From Fog to Celebration

In a Fog- That's how I felt during most of the preparations for 60 for Hope. My idea was not well formulated with "time tested strategies" for reaching the goals. It was more like a middle-of-the-night dabbling. But now I know fog as a friend! On the morning of the ride, fog was a cooling friend that added sparkle to my skin and hope for a comfortable ride day.

Elements of fog surrounded the ride goals of 60 riders and the fundraising traget of $60,000. This fog lifted to reveal incredible gifts - 65 riders/joggers plus 4 individuals who raised funds but due to unexpected happening were not able participate in the ride.

The most dense fog covered the $60,000! Was it insane to set such a goal in this economic climate? Now in the brightest of sunlight, I proclaim that we not only reached, but surpassed this goal - $62,124 has been raised to date!! Light is beaming into the lives of homeless single moms and their children because of this record support from a vast community! We had an incredible number of donors- at least 525 individuals from 16 states and 2 other counties!

Wow! Beyond my wildest dreams, indeed!

With the fog of planning and training for this event now lifted I discovered many wonderful, unexpected outcomes to celebrate:


1. Affirmations from across the country to my mother for her courage and dedication as a single parent. There were many heart warming notes that accompanied donations in her honor.


2. An enthusiastic cheer from Bridge of Hope moms when the 60 for Hope fundraising results were announced at a Bridge of Hope night!

3. One-third of the $62,124 was given by people who were first-time donors to Bridge of Hope's minitry! I am blessed by this amazing support from new donors who have generously taken Bridge of Hope's minitry to single mothers and their children to heart.


4. The fun of linking two women as 60 for Hope riding partners and learning that they continue to ride together.

5. Setting an all-time high for fundraising and rider participation as a charity in Dream Ride Lancaster. We raised more than triple the amount of any previous record.

6. Ongoing interest in this ride from news publications and people I pass on the street- the word of this ride has definitely spread far and wide!

7. Friends who drove the distance to ride with me - from Indiana, Virginia, Maryland!

Mother and I celebrate with much joy the way a whole community came together and surrounded our dream with incredible affirmation and generosity! We are filled with much hope for other single mothers and their children - and know the fog is lifting to reveal the kingdom of God at work here on earth!! Thank You! Thank You!

And Now for the Drum Roll!

“Why should I read that?” were the words from my mother’s mouth when she was handed a paper and asked to read the amount of $58,900 written there! Truly Mother and I were both shocked by this outpouring of generosity toward our $60,000 goal! I'm fully confident we'll reach our goal and beyond in coming days.

Thank you to all for helping to build a “community of hope” for homeless and at-risk single mother and their children on this day! Truly the wonderful generosity of each rider, each donor and each volunteer are gifts Mother and I will forever recall! May God be praised!

Read Ride Day detail and enjoy a few photos in blog posts below.

That Kathryn!

Ok, by now you know that my mom, Kathryn Hess, is an incredible woman! With the same steady dedication and “can do” mindset with which she has tackled life, Mother rode back and forth on the farm lane until she achieved her goal of riding 5 miles! Pedaling beside her with equal enthusiasm were her great grandchildren, Dylan (6) and Mia (4). I was pleased they took over after my mid-course victory lap with my mom.

Fog, Whistles And Rowdy Fans!

Saturday dawned with cool air and cloudy skies, providing pleasurable riding for the first few hours. Due to morning fog, the start of our ride was delayed until 6:15 a.m. Ten miles into our ride at the first water station 4 more friends joined our growing entourage which by day's end reached 60 riders. At the crest of the hill on Kraybill’s Church Road, we enjoyed a momentary time warp when we passed a horse-drawn crop sprayer on the road. And one mile later we were greeted by a huge crowd of cheers, whistles and fanfare at the end of the farm lane where I grew up. Notable among them was Mom, who sat perched on her adult size tricycle wearing cutest riding bonnet and her 60 for Hope T-shirt. She was obviously ready to roll!

See additional ride day adventures in next blog

Fog Lifts Before Mile 42!

The fog was nearly gone by the time we pedaled the first half of the ride. After giving hearty hoops and hoorays for riding companions who finished their ride with mile 30, Harley and I refilled our water bottles and headed out for the second leg of our adventure. We were a riding two-some for most of the sunny trek back to my childhood home. As we pedaled up Airport Road several parachute jumpers floated overhead rekindling my girlhood memories of lying in the grass on sunny afternoons to watch colorful figures such as these drift from the sky. At the water stop we paused with another group of fans to watch them land.

