Never the End, Just a New Begining

Dear generous folk,

as continues,

This is the fearless leader Joey speaking on behalf of himself. I am currently living in Port Angeles Washington and working for the Washington Conservation Corps/Department of Ecology. This blog is being thrown into the cyber universe via the posted up spot at my dining room table with a cup of coffee at my side, a mind full of memories, and a heart brimming with the love of life. I have come to type to you on this day, my finale of final blogs for the rain cyclists.
   How to start? Oh wait, I just typed a whole paragraph starting this... (NOTE: edit-delete). Now you can all see that I don't read my notes...
   I could not have asked for a better summer and a better summer could never be given to me. In life it is what you make of your time and how you spend your energy that dictates how your life is lived. This summer, I flowed. This summer was constant, and never in a bad way. I feel like I have so much kinetic energy built up from turning my legs into pistons that the phrase spring into life is a lowly comparison to how I feel. I try every time to answer questions that people ask me about my trip as fully as I can, but the only real answer I can give you all is as goes;
   A journey can be read in a book and engrossed with tales that give you an itch every time you glance out your window, wondering. What I know is this... It does not pay to sit and wonder. My family has a pirate party every year and this year I was lucky enough to finish my bike trip and be back on time for it in Wisconsin. This year I won an award at the party, the first time this award has ever been given. The award is for the pirate who had a great adventure and made the most out of the past year. This award is a ceramic plate with a quote on it from Marco Polo that reads, "I have not told half of what I've seen, for I knew I would not be believed." That quote sums it all up. I hope to have inspired all of the readers of this blog to get out and try something new. To get out and adventure for themselves, to do that thing you've always wanted to. To go to that place that you've wanted to go to your whole life. To just get out, be free. It's a giant world out there and from what I've gathered, its the nicest place in the galaxy.
   And if there are people that are reading this, persay, kids with arthritis, then I tell you this. I tell all of you this. If your having a bad day with your disease, or maybe your in the hospital getting an infusion and its just been a rough day, or few days, then READ. Books are the greatest escape you can ever have if you have no route of escape from where you are. Stories take you places you have never gone before. Stories literally shaped the way world is today. It is stories that create customs and fables that teach lessons and religions that waves of people follow. I don't think I would be anywhere without having had books and the stories of friends, family, and that random guy you talked to in the park. These books and stories you read will start to give you an itch, that look out the window where you just wonder. That wonder may be exactly what is putting my arthritis at bay. That wonder is what got me out to adventure, that wonder is what made me bike across the country. Who I biked for, the Arthritis Foundation, and why I biked, Kids Get Arthritis Too, are two of the most dear things to me. The Arthritis Foundation has changed my life, simple as that. The possibility to inspire kids with arthritis that you can beat your disease... now having done that is the best thing I have ever done in my life. This bike trip has been the most rewarding journey I could have ever had... and it was all part due to stories.
   I will leave on this. My greatest fear in life is living a life not worth remembering. It's not fame and fortune that makes me seek this goal. I want to be a part of stories. That when I die, what I have completed in my life is still inspiring people beyond my death. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. This bike trip has been a great addition to my standards of beating this fear I have. I encourage you all to try and live with this same fear as mine. It will push you to be a better person and will help you reach fantasy goals, like biking across the country...
   With all my love I extend to you an invitation to start a story today; either a book, perhaps one by word of mouth, but more importantly, yours.

Joseph R.D. Michels
 

Nate's Final Thoughts

My thoughts on the Raincyclists trip cross country.

It was a great trip.

To all of those who helped out along the way from day one on, thank you. Kate and her sister Marilyn thank you for being our follow car and getting us thru the desert and mountain passes. Tony and Diana from LA they bought us ice cream at the end of our first day. To life lessons learned like don't eat egg salad befor

