2015 DADS HONOR RIDE PHOTO GALLERY
June 21 — Monee IL to Chicago IL (37 Miles)
Read blog post here.
A quick photo of the last day riders from l to r; Dariusz Cupial, Patryck Wierzchucki Bob Lee, Peggy & David Hirsch, and Jorge Solorio.
Selfie approaching US Cellular Field.
Fun times.
It’s time to celebrate.
We didn’t realize how strong Dariusz is.
Upon arrival outside of Progressive Baptist Church.
The last day’s riders; from l to r: Bob Lee, Patryck Wierzchucki, Jorge Solorio, Peggy Hirsch, and Dariusz Cupial (founder of Tato.net) who flew in from Poland to participate
Addressing the congregation at Progressive Baptist Church. From l to r: Laughton “Wilk” Wilkerson and Pastor Charlie Dates.
With Wilk and Tom at US Cellular Field.
From l to r; Lawton “Wilk” Wilkerson WWII vet and one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, David Hirsch and Tom Dreesen.
In the lobby of US Cellular Field, from l to r: Athena Mullen, Tom Dreesen, Jim Mullen, Maggie Mullen and John Mullen, Jim’s 93 years young dad.
From l to r; Tom, David and Gary Grube (AKA: Big Brother).
June 20 — Lincoln, IL to Monee, IL (151 Miles)
Read blog post here.
Brandon Reid, a real endurance cyclist and me, a poser 🙂
Pondering the finer things of life along the road.
Chilling for a few minutes with Gary Grube and Dariusz Cupial.
With Patrick who road well over 100 miles today. Way to go Patrick!!!!
Getting closer.
After 151 miles, this was a very welcome sign.
The effort it took on Day 20 to make the finish look easy.
June 19 — Edwardsville, IL to Lincoln, IL (122 Miles)
Read blog post here.
By the time we got to Chatham, just south of Spring the rain had subsided and I was able to connect with my sister Teri on her way home from work.
Getting closer.
Bikes this way.
Where did the smiles go?
All smiles as we head out for another 120+ mile day in the rain.
Taking a break with ride director Maciej left.
In front of the Old State Capitol with long time friend Carla Knorowski, CEO of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum Foundation.
With Dariusz Cupial and our Amazing Journey.
With Carla Knorowski and Troy Gilmore inside the Old State Capitol.
Gary (AKA: Big Brother) Grube who joined the crew for the last three days starting in Springfield.
Gary, Dariusz and Jarek at dinner at Guzzardo’s Italian Villa.
Only 7,500 calories today.
June 18 — Sullivan, MO to Edwardsville, IL (94 Miles)
Read blog post here.
Speaks for itself.
With good friend Nancy Yawitz, her 99 year old father, Aubrey, and Wilk.
188 years of wisdom between these two WWII vets from the Greatest Generation.
Still on course.
After 65 miles of riding in the rain, we finally arrived in St. Louis.
From l to r with Maciej and his son Patryck.
Standing at the Gateway to the West.
State number eight, the Great State of Illinois, on our 21 day odyssey.
June 17 — Lebanon, MO to Sullivan, MO (94 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
Never seen a white buffalo.
Quite amazing that in 2008 this river reached 34 feet, 14 feet above the flood stage and about 7 feet above the road. Can’t even imagine.
With Patrisha Decker, of the Pulaski County Ambulance District. She approached the RV and mentioned she saw us on TV last night, while we were in Springfield, and was excited to meet us. She also made a $100 donation. Thank you!!!
An ocean of wild flowers.
89 1/2 years young and still having fun.
I was pleasantly surprised to see this sign representing my beloved fraternity.
June 16 — Joplin MO to Lebanon MO (127 miles)
Read the blog post here.
Pretty serious about littering in MO.
Welcoming committee in Springfield.
With Steve Proffit, the BCFND coordinator, his son and three of Steve’s seven grandkids.
With CK Wright and Patryck W.
No serious damage, just a bruised ego for not making this three point turn.
Maciej on the spot.
The rescue team, from l to r: Lincoln, ??, Jared, Wilk (w bruised ego) and Maciej.
Water levels keep rising.
June 15 — Claremore OK to Joplin MO
Read blog post here.
A grandmother who wanted to learn more about and make a donation to the Dads Honor Ride.
Melissa and Dennis Clanton-Patrick, fourth generation owners of Cantons Restaurant in Vinita, OK with photo of her cousin and former IL governor, Jim Edgar.
Taking a break from the rain and doing a live call in to the Joel & Victoria Osteen Sirius Radio program
Relaxing at the local Outback Steakhouse and watching the Blackhawks wrap up their third Stanley Cup in six years. Great way to end the day.
Or in our case, let the adventure continue.