It was great fun to ride to the end of Airport Road with our grandchildren, Dylan and Mia! Although they didn’t understand all the implications of this ride, they certainly caught the vision of something larger than grandma and grandpa was going on here. Inspiration for the final 15 more miles ahead came in part, from new riders who joined us here – my Uncle Dick, who traveled from Goshen, IN and teenage cousins, Isaac and Reuben Zeigler, who had early morning farm chores! Midway between the next water stop, Reuben turned off to the home of a friend and Uncle Dick pedaled a route of his choosing past landmarks from his boyhood neighborhood. But Isaac remained a committed riding partner to the end of our 60 mile adventure!

Victory Lap!

By now the full heat of the mid-day sun urged us to find shady spots for quick sips for water. And I knew that Stackstown Road, the most tedious part of the ride, was just ahead. This road leading into the village of Maytown is a great road to drive if one enjoys the sensation of a roller coaster ride! Just 5 more miles to our final destination! My stamina was waning as I’d crest one hill, thinking it was the last only to see another up ahead! My speed dropped to a near crawl until I sailed downward again!

With Route 441 just coming into view, a driver in an oncoming car shouted, “Yeah, Kate, you did it!” It was Jamie Bricker and her husband Matthew who had already finished his 60 mile ride. Just one more mile, making it 61, Isaac, Harley and I rode across the finish line to the whistles and cheers of family and fans! Adrenalin still pumping we rode a second victory loop with Dylan and Mia under the celebration arch!

PARTY TIME!

A crisp evening breeze welcomed guests to the perfect setting for the post-ride celebration in the Keefer’s barn. A buffet of freshly roasted pork, baked beans and assorted salads drew the crowd to the “feeding troughs” like cattle in bygone days. Cousin Bob Hess roasted an absolutely amazing pig which was served with an over-the-top sauce made by his wife Sharon! I was overwhelmed when I learned that Bob stayed up all night to roast this pig to perfection! Later guests enjoyed four fabulous flavors of Carmen and David’s ice cream, three options of cake and assorted cookies made especially for this day by my dear mother.

Before serving dessert, Bridge of Hope board member and ride committee chair, David Hollister, recognized lead ride sponsors by name and presented gifts of appreciation to the three adult riders who raised the most in pledge support Toby Leaman, my husband Harley and my brother Dwight Hess.

David also recognized were two youth riders: Derric Stoltzfus – a 15 year old 60 mile rider who raised $1,500 and Ellen Harnish – a 13 year old, 30 mile rider who was our youngest rider to raise sponsorship support for 60 for Hope.

More party highlights below.

What a Gift!

“Why should I read that?” were the words from my mother’s mouth when she was handed a paper and asked to read the amount of $58,900 written there. Francesca Crane, Bridge of Hope’s executive director, quick explained it was the total raised for 60 for Hope. Truly Mother and I were both shocked by this outpouring of generosity toward our $60,000 goal! Together guests joined in song, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!
And in thanks for all she and done and her example of generosity, I presented Mother with a decorative tricycle filled with a flower arrangement in her favorite colors. Stop by Mother’s house for a visit and I can promise she will treat you to cookies and proudly show you this decorative tricycle filled with a flower arrangement in her favorite colors she was given to remember this day.

Guess who is 60 on my next blog!

Look Who is 60!

After this incredible announcement, special recognition was also given to Christie Hurst who ran a marathon this past spring to benefit Bridge of Hope. And of course the party included a cake and song for all in the crowd who were turning 60 this year!

Music by Starlite, a delightful father-son duo was the perfect culmination to a fabulous ride day and party!

Thank you to all for helping to build a “community of hope” for fatherless children on this day! Truly the wonderful generosity of each rider, each donor and each volunteer are gifts Mother and I will forever recall! May God be praised!

The 60 for Hope Team

An exceptional team of riders and sponsors carries us into the 60 for Hope ride. As of today, 144 supporters have given $28,815 to end homelessness. Check back Sunday for an update on what additional support Saturday brings. With this kind of teamwork, single mothers can hope again!

Influence in High Places?

Nope, I do not have influence with people in high places. I’m not a personal friend of Bill Gates. Nor have I had an audience with the Queen of England. And I’ve not booked a marketing agent or a 60th birthday campaign committee (well, perhaps I have in the form of riders who are soliciting sponsors). It was with mustard seed faith that the $60,000 goal was set with Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties' Board of Directors.