e going back for another ride, or stopping in the middle of the day just to lie there sweating constantly, and than deciding to go back to biking while its still 120 degrees. Thank you glass elevator in CA for teaching me what to do when you see a sign that says 25 mph for a curve. Thank you desert for not just straight up killing me. That was nice of you. To whirlpool of death, awesome, i have never looked at a river the same. To the Grand Canyon, damn thats a big cravace. The red rocks of AZ, it was everything i wanted. Not going to lie i had a perma grin going on and even had some tears of joy from Congress all the way to flagstaff. Perfect.Celine our first companion to stay with us. Sorry i lost the hostage you gave us, but we lost him and never had anything bad happen to us the rest of the trip. So maybe it was letting a hostage go that brings good fortune. I dont know. Evey one has to try and find the movie DANGEROUS WORDS FROM THE FEARLESS. I want to know if it was a flop or if it turned out to be a pretty bitchin movie. Thank you David Doll for not only a large donation but general knowledge that i can baisically live off Spiz, im going to try that for a little while just to see what its like. It should be fun. WOLF CREEK PASS I love you. Its a brutal SOB of a climb but you know what. A lot of things will forever be compared to it. If you can climb Wolf Creek pass, you can... do what ever it is you want. Trinidad Man you made one hell of a Day Man. Thank you to all the church's that let us crash in their basements when it was + 100. Stever Doner and the whole Doner family, you guys were awesome. That storm was the closest thing to a tornado we saw. I digged it. If anyone wants to know about how to build something out of adobe find that man. His house is awesome and he's a really smart guy. Better Foolish and Happy than Sane and Sad. Centenial Party's Yaaaa! Free food, lodging, swimming, food and more food. Yup that's a party Montezuma, KS style "The edge of the world", not. FRAMILY!!! Witchita, KS your huge your flat but your people know how to throw down. Mac and Linda thank you for an awesome experience with everyone. Becky, Eureka,KS no questions if your traveling find her at the city pool. Fort Scott, KS find the Twin Lyons Mansion's ask for Pat and she'll take care of the rest. Simply put go to KS. Yeah its flat but they kept us in that state longer than any other because of the people. Joey's cousin and her husband, sorry i didnt write your names down, but thank you and dude damn you know how to cook. One of the top five best meals came from your kitchen. To my sister for surprising me by showing up at our hotel room. That was awesome! Arthritis Convention sorry didn't spend more time there. I was hanging out with my sister Hannah. I did move some chairs tho, and biked across country spreading awareness. Oberlin,OH Magpie Pizza absolute must go eat there ask Jim what the special is and than eat that, and everything else he makes because its all delicious. Anchor Bar in Buffalo,NY home of the original wings, delicious.Sol Borrito Rochester, NY also fabulous. Finger lakes, get a bicycle and just bike all through there drinking wine and enjoying the scenery. It wont be a wasted day, but you might be at the end of that day. Roller Derby Girls!!! The Royal Pains! Thanks for Party Rockin! Diane and Mark Van Dover it was great meeting you and thank you for a delicious meal. Denise and Donna Portsmouth, NH best bartenders ever. The Portsmouth Brewery, get there at 5pm, Cheers! Novare Res Bier Cafe, only go there if you like great beer with no blaring music or mind numbing tv. You go for the beer and the conversations. To the people of the Wild Folk Farm keep up the good work and i cant wait to come back to see how everything is going. Nola and Rick you guys are my parents of the east thank you so much for everything you did. Katahdin oh how you ruined me. It was glorious and victorious and laborious and indelible. Great times. I was fortunate to encounter all these people and so many more. It was a blessing to learn from so many people in some way shape or form. To those that were not mentioned im sorry i didnt write down every ones name but you know who you are and i thank you.Well it was a blast i got to know Joey and Matt better than i would have ever intended. It was an interesting combo. Loved the experience of traveling with some mates around to keep you company. They pissed me off time to time as im sure they felt the same towards me. They have a different style and a different history which made it an interesting group. Thank you Matthew Frintner and Joey Michels it was interesting and fun.

Thank you to all and to all a good night. It was a great trip.

Nate Martin

(it took me bout 2 1/2 hours to type this and now im going to bed)

September 8, 2012 12:38am.

The Mountain

Greetings all ya'll,

   Last time you heard we were getting ready to get a ride up to Baxter State Park and climb Katahdin. Well the ride went off without a hitch and we got up to the park with the help of Paul and Nancy. They drove us in their pickup truck and helped us get into the park and to our campsite. 

   We luckily got a campsite at the campground that we wanted because it said that they were all full but we talked to the park ranger and there was one available that we snagged. So Paul and Nancy drove us up to the site and dropped us off with all of our stuff and our bikes. We said our goodbyes and they left as quickly as a drop of water in Kansas. 

   Thank you so much Paul and Nancy for everything you did. It was a lot of fun and we love getting rides places now so your help was and still is much appreciated. Also the french toast was delicious. 

   Once they were away we set up camp and had some lunch. Shortly after that we got a little fire going and watched that for a few hours before having dinner and getting ready for early bedtime. You see our plan was to hike up to Baxter Peak so that we could watch the sunrise. The hike was about 4 miles from our campground to the peak and all the signs said that it would be an 8 to 10 hour round trip. With this in mind we decided to leave at 2 a.m. to get there around 5:40 when the sun was scheduled to come up. So we went to bed at 6 p.m. so that we could be up there. 

   The hike was a bit through the woods but then hit the rock slide that would account for most of the hard part of the hike. The "trail" was nothing more than a endless boulder field that gradually got steeper and steeper until it was what felt like straight up the mountain. Well we crushed the hike and reached the summit a bit too early. About an hour too early.

   Arriving at the summit at 4:30 a.m. we had some time to kill so we hunkered down to get out of the wind and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. By the way it was a bit cold on top of this mountain and all we had were pants and long sleeve shirts. So while we began to lose feeling in our fingers the sun took its merry time coming up. 