Presentning some Great Dad Coins to some dads over breakfast.
Lincoln getting the bikes tuned up before hitting the road.
June 14 — Chandler, OK to Claremore, OK (92 Miles)
Read blog post here.
On the outskirts of Tulsa.
Not sure what the statue of liberty was doing in front of Dominos in Bristow, but thought it would make for an interesting photo.
The epicenter for all things Kelly.
Rusty old buffalo.
One of the Dads Honor Ride donors. Hey, only 708 miles to go. I think I can do this.
Strategy session with Lincoln and Chris.
Great place for breakfast. Dates back to the 1940s.
All in all a relatively light day of riding compared to some of the days gone by.
June 13 — Weatherford OK to Chandler OK (100 Miles)
Read blog post here.
We stopped for lunch in Oklahoma City with Pamela Bale, long-time friend and OKC resident.
Possibly the world’s largest Route 66 sign outside the Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK.
Relaxing after another 100 mile day on the road with from left to right, young Dave, Lincoln Baker and Chris Miller, who is a US Army veteran from St. Louis.
A light day compared to most.
With Lincoln Baker, the Dads Honor Ride, ride director outside of Pribil Stadium home of the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Fighting Irish in Oklahoma City.
Another dividend after riding through the rain, a double full rainbow.
Cool Cat Lawton “Wilk” Wilkerson, one of our crew members along for the full 21 days. Wilk is the official photographer, 89 years young, a WWII veteran and one of the Original Tuskegee Airmen. He’s always upbeat and a pleasure to have around.
Heading out before what was sure to be a monsoon. Thank God we avoided the bulk of the storms.
Having some fun with young Dave on the tandem bike that Gayle & Skip Gianopulos provided for the Dads Honor Ride. I have new found respect for Lon Haldeman and his wife Susan Notorangelo, who 32 years ago (two weeks after being married) set the mall/female cross country tandem record, which still stands, as does their marriage 🙂
Toward the end of another nice day.
The start of a new day. Still smiling and with fresh legs.
June 12 — Shamrock, TX to Weatherford, OK (100 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
Looking a little dorky but hoping to stay dry.
And they’re off.
Using a gas stop to honor a local dad.
Time to get rolling again.
Traditional stop on old Route 66.
Big Tex and the rig.
Time to relax and reflect on the day just past.
Looking forward to a warm meal.
State number five, only three more to go.
Some of the Dads Honor Ride fan club.
We’ve got everything and then some.
A solid day but at a rather slow pace.
June 11 — Amarillo, TX to Shamrock, TX (102 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
The rig at sundown
With AM anchor Angie Winn after the in studio interview.
In studio at News Channel 10 in Amarillo.
God is good.
Nestled in the corner booth at Mitchell’s. L to r: with young Dave, Chris Miller (veteran rider and now crew member) and Lincoln.
Does everything seem a little greener in Shamrock?
Is everything greener in Shamrock?
Wilk doing a little chillin.
The crew staying in shape while the riders are pedaling their @*%#% off.
GQ Wilk.
No time to stop of a beer.
Mission accomplished.
June 10 — Tucumcari, NM to Amarillo, TX (110 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
Celebrating after riding the first 1,200 miles.
At the official mid point in Adrain, TX with young Dave who just arrived from Amarillo and is suited up to ride.
Another Cadillac Ranch photo.
Vega, TX.
Big Tex taking Mike Cruz’s ride for a spin.
After presenting Great Dad Coins to the Austrians.
With Mike Cruz, solo rider from San Diego, who left Santa Monica May 17th and is scheduled to arrive in Chicago on July 7th.
Or his.
Just another pretty face transitioning from NM to TX. I presented her granduncle with a Great Dad Coin.
With officer Martinez, Wilk and YDH
Can’t remember his name.
June 9 — Santa Rosa, NM to Tucumcari, NM (110 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
Red clay river.
They’re about the same age. Both looking stunning.
Chris Miller, an Army veteran from St. Louis, returns as a crew member to pilot the RV.
Dads Honor Ride 2015 rig.
Ditto.
Big Tex with a jack knife.
Very refreshing.
That’s where I got my newest favorite hat.
Oaky, let’s go swimming.
To swim or not to swim?
Relaxing after putting in 44 miles by 10am.
Tourist time
June 8 — Albuquerque, NM to Santa Rosa, NM (84 Miles)
Read blog post here.
Biker Mike while riding side by side with me before I realized I was on a dead end road. 🙁
Nice rainbow.
More flats.
Biker Mike from OKC with Lincoln after receiving his Great Dad Coin.
Ready to hit the road again.
Taking a break and enjoying a Dr. Pepper with Lincoln.
In-studio at NBC4 in Albuquerque.
