MILE$ FOR MONEY

  We hope you all had a lovely Christmas, or Chanukah.  We had a very quiet Christmas break in Big Spring Texas. Together we figured out the camper oven so we could make cookies, pumpkin pie, and  cinnamon rolls!  We watched church online, went to the local state park for me to run up the "scenic mountain" with Puck our golden retriever, and drove through the holiday lights display. Mainly we rested as the break from the routine is restorative mentally and physically for both of us.  This week will be a challenging week for Scott - the routing was difficult to find the right distance to bike, on a good road with a RV park to stay at.  This means he has some longer rides on days that have short sunlight.  Scott will also be challenged by cool mornings - upper 20's to low 30's.  He noted that his years of experience doing the paper route on his bike through Minnesota winters will come in handy.    After 4 days of biking this week to El Paso, which will be our last stop

 We are 6 months into this journey, and Scott has biked over 5500 miles in that time.  Scott is stage 4 prostate cancer and currently treating for this disease.  He has fought it for over 5 years, been through a radical prostatectomy, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and remains on hormone therapy with recent radiation for the most recent bone mets.   Some would say isn't fighting that  disease enough?  Not Scott.  He wants to get the word out that early detection saves lives.  Scott was 53 when he was diagnosed, it was his first PSA test - a simple blood test that can lead to additional screening.   He has embarked on this year long bicycle trip around all the exterior states to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, and schizophrenia. While going through chemotherapy Scott lost his son Benny to suicide from schizophrenia.    He wants to honor the life God has given him, and Benny's life in this journey.  So please share his mission, share this message. Early d

Today Scott is out biking and it's in 50s with rain coming down steadily.  He is biking through Dallas, Texas.  Scott is very determined. Earlier in the week he had a couple of 73 mile rides; one that was filled with unpaved roads, dead ends and mechanical problems. One that was sunny and 65, great roads, no dead ends and a wonderful country ride!  One of the questions we have been asked is why are you having so many problems with routing.   Here is the process we go through. Prior to the start of this trip, Scott spent many hours studying the adventure cycle maps to determine the basic route.  During the trip we are using Ride with GPS, a bike specific software that maps the "bike route" from point A to point B.  We also run the route through google bike.   I will also compare the google bike route, and ride with GPS route, to my truck and camper route.  I also look at the "heat maps" on ride with GPS to see how many people have been on the route Scott is takin

 We are almost 6 months in, and today Scott crosses over 5000 miles.   We are in Louisiana and about to head into Texas.    First a big huge thank you to all who contributed on giving Tuesday and through out the month of Grow and Give.  We are so humbled and honored by the support, and truly the charities we are supporting are doing great work.  From educating those that have just been diagnosed, to support for caregivers, to funding new research, to educating on early detection, the work zero prostate cancer does is impactful.  At this time through your contributions we have raised over $130,000 to zero since we began this journey. Thank you!    We do not know yet what the numbers are for schizophrenia and psychosis action alliance, and while a smaller organization and smaller dollars, their actions are equally important. So again, we say thank you. And we are not done yet!    We will continue to raise awareness and funds for both charities as Scott continues his bike around the perim