   It felt like forever but it finally happened. The sun rose in all its glory and we danced in its warmth. It was about this time that a pair of hikers reached the summit. They had hiked 40 miles in the last 24 hours to reach the summit and finish their thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. They walked from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine. Just over 2000 miles. Their names were Bearhat and The Sour Patch Kid.

     We conversed with them about the challenges of each of our journeys and what made them great. With the sun warming our fingers back to life and good company in the other hikers we sat in aww of what we had come up and the views that we could see all around us. It was a great feeling for us but I can not imagine what it must have felt like for them. Probably similar to how we felt seeing the ocean. It is such a long time coming that when it actually happens it is too much to take in at once and you really don't feel anything until you look back on the whole thing and realize what you have done. 

   My (Matt) personal feelings on the subject are that the beggining and the end are the strangest parts of the adventure because it doesn't feel like you have really done anything because when you start you haven't and when you finish it is just like any of the other 80 days except that there is an ocean or a mountain. It feel great but the real fun is all the stuff in between and the times you have getting places. When you sit back and think about all the things you have done and all the people you have met that is when you realize that it was never about getting to the other ocean it was about meeting people, seeing things and learning from others and teaching them a thing or two along the way. That is what makes this kind of trip so much different than one you might take in a car. You really appreciate every single day and what happens instead of just looking straight ahead at what is to come. 

   So anyways... after having some sentimental moments with the hikers we headed back down the trail to get back to our campsite and pack up and bike out of the park to somewhere. The way down the trail was much worse than the way up since every step has as much impact as hopping down a few feet except we had to do it a few hundred times. After a few hours we arrived back at camp and took a well deserved nap. zzz... 

   Upon waking up we started down the road with every intention of trying to find a ride as far south or east as we could. At this point we are all exhausted and really don't mind if we don't bike. Well it turned out that most if not everyone was heading into the park since it was a Saturday so we did not score a ride. After 25 miles we were in Millinocket Maine. You could call this the middle of nowhere. 

   Here we stopped at the AT Cafe and refueled on some grub before heading on the road toward the town we wanted to get to which was Lincoln. We arrived on the outskirts of Lincoln and starting trying to find a place to stay. Chuch number one. Locked. Church number two. Locked. It was just after church number two that Joey spotted a sign that said "bean supper" at a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) post number 1438. We doubted going up to it for a second and then we realized that we should never doubt things so we went up to the door, looked in and there were people! Yay! So we walked in and they instantly asked us if we wanted some food. We told them what we were doing and asked if we could stay there. All they said was that first we should eat. 

   So we got some beans, three kinds to be exact. Hotdogs, macaroni salad, potato salad, biscuts, raspberry pie and CAKE! To be short it was a lot of good food. We arrived about ten minutes before they were shutting down so we quickly ate our food and went outside to set up our tents because they said that would be alright. We were in our tents getting ready to sleep when a van pulled up and asked if we wanted to come back to their place and take a shower and sleep inside. 

   It was one of the ladies from the bean supper, Louise. She came back to help us out! Her and her husband, Bob, let us put our bikes in the VFW post and then we got in their van and headed back to their place which was a few miles away. At this point we took showers, watched a bit of the Redsocks game but it was going on a 18 hour day and we were so tired that we took our leave and went to bed. 

   We awoke this morning and had some delicious homemade egg, cheese and bacon croissants with fried potatoes. We then worked in another car ride to our next destination which I am blogging to you from now in Veacie Maine. Thank you so much Louise and Bob. You two were nicer than we could have imagined and today we are so sore from hiking and biking that the ride would have been terrible and we are forever greatful. Tonight we are staying with Charlie and Sarah who are yet another gracious warmshowers host. From here we go to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park tomorrow and watch another sunrise the next day. Stay tuned for our next blog and keep telling people to donate. We are still trying to reach 20,000 dollars! Good Bye, Good Bye, Good Bye!

DONATE HERE!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=93DA3ABDC27D42FDB8C386E4545DF82B&supId=355267381

 Katahdin. The most beautiful mountain.

 Sunrise from the top

 Hes got the whole sun in his hand

 Sitting on the edge of the earth

 If we had finished the AT this would be the end

 GLORIOUS!

 We can finally see

 Straight down

 You can see for miles

 Those lakes are pretty far away

 Smaller hills near the mountain

 EPIC!

 Nate don't fall!

 Panarama for days

Our trail was steeper than that. MUCH

Celebration ride begins!

