Some Details on my Intended Route. And More...

The Route:
I have had a few questions about the route for this big old lap of the country so here goes with the best summary I can muster at the moment.


The first week and the East Coast segment is both easy to describe and pretty solid from a schedule standpoint. It's North and East first, then a course reversal and southbound and down for the following few days.

I'll depart home early Tuesday morning the 24th and ride to just North of Boston, MA. Highlight of the day will be an early afternoon visit with my friends and sponsor Kryptonite Locks just outside Boston.

Wednesday it's a short (less that 100 miles) morning jaunt up to Portland, Maine and my first scheduled hospital visit to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at the Maine Medical Center. Based on what I'm seeing for weather reports, the kids may get a visit from a cold and wet motorcyclist. Later Wednesday afternoon will find me making my way further North to near Bangor, ME where I'll overnight. So those first couple of days look like what's shown above.

Thursday will be a long riding day. First the trek to the northernmost the tip of Maine and the small town of Madawaska - the first of my four "corners." I'll take the requisite souvenir photos then turn around and start back South - making it as far as I practically can by the end of the day.

Friday I'll ride back home. Huh? Seriously. Friday I'll make the long trip back out of New England and back to my home near Philadelphia overnight. The things we do to save on hotel bills.

Saturday figures to be an early start southbound. Probably destined for an overnight in NC on Saturday followed by Sunday's segment on to north Florida (Jacksonville? Daytona? St Augustine?) Then Monday it will be on to Miami where I'll stage Monday evening for a Tuesday morning visit to the Miami Children's Hospital before heading further onward toward Key West.

After Florida I'll be making my way across the southern tier of states for about the next week. The main thing to keep in mind is that I need to be in San Diego for a scheduled hospital visit on Tuesday May 8th.I'll then make my way up the West coast to Seattle for another such visit on Saturday , May 12. As you can see, the scheduled hospital visits are what will drive my riding schedule. There are a few "ugly-long" days built in but for the most part I view it as manageable. We'll see. I have lots of friends who have asked about visits and I will certainly do as many of those as I can while remaining on schedule. Love seeing you all! Just understand if I'm unable to stay all day!

After Seattle it'll be back across the middle of the country and on to my big finish in Chattanooga on May 19th. Looking forward to seeing and talking to lots of you along the way.

The Helmet:
For those of you who haven't seen the pictures elsewhere, My Bell RS-1 Helmet, painted up in the winning design from the Austin Hatcher Foundation Helmet Contest is amazingly cool and an incredibly unique design. Thanks to contest winner Mackenzie from the Chattanooga area. I'm going to be proud to wear it and I know that it will be an amazing conversation piece throughout the trip.

Fundraising stuff:

The fundraising part of this little exercise is going pretty well but there is still plenty of distance between me and my $5000 goal. We actually, just this week, passed the halfway point. I suspect, however, that this was the "easy" half and that I'm going to work even harder to get to the finish line! Please, I'd once again ask if you if you can find it in your heart to help. Two best ways to contribute? Go online and DONATE SAFELY HERE with your credit card or take the "easy" part and just text the word "wheels" to 501501 to donate $10.00 immediately. Thank you all. Especially those of you who have already contributed.









I can't believe that in just two days I'll be on the road! And I'll be sharing the story here as it happens. The really cool part is just about to begin!