Wonderful generosity has come from many places in honor of my mother--guests mother has hosted in her home, nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends who admire the woman I call “Mom.”

One day’s mail to Bridge of Hope brought a sizable gift from a volunteer at a charity where my mother donates significant time. Other gifts have come from businesses mother patronizes. Indeed, it is a joy to receive these gifts in her honor, many with notes of appreciation for her and affirmation of the 60 for Hope ride.

Equally inspiring are the stories from those who are riding with me. Last week I was deeply touch to hear the success of a youth rider who has received commitments of $1,500--and it's this rider's first association with Bridge of Hope! The pledge sheet of another youth totals $600. Truly those who have committed to pedal some miles are finding an amazing spirit of generosity in our community.

Likewise I have a host of wonderfully generous friends; believers in Bridge of Hope's mission to homeless mothers and their children. Even in this economic time, gifts have come from Maine to Kentucky, Indiana to Colorado and places in between! Awesome!

Each giver is placing confidence in the goals of this ride. And each donation helps to build a “community of hope” for fatherless children! Maybe this gang of riders does have influence in "High Places.” God be praised!

Together we wait and pray for the unfolding of 60 for Hope and a $60,000 miracle!

Anniversay Day Ride

Today Harley and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. I began the day with an early morning bike ride. At mile 38 I paused to phone Harley to proclaim my love and “Happy Anniversary.”

38 miles in 3.8 minutes per mile… Not! Although my average speed has increased with training, my best mile per hour average is 12.

Harley has been a great encourager as I’ve trained for 60 for Hope. Well, actually he’s been a cheerleader time and again over the years! And he’s come through fabulously once again! He’s going to ride with me next Saturday. And although his average pace is significantly faster than mine, he’s going to ride at my speed. What a caring guy, I’ve got!

I returned from 41 miles, my longest training ride thus far. I was pleased that I had great energy throughout the day. It was a wonderful day as we headed off for quick get-away at a charming B&B and elegant dinner.

Today’s ride solidified my confidence. If I can ride 41 miles and not return home depleted of energy – I can ride 60 – especially with Harley, my best cheerleader riding beside me!

Whose Crazy Idea Was This Anyway?

60 miles? What was I thinking? Non-athletic me, setting a ride goal like this at the brink of “old!” I think I can, I think I can gets me to mile 30. Hopefully ride-day adrenalin and great biking comrades will push me forward for a full 60 miles on July 25th.

60 riders? This goal would be a cinch, I thought. With over two weeks from the ride date on July 25, I just need 3 more people to sign on! I wonder who they will be.

Most people I know can ride a bike. Some are avid riders like my cousin Amelia, a full-time educator, who rides 30- 40 miles every day – amazing woman! I’m so honored she is joining my ride. High school classmates, Toby and Marlin, are distance riders, you know, the ride across PA types. I was confident they’d join this ride. Then there’s Gale, my racing rider, nephew and regular bikers to work, Jean and Philip. New to the riding circuit is my good friend, Barb, my sister in-law Cheryl and my brother Dwight. Horary for their spunk in accepting this challenge! The list goes on – some, like Willean, who haven’t biked for years are stepping on the pedal. Uncle Dick and Aunt Joy are driving from Indiana, cousins and friends are coming from Virginia. The list goes, on - my pastor is riding, friends from church, board members and their friends. Each rider is a special gift to my mother and me and our goals! Special thanks to each one!

30 Mile Tour - Dream Ride Lancaster

My ride is part of the 14th Annual Dream Ride Lancaster 30 Mile Tour.

So many of you can join me, I am riding the route twice for a total of 60 miles. You are welcome to start with me at the Riverview Elementary School at daybreak, approximately 6:00 AM or you may join me along the way.

For families riding with children or for those who wish to ride at an unhurried pace, the best place to join me is at 197 Airport Road, Marietta, the farm/home of Dwight and Cheryl Hess (and my childhood home). Bridge of Hope is sponsoring the water stop at the end of the farm lane. If my calculations are right, I should be there around 7:15 and 10:15 AM.

The six miles stretch between this location and the next water stop at Bossler’s Mennonite Church on Bossler Road features a few gentle hills and the country roads with minimal traffic.