June 7 — Gallup, NM to Albuquerque, NM (141 Miles)
Read blog post here.
One of my favorite selfie pictures.
Magnificent scenery at every turn.
Are you kidding me, another flat???
Shawn Taylor mugging for the camera.
Wilk living on the edge (of the Interstate) to get just the right photo.
Another random encounter. With Dr. Bruce Banner from PA after receiving his Great Dads Coin.
No wonder I was feeling a little short of breathe.
Time to refuel after a long day with Lincoln and Shawn.
Lincoln pumping up.
Wilk goofing off in front of the WOW Diner.
A Big day!!!
June 6 — Winslow, AZ to Gallup, NM (140 Miles)
Read blog post here.
A little bit of history about “The Mother Road.”
Outside the Petrified Forest.
After dinner at the Badland’s Grill.
State number three and it’s only day number six. Making good time and on schedule.
A random store front.
Classic
One of six flats in as many days all due to radial tire wires scattered everywhere.
Lots of miles covered in a relatively short time. Thank you God for the tail wind.
June 5th Cottonwood, AZ to Winslow, AZ (94 Miles)
Read blog post here.
Switch back city.
Beautiful forests too.
They lied, it went on for more than 1 mile.
Presenting another Great Dad Coin to Zak Farmer, an new dad. Also present are Shawn Taylor and Autumn DeLorne-Argent, the program coordinator for the BCFNDs program.
Happy to draw awareness to the local Boot Camp for New Dads program.
Elise Wilson, Aspen Pro Media, with Albert Pooley, founder of the Native American Fathers Families program, headquartered in Mesa, AZ.
Back to reality and the rain
110 mile day cut short by lightning
June 4 Wickenberg, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ (111 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
Early morning. Still not too hot.
With my favorite youngest daughter.
The Mile High City.
12 miles per hour on average. It was a very lloooonnnngggg slow day.
RV rescue team.
Tim Parker (USMC) & Wilk (Tuskegee Airman) embracing with tears rolling down their cheeks after exchanging a USMC coin.
Finally made it up here.
The Mile High City.
Great fauna and a reason to stop, take a photo and rest for a mom
Presenting Tim Parker with a Great Dads Coin. Then surprised to receive an Armor of God coin in return.
Armor of God coin received from Tim Parker, to help protect us during our journey.
Getting a ride back to the main road. That would be Addie in the pilot seat.
June 3rd – Blythe CA to Wickenberg AZ (114 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
Sorta in the middle of nowhere.
Every town has it’s own Post Office.
No time to stop, plus we don’t have an RV at this point.
After a nice meal and making a donation of 80 great dad coins to the Native American Fathers & Families program.
Presented them with a Great Dads Coin.
Enjoying a not so quite lunch. We’ll let Addie tell the story.
With favorite youngest daughter Addie, who is going to Indiana, not Pepperdine.
June 2 – Palm Springs, CA to Blythe, CA (130 Miles)
Read the blog post here.
With two grape pickers or are they banditas?
This is becoming a long day.
Time for lunch and some shade.
Really cool rock formations around every corner.
Courtney looking strong.
A road-side interview by the local NBC affiliate.
Presenting Eddie Luna with a Great Dad Coin.
Vance Palm doing an impromptu interview.
Receiving his Great Dads Coin.
With my favorite youngest daughter Addie.
Relaxing at the Rebel Restaurant from l to r: Lincoln, Chris and Courtney.
This was a really long hard day. This would not be sustainable for 19 more days.
June 1 – Santa Monica, CA to Palm Springs, CA (149 Miles)
Read blog post here.
Oh my God, the Dads Honor Ride has officially begun.
Posing with our police escort before embarking on the 21 day, 2,100+ mile journey to Chicago.
Lincoln getting some last minute instructions
Presenting the reporter with a Great Dads Coin.
Doing a Telemundo interview (in English). Coin.
We received quite a reception upon arrival at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, CA
It was a very warm reception
Our very first stop and the opportunity to promote, along with Greg Bishop, the Boot Camp For New Dads program at SFMC
Panoramic view from bike path on the beach
Someone had to get the first flat. It could be mine as well have been Courtney.
Still smiling after the first ten miles.
The first day was only supposed to be 125 🙂
May 31, 2015 Chicago, IL to Hollywood, CA (Ground Zero)
Read blog post here.
Relaxing the night before Dads Honor Ride 2015.
We made to LA safe and sound.
At Santa Monica Pier with favorite youngest daughter Addie.
On our way to LAX.
At ORD.
From l to r; Chris Miller, Courtney Riley and Tom Dreesen.
Pow Wow with riders, crew and other supporters.
The world famous Laugh Factory at 8001 Sunset Blvd.
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