Greetings persistent followers of adventure!
   I am getting a fare few amount of emails saying that we should keep blogging. Well, I will be, so turn that smile onto extra wide and ask yourself about the long face!
   Our celebration ride started yesterday as we made our way out of Portland from Rick and Nola's house. They actually gave us a ride into Portland to bike shop to check out pannier issues I had (I broke one latch). The bike shop couldn't help us any, they didn't have our panniers in stock. No fear, Rick and Nola let me borrow one of their L.L. Bean panniers! Not only that, they also helped us out by driving us half way up our 80 mile route! Which you may think is cheating... But we pedaled coast to coast, ocean to ocean, across this great country. Now, we can hitch a ride if we want!
   They dropped us off about 45 miles up the road, or in Maine words, "Bout an houah". We said our goodbyes, and said we will be returning their things on our way back through Portland! Thanks bunches Nola and Rick! I can't wait for my next visit to Portland!
   The ride to our next warmshowers host house was easy after 45 miles at 75 miles an hour! We arrived at Dorothy's house in Mercer, Maine around 3:00. She was gardening when we got there and she heard us roll up. With introductions out of the way, Dorothy showed us where we would be sleeping in her guest barn! Man, it was gorgeous. Rustic, old barn that is refurbished with a kitchen, bathroom, and two beds facing a beautiful prairie!
   Then she quickly showed us her home and got all the fixings ready so we could cook ourselves spaghetti! She then took off to her band meeting thing and left us to eat some delicious food and watch a show about the Kalahari Desert in Africa, therefore proving that jungle/deserts do exist. Sleep soon followed.
   This morning Dorothy made us some delectable  buckwheat pancakes! Then, continuing with the kindness of Maine and its pure ability to make you happier and happier, Dorothy drove us 30 miles up our route on what was another 80 mile day today! Thank you so much Dorothy for allowing us the use of your kitchen and your food while you were out!
   So today was about 50 miles into nowhere Maine. We are hanging out at another warmshowers house with a great couple, Nancy and Paul, originally from Michigan! Tomorrow, Paul is going to give us a ride all the way to Katahdin!!! WAHOOO! Maine we love! Also, we love Nancy's zuechinni/blueberry bread! Tomorrow, its french toast for breakfast!
   I tried to get Matt to do this post for you guys about his feelings of our epic journey. I figure it a good idea to let Matt and Nate get their ideas and feelings scrawled onto this internet book of books. BUT, Matt is said he was too tired and didn't want to type anything for our great followers! WHAT A POOPHEAD! (I would have asked Nate, but he was already asleep). Soooo Matt says he will EVENTUALLY get to doing that for you guys... I want everyone to comment about how lame Matt is for not wanting to thrill our readers with the glory of his internal feelings.
   Next time we blog, we will have reached the summit of the highest point in Maine on Baxter Peak! We will be on our way to Barr Harbor and Acadia National Park! Thanks for following everyone! Please continue reading and the donations page is still open! Also, I haven't gotten any complaints about the donations and the bike raffle and the only thing they've come up with for me to raffle off my bike is a silent auction in the future where peoples donations would then already not be recognized to win the bike. So, as of now, there is still no raffle! Sorry folks! But please, if you do have hard feelings feel free to email me at michelsjoseph@gmail.com
   Much love Planet Earth!

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 http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=3CD69F9344F74A9CA7D4E42591296382&supId=355267381

 Us with Rick, Nola, and Jen in front!

 pictures do no justice

 looking dumb

awww yea!

Salty but Sweet, Momma Atlantic!

GREETINGS!

   YESTERDAY WE DID IT! 3,450 miles on a bike from Oceanside California to Portland Maine while sowing seeds along the way for kids with arthritis! 

    We left Portsmouth around 9:30 and started out last toenail of the trip. Maine is kind of like a giant Door County... but honestly, it was tires on pavement with anticipation only to get to that spot where we were going to jump in the ocean. Get to that spot we did! We cruised along Cape Elizabeth to Two Lights rode, right down to the Lobster Shack and a small crappy beach on the Atlantic Ocean! Everything was stripped off down to just our bike shorts as fast as we could get these them. It was a great show of stage actors changing for the scene. Then, with glory and Eye of the Tiger being wrongly half sang/hummed, we ran into the salty sweet finish line!

   The ocean was cold, but it doused us with the knowledge of a giant accomplishment. It's cool waters bringing back memories of the other side of this landmass. While chilled and in the water, memories were spoken of of our journey. However, it didn't last too long, there was a Lobster Shack to go to! 

   We got ourselves some lobster and it was delicious, good job Maine! We sat right next to the ocean watching the birds and the people and devouring our prize. We chatted with a few people who were talking about how far they'd come for lobster... They all agreed we had won!

   Ocean to Ocean complete! After lobster we rode our bikes to a warmshowers host house in Portland, Maine. We were giving high fives to everyone possible on our ride, it was joyous! Big thanks to Nola and Rick for letting us stay and making dinner! You guys are awesome. Also, we got to hang out with Matt's cousin Jen. She took us out to celebrate and it turned out to be a great night. Greek music, beautiful people, beautiful Portland, good beer, huge leap for the Rain Cyclists!

