We have had a week to rest, rejuvenate
and rejoice in this great accomplishment!
We have a few details to share before we
ride off into the sunset!
and rejoice in this great accomplishment!
We have a few details to share before we
ride off into the sunset!
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| Greg and Melissa Eckel Our niece and her husband Pedaled from Phoenix, AZ to Alpine, CA - December 20-23 |
Before we talk about the end of this ride, here
is an incredible video created by Greg and Melissa
as we began this last leg of the journey in Phoenix.
They joined us on the road from December 20 - 23
and it was our pleasure to have them with us!
We thank them for taking time out of their busy
lives to help us complete this adventure!
lives to help us complete this adventure!
Accompanying music is by Greg's brother's band!
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| Hollywood Photos by Shahak Nagiel |
After completing the ride, we had some family time
to explore Southern California
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| Hermosa Beach |
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| Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach, CA |
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| Legoland Carlsbad, CA |
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| Disneyland Home of Cars Land! |
Even Daisy is taller than me!
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| Our son, Seth, Glenn and our son-in-law, Jerry Tillery Pedaling from Laguna Beach to Marina Del Rey December 28, 2017 |
Jerry's Thoughts on the Journey
I have never known Glenn when this ride was not a part of the conversation...either updates on the last leg or planning for the next one, so it’s hard for me to believe that the ride has come to an end. Last week in California was really one I will never forget. I was so honored to have been asked by Glenn to ride with he and Seth for the last leg. It only further illustrated how he has always welcomed me into the family with open arms, which means more to me than words can express.
From the start of our trip last week when the family all met up in Laguna Beach, to the actual ride and the final celebration at the Santa Monica Pier, there were several things that continued to be reinforced for me.
1. Glenn is an extremely strong person - both mentally and physically!! I seriously do not understand how Glenn’s body and mind can handle riding day after day such great distances. It takes someone who is truly dedicated and determined (and really fit).
2. Family is everything! Before meeting Neil and being introduced to the family, I can honestly say, I have never known a family quite like them. They love one another more than words can express, support each other in all their endeavors and truly enjoy each other’s company...how many family’s can say that??? Last week this was proven once again. I know that having his family be a part of the final leg of the journey made the end even sweeter for Glenn and the pride that his wife, children, and grandchildren have for his huge accomplishment was something pictures and words do no justice.
3. Helping others is a passion. Whether it’s his work as a physician or this ride to help raise money for various charities, especially I Care I Cure, Glenn is dedicated to making a difference in others’ lives. When we were waiting to get our bikes for the final leg, I listened as Benji, Evan, Miles and Fletcher told a complete stranger (who let them use his board to slide down a sand hill) all about the ride and why he was doing it. It illustrated that his passion was not only something his grandchildren were proud of, but also something I know they will pass along.
This AM I sent Phlash a final email to tell
him about the last exciting day of the ride.
Instead of reading it on air he called!
Here's my final 3 minutes of radio air time...
unless we come up with another adventure
to share with Phlash at some future time!
Click below to listen
Thanks, Phlash, for your support and airtime for I Care I Cure!
Here is the map of our final ride. Although the Google
Map total is 539 miles, our stats clock it at 515.21 miles!
There was wind (some days much more than others),
some days were cloudy and chilly but there was no
rain and the sun shone brightly most days
as we hear happens in California!
by the Beach Boys
On my way to sunny California
On my way to spend another sunny day
On my way to spend another sunny day
On this leg, Glenn decided that it would be appropriate to
wear each of his cycling jerseys that he has worn on the
many rides that took him around the perimeter of the USA.
Some will be retired now!
