Around the Country in 121 Days
July 31, 2008 2:07 PM Subscribe
62 year old emergency physician John Hall and his wife Jane took off on a Bike Ride Around America to promote cancer awareness. They started on April Fool's Day, and completed their 12,000 mile journey around the perimeter of the country just today. Along the way they encountered hundreds of towns and thousands of friendly people, and a few not so nice. All in all, a pretty amazing accomplishment in my book.
I think it says something about me that I kept waiting for a "but..." in the post, and was somewhat confused when none came.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 2:24 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 2:24 PM on July 31, 2008
The website's structure is absolutely infuriating. I know that by default blogging programs show you the latest first and you scroll down to see older info, but I've given up on trying to follow their progress in order from day one. Reading an entry and scrolling back up the page to read the next article above it (But don't skip one!) is entirely more effort than this site seems to be worth.
It's a shame, I would've liked to read it, but don't want to spend needlessly extra hours in that effort.
posted by chimaera at 2:30 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
It's a shame, I would've liked to read it, but don't want to spend needlessly extra hours in that effort.
posted by chimaera at 2:30 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
CitrusFreak12: I think it says something about me that I kept waiting for a "but..." in the post, and was somewhat confused when none came.
"but... It's not really 'Bike Ride Around America', is it? More like 'Bike Ride Around the USA."
posted by splice at 2:34 PM on July 31, 2008
"but... It's not really 'Bike Ride Around America', is it? More like 'Bike Ride Around the USA."
posted by splice at 2:34 PM on July 31, 2008
chimaera, if you start at the Day 1 link, then click the Day 2 link just below the header you will go to the next day, then so on, and so on.
posted by netbros at 2:46 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by netbros at 2:46 PM on July 31, 2008
I don’t want to make this blog political, so I won’t, but must admit that I found this sign rather odd from the people who think an IV with morphine, valium and a paralyzing agent is cruel and unusual punishment for a child murderer.
charming!
posted by yort at 2:46 PM on July 31, 2008
charming!
posted by yort at 2:46 PM on July 31, 2008
People often abbreviate the United States of America as "America". It is convenient and unambiguous, since there is only one country in the world with "America" in its name. People who live in the US of A are often referred to here and elsewhere as "Americans." This will never change b/c of internet snarking. Sorry. I suggest you change your focus to grocery lines labeled "6 items or less." That is something we can change.
posted by found missing at 2:50 PM on July 31, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by found missing at 2:50 PM on July 31, 2008 [4 favorites]
...there is only one country in the world with "America" in its name.
Exactly.
United States of America is a country.
North America is a continental region.
Central America is a continental region.
South America is a continental region.
Many understand and accept the colloquialisms "America," "Americans" as to refer to a country and to those living in the "United States of America."
When the plural term "the Americas" is used, however, many do indeed interpret such as to indicate all of the lands of the 'Western Hemisphere,' or historically, 'The New World': North America, Central America (aka Latin America) and South America.
posted by ericb at 3:06 PM on July 31, 2008
Exactly.
United States of America is a country.
North America is a continental region.
Central America is a continental region.
South America is a continental region.
Many understand and accept the colloquialisms "America," "Americans" as to refer to a country and to those living in the "United States of America."
When the plural term "the Americas" is used, however, many do indeed interpret such as to indicate all of the lands of the 'Western Hemisphere,' or historically, 'The New World': North America, Central America (aka Latin America) and South America.
posted by ericb at 3:06 PM on July 31, 2008
I love biking and greatly admire their trip for a variety of reasons, but my butt taint hurts just thinking about riding ~100 miles per day for 121 days straight.
posted by mosk at 3:07 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by mosk at 3:07 PM on July 31, 2008
Thanks, netbros. I hadn't found the "Day 1 all by itself" incarnation of the article with forward/back links. I take back what I complained about above.
posted by chimaera at 3:44 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by chimaera at 3:44 PM on July 31, 2008
No big snark here, 'cause I love a good bicycling across/around America (or any other country for that matter) story, but I prefer reading about people who go for epic rides for No Particular Reason. Not to raise awareness, or raise money, or call attention to or away from something, but just because it's there. Just for the sheer joy of riding.