   I am so glad to have met everyone we did along this trip! Nate and Matt would say that it is the people of this trip that was the best part. Part of me agreed, the other side of me says otherwise. The best part of this journey, for me, was every time someone said I was inspiring. Every time that a kid with JA at the conference passed me along in the hotel and shot me a smile and a wave. When they wanted those pictures taken because the thought I was a kind of hero to them. To go through this journey and to have inspired these kids and the people we met was my ultimate goal. I am pleased to say that, without a doubt, that goal has been met (just wiped away some tears).

   Our ride continues.... We are celebrating with a ride to Mt. Katahdin. Then to Barr Harbor, then back! We will be back in Portland on the first of Sept. with some media coverage for our journey! WOOOPIE!

Now.... The bad news: I was informed yesterday by the person who has helped me get this ball rolling with the arthritis foundation of some bad news. Since my donations website is on a North Dakota webpage (since it is a break off of the North Dakota "Joints in Motion" marathon page) Kelly informed me that it is illegal to hold a raffle in North Dakota without a raffle license. Until further notice, this raffle for my bike will put on hold until I can get more information! SO SORRY! I had NO IDEA that you had to have a raffle license and if the Foundation got fined, then this would be for nothing... So, we are trying to figure something out! Don't let this discourage you from donating though! I have everyones information who has donated for the raffle and I am going to hold onto it! Very sorry I had to tell you guys this... But I would still love to thank everyone for the generous donations! Everyone who views this blog, even if I don't know you, THANK YOU for becoming a part of my journey. You have all inspired me as well! 

P.S. If you have any comment or concern about the raffle, please feel free to email me at michelsjoseph@gmail.com 

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 The final state number 15 on our journey

 Not as cold as slide rock water but a bit saltier

 East Coast Psyteve at the Lobster Shack. What are the chances?

 One lobster dinner. Well deserved

 Yea the ocean with a light house

 World famous Lobster Shack at Two Lights

 Why not take a boat?

Rick and Nola in the back with cousin Jen in the front

"Eye of the Tiger" is about to Kick in!

Greetings slices home,
   Our journey of epic proportions is about to come to a close... Yesterday, our ride brought us to Portsmouth New Hampshire, half way between Boston and Portland Maine. We saw the ocean... The last time we saw the ocean we were looking the opposite direction, and now, we have left an entire country behind us. Hopefully a trail of inspiration, ideas, and lives changed, even if they're changed just a little bit.
   Our ride out of Boston was intense, we hit BIKE TRAFFIC! WHAAA? Once out of the city, we had a few just up and down rolling hills but soon, it became pretty flat and an easy ride. Eventually we crossed into New Hampshire, "Live Free or Die"! Once there, we took our first right off of Highway 1 to go and find Highway 1-A, the coastal route!
   Either a left or straight, left going along the coast, straight checking out that big body of water and beach. We started doing Eye of the Tiger, but had to stop to reserve it for today. But, we chose the straight route, if only just to have a looksy. BOOM! THERE IT WAS! This giant body of water, sloshing and rolling around all the way to the end of the Earth. A sigh of relief, a laugh because you just have to laugh about what you've done, and a whoop for the sake of whooping!
   We then continued our coastal journey along all 29 miles of New Hampshire along the beach. It was quite epic. A coastal breeze that was actually cool. The smell of fish and salt. The beautiful woman in bikinis and the random things people do while on a beach. People watching and bike riding, a great combination!
   Once we arrived in Portsmouth, we went to the Kirsten and Peters house whom we found on warmshowers. We all had ourselves a nice shower, then Peter took us on a bike tour of one of the best places I now know to be, downtown Portsmouth. First, he took us to get the best cookies at a bakery... sooo goood. Then he showed us the downtown, which is quaint but full of life. When we broke off we went to The Portsmouth Brewery, always a good place to chat with people about our bike journey.
   The bartenders Donna and Denise were kind enough to buy us each a beer and lunch! The Portsmouth brewery not only has good beer, but great food as well! Thank you Donna and Denise for you gratuitous show of kindness, CHEERS! We hung out at the brewery for a little while because we knew we were going to watch Jurassic Park at a free outdoor theater in Prescott Park! So we talked to the bartenders, the general manger Brennen and all the other people who wanted to hear our story. Brennen gave us some pretty cool free t-shirts, thanks Brennen, our packs our getting heavier on the daily! We handed out a bunch of cards to people whom all seem very interested in our journey and why we are doing it. Like I said, Portsmouth is great!
   After the brewery we met back up with Peter then went down to the park for one of my top 10 favorite movies, JURASSIC PARK! WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP! It was a free outdoor theater that was packed with pedestrians all wanting to see dinosaurs. Fantastic, everywhere needs a free outdoor theater!
   Now, it is today, for I was to tired to type this blog last night. But, it is our last day of the journey... The rest of the ride is Celebration! Though, we do have a press date in Portland for when we arrive back there on the 1st! Thanks for helping set that up Arthritis Foundation. So today is lobster, and jumping in the ocean. Today is Eye of the Tiger for real. Today is the period to our journey. I don't want to jump the gun and say "WE DID IT", so I will wait, but just so you know, I did just say that.
   Please everyone, continue to donate! you can even after we make it to Portland AND EVEN AFTER INTO SEPT! You have a chance to win my bike! I will get pictures of it I promise! It's really cool! Remember to email me your name and how much you donated! If you want to just donate, and rather have my name on the ticket, just email me said information and then I may have a chance to win my bike back! Thanks everyone! POST THIS ON ALL YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES!

