food. I hope they're up to the challenge. We're powerfully...POWERFULLY...hungry. Giant box of Cheese-Its anyone?
We are 240 miles from Hannibal! Tomorrow, a new state; we're 30 miles from the Missouri border!
Araceli Pedroza with WGEM-TV called media central tonight. She's going to cover our arrival Monday/Tuesday. I remember watching channel 10 when Charlie Griffith anchored the news, and Cactus Jim hosted afternoon cartoons for the kids. Cactus was a little scary now that I think about it. When he drank milk from his plastic cowboy boot cup,and he did frequently, he always admonished us - the youthful viewers - to "kink our pinky." No Cactus, no.
Let's take a look back at the rest of the day...
3 p.m. We're just outside Seneca, Kansas with 76 miles in so far today. We'll probably overnight in Hiawatha which will be about 30 miles from the MISSOURI BORDER.
We had lunch at the Pony Express Coffee Bar & Deli in Marysville. A guy we met said that U.S. 36 from St. Joseph, MO to Hannibal is all dual highway, which is great news! So far we've been on single lane roads with good shoulders. It's pretty warm this afternoon, but the landscape is looking more like Missouri; fewer large wheat fields and more cornfields. Talk to you later from Hiawatha!
11:45 a.m. - We've stopped for lunch in Marysville, Kansas. We've ridden 50 miles this morning with an average speed of 13.5 mph. It's sunny now, but less wind so we're riding a bit more easily. We've ridden some steep hills though, similar to the grade on Loveland Pass in Colorado (without the altitude of course). We take those a bit more slowly at 7 mph. We were thinking about shipping home the sleeping bags and one-man tents, but decided to hold onto them. Some of these towns only have one motel, and if the inn happens to be full we'd be "outta luck."
The CycleQuest media office in Minneapolis had an e-mail this morning from a reporter - Trevor - in Athens, Georgia. He inquired as to whether the CycleQuest ride would be coming through Georgia. (Bob! Come back!) Maybe, we'll do a Georgia ride at a later date, Trevor. Georgia is a beautiful state. A great idea. Thanks for your interest!
Earlier, we had a good overnight rest at the Super 8 in Belleville, KS. Here's something curious...the showers have new - non-intuitive - faucets. I was running the water and trying to ascertain how to turn on the shower. There is NO lever. Nothing! So I ran a big tub of warm water and thought about it. While soaking I realized that you have to pull down on the bottom of the spigot to activate the shower. And they call this progress. :-)
Bob and I had a pre-breakfast before getting the bikes ready to roll. Bob joined me in the kitchenette/dining room of the Super 8 with a big...I mean BIG... bowl of Fruit Loops. It's hard to get enough calories on these rides! The Super 8 offers a free breakfast to their guests, and we can testify to the fact that it is awfully filling.
We have 300 miles ahead of us, and if this is a good day, that'll be down to 200 tonight.
It was overcast and 64 degrees at the start. The winds are out of the south at 9, so it looks good weatherwise. That's what we like.
Thanks for your great comments. They mean a lot to us. We're already thinking of ideas to formalize CycleQuest into a permanent vehicle for promoting ovarian cancer awareness. More later. Meanwhile, if you want to get on a mailing list for future CycleQuest updates, please send your contact information with mailing and email addresses to my brother John: john(at)wingategroup.com. He's keeping track of these things while we're "at the mobile office."
We had an email from a reporter - Steve Eighinger - who works for the Quincy (IL) Herald-Whig. He's planning a story. Thanks Steve for your interest! Also, the two Quincy television stations, WGEM-TV (NBC) and KHQA-TV (CBS) have both been in contact with the CycleQuest North media office in Minneapolis. Quincy is across the Mississippi from Hannibal and upstream about 17 miles. I spent many years there, and a lot of money at the great bike shops. Madison-Davis Bike Shop has been in business since the early 20th century. Same ownership for decades. Cool.
By the way, Hannibal has a new bike shop called CoolByke. We were in there over the July 4th holiday. Nice shop!
I hope we have nice weather for our Hannibal arrival...hopefully on Monday afternoon late. But wind, heat, equipment breakdowns, etc. could change that. We're staying positive.
Later!
Brad (and Bob)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Day - 6 Reflections - Why We're Riding
We've pedaled 570.69 miles at the end of day six. We have 300 miles to Hannibal.
