Tag Archive

NY to DC

by Maxim Tags: Bike Tour, Boston to Austin, COYOD, D.C., New York

Emily playing the Immigrant

DAY 1

Early morning Thursday the 27th we dusted off our cycles. The trailers and panniers took their usual position this time with the added weight of souvenirs from the NY Alzheimer’s Association Chapter (Books, Hats, T-shirts, Pins). The sun had yet to show itself as we peddled from the Upper East side to the WTC site where we were to catch the 6 am train bound for Newark, NJ. The city does not allow bicycles on any train during rush hour, which is pretty much all day. We found a small window of time between 6 and 6:30 am where bicycles were allowed. Knowing this was our only way out of Manhattan we left the apartment at 4:45 am to ensure we would not miss the train.  The city was mostly asleep except for the cabbies, cyclists and joggers getting in a workout before the work day and the bar patrons stumbling home after the 4 am last call.

We rode nearly the entire island along the Hudson. The city grew lighter as we pedaled closer to the station. We said farewell to the city of cities knowing that Spoke Your Mind’s time here was not over.

The train going to Newark at 6 in the morning was mainly empty. Pushing our cycles out onto the streets of Newark snapped us out of our New York love buzz and reality hit. We started cycling southwest towards D.C. through the unknown streets of New Jersey.

Our tent after a thunderstorm...notice the puddle in the background

We pedaled hard to break out of the industrial sprawl of East Jersey, stopping only to fuel up at a Duncan Donuts. Relief brushed away the anxiety when industrial plants let way for farmland.We experienced some of the most beautiful scenery of the both Leg 1 and 2 during our ride through West Jersey. We ended our first day after 82 miles in a campsite on the Delaware river on the New Jersey/ Pennsylvania border. Our camp was set up in the dark because we set our lights away from the tent as decoys for the bugs. They were thick and hungry. We crawled into our bags exhausted and humidity blanketed us as we dosed off…for a few hours. The aforementioned humidity evolved into a thunderstorm that woke us in the middle of the night. Rain dumped and lightening flashed . I was certain that either the river would carry us away or the lightening would strike our tent. I managed to get some sleep but when we woke the heavens were still coming down. We packed up in the rain and started riding into Pennsylvania, the 6th state of our second leg.

On Day 2 from NY to DC we planned to ride 60 miles but our time was cut short by a few equipment failures. I had a flat early on and my cleat kept malfunctioning which set us back. We could no longer make it to the campsite we wanted and decided to head into Norristown to bunk up in a motel. We were stopped at the crossroads into town by a man walking his dog. He told us that if we went into Norristown, we might not leave with all our things. The only motel in the town is overrun with prostitutes, pimps, dealers and junkies. He opened up his home for us to stay the night and saved us from what I imagined a town full of characters from Mad Max. This hospitality set the tone for the following days.

On Day 3 we continued west into Pennsylvania and were told that soon we were entering “Amish Country”. The landscape was that of rolling, unseasonably green hills from the excessive rain. Elegant farms were strewn through the country side. The pace of life slowed. A vintage feeling filled the air. As the day wound down we found ourselves at a four way stop searching for either a campsite or motel. I had my map wide open facing the opposite way from that of Em. A few children on bikes rode passed us. The girls wore country dresses with bonnets and the boys had slacks, tucked in plaid shirts, suspenders and fedoras. A man and woman in a car drove up to us asking if we needed help. As we were chatting a horse and buggy roared by us. More children on bicycles pedaled by. It turns out the lady in the car’s mother died of Young Onset Alzheimer’s. Her and her husband offered to take us in for the night. Everything happened so fast that I did not have time to process sights in the background during our conversation. It was clear though that we were in the middle of “Amish Country”.

Shawna, Us, Barbara and Bob

We pedaled to their house and met Bob outside who welcomed us into the garage to store our bikes. Bob and Barbara offered us their shower, fed us, gave us a bed and history lessons of the Amish, Mennonites and Bruce Springsteen. We met Barbara’s daughter Shawna who jammed on my guitar and showed her dance moves. In the morning we interviewed both of them about their experience with Young Onset Alzheimer’s. They sent us off with full bellies and supplies. It was a magical connection that started at a four way stop in “Amish Country”.

We continued Day 4 pedaling through the Pennsylvania Dutch country side. We got a late start because of our morning interview. Knowing we would not make it to the campsite on our bicycle map we pedaled on unsure of where we were going to rest for the night. Later in the afternoon we came across a family playing volleyball in their yard. We asked if they knew of any campsites in the area. The gentleman named Joe said, “We’ve got a yard right here.”