DONATE BELOW!

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 State number 14 only one more to go!

Yea that's the ocean

 On a big screen outside

Welcome, to Jurassic Park!

Hello Boston!

Greetings humans,
   Today, we are broadcasting live from Boston Massachusetts! We are staying with a friend of mine, Dianna, from the Montana Conservation Corps. It is always good to see friends whom you haven't seen in awhile!
   Our ride this morning was really easy, I'd venture to say under 8 turns in total (that is no Kansas though). To fuel this morning ride we had breakfast at Dinkies Diner in Bolyston Mass. The food was good, and the vibe was kinda ridiculous. Still, it was food in our bellies and fuel for the day to come.
   We only had 33 miles today, which is wonderful. The leisure days after having a few hard days is a great to recuperate. We got a tad lost with Matt and his directions always being wrong. Sooner than later, we found our way!
   We had some great fruity frozen thingers then went out for some Clam Chowda! We all must agree, it was completely delicious... We were skeptical, having never had good clam chowder, and then again, we had no bias. Since the time has come and gone, we can say that Boston has the best Clam Chowder EVER! (bold claim...) Our waitress was amazed at our epic journey, and we thankful for her amazedness.
   Now we are here hanging out back at Dianna's playing Jenga and talking of Ol' stories from the past! Memories are being rewritten told through weary teeth due to the decay of time and the slights of change. No matter how you look at it, Memories have been written today as the first day the Rain Cyclists hit Boston!
   A few things about my Trek 520 before the blog post ends! Please, if you donate, email me your name and the amount you donated! Also, I am taking quite a gamble on donating this bike. It has changed my life and I can continue other adventures just like this adventure and all the while continue to be an advocate for the arthritis foundation! So please, make this exciting for me when I pull the lucky ticket! I don't want to have to pull from only 10 tickets... Thanks again everyone, please donate and continue to post my blog and bike raffle on your social networking sites! Plus, if you feel like donating, and do not want my bike.... Then please donate anyways, I will then put my name on the ticket to see if I cannot win my bike back! So if you donate and do not want my bike, then email me saying the amount donated and then say you want my name to be on your ticket! THANKS! michelsjoseph@gmail.com (don't forget to email me when you donate)

Donate Below!! IF YOU DONATE $50+ YOU WILL GET YOUR NAME IN A RAFFLE FOR MY BIKE!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=3F28D6D8E0094221943BAF4F98F39DC0&supId=355267381

 Nate on Diannas Porch

 I don't know how I look this dumb...

 There was once Clam Chowda in that bowl...

Crushing Jenga!

Give everything, take nothing.

Greetings followers and readers,

   Today just so happens to be your lucky day! I won't tell you much about our ride today besides a few things. First, we are currently in Bolyston Mass. at family members of Nate the Wranglers. They have made us a delicious dinner, and we are watching Armageddon! Second, we stopped while biking to use the restroom at http://www.roadhousecafe.net/ Roadhouse Cafe in Belchertown Mass. We told them what we were doing and they were inspired by us. That is such a good feeling when someone tells you that. Then, they gave us some free raspberry coffee cakes! Thanks a bunch! Lastly, we met some kind folks, fellow cyclists of Paxton Mass., along our route that gave us some water, an Allan Wrench, and some friendly conversation. Thanks, keep up the biking for good causes! And lastly, thanks to Trisha and Dale for the contribution to the Arthritis Foundation that we will put in to the foundation later!

   THE NEWS!

   As most of you probably know, our goal of donations raised via this bike trip is $20,000. A goal that I thought completely possible, something that, in the end, we could have accomplished with gusto. As of now, I have realized that with the amount of days left, this goal now seems preposterous. Unless everyone we have met donated within these last few days just $10 dollars, I don't know if my goal will be reached!