Tonight we're staying in Belleville, Kansas. It was a 94 mile day, and now we're at the Dairy Queen on a beautiful clear night. But all is not well because we just spoke with a motel guest whose friend was diagnosed with stage-3 ovarian cancer, just like Susan's experience.
They call OC the quiet cancer because it whispers its' symptoms. Let's together now pledge to make positive change, in a life-affirming way, to marshall our love, our grief, some anger and our passion to bring ovarian cancer awareness more into the spotlight, much like what we've seen happen with breast cancer. There have been too many deaths, too many women taken in the prime of their lives, too many grieving families and friends. Let's keep the focus and passion of CycleQuest and continue the momendum of the ride in new directions. Will you join with us? Please leave us a comment. They mean so much and we need to hear from our friends and supporters.
Meanwhile, earlier today....
We left Phillipsburg around 7 a.m. this morning. Thankfully, the winds were lighter, but still a headwind.
We wheeled to Smith Center and had breakfast at the Second Cup Cafe, and we took their advice. Great coffee! Smith Center is the geographical center of the U.S. We rode past the county fairgrounds and saw some of the largest and cleanest pigs we've ever laid eyes on. Smith Center is a cute town; they actually have music playing downtown for all to hear...without ear buds!
By 10:30 a.m. we reached the 500 mile mark in our journey. It's in the 80s and we're feeling a little weary due to the headwinds, but this too shall pass. Okay, everyone together now - "Winds from the west, winds from the west!" :-)
3:30pm: We're in Courtland, Kansas with 79 miles under our belt. We've been cruising good with LESS headwind! AMEN!
We stopped at a....PIZZA HUT and "had a bite." Then, on the way out of town, we found a great fresh fruit stand at U.S. 36 and Route 199. Bob says he had two of the best peaches he's ever eaten.
Earlier, we met a world tourist - Walter - from Germany. He's in his mid-60s and has ridden across the U.S. eight times. On this trip his final destination is Tucson. What a great example of vital living. We briefed him on the Pizza Huts up ahead as he goes westbound. He looked VERY hungry, too. Go Walter!
Speaking of food. What's great on these rides is to walk into a convenience store and be presented with a full array of edibles. I was assessing the candy bars earlier today and down on the bottom shelf, tucked away, was my very favorite, and one that you rarely see - THE CHOCOLATE PAYDAY! As far as I'm concerned Baby Ruth and Butterfinger can just pack their bags and run home...there's just no comparison.
The James E. Cary Cancer Center in Hannibal has invited us to attend a reception to welcome us to town. More on this as we work out the details. Nice! Thanks David DeProspero!
Check out today's issue of the Hannibal Courier Post: Here's the link:
http://www.hannibal.net/stories/07202007/local_news_j3_001.xml.shtml
Bev Darr did a great story and they ran a photo of Susan, too!
Here's another link with information about CycleQuest. Thanks Vicki for posting that.
http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/06/21/gossip-columnist-claudia-cohen-dies-of-ovarian-cancer/
Later!
Brad (and Bob)
Tonight we're staying in Belleville, Kansas. It was a 94 mile day, and now we're at the Dairy Queen on a beautiful clear night. But all is not well because we just spoke with a motel guest whose friend was diagnosed with stage-3 ovarian cancer, just like Susan's experience.
They call OC the quiet cancer because it whispers its' symptoms. Let's together now pledge to make positive change, in a life-affirming way, to marshall our love, our grief, some anger and our passion to bring ovarian cancer awareness more into the spotlight, much like what we've seen happen with breast cancer. There have been too many deaths, too many women taken in the prime of their lives, too many grieving families and friends. Let's keep the focus and passion of CycleQuest and continue the momendum of the ride in new directions. Will you join with us? Please leave us a comment. They mean so much and we need to hear from our friends and supporters.
Meanwhile, earlier today....
We left Phillipsburg around 7 a.m. this morning. Thankfully, the winds were lighter, but still a headwind.
We wheeled to Smith Center and had breakfast at the Second Cup Cafe, and we took their advice. Great coffee! Smith Center is the geographical center of the U.S. We rode past the county fairgrounds and saw some of the largest and cleanest pigs we've ever laid eyes on. Smith Center is a cute town; they actually have music playing downtown for all to hear...without ear buds!
