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 Pas...

 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 pl...

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...

 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 ...

 Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday - the bargains are well publicized. Well even the charitable world has a bargain so to speak. Today 11/28 is Giving Tuesday and Zero prostate cancer has a triple match. With Randy Freitag’s additional match, which means your $25 donation becomes $100! So, if you have been looking for that “bargain” to donate, today is the day!  https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/VA/Alexandria/MilesforMoney It’s hard to believe it but we are getting close to the halfway mark on our journey around all the exterior states! Scott is at 4736 miles and we are in New Orleans.   We are in awe of that fact. Many challenges have been overcome to get to this point – and no doubt more are coming.   We are hitting some cool overnights now (30’s!!!!!). Highs are in the 50’s as we hit “winter” in the south. As we approach the end of GIVE and GROW month it’s time for “Kris Kringle” aka my husband to shave his beard. But first one last bold for blue look...

Scott is 4500 miles into the journey, we are in Pensacola.  We had a bad weather day yesterday which delayed his ride a day.   What that means is we drove ahead to where we are staying through Thanksgiving, and are driving back to drop him today for his  ride today.   Not ideal but making it work.  With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow we are focusing on all that we are grateful for.... first our faith.  None of this would have been possible without strong faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ.  We don't talk about it as much as we should.   But every day we pray.  I pray, putting Scott in God's hands everyday.. especially due to the crazy traffic and drivers on the busy roads on this Thanksgiving eve.    We are grateful for our family and friends.  We miss our family and friends very much, especially being gone over the holidays.  But as Scott has explained, this is an important mission to him to honor his life and Benny's life. ...

We had a lovely week off, with the opportunity to stay with friends and participate in some great events to build awareness and funds. Now we are heading west along the panhandle of Florida. As has been a theme with Scott we are back to rain again, along with some wind too. But so far it has been manageable.  Today is Give to the Max Day, a special day in Minnesota focusing on charitable giving.  One of the two charities we are supporting, Zero Prostate Cancer, is a registered charity and you can easily donate through this link: https://www.givemn.org/story/Ick5kf or  always by going to our website.   ZERO’s vision is the first generation of men without prostate cancer! If you know Scott’s story, you know that he is stage 4 prostate cancer – has already been through surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and continues to treat through trips home to Mayo during this bike trip.   Scott is “giving to the max” each and every day, as we take this year to pursue t...