Tent with the milk calves in the background

He showed us the proper place to put up a tent. He was dressed in his church outfit and his wife and daughters were in there dresses, wearing their bonnets. Joe owns a dairy farm and we pitched our tent next to his pasture of milk calves. They each had their own “calfhouse”. Joe and his family is from a lineage of Mennonites. He welcomed us into his home, fed us hot dogs and educated us on his religion. They are allowed electricity, cars, microwaves and phones. They are not allowed radio, TV, Internet and only can listen to music that is a capella. Their church bans musical instruments. When Joe showed us our campsite I offered to play my guitar not knowing that it is a sin in their religion. Whoops.

After chatting about our project they explained to us that  Joe’s wife, Brenda’s, mother has Alzheimer’s. She is in her seventies. Alzheimer’s affects all walks of life.

In the morning Joe woke us at 6:30 to show us his dairy operation. He has around 50 cows that pump out three hundred gallons of milk a day. The entire family and us ate breakfast and we tried some of his raw milk. It was thick and delicious. They wished us luck and we were on the road a little after 8.

Where's Emily?

Joe showing explaining how to milk a cow

We rode hard and fast to Ellicott City, a suburb of Baltimore. We were once again staring at our maps when a woman, Kelly, offered us her backyard. Her husband John is training for a triathlon. He was gone on a ride when we set up camp but we met over a big plate of spaghetti and a beer. A neighbor of theirs who we met is Nursing Home Negligence Attorney and her husband is Geriatric Doctor. We exchanged info and passed on our website to them.

We slept well during our last night before D.C. I always love the opportunity to play with a dog and they had a beagle named Lucky who I befriended quickly.

Yesterday we woke and finished our ride to D.C. We are currently staying with our high school friend Katie Schiller in Arlington.

Boston Event

by Maxim Tags: Bike Tour, Boston to Austin, COYOD

At the MA/NH Alzheimer's Association office

Back in April, we posted the Spoketube video “The Music in Hugh” on Youtube. A comment from a lady wrote “Would you mind if I showed this video at a conference in May.” After commenting back and forth to one another, we exchanged information and got in touch. The lady happened to be Nicole McGurin, who works for the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Alzheimer’s Association Chapter. Over the next few months we threw back and forth ideas about a possible event in Boston when we visit. That event was tonight.

The folks at the MA/NH Alzheimer’s Chapter decided to throw an event dedicated to COYOD (Children Of those with Young Onset Dementia). They invited a doctor from the area to speak about the genetic factors and risks of Young Onset Dementia. They also asked us if we would like to speak. A flier was created and they invited as many COYOD as they could get in touch with in the area. The RSVP list grew to 40. RSVP lists historically are misleading, but tonight history did not repeat itself. It seemed that minus no more than 4 or 5 people all who talked also walked. A local restaurant donated their conference room and it was packed. I never dreamed that I would see a room full of so many COYOD in one place at the one time.

The doctor, Dr. Forester spoke for 20 minutes about genetics and people curiously asked question at the end. We were then invited up to speak. I told our story, talked about Music and showed “The Music in Hugh.” People were very touched by the images of my Dad’s passion for music. Emily spoke eloquently about the mission of Spoke Your Mind, our struggles with Young Onset Dementia and the power of storytelling.

The energy of the room evolved throughout the night from anxious to hopefulness. People became acquainted with another and exchanged information.It was magical to see this many COYOD together is one space.

The Alzheimer’s Association is planning to use the information they collected to ask what type of services would COYOD like to see available (support groups, monthly seminars, etc.).

What a way to kick off the second leg!

River Soap

by Maxim Tags: Bike Tour, California, interview, North Coast

We went to check our PO Box last night and in it we found a gift from our dear friend Harvey. Harvey was one of the voices on KGGV 95.1 “The Bridge” – We were in Jenner, CA at a wonderful cafe when we started talking to a lady about our project. She introduced us to David “The Rivermouth” Kenly. After hearing about our project he invited us to come on air the next day for an interview. We spent an hour on air and talked to callers. One caller had both parents struck with Alzheimer’s. It was a great experience.

Harvey told us that he was going to give us a gift of artisan soaps, perfect for traveling. That gift arrived yesterday. Thanks Harvey!

http://riversoap.com

www.kggvfm.org

David "The Rivermouth", Harvey and Max

The Training (Part 1)

by Emily Tags: Bike Tour, video

Part 1: The Training from Spoke Your Mind on Vimeo.