By 10:30 a.m. we reached the 500 mile mark in our journey. It's in the 80s and we're feeling a little weary due to the headwinds, but this too shall pass. Okay, everyone together now - "Winds from the west, winds from the west!" :-)
3:30pm: We're in Courtland, Kansas with 79 miles under our belt. We've been cruising good with LESS headwind! AMEN!
We stopped at a....PIZZA HUT and "had a bite." Then, on the way out of town, we found a great fresh fruit stand at U.S. 36 and Route 199. Bob says he had two of the best peaches he's ever eaten.
Earlier, we met a world tourist - Walter - from Germany. He's in his mid-60s and has ridden across the U.S. eight times. On this trip his final destination is Tucson. What a great example of vital living. We briefed him on the Pizza Huts up ahead as he goes westbound. He looked VERY hungry, too. Go Walter!
Speaking of food. What's great on these rides is to walk into a convenience store and be presented with a full array of edibles. I was assessing the candy bars earlier today and down on the bottom shelf, tucked away, was my very favorite, and one that you rarely see - THE CHOCOLATE PAYDAY! As far as I'm concerned Baby Ruth and Butterfinger can just pack their bags and run home...there's just no comparison.
The James E. Cary Cancer Center in Hannibal has invited us to attend a reception to welcome us to town. More on this as we work out the details. Nice! Thanks David DeProspero!
Check out today's issue of the Hannibal Courier Post: Here's the link:
http://www.hannibal.net/stories/07202007/local_news_j3_001.xml.shtml
Bev Darr did a great story and they ran a photo of Susan, too!
Here's another link with information about CycleQuest. Thanks Vicki for posting that.
http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/06/21/gossip-columnist-claudia-cohen-dies-of-ovarian-cancer/
Later!
Brad (and Bob)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Day 5 - Kansas Headwinds, but Halfway to Hannibal!
Late news....I did a phone interview tonight with Bev Darr, a reporter for the Hannibal Courier-Post newspaper. The paper will run a story tomorrow about CycleQuest. Check it out at Hannibal.net. Thanks to Bev and Mary Lou Montgomery, the managing editor!
Okay, the day: The CycleQuest team departed Atwood, Kansas at 6:30 a.m. under overcast skies. It rained overnight. The temperature was in the low 70s at departure time, and has risen to 78 at mid-day. Much better than the 100+ heat of yesterday.
Bob and I had breakfast mid-morning in Oberlin, and...lunched in Norton.
All I can say is someone should have warned the Pizza Hut buffet manager that we were coming. Bob completed three grueling trips to the warming table, and I did likewise. Look, we're sorry! We're very, very sorry! Perhaps tomorrow will be a more profitable day for the "hut!"
Thank you! :-)
We faced a strong 20 mph headwind all day, yet managed a 96 mile day with fully loaded bikes. To give you an idea of how windy it is, typically we'll hit 40 mph on a good downhill. But today, my maximum speed was 23.5 mph, according to my cyclometer.
It's more humid and green as we roll east. Whoever said Kansas is flat hasn't ridden here!
This afternoon, I was riding along - into the wind - and I noticed a bike chain lying at the side of the road. Then, I look up to see Bob ahead, spinning wildly; his chain had broken! Thankfully, we'd brought a chain tool along and quickly did an emergency repair by removing a link.
As we worked on the chain, covered in grease, with the wind buffeting us, we looked at each other and Bob said, "At least there are no biting flies!"
The good news is that we're more than HALFWAY TO HANNIBAL! Our mileage at the end of day five is 476.69 miles. We're spending the night in Phillipsburg at the New Cottonwood Inn.
We really appreciate all the comments, encouragement, and support. One was posted this morning by Judy Fitzgerald of the Tri-State Ovarian Cancer Alliance in Cumberland, Maryland. Thanks Judy!
This afternoon, Myrna Klitzke of the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) posted a nice message (see comments). Thank you Myrna for your kind words, and we're sorry to hear of the death of your sister. Too many deaths.
Also, some supportive words from the publisher of the Hannibal newspaper and the executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum. See you all in Hannibal!
Hmmm, we've noticed that Phillipsburg has a Pizza Hut. Catch ya later!
Brad (and Bob)
Media Advisory:To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
Okay, the day: The CycleQuest team departed Atwood, Kansas at 6:30 a.m. under overcast skies. It rained overnight. The temperature was in the low 70s at departure time, and has risen to 78 at mid-day. Much better than the 100+ heat of yesterday.