posted by fixedgear at 3:51 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by fixedgear at 3:51 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Speaking of long bike rides, if you can find it, The Long Ride is an interesting read about a four year bike ride around the world.
posted by starman at 4:09 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by starman at 4:09 PM on July 31, 2008
It's a bit earth-centric to say "around the world", without specifying which world you mean.
posted by found missing at 4:13 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by found missing at 4:13 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Ya know, I just don't know anybody who isn't aware of cancer.
posted by lattiboy at 4:15 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by lattiboy at 4:15 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
The website's structure is absolutely infuriating. I know that by default blogging programs show you the latest first and you scroll down to see older info, but I've given up on trying to follow their progress in order from day one. Reading an entry and scrolling back up the page to read the next article above it (But don't skip one!) is entirely more effort than this site seems to be worth.
It's a shame, I would've liked to read it, but don't want to spend needlessly extra hours in that effort.
Simplicity itself. Start with their first entry. At the top of each entry on the right, there's a link to the next entry. Use that and you can navigate entry by entry in sequential order.
posted by Shepherd at 5:01 PM on July 31, 2008
It's a shame, I would've liked to read it, but don't want to spend needlessly extra hours in that effort.
Simplicity itself. Start with their first entry. At the top of each entry on the right, there's a link to the next entry. Use that and you can navigate entry by entry in sequential order.
posted by Shepherd at 5:01 PM on July 31, 2008
It would have been more awesome (and logical) to do it for bicycle awareness.
posted by meowzilla at 6:40 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by meowzilla at 6:40 PM on July 31, 2008
Thanks netbros,
I loved the photos and the ride. Luv.LUV that coast. Been to some same spots —Eureka, Luved Ferndale. Visited that cemetary and don't miss the most amazing burger and garlic fries stand on the way out S of town. The hotel I stayed at was the wickedest./ I wandered into the town and was amazed at the find./ The sculpted topiary - big big trees in front of that hotel, was whack. Swam in that Eel River and esp The Lost Coast — Sinkyone Wilderness State Park — I stood amongst the elk there, while they grazed not 20' from me with their young.
What
is there not to love¿
The fact he organized the trip for a cause that touched him, seems very generous to me.
posted by alicesshoe at 8:20 PM on July 31, 2008
I loved the photos and the ride. Luv.LUV that coast. Been to some same spots —Eureka, Luved Ferndale. Visited that cemetary and don't miss the most amazing burger and garlic fries stand on the way out S of town. The hotel I stayed at was the wickedest./ I wandered into the town and was amazed at the find./ The sculpted topiary - big big trees in front of that hotel, was whack. Swam in that Eel River and esp The Lost Coast — Sinkyone Wilderness State Park — I stood amongst the elk there, while they grazed not 20' from me with their young.
What
is there not to love¿
The fact he organized the trip for a cause that touched him, seems very generous to me.
posted by alicesshoe at 8:20 PM on July 31, 2008
Damn hot body for a 62 year old man. DAMN hot. Inspiring me all over the place here.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 8:29 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by ethnomethodologist at 8:29 PM on July 31, 2008
Yeah, I totally borked it, Shepherd. netbros set me straight, though.
posted by chimaera at 8:30 PM on July 31, 2008
posted by chimaera at 8:30 PM on July 31, 2008
They have raised more than $100,000 for cancer research and support at the Susan Butcher Family Center and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. As mentioned in the prelude, cancer is the leading cause of death in Alaska, their home since 1978.
Susan Butcher was a four-time winner of the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska, including three consecutively. Susan died two years ago from leukemia at the age of 51. Lance Armstrong, of course, won the Tour de France bicycle race seven consecutive times and is a cancer survivor.
posted by netbros at 9:12 PM on July 31, 2008
Susan Butcher was a four-time winner of the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska, including three consecutively. Susan died two years ago from leukemia at the age of 51. Lance Armstrong, of course, won the Tour de France bicycle race seven consecutive times and is a cancer survivor.
posted by netbros at 9:12 PM on July 31, 2008
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Well, what can you expect ...
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:13 PM on July 31, 2008