The collage above highlights each of them:
Top left: The Big Ride Across America
Seattle to Washington DC
June 19 - August 5, 2000
Top Right: California Coast Classic
San Francisco to the Santa Monica Pier
October 2 - 9, 2004
Middle Left: East Coast Greenway
Key West, FL to Maine at the Canadian Border
November 7, 2009 - August 12, 2013
Middle Right: Pacific Northwest
Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA
August 17 -31, 2014
Bottom Left: Sun Belt
St. Augustine, FL to Phoenix, AZ
November 2015
November 2016
Bottom Right: The Last Leg
Phoenix, AZ to Santa Monica, CA
December 20-29, 2017
Thanks so much to my sister, Laurie Beaty,
for creating the last four logos for our
Since we are somewhat technologically challenged,
we have tracked the ride on four maps instead of one to get
the most precise locations for the ride around the perimeter!
It may be a few towns off and a few miles less than our
estimate but it still seems daunting to me!
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| This was an organized and supported ride to support The American Lung Association My SAG duties were not necessary for this ride! I was home in GA! |
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| This was the East Coast Greenway. Glenn was one of just a few End-to-Enders! |
Glenn was joined by our brother-in-law, Jim Beaty for
the ride from Seaside, FL to Perry, FL
Glenn was joined by our brother-in-law, Jim Beaty for
the ride from Seattle to San Francisco
the ride from Seaside, FL to Perry, FL
Glenn was joined by our brother-in-law, Jim Beaty for
the ride from Seattle to San Francisco
Fun Facts about the Journey
In the 135 days that Glenn pedaled his bicycle around the
country, he only experienced rain 3 DAYS while riding!
(2 days in Maine and 1 Day in Texas)
He got stuck in just one electrical storm (in Maine)
Glenn used three different bicycles over the 17 years
Glenn had only 2 falls,
one near Malibu in 2004
(resulting in cuts and abrasions)
and one in Connecticut in 2012
(resulting in a broken hand that Glenn
would not get treated because he wouldn't
be able to finish the ride with a cast on his hand!)
There were multiple cases of sunburn and saddle sores
He changed approximately 10 flat tires
We used our bed bug sleep sacks in just two
hotels on the 2016 trip (ugh) but we left the
hotel with a frog in the toilet and a roach in the shower.
We also rode right by the Bates Motel which surely
would have necessitated use of the sleep sacks!
hotel with a frog in the toilet and a roach in the shower.
We also rode right by the Bates Motel which surely
would have necessitated use of the sleep sacks!
I was stopped by the border patrol once in West Texas
but did not get one traffic ticket during any of the trips!
Glenn consumed an infinite number of peanut
butter sandwiches on these trips
We managed to have only one emotional breakdown
(2016 after 7 flat tires in West Texas)
We lost and found keys, underwear, telephones, and
the bike computer. We lost and didn't find the
battery for the gear shifting device on the bike!
(Pedaling with one gear was not fun that day!)
We have had 86,330 views of this blog
over the course of 9 years!
Thank you for taking the time to follow the rides, for
leaving encouraging comments, for being in touch via emails,
texts and phone and for making this such an incredible experience!
Besides having fun, seeing new sights and
not having to cook for weeks, these trips have
had an important purpose. Raising funds and
awareness for targeted therapies for childhood
cancer has been our focus for nine years. We could
not have accomplished our goals without the support
and generosity of all of you.
not having to cook for weeks, these trips have
had an important purpose. Raising funds and
awareness for targeted therapies for childhood
cancer has been our focus for nine years. We could
not have accomplished our goals without the support
and generosity of all of you.
It is with amazement and awe that I can announce
that, as of this morning, the total amount raised for this
last ride is $28,839.50!
We, once again, will be a Platinum Sponsor
of I Care I Cure I Run in Davie, FL on February 11
and would love to have anyone in the area join us
to complete the celebration of our journey!
It's never too late to donate
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icareicure.org |
From our family to yours....
Happy New Year!
May 2018 be filled with new adventures!
This may be the end of this journey but I am
confident that Glenn will find another challenge to
take on, another list to complete, new places to
explore and another adventure to pursue!
I'll be back with any updates and with
occasional important I Care I Cure news!
To You Until We Meet Again