Bob and I had breakfast mid-morning in Oberlin, and...lunched in Norton.
All I can say is someone should have warned the Pizza Hut buffet manager that we were coming. Bob completed three grueling trips to the warming table, and I did likewise. Look, we're sorry! We're very, very sorry! Perhaps tomorrow will be a more profitable day for the "hut!"
Thank you! :-)
We faced a strong 20 mph headwind all day, yet managed a 96 mile day with fully loaded bikes. To give you an idea of how windy it is, typically we'll hit 40 mph on a good downhill. But today, my maximum speed was 23.5 mph, according to my cyclometer.
It's more humid and green as we roll east. Whoever said Kansas is flat hasn't ridden here!
This afternoon, I was riding along - into the wind - and I noticed a bike chain lying at the side of the road. Then, I look up to see Bob ahead, spinning wildly; his chain had broken! Thankfully, we'd brought a chain tool along and quickly did an emergency repair by removing a link.
As we worked on the chain, covered in grease, with the wind buffeting us, we looked at each other and Bob said, "At least there are no biting flies!"
The good news is that we're more than HALFWAY TO HANNIBAL! Our mileage at the end of day five is 476.69 miles. We're spending the night in Phillipsburg at the New Cottonwood Inn.
We really appreciate all the comments, encouragement, and support. One was posted this morning by Judy Fitzgerald of the Tri-State Ovarian Cancer Alliance in Cumberland, Maryland. Thanks Judy!
This afternoon, Myrna Klitzke of the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) posted a nice message (see comments). Thank you Myrna for your kind words, and we're sorry to hear of the death of your sister. Too many deaths.
Also, some supportive words from the publisher of the Hannibal newspaper and the executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum. See you all in Hannibal!
Hmmm, we've noticed that Phillipsburg has a Pizza Hut. Catch ya later!
Brad (and Bob)
Media Advisory:To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Day 4 - Beautiful Kansas, TV Coverage
This just in...
Tonight we learned that WIBW-TV in Topeka ran a story today about CycleQuest. The news anchor read the symptoms of ovarian cancer and shared the CycleQuest blog address with viewers. Yea!
Here's the link: http://www.wibw.com:80/home/headlines/8574087.html
Here's the script:
CycleQuest Ride for Ovarian Cancer
Posted: 11:28 AM Jul 18, 2007
Last Updated: 11:28 AM Jul 18, 2007
Two men cross Kansas to raise Ovarian Cancer awareness. On July 15th Brad Wingate along with his cycling team member Bob Lewis began their ride from Vail, Colorado to Hannibal, Missouri. Wingate lost his wife, Susan DeFrank Wingate to Ovarian Cancer in 2005.
The team will ride more than 100 miles each day. To check on their progress visit www.cyclequest.blogspot.com.
The team emphasizes that the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are subtle.
- Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion.
- Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection.
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
- Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating, and/ or feeling of fullness.
- Ongoing unusual fatigue.
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits.
Thanks WIBW!
Earlier today, we left Idalia, Colorado after a hearty breakfast at that favorite diner, the Prairie View, I told you about yesterday. We were not disappointed. It was clearly the best breakfast I've had since I last ate there with my brother, John, in the 1980s. We were well fueled....and ready for a nap. Just kidding!
We're very pumped by some good news that arrived via email early this morning from Shelly Rozenberg, the Chief Administrative Officer for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition:
"Thank you for sending us this information about Brad's journey to raise awareness. We have posted this information on our website and emailed our 82 chapters across the US. We are grateful to Brad for raising awareness and making a difference. He is truly an inspiration."
Sincerely,
Shelly Rozenberg
Chief Administrative Officer
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc.
500 NE Spanish River Blvd.,
Suite 8
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561-393-0005
888-OVARIAN
www.ovarian.org
Help "Break the Silence" about Ovarian Cancer
Thanks so much Shelly and all the folks associated with the Coalition. We are very grateful for your kind words and encouragement. It means more than you can imagine.
We hit Kansas about 10a and switched to central time. We snacked at St. Anthony, KS with 30 miles under our belt for the morning. After eating lunch at Bird City, we rode another 45 miles to Atwood and will overnight here. We did 73 miles in temps that exceeded 100, but had to make it a sub-100 day for mileage since we have laundry and necessary bike maintenance to do.