To get an update of my arrival time at the farm/water stop, call Francesca Crane’s cell at 610-405-1438.

Click here for the other locations where you can join me and overall directions for this 30-mile ride.

62.5 Mile Tour -- Dream Ride Lancaster

Click here for Dream Ride’s 62.5 Mile Tour cue card.

For those of you taking this route, you can link up with me at the starting point or at the Bridge of Hope water stop at the end of the farm lane where I grew up. If you miss me at both places, I’ll surely see you at the party in the evening!

Click here for the route map and places to meet up with me.

Intrigued by History - New for Me!

Thoughts about history pulsed through my mind on my 20 mile ride today.
Living in a 1730’s house, I possess a certain intrigue for old stone houses, quaint schoolhouses, rambling walls and arched bridges dotting the landscape here on the edge of Lancaster and Chester Counties, my neighborhood. I love finding that one opening in a hedge of thriving rhododendrons and evergreens for a peek into a stately edifice. (Ever notice that most old stone homes are protected from gawkers by landscaping?) I love to imagine who built these stone structures. And I wonder what stories are forever hidden in their mortar.



Today I find pleasure in barns renovated for new uses but maintaining the building’s original charm. I find joy in tiny outbuildings converted to cozy cottages and coolness in a covered bridge.

And I decide, none of these structures were erected by happenstance; each had a planner with a vision for what could be. And each building meant change for the community. Each has its own history, some elements by plan, some by chance and some by outside forces; all forever cemented as character into its cracks and cervices.

See more about this ride in posting below:

Intrigued by History - At Mile Six

At mile six I passed a stone house with a history tied to Bridge of Hope. When John & Susanna Umble built this house in the 1970’s, the blueprints did not include instructions for reaching out to homeless women. But that is what John and Susanna did!

In the mid-80's with the encouragement of Bridge of Hope’s co-founders, Sandy Lewis and Linda Witmer, they invited a homeless mother to live in their home.This experience served as a test case for connecting homeless women with caring Christians. Susanna taught her simple life skills such as how to sew on a button. And together with John and their extended family, they surrounded this woman with unconditional love and nurtured her self-esteem. The changes in this woman’s life encouraged Linda, Sandy and others to develop their dream for ending and preventing homelessness with the help of Christian churches.

Sailing downhill into Atglen, I approach Penningtonville Presbyterian Church. This church has a recent history with Bridge of Hope, first as a mentoring church, now a committed financial partner with a strong core of volunteers. And now Bridge of Hope is part of this church’s history as well.

Along my route I pass more places with connections to Bridge of Hope: homes of faithful donors, a house where a Bridge of Hope mother and her children once lived and Maple Grove Mennonite Church, another mentoring and financial partner. I pass a cemetery where a group has gathered to bid their final farewell to a loved one. The earthly history of the deceased is now completed and I wonder, did the deceased achieve their highest dream or did situations beyond their control get in the way – an accident, illness or other life event? What contribution or characteristics of the departed will loved ones carry with them from this place?

60 for Hope is changing the landscape of my personal history. Perhaps it will become a statement of sorts of my life. It is pushing me to new physical heights. It is providing text for these Blog ramblings – a journal that will live beyond my ride. It is proclaiming my age to the world. It is highlighting where I’ve come from and the ways my Mother has inspired my work with Bridge of Hope.

A memorable part of this journey is all of the friends who are joining me to make my 60 for Hope dream come true! Indeed it will take a community of riders to reach these goals – in much the same way as it takes a community of mentors for mothers in Bridge of Hope to achieve theirs.

Read more reflections on Intrigued by History in the blog below:

Changing Histories Beyond My Own

Will 60 for Hope change personal histories beyond my own? Certainly! For starter, funds raised will provide rental assistance and other services for mothers and children we have yet to meet. And I hope that every rider will carry a fun memory from the ride and a warn sense of fulfillment from supporting this cause! I hope new donors gain a new sense of community as they learn stories of the life changes for Bridge of Hope moms and their children. Finally, I hope my own mother gains a certain peace with history as this ride acknowledges her years of labor, prayer and personal sacrifice on behalf of her children.

A part of 60 for Hope history unfolds each day as more riders join and donations come in! I love the excitement of waiting to see what will be!

No roadblocks allowed like this one on the road to my home. (Depending on the ride route I take, I must find my way around this roadblock each day.)