   As most of you know, our bikes were from a very generous donation. Without this donation Matt, and Nate would probably not be on this trip with me. A donation that allowed us to traverse this country in hopes of raising our proposed goal. As of now, the money we have raised during this trip is actually awesome. We have raised $4,217.58! That is great, I know this money raised will go to good things. Although, as said before, it is minor in comparison to $20,000!
   To help boost our donations, I am proposing this. A raffle for my Trek 520 touring bike. a $50 dollar donation will get you 1 ticket. a $100 donation will get you 3 tickets, a $200 donation will get you 6 tickets, a $300 donation will get you 10 tickets, a $400 dollar donation will get you 15 tickets, and a $500 donation will get you 30 tickets!
   The Arthritis Foundation is throwing a welcoming home party for us on Sept. 7th in my our hometown of Fond du Lac Wisconsin. At 11:59pm on Sept. 7th, the raffle ends. However many tickets you have purchased will go into a hat and will be mixed up thoroughly! If your ticket is drawn, you will be the proud new owner of my (fearless leader Joey) Trek 520!
   This is very hard for me, I would love to continue my journey around the world and be able to do it all on this wonderful bike. But what I want all of you to know, is that this journey, as much as it was for me, it is more for kids with arthritis, for adults with arthritis, and also other auto immune diseases. To inspire people, mostly kids, with R.A. that there is hope beyond their disease. Inspire kids to be optimistic about life, that even though they have this horrible disease, they can still be and do whatever they want in life, as long as they try!
   The best part about this whole trek across the country, is that multiple times I have been told I was inspiring. This trip has brought what could possible be a permanent smile across my face. Give everything, take nothing. After my flare late last year/early this year I have spent my days working toward this goal. Getting bikes, setting up a donations page, planning a route, local fundraising, plus an actual job just to make this bike trip possible. As we are merely days away, a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, a dream is becoming true.
   Without a doubt, I feel I deserve this bike that I am riding! It has been my home this summer. Without this bike I have no idea where I would be right now... This bike has been my expression, my tool for advocacy for the Arthritis Foundation. This bike has been the joints I wished I have always had. This bike has become a part of me as it has carried me across, soon to be, 15 states and has changed my life.
   I can only hope two things can happen from me raffling off my bike. One, is that whoever receives this bike will continue its story. To trek across countries of their choice and carry someone else's cause on its shoulders. Two, that it becomes something like a symbol. A symbol to show that no matter your dream, you can always succeed!
   So please, make a donation and get yourself some raffle tickets! This is a $1,500 bicycle and it could be yours with a donation of just $50 (HOWEVER THE MORE YOU DONATE THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES)!!! Whatever amount that you donate, please email me at michelsjoseph@gmail.com with your name and number and amount that you donated! I already get emails of who donates, but I don't get the amount they donated! So please, I will know if you are lying so don't try and cheat! If you are the lucky winner, I will mail you my Trek 520! I will give you a call and get your address, and the bike will be in the mail by Sept. 15th! We will take a video of the drawing so everyone knows we are not cheating anyone! I will take some pictures of my bike for everyone to look at tomorrow when we are in Boston! it is a Trek 520 Touring Bicycle that is 57 cm. in size!
   I will probably cry when I send this bike to the lucky winner. I actually cried about it while thinking about me leaving the bike today... Give everything, take nothing. Take nothing but the most important things. The things I am filled with from this journey, the intangibles.

DONATE BELOW FOR MY BICYCLE!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=4A42D791DB8341AF888F29CA8ACB0769&supId=355267381

Any questions, please email me! michelsjoseph@gmail.com 

THE RAFFLE STARTS THE SECOND AFTER I POST THIS BLOG!

check out Trek 520's off of Treks Website: here is the link: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/touring/520/

Massachusetts to Sam's house

Hello all you homo sapiens sapiens,

   I (Matt) am coming to you live from Sam Kerstetter's couch here in Northampton Massachusetts. Now you may be asking how we got here. O let me tell you a tale. The last time we left you we were in Manchester Vermont at the battenkill bike shop. Amy and Robin returned from their bike ride at 10pm just as they said they would. We got inside and passed out right away. 

   Our morning started with coffee, bagels with cream cheese and fruit salad. It was delicious and the bagels were actually toasted which is a delicacy for us. This breakfast was cooked up for us by Amy and Robin. They were extremely gracious and made their home our home. 

   After breakfast we packed up our stuff and headed on our day out of the Green Mountains and into Massachusetts. Our day started nice and leisure with lots of other bikers going the other way into Manchester. After a quick ride we were in Bennington and took a left and started climbing a mountain out of the Green Mountains. The climb was not as steep or as long as some of the other ones we have done but it was still a "good pull." 

   I (Matt) took the lead and crushed the climb in just under an hour while Nate and Joey took the leisure route and finished just 10 minutes after me. We then biked around the top of the mountains for a while before coming back down. We then got a bit lost and had to ask for some directions but we did not get very far out of our way. Before we knew it we were in Massachusetts and stopped for a quick pick.   Massachusetts for the rest of the day was all down hill until we got to the place we were going to stay. 

   Their road was straight up a mountain and was a great way to end one of the hardest days we have had. The place we ended up staying was Katywil community ecovillage. This ecovillage is headed by Bill Cole. We found him on warmshowers but turns out that Bill had no idea that he was even on warmshowers. Even though he had no idea he had no qualm with letting us stay at his house and feeding us pizza, an organic salad and some beers. We hung out with Bill and his friends and had a great time before hitting the hay and getting ready for a short day into Northampton. 