Earlier, we met two cycle tourists who set out two months ago from Maine for a leisurely ride to California. One of the cyclists is planting saplings along the way. We traded stories of the road, and they inquired about amenities and supplies in Last Chance, Colorado. We joked that it's named that for a reason. We explained that it's best to stock up on food and water before riding across that remote stretch of eastern Colorado.
The roads are great; nice and smooth for comfortable riding. The bikes and their humans are holding up well in beautiful Kansas!
We're spending the night at a nice little motel called the "It'll Do"...and it will.
Tomorrow...day five of the CycleQuest Across the Heartland. Thanks for checking in on our progress to raise awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer...please check the symptoms on the right side of this blog.
Brad (and Bob)
Tonight we learned that WIBW-TV in Topeka ran a story today about CycleQuest. The news anchor read the symptoms of ovarian cancer and shared the CycleQuest blog address with viewers. Yea!
Here's the link: http://www.wibw.com:80/home/headlines/8574087.html
Here's the script:
CycleQuest Ride for Ovarian Cancer
Posted: 11:28 AM Jul 18, 2007
Last Updated: 11:28 AM Jul 18, 2007
Two men cross Kansas to raise Ovarian Cancer awareness. On July 15th Brad Wingate along with his cycling team member Bob Lewis began their ride from Vail, Colorado to Hannibal, Missouri. Wingate lost his wife, Susan DeFrank Wingate to Ovarian Cancer in 2005.
The team will ride more than 100 miles each day. To check on their progress visit www.cyclequest.blogspot.com.
The team emphasizes that the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are subtle.
- Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion.
- Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection.
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
- Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating, and/ or feeling of fullness.
- Ongoing unusual fatigue.
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits.
Thanks WIBW!
Earlier today, we left Idalia, Colorado after a hearty breakfast at that favorite diner, the Prairie View, I told you about yesterday. We were not disappointed. It was clearly the best breakfast I've had since I last ate there with my brother, John, in the 1980s. We were well fueled....and ready for a nap. Just kidding!
We're very pumped by some good news that arrived via email early this morning from Shelly Rozenberg, the Chief Administrative Officer for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition:
"Thank you for sending us this information about Brad's journey to raise awareness. We have posted this information on our website and emailed our 82 chapters across the US. We are grateful to Brad for raising awareness and making a difference. He is truly an inspiration."
Sincerely,
Shelly Rozenberg
Chief Administrative Officer
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc.
500 NE Spanish River Blvd.,
Suite 8
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561-393-0005
888-OVARIAN
www.ovarian.org
Help "Break the Silence" about Ovarian Cancer
Thanks so much Shelly and all the folks associated with the Coalition. We are very grateful for your kind words and encouragement. It means more than you can imagine.
We hit Kansas about 10a and switched to central time. We snacked at St. Anthony, KS with 30 miles under our belt for the morning. After eating lunch at Bird City, we rode another 45 miles to Atwood and will overnight here. We did 73 miles in temps that exceeded 100, but had to make it a sub-100 day for mileage since we have laundry and necessary bike maintenance to do.
Earlier, we met two cycle tourists who set out two months ago from Maine for a leisurely ride to California. One of the cyclists is planting saplings along the way. We traded stories of the road, and they inquired about amenities and supplies in Last Chance, Colorado. We joked that it's named that for a reason. We explained that it's best to stock up on food and water before riding across that remote stretch of eastern Colorado.
The roads are great; nice and smooth for comfortable riding. The bikes and their humans are holding up well in beautiful Kansas!
We're spending the night at a nice little motel called the "It'll Do"...and it will.
Tomorrow...day five of the CycleQuest Across the Heartland. Thanks for checking in on our progress to raise awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer...please check the symptoms on the right side of this blog.
Brad (and Bob)
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Day 3 - On the Kansas Border
We left Strasburg Station in the historic, old railroad town of Strasburg in eastern Colorado bright and early. It was 70 at departure time, but warmed up quickly; the mercury hit 100 this afternoon.
Bob and I are riding some remote country - dusty and windy conditions, hilly roads with long climbs, and wheat fields everywhere. God's country nevertheless. The spare landscape has its own beauty.
We're each riding with four water bottles each. But here in eastern Colorado, towns are few and far between. At one point we ran low on water. Thankfully, in Anton, the local postmaster provided us some cold water from her deep well. We drank, replenished our water bottles and were revived.