60 miles, 60 riders, $60,000! Whew! These goals make me puff and pedal harder up the hill towards home.

Another training ride completed along with musings to add to my 60 for Hope history.

From the Mouth of Babes!

My confidence quotient was right up near the top. Last night I rode 20 miles, stretching my endurance to new heights on some hills I had previously avoided. Monday afternoon I biked into Christiana on various errands; one to pickup books at the library.

As I came out of the library a mother with three young children were parking their bikes next to mine. One of the girls, maybe 5 years old, looked at me with incredulous disbelief and said, “You can ride a bike?”

I surprised her by telling her by saying, “yes, indeed I can ride a bike and I am going to ride 60 miles!” I invited her to ride with me. Of course she had no concept of 60 miles. So I asked her is she had ever been to Philadelphia. She had. I said that’s about how far I will ride.

I mounted my bike and contemplated the little girl’s comments for another 12 miles. Children can be pleasingly honest (ok, sometimes it’s called brutally honest!) What made her think I couldn’t ride a bike? Do I look that old? Do I walk too slowly? Is my biker’s get-up totally unflattering? Did she really intend to say what came out of her mouth?

This brief exchange on the library lawn got me thinking about the times I have said things that had different results than I anticipated. I ended my ride with new resolve to temper my words. Now I have a two confidence quotients – one for my ride and another for my words!

Time for contemplation is another one of the wonderful benefits of training for my 60mile ride.

Body Parts Musings

Is it age? (How can I know? I’ve never been this close to 60 before!)
Is it my impending 60 mile ride?
Is it spring turning to summer and the change a new season brings in the air?
Whatever the cause, I find myself reflecting on body parts these days.

Today I did a 17.5 mile ride and afterwards I was no worse for the wear. However, later in the evening I did some kind of fancy foot twist that resulted in a very black and blue second toe. It hurts like mad! And it’s swelled to double size. Is it broken? Who knows!

The toe bone is connected to the foot bone, the foot bones are connected the ankle bones, and so the song goes. Just how important is a toe anyway? If I broke a toe could I still ride 60 miles?

I think about such things often these days. Which other body parts could I damage and not allow injury to stand in the way of attaining my goal? Certainly I couldn’t ride if I broke an arm. What about a bruised nose? Hum, I guess I could still ride as long as it didn’t swell to the size of my face. And so these musings go - you catch the drift.

Perhaps these body musings are some sort of self protection mechanism. They usually flow through my mind during my training rides. They do keep me more attentive to potential biking and road hazards.

Tomorrow I will celebrate these body parts musings and ride on!
And same thing the next day.
And the next.

Why All The Fuss About Kathryn?

May is for celebrating mothers, so it seems fitting to share reasons for the big fuss about my mother, Kathryn Hess, and my 60-mile ride.

I celebrate my mother's 50 years of unwavering resourcefulness as a single parent/grandparent. Resourceful is the perfect description for her! At age 35 when she was suddenly widowed with 5 young children, Mom sacrificed much to provide a stable and secure life for us! Without thought of personal comforts, she dressed turkeys for other families’ Thanksgiving tables; rose early to cut, clean and peddle asparagus; and managed a work crew in tomato harvest for Campbell’s Soup Co. In the dead of winter, she forked silage to feed our beef cattle (once with such vigor she penned herself in the silo until one of us kids heard her shouts). She bantered with cattlemen and managed stock investments with confidence. Motivated by a strong desire to provide a “good life” for us, she appeared to love all work and have endless energy.

I celebrate my mother's belief in Biblical adage - “it is better to give than to receive.” Generosity is her code word for happiness! It takes a quick response to outwit her for the tab when dining out. I greatly appreciate this generous spirit plus her unselfish hospitality. All are welcomed to her table. Even as a busy young widow, serving Sunday guests at a table laden with an abundance of tasty delights, was her mainstay. To say she has hosted 1000's of guests is not presumptous.

My mother is a hard one to thank! It's nearly impossible to give her a gift without receiving something in return. But finally, in my 60th year, I've found a way by doing this 60-mile ride to honor her and to raise funds for other single mothers who do not have the strong extended family and church community support that surrounded me and my family. (Maybe I did learn something about resourcefulness from Mom!)

Mother's can-do spirit is alive and well even in her 87th year! Last week when discussing how far she will ride with me, a distance of about one mile, she emphatically declared, "riding only 1 mile isn't worth getting on the bike!" Mother's goal is to ride 5 or even 10 miles with me. Her dogged determination keeps her active and motivated to reach out beyond herself even now and sensible or not, she's ready to push herself in new ways.

