June 19 — Hammond, IN to Chicago IL (40 Miles)

Happy Father’s Day

Good evening. I hope your Father’s Day was a good one. Speaking on behalf of the 20 riders yesterday, it was a very memorable experience. Hard to believe the Dads Honor Ride 2016 journey has come to and end.

We traveled 40 miles yesterday for a total of 1,393 miles since leaving Boston three weeks ago.

Yesterday started out with a police escort by the Hammond Police Department. They got the group of 20 riders, including four of the Hirsch kids (Dave, Amanda, Emily and Addie) through the city streets and onto the lake shore bike path that took us most of the way to Chicago. It was a bright sunny day with temperatures in the mid 80s and scenic views of Lake Michigan.

More Extraordinary Fathers

We met and honored some extraordinary dads again yesterday. We stopped at Armor Park for a picnic and to do some media with WGNTV and CBS2. From there it was off to six different Chicago Fire Departments and Police Stations to honor more first responders. Our final destination was Wrigley Field where we took a group photo in front of the marquee and then went inside for some infield photos.

This will be the last daily post. If you missed any of them or would like to go back and look, they all appear at the 21st Century Dads website.

If you have not already done so, please make a donation in honor (or memory) of your dad by clicking here to support our nine fatherhood charities.

For anyone who donates $100 or more, I will send you an autographed copy of my book. Amazon link here.  As a reminder, all the proceeds go to charity.

THANK YOU for your support and involvement. Together we are bridging the gap between children and fathers.

David

On field with Wilk, Tom Dreesen and some of the last day riders.

Wilk and Gary (AKA: Big Brother) having some fun behind home plate.

He’s finally being arrested for telling those bad jokes.

Addie getting some first aid after taking a very minor spill.

Selfie with Chicago Police Officer Mike Yzaguirre, a father of three boys.

CPD bike unit officer leading the way through city streets.

With Darrell, one of the Wrigley Field ushers and father of a 3 month old.

Week three riders from l to r: David Hirsch, Jeff Meckert, Kasia Wac, Kevin Masukevich, Mikolaj Topicha-Dolny, Darek Cupial and Dernard Newell.

Mr. Jenkins from Kanas City and Wilk exchanging greetings and swapping stories about their military service.

Scenic lake front shot.

Tim Ryan and his son Ben, who rode along in an enclosed carriage behind dad.

One more selfie.

First of four flats on the day.

Surrounded by my family on Father’s Day; l to r Dave, Emily, Amanda, Addie and Peggy. Not pictured Charlie who rode from Providence to NYC.

With Gary Music, a father of four and Army veteran.