Hey, some great news to report. The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry's website posted information about our CycleQuest project. Thank you Cathy Fahey! And thanks Lesa, one of Susan's cousins, for getting the information to Cathy! You can check it out at http://www.ovariancancer.com/app/index.php?pid=11.
Also, a special thanks to Vicki, Pam, and Danny, Susan's siblings; her mother Georgia, all the relatives, Bob's wife Ginny, my mother Betty, sister Sharon, brother John, and a whole lot of friends and colleagues, for all they're doing to support this effort and encourage us.
This afternoon, we ran into Essie Garrett, a long distance runner who is helping to raise funds for the Amelia Earhart Foundation. She flagged us down and we visited briefly. Check out her website at www.essierun.org. Essie's run more than 23,000 miles, and raised over a million dollars for charities, since 1981. Cool! Run, Essie, run!
By the way, U.S. 36 - one of the main arteries across America in the era before freeways - is a great cycling road. The people in the small towns are kind and gracious, but the biting flies are less polite, so... we keep moving! :-)
We rode 117 hot miles in just under 8 hours of riding time today, and will overnight in Idalia, Colorado, a neat town just a few miles from the Kansas border. Back in the 1980s when my brother and I were doing a lot of backpacking in Colorado, we always managed to plan our drive so we could have breakfast at this great little diner in Idalia. Bob and I will be eating breakfast there tomorrow morning. I can almost smell the bisquits and coffee!
On the media front, the Hannibal Courier-Post already has run a story on the CycleQuest ride and plans a follow-up when we arrive. Other newspapers and television stations are planning stories, too. It's good to have the media coverage and national visibility so we can share the purpose of our cycling odyssey across the heartland of America.
Please do me a favor; contact every woman you love and encourage her to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The current situation, with many women having the disease diagnosed too late, is unacceptable. Let's all work to make it better. That's why we're riding.
My teammate, Bob Lewis, is really riding strong. A true ironman! I'm grateful to have him riding this with me.
Ever onward! Wednesday - Kansas!
Brad & Bob
Media Advisory:
To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
Bob and I are riding some remote country - dusty and windy conditions, hilly roads with long climbs, and wheat fields everywhere. God's country nevertheless. The spare landscape has its own beauty.
We're each riding with four water bottles each. But here in eastern Colorado, towns are few and far between. At one point we ran low on water. Thankfully, in Anton, the local postmaster provided us some cold water from her deep well. We drank, replenished our water bottles and were revived.
Hey, some great news to report. The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry's website posted information about our CycleQuest project. Thank you Cathy Fahey! And thanks Lesa, one of Susan's cousins, for getting the information to Cathy! You can check it out at http://www.ovariancancer.com/app/index.php?pid=11.
Also, a special thanks to Vicki, Pam, and Danny, Susan's siblings; her mother Georgia, all the relatives, Bob's wife Ginny, my mother Betty, sister Sharon, brother John, and a whole lot of friends and colleagues, for all they're doing to support this effort and encourage us.
This afternoon, we ran into Essie Garrett, a long distance runner who is helping to raise funds for the Amelia Earhart Foundation. She flagged us down and we visited briefly. Check out her website at www.essierun.org. Essie's run more than 23,000 miles, and raised over a million dollars for charities, since 1981. Cool! Run, Essie, run!
By the way, U.S. 36 - one of the main arteries across America in the era before freeways - is a great cycling road. The people in the small towns are kind and gracious, but the biting flies are less polite, so... we keep moving! :-)
We rode 117 hot miles in just under 8 hours of riding time today, and will overnight in Idalia, Colorado, a neat town just a few miles from the Kansas border. Back in the 1980s when my brother and I were doing a lot of backpacking in Colorado, we always managed to plan our drive so we could have breakfast at this great little diner in Idalia. Bob and I will be eating breakfast there tomorrow morning. I can almost smell the bisquits and coffee!
On the media front, the Hannibal Courier-Post already has run a story on the CycleQuest ride and plans a follow-up when we arrive. Other newspapers and television stations are planning stories, too. It's good to have the media coverage and national visibility so we can share the purpose of our cycling odyssey across the heartland of America.
Please do me a favor; contact every woman you love and encourage her to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The current situation, with many women having the disease diagnosed too late, is unacceptable. Let's all work to make it better. That's why we're riding.
My teammate, Bob Lewis, is really riding strong. A true ironman! I'm grateful to have him riding this with me.