So a ruckus thank you for my mom's faith, love, generosity and unwavering resourcefulness is what's behind the fuss about my 60 mile ride in her honor. That and my dream to raise $60,000 for homeless and at-risk single mothers who lack the social, emotional, spiritual and physical resources that blessed my mother’s life as a single parent these past 50 years.

Let me know you're riding with me and I'll add you to the list!

30-Mile Ride and locations to meet Kate

Locations to join me are noted below in red with my estimated arrival times. Each of these locations have space for parking.

30 Mile Tour Cue Card Map

FOLLOW HERITAGE BIKE ROUTE SIGNS TO MILE 3.4
0.0 R Riverview Elementary School (front) Kate's estimated departure times: 6:00 and 9:15 AM
Follow Driveway to Rear of School
0.3 L Market Street (SS)
0.7 S Marietta Pike (Rte. 23) x Rte. 441(TL)
1.1 L Donegal Creek Rd.
1.9 L Long Ln. (SS)
2.3 AMISH FARM STAND
2.6 R Iron Bridge Rd.
3.4 R TRO Iron Bridge Rd. @Union School Rd.(SS)

BEGIN FOLLOWING 30 MILE MARKINGS
4.5 S X Kinderhook Rd.
5.0 R Bridge Valley Rd.(SS)
5.5 COVERED BRIDGE (CAUTION)
5.7 L Miller Dr.(Blind Corner to Right)
6.1 L MARKET/DELI
6.3 L Farmdale Rd. (SS)
6.7 L Siegrist Rd. (SS)
7.1 COVERED BRIDGE (CAUTION)
7.5 L Pinkerton Rd.(SS)
7.9 GREEN ACRES B&B
8.5 S X Kinderhook Rd.
9.8 (F)Groff's Golf Course
10.0 L Koser Rd. Donegal High School:Location for riders to join Kate. Estimated arrival times: 7:00 and 10:15 AM
Located at Rte. 773 & Koser Rd

10.7 L Mt. Joy Pk. (Rte. 772) (TL)
10.8 R Waynesboro Rd.
10.9 R Union School Rd.(SS)
11.0 L Gibble Rd.
11.8 S X Musser Rd.(SS)
12.2 L Kraybill's Church Rd.(SS) Kraybill Mennonite School: Location for riders to join Kate. (Park in the front of the school.) Estimated arrival times: 7:15 and 10:30 AM

13.0 R Colebrook Rd.(SS)
13.4 L Airport Rd. - WATER STOP & Kate’s Childhood Home: BEST location for riders to join Kate. Estimated arrival times: 7:30 and 10:45 AM WGAL may be there to greet us at 7:30.

The six mile stretch between this location and the next water stop at Bossler's Mennonite Church features a few gentle hills and country roads with minimal traffic.

14.7 R Endslow Rd.(SS)
15.2 R Donegal Springs Rd.(SS)
15.3 L Landis Rd.
16.5 R Grieder Rd.(SS)
17.6 L Bossler Rd.(SS)
19.0 S cross Maytown Rd. (Rte.743)(SS)
19.8 BR to remain on Bossler Rd.@ Haunstein Rd.
20.4 Bossler Mennonite Church - WATER STOP: Location for riders to join Kate. Estimated arrival times: 8:15 and 11:15 AM

21.3 BR to remain on Bossler Rd.@ Oak Rd.
22.8 L Buttonwood Dr. (FAST TRAFFIC!)
23.0 L Stone Mill Rd.(SS)
24.3 L Stacktown Rd.(SS)

BECOMES HERITAGE BIKE ROUTE C
26.8 L W. High Street (SS) to Maytown Square
27.1 R thru Maytown Square onto Rte. 743
*28.3 S cross (Rte. 441) becomes Decatur St. (TL)
28.5 L Market St.
29.0 S thru Square of Marietta
L thru 'S' Curve TRO on Market Street
30.5 L Into Rear Entrance of Riverview E.S.
30.8 F Finish of 30 Mile Ride at front of school

* Optional Route to front of Riverview E.S.
28.3 L River Rd. (Rte. 441) (TL)
29.6 R Riverview Elementary School (front)
F Finish of 30 Mile Ride at front of school

KEY
L- Left Turn
R- Right Turn
S- Straight Thru
BR- Bear Right

62.5 Mile Route and locations to meet up with Kate

For those of you taking this route, you can link up with me at the starting point or at the Bridge of Hope water stop at the end of the farm lane where I grew up. See the locations below in red.