   The morning started with coffee and fresh baked blueberry scones. The blueberries were picked fresh on the farm. 

   We got our stuff together and headed down to one of the other houses where Charles showed us his house and all the energy saving things that he built into it. Before stopping at Charles house we were stopped by some of the other members who we talked to and took some pictures with. After leaving Charles house we hit up a fresh spring that he told us about and got some water. 

   Our ride was pretty easy taking us only 40 miles to Northampton. Once here we got to Sam's house and after a bit of catching up we went on a ride to "go for a dip" in some refreshing water. We went to Sam's friends house and she made us up a snack that ended up being a whole meal. We had tomotoes, cucumber, cheese, bread and chocolate milk. All that in sandwiches except the milk. It was great and then we went up to the river to jump in the water. 

   It was very cold but not as cold as slide rock. After gettin wet we got into a pretty good 2 on 2 basketball game with Nate and Sam beating me and Joey. With another quick dip in the water we set back off for Sam's house to have a few beers and get some dinner. We had pork tenderloin and corn on the cob. Way too good!! 

   Then Nate's friend Alex from Fond du Lac just happened to be in the area so he met up with us. Well now I'm tired and ready for bed so to all a good night. Remember to tell your friends to donate and just so you know we have climbed over 100,000 feet over our trip and we are two more biking days from the ocean!!!!!!

DONATE HERE!!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=B0A5C5DF815B46D49412C6851FD454BD&supId=355267381

 The Rain Cyclists with Hudson the dog, Amy and Robin

 Goodbye Green Mountains

 They will be comin round the mountain when they come

 Joey no longer has those shoes

 Nate enjoying the cool river

 Lake in Vermont, they have them too

 Massachusetts I think we're here

 Bill and Gale with the raincyclists

 Ecovillage house with their mountain in the background

 TURKEYS! GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!!

 Look at that CORN. Over 6 feet tall

 Sam lookin great no doubt

 Homemade salsa from Sam's mom

And a closeup of some cherries

Green Mountain National Forest

Greetings Egyptian Foot Gods,

   Hello ya'll, from lovely Vermont! 

   Today's ride from Glens Falls was a dandy one! only 45 miles in total into the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont! Our morning was wonderful because we stopped at Sam's Diner in Glens Falls for breakfast. Yum, the service good, the people good, the omelets better. It was great fuel for our ride today, thanks!

   Once we made it into Vermont, we stopped at the first farm we saw that had cheese. Well, here it is folks, what you have all been waiting for. Vermont cheese is good, but it is clearly and unmistakably second to the better state of Wisconsin! WOOP!

   Then, the next farm down the road had a sign for pies, and of course we love pies. We rolled up and didn't know where the pies were being held captive. We decided to go into the door that said RAW MILK and hope for the best. Before the door, however, we were chased out of the yard of the house by 2 geese! Like scary honking geese... Sorry, back to the door... We entered and there was a fridge with no one around. There was great looking milk and pie in the fridge up for grabs, but we had no money and we are no thieves so we let the pies be...

   Upon walking out of the RAW MILK door, the geese had made the 60 yard trek down to meet us and once again set chase. They honked, got closer, spread their wings and taught us to fly... Fly right outta that farm for not buying any milk or pies! Great watch geese, I'd buy one if you don't want a dog...

   The rest of the day was easy. I lied. It was easy all except for one climb. It was a 3 mile climb, but most of the climbing came at the end with a good pull of about 500 ft. in a very short section. Matt thought the climb to be around 14% and that is after saying he was never more thankful for gears one and one. 

   We got to our destination, a bike shop in Manchester Center Vermont called Battenkill Sports Bike Shop where the owners are letting us stay in their abode. Once here, the guy working at the bike shop showed us an awesome website where you can see the grade of climbs and how much you climbed in a distance via something like google maps. He then proceeded to show us that the hill we climbed earlier today maxed out at the top around 18%! Point that should be taken here, that is a very hard climb.... VERY... Also, Matt just has no idea what he is talking about, perhaps he is blind.

   Robin and Amy, the owners of the bike shop are touring cyclists themselves. They work 11 months out of the year, then for a month they go tour somewhere. They have toured Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, America, India, and I am sure many other places. What I took from them was this. Work hard, play harder. They are being generous and letting us stay, however they are currently on a 50 mile bike ride somewhere and won't be back for another hour. We are just hanging out on their back porch checking out things and typing the blog for all yall peeps and homies out there!

   6 bike days to Portland Maine. Donate! Please! 

DONATE HERE!!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=41167F57B9A640CCA71BC4A3E543994B&supId=355267381

Entering Vermont?

Green Mountains to the right

Chevy commercial

                                      

 Yea we jumped that

 These pictures do the mountains no justice

 Highest point in Vermont Mt. Equinox

 Its glorious

The sky is on FIRE