Ever onward! Wednesday - Kansas!
Brad & Bob
Media Advisory:
To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Colorado - Day 2
We rolled out of Idaho Springs, Colorado at 7:30 a.m., refreshed and renewed. One of the big challenges today was climbing Juniper Pass which tops out at 11,000 feet. We climbed for three hours for a total altitude gain of 7,000 feet.
Then, the incredibly long decent from 11,000 feet down to around 5,000 feet on the edge of Denver. The altitude is slowly coming down as we ride eastward...today we rode from high mountain passes into the foothills and suddenly we were rolling past wheat fields. It was amazing...a hint of the great plains that beckon.
It was hot...we rolled past a bank that was reporting 103 degrees on its outdoor signage.
Today, I was going up a long climb and noticed an abundance of Columbines, Colorado's state flower and Susan's favorite. Just then, the cry of a bald eagle captured my attention. It was one of those powerful, amazing moments.
During a food stop, a waitress was very interested in our CycleQuest ride. She related that she'd battled ovarian cancer, but thankfully recovered from it. A wonderful success story. OC typically strikes women in the prime of life, but I recently heard about a 94-year-old woman who was diagnosed with it. Please read the posted information about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. It could save the life of someone you love.
This evening we arrived in Strasburg, Colorado, about 30 miles east of Denver.
Strasburg is a small agricultural community on the Colorado Eastern Plains. Historically it was the location of the "joining of the rails," the actual last link in the coast-to-coast railroad network in the United States, completed in August 1870. But, tired as we are, there is no interest in hopping a train. With a little rest we'll be good as new tomorrow.
Bob and I rode 115 miles today, a great day, and we already have several miles of riding on U.S. highway 36 - our road to Hannibal - behind us.
More later.....tomorrow, the Great Plains!
Brad
Then, the incredibly long decent from 11,000 feet down to around 5,000 feet on the edge of Denver. The altitude is slowly coming down as we ride eastward...today we rode from high mountain passes into the foothills and suddenly we were rolling past wheat fields. It was amazing...a hint of the great plains that beckon.
It was hot...we rolled past a bank that was reporting 103 degrees on its outdoor signage.
Today, I was going up a long climb and noticed an abundance of Columbines, Colorado's state flower and Susan's favorite. Just then, the cry of a bald eagle captured my attention. It was one of those powerful, amazing moments.
During a food stop, a waitress was very interested in our CycleQuest ride. She related that she'd battled ovarian cancer, but thankfully recovered from it. A wonderful success story. OC typically strikes women in the prime of life, but I recently heard about a 94-year-old woman who was diagnosed with it. Please read the posted information about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. It could save the life of someone you love.
This evening we arrived in Strasburg, Colorado, about 30 miles east of Denver.
Strasburg is a small agricultural community on the Colorado Eastern Plains. Historically it was the location of the "joining of the rails," the actual last link in the coast-to-coast railroad network in the United States, completed in August 1870. But, tired as we are, there is no interest in hopping a train. With a little rest we'll be good as new tomorrow.
Bob and I rode 115 miles today, a great day, and we already have several miles of riding on U.S. highway 36 - our road to Hannibal - behind us.
More later.....tomorrow, the Great Plains!
Brad
Sunday, July 15, 2007
CycleQuest is Underway!
What a great day to begin our ride across the heartland of America. We departed Vail, Colorado about 8 a.m. under beautiful, sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s. We experienced some hard riding through Loveland pass in the thin air of 12,000 feet. Logged 75 miles in nearly seven hours of hard riding, with 7,500 feet of climbing on opening day.
Team member Bob Lewis dubbed Loveland Pass "Two Apple Pass" because of the food intake it requires to ride the challenging climb.
Bob and I faced a cold rain on a lengthy, mountainous downhill, but abundant hot coffee and a great lunch at the Georgetown Coffee Cafe in Georgetown revived us.
We spoke with several people throughout the day about the purpose of CycleQuest. We hope they keep in touch and help to raise awareness.
The CycleQuest team is spending the night in Idaho Springs.
By the end of Monday the 16th - day two - we will be past Denver, positioned to pedal across the plains as we continue our odyssey to raise awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Susan is in our thoughts, of course, and she's no doubt looking down from Heaven and cheering us ever onward.
Thanks for all your support, thoughts and prayers. We feel it!