If you miss me at both places, I’ll surely see you at the party in the evening!

________________________________

62.5 Mile Tour Cue Card Map

FOLLOW HERITAGE BIKE ROUTE SIGNS TO MILE 3.4
0.0 R Riverview Elementary School (front) Kate's estimated departure time: 6:00 AM
Follow Driveway to Rear of School
0.3 L Market Street (SS)
0.7 S Marietta Pike (Rte. 23) x Rte. 441(TL)
1.1 L Donegal Creek Rd.
1.9 L Long Ln. (SS)
2.3 AMISH FARM STAND
2.6 R Iron Bridge Rd.
3.4 R TRO Iron Bridge Rd. @Union School Rd.(SS)

FOLLOW 30 MILE MARKERS TO MILE 7.5
4.5 S X Kinderhook Rd.
5.0 R Bridge Valley Rd.(SS)
5.5 COVERED BRIDGE (CAUTION)
5.7 L Miller Dr.(Blind Corner to Right)
6.3 L Farmdale Rd.(SS)
6.7 L Siegrist Rd.(SS)
7.1 COVERED BRIDGE (CAUTION)
7.5 L Pinkerton Rd.(SS)

FOLLOW 62 MILE MARKERS TO MILE 28.9
8.5 S X Kinderhook Rd.
9.8 (F) Groff's Golf Course
10.0 L Koser Rd.
10.7 L Mt. Joy Pk. (Rte. 772) (TL)
10.8 R Waynesboro Rd.
10.9 R Union School Rd.
11.0 L Gibble Rd.
11.8 S X Musser Rd. (SS)
12.2 L Kraybill's Church Rd.(SS)
13.0 R Colebrook Rd.(SS)
13.4 L Airport Road
13.4 L REST STOP Maytown Airport--BRIDGE OF HOPE WATER STOP & Kate’s Childhood Home: Kate's estimated arrival time: 7:30 AM WGAL may be there to greet us!
14.7 R Endslow Rd.(SS)
15.2 R Donegal Springs Rd.(SS)
15.3 L Landis Rd.
16.5 R Grieder Rd.(SS)
17.6 R Bossler Rd.(SS)
17.8 R Colebrook Rd.(SS)
18.0 S Turns into Nolt Rd.
18.9 R Harrisburg Ave. (SS)
19.4 BL under RR bridge & immediately
19.5 R Route 230 (SS)
19.7 L Snyder Rd. @Wissler Jeep (USE CAUTION)
21.2 R Mt. Pleasant Rd.
21.9 REST STOP Mt. Pleasant B.C. Church
United Disabilities Services - 917-4617
22.4 L Risser Mill Rd. - CAUTION HILL Gravel (SS)
23.0 R Milton Grove Rd.(SS)
24.2 L Meadow View Rd.
28.1 R Cider Press Rd.(SS)
28.4 L Camp Rd.
28.9 L Creek Rd.

FOLLOW NIGHTMARE TOUR MARKINGS
BL to remain on Creek Rd. @ Church Rd.
29.6 REST STOP Tree Top Golf Course
Millersville International House -
30.5 R Colebrook Rd.(SS)
30.9 L Sunnyburn Rd.
31.7 R Cold Spring Rd. (VERY SHARP)
32.3 L Harvest Rd.
34.2 R Trail Rd.
35.6 L Mt. Gretna Rd. (Rte. 241) (SS)
37.5 BR onto Koser Rd.
37.6 R TRO Koser Rd. (SS)
38.4 L Mapledale Rd.
38.7 L Valley Rd.
39.6 S X Elizabethtown Rd. (SS)
40.1 L Old Hershey Rd. (Blind Spot to Left)
41.6 R REST STOP ON HILL TO LEFT
No Longer Alone Ministries - 330-8894
41.9 R Aberdeen Rd.
42.9 R Mill Rd.(SS)
43.0 L Cassell Rd.
44.3 R Route 230 West (SS)
45.3 L Industrial Rd.
46.4 L Zeager Rd. (SS)
46.5 R Bossler Rd.
46.7 R Hess Rd.
47.9 R Hill Rd.
48.2 R Hillsdale Rd
48.9 L Sawmill Rd. (DON'T CROSS BRIDGE)
49.4 R Covered Bridge Rd.
49.5 L Becker Rd.
51.0 R Turnpike Rd.
51.3 L PA 441 south, Falmouth
53.8 R REST STOP 2nd St. thru Bainbridge
RRALF for Garet Spiece - 951-0171
55.5 BR Locust Grove Rd.
56.5 R River Rd.(SS)
61.4 R Decatur St.
61.6 L Market St.
62.1 S thru Square of Marietta
62.6 L thru 'S' Curve TRO on Market St.
63.1 L Into Rear Entrance of Riverview E.S.
63.4 F Finish Metric Century Tour at Front of School

