Day 4 of Week 7 was one of the hottest days of the Challenge the Cycle tour. I had to stop early to cool down my body and prevent heat exhaustion. We stayed at a beautiful state park on the Illinois side of the Ohio River before crossing into Kentucky the next day.

The ride might be over, but I’m still conscious of the fact that every city and town I rode through has at-risk kids. Let’s keep challenging the cycle!

Lori

Can’t see the video? Paste this link in your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWGSk9oQuqY

One of my favorite pictures from the trip that we put up on Facebook and Twitter was when I crossed the Mississippi River in St. Louis, with the famous Gateway Arch in the background. For me it was a gateway eastward, and that ride across the bridge was right after I was hit by a passing car. A lady said to me, “Don’t you know this is dangerous what you’re doing?” I know it could lead to fear. But I heard a great definition during this bike tour. Someone said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the acknowledgement that there is something more important than the fear.” The video clip next to this blog describes the accident I had with the car, how it all turned out, and what I consider to be more important than fear. I don’t know about others, but I’m still going to Challenge the Cycle!

Lori

Don’t see the video? Paste this link into your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpE0qtXi-o0

I was cycling through Kentucky and pulled into an O’Charley’s restaurant. I told the waitress I wanted to see the manager. When he came to our table, he asked deflatedly, “What have we done wrong now?” “Nothing,” I answered, “I just want to affirm you that your wait staff have treated us very well. I just wanted to tell you why I’m riding my bike through Kentucky.” It was a great opportunity to share the vision behind Challenge the Cycle. Watch the video beside this blog to hear how this conversation turned the manager’s day from a horrible one into a great one.

Lori

Don’t see the video? Paste this link into your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0t4SYfnvDE

On the bike trip I stopped in a few truck stops to “refuel.” At one stop I ran into a few good ol’ boys who teased me for riding my bike across the country. I challenged them with this: “If a 52-year-old girl like me can put that much skin in the game, maybe you can put $30 on the table to put one kid through the Teach One to Lead One program.” It got quiet. But watch the video clip (another one from the Finale) to see what one of those guys did in the end.

Lori

Don’t see the video? Paste this link in your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1lOD7lXLc0

News reporters and sheepherders, concerned friends and fellow cyclists, all ask me the same question: Why do it? Why ride my bike more than 3,200 miles to raise awareness for at-risk kids? I did it because of kids like Ricardo who walked in on his stepdad stabbing his mom. So Ricardo took a baseball bat to fend off his stepdad. The police showed up. The attacker went to jail and his mom went to the ICU. The principal of his school heard about this sad story and invited Ricardo to attend our Teach One to Lead One program. Watch the clip from the Finale celebration where I explain what happened to Ricardo as a result of being mentored.

Lori

Can’t see the video next to this blog? Paste this link in your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgeZrPT5nEk

I could not have done this Bike Ride without the support and affirmation of so many. It meant a lot to me to have the TSV (the support vehicle that looked like a bright yellow banana) come alongside of me and shout “Yahoo!” and “You go, girl!” and “Just 10 more miles to go today!” I had the courage to do one pedal at a time because I knew it was all for the kids. I may have been the one interviewed by some TV stations, but at the end of the day, I get to have a warm supper and sleep in a comfortable bed. What do at-risk kids get? Verbal abuse, negligence, and much worse. That’s why I’m telling the story about Maria and other kids I met along the way every chance I get.

At the Finale, I was presented with what Jose Maldonado called the “coveted yellow jersey.” That’s the video clip you can see today along with this blog entry. It was an honor to receive the jersey that means so much to cyclists on a challenging tour. But as I zipped it up, I was humbled knowing that so many of you also made sacrifices–with your time, talent, and treasure–to make this Ride the success it was and continues to be. I get to wear the jersey, but we all get to share in the victory that it represents.

Lori

Can’t see the video? Paste this link into your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erxcCQVq5X0

One final question that many have asked along the way…
“What’s next? What will happen next?”
I mention in this video that (thanks to you) we’ve raised enough funds for 5,200 kids to go through the Teach One to Lead One program. But that was recorded just a few days ago, and now that number is up to almost 6,000 kids we can reach! Won’t you help us reach the other 4,000 so ten thousand kids can be transformed? Thanks so much!
Stay tuned on the blog. I’m done responding to your interesting questions, but we still have some great clips and blog entries to share. So…let’s keep challenging the cycle!
Lori

Can’t see the video? Paste this link in your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R4Ut-6LUnc

I’m almost done answering your questions on this blog. Today I want to address these:
1. What was the biggest surprise about the trip?
2. What were the states you enjoyed the most?

That second question is a little like asking a parent, “Which of your children is your favorite?” My video response to this one reveals places in my life, past and present, that I value dearly. Enjoy.
Lori

Can’t see the video? Paste this link into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlINKoJ7xS4

Welcome to another day where I get to answer your questions. This time I reply to these two:
1. What were some of the animals you saw? Anything unusual?
2. Would you do it all over again knowing what you know now?
I appreciate you following this blog and emailing me your questions.
For the kids,
Lori

Can’t see the video? Paste this link into your browser to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWNLKHwP8D0

More questions, more answers. I talk about the challenges of the bike ride. Today I answer these two questions:
1. Besides the physical demands on your body, what emotional issues did you face?
2. Was it harder to cycle in the cold or in the heat?
You may be surprised by my answers. Share the blog with your friends. I read every comment that gets posted below the blogs.
I appreciate you,
Lori

Can’t see the video? Put this link in your web browser to watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnc6jS1vN1E