Brad
Media Advisory:To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
Team member Bob Lewis dubbed Loveland Pass "Two Apple Pass" because of the food intake it requires to ride the challenging climb.
Bob and I faced a cold rain on a lengthy, mountainous downhill, but abundant hot coffee and a great lunch at the Georgetown Coffee Cafe in Georgetown revived us.
We spoke with several people throughout the day about the purpose of CycleQuest. We hope they keep in touch and help to raise awareness.
The CycleQuest team is spending the night in Idaho Springs.
By the end of Monday the 16th - day two - we will be past Denver, positioned to pedal across the plains as we continue our odyssey to raise awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Susan is in our thoughts, of course, and she's no doubt looking down from Heaven and cheering us ever onward.
Thanks for all your support, thoughts and prayers. We feel it!
Brad
Media Advisory:To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
Monday, July 9, 2007
CycleQuest Departs July 15, 2007
CycleQuest For Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Planned for July 15 – 23
Vail, Colorado to Hannibal, Missouri - 850 miles in nine days
Vail, Colo – Beginning July 15, Brad Wingate, a resident of Tempe, Arizona, is riding an 850-mile bicycling odyssey from Vail, Colorado to his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, to raise awareness of the subtle signs of a deadly disease – ovarian cancer.
The disease claimed the life of Brad’s wife, Susan DeFrank Wingate, in 2005.
Brad and his cycling team member Bob Lewis, a Mesa resident, depart from Vail on July 15 and is expected to arrive in the historic Northeast Missouri community of Hannibal on July 23.
Check out the ride’s progress by visiting www.cyclequest.blogspot.com. Updates will be posted during the ride.
“Ovarian cancer is insidious. It can be well advanced once the often-subtle symptoms are noticed. Early detection is key to saving lives. That’s why we’re riding, to alert families to the warning signs,” said Wingate.
Brad and Bob will ride more than 100 miles most days across the Heartland, largely following U.S. highway 36 through Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.
Ovarian Cancer Whispers – So Please Listen
Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs. A woman has a 1 in 67 chance of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women, and it causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive cancer. The cause is unknown.
Planned for July 15 – 23
Vail, Colorado to Hannibal, Missouri - 850 miles in nine days
Vail, Colo – Beginning July 15, Brad Wingate, a resident of Tempe, Arizona, is riding an 850-mile bicycling odyssey from Vail, Colorado to his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, to raise awareness of the subtle signs of a deadly disease – ovarian cancer.
The disease claimed the life of Brad’s wife, Susan DeFrank Wingate, in 2005.
Brad and his cycling team member Bob Lewis, a Mesa resident, depart from Vail on July 15 and is expected to arrive in the historic Northeast Missouri community of Hannibal on July 23.
Check out the ride’s progress by visiting www.cyclequest.blogspot.com. Updates will be posted during the ride.
“Ovarian cancer is insidious. It can be well advanced once the often-subtle symptoms are noticed. Early detection is key to saving lives. That’s why we’re riding, to alert families to the warning signs,” said Wingate.
Brad and Bob will ride more than 100 miles most days across the Heartland, largely following U.S. highway 36 through Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.
Ovarian Cancer Whispers – So Please Listen
Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs. A woman has a 1 in 67 chance of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women, and it causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive cancer. The cause is unknown.
Older women are at highest risk. About two-thirds of the deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women age 55 and older. About 25% of ovarian cancer deaths occur in women between 35 and 54 years of age.
Ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague and non-specific; women and doctors may attribute the symptoms to other, more common, conditions. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries.
The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are subtle:
· pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort;
· vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion;
· frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection;
· unexplained weight gain or weight loss;
· pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness;
· ongoing unusual fatigue;
· or unexplained changes in bowel habits.
If symptoms persist for more than two weeks ask your doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a CA-125 blood test, and transvaginal ultrasound.
A PAP Test will NOT detect ovarian cancer.
Brad, who did a similar ride in 2004 from Minneapolis to Hannibal, said cycling adventures renew his appreciation for America and its people. “We have a beautiful country and people basically are the same everywhere. I am always warmly welcomed wherever I ride,” Wingate said. “People are curious about my travels and many hold their own dreams of pursuing a similar adventure. I’m a big believer in following one’s dreams. We never know how much time we have left.”
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Media Advisory:
To schedule an interview and photo opportunity with Brad, please contact John Wingate at 612-782-8551 or via email at john(at)wingategroup.com.
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