KEY
L- Left Turn
R- Right Turn
S- Straight Thru
BR- Bear Right

A Ride for Ice Cream - Not!

A welcomed surprise at church today…a special poem written just for me along with a check toward my 60 for Hope ride! Someone else believes I can do this! Thank you God for early believers/supporters!

Lunch with friends.
An afternoon of relaxation talking to my adult children, reading & falling asleep on the couch.

No body aches from yesterday’s work so in the late afternoon sun Harley and I begin our bike ride. Up the hill from our house and toward Quarryville we go for some soft ice cream at Dottie’s, a local favorite.

It’s a rolling ride, but without major climbs. Nearly an hour later we arrive at Dottie’s to a mile long line. While we wait, Harley shared an athlete’s wisdom – “ice cream was strictly forbidden from soccer player’s diet. In fact, if a player on his college team was found eating it they were made to run extra laps. Ice cream makes an active body sluggish,” he said. Knowing we have another 10 miles home, I agreed to forego this longed-for treat. We head to the Turkey Hill for a refreshing drink instead.

Ride goal lost in weeds!

Here’s my day’s plan:

1. Weed Lily of the Valley bed.
2. Landscape around the recently reinstated outhouse in our backyard.
3. Get a pick-up load of mulch and begin spreading to protect my weeding efforts.
4. Do 2 loads of wash and hang out to dry
5. Take a 10 mile evening bike ride with husband, Harley

Results of my plan:

1. Lily of the Valley bed weeded & mulched after 6 tedious hours! Enough already!!
2. Landscape around outhouse – it’s ready for planting!
3. ¾ of the mulch load is spread.
4. Bike ride – cancelled!

My body is fried – literally! This 60-year-old body is having a hard time adjusting to temperatures that jumped from freezing to 90 degrees in two short days! A full day in the sun, mostly bending over, simply did me in! I have a pounding headache. And I never get headaches. What kind of fool am I to think I can ride 60 miles at the end of July?

Writing poetry while riding

Eight Mile Morning

Nearly noon
Bright sky-high sun
Beams down as pedals pump
Cool April breeze pulse my skin
Though two jacket layers it pierces right in.
Which route to ride, I daily decide
To the right and down a slight incline,
Or left, toward the killer ½ mile climb
Oh, to mount it would be sublime.

With sun-confident joy toward the long hill I turn;
Surely with weeks of training, I’ll conquer this hill in a blur.
Amish children dot my path; black hats bobbing and school bags dragging toward farmhouses they race, for to be outpaced by the helmet-head lady would a disgrace.
Onward I pedal, past peach tree blossoms, little girls on a mulch pile mountain, raspberry bushes trimmed to perfection and tied to their posts without a picker of contention.

Past school house two; a baseball game in full force.
Bat contacts ball with a boom, pounding more energy into my bike rider’s soul,
For the ½ mile climb just around the bend!

To the rising hill I push. I puff to a lower gear to manage my pace.
A speeding trunk on decline, swerves, breaks and nearly crosses into my line.
Shaken by what might have been, I gasp, I sigh.
My energy sapped for reaching the top, “I think I can” delayed for another day’s plot.

Back in the seat, I rev up my gears
For smooth fast pedaling to mile number five.
Past goat kids grazing and lawn art lazing along this high ridge
I double my efforts for the hill on ahead remembering what’s up comes down again.
Sailing downward at a speed of 28, eyes intently peeled to avoid a pothole mistake.
My mind idly wonders to the birds in the air and I ask,
Mr. Blackbird, are there potholes up there?

On this eight mile morning, home I go;
Gratified!

I'm working out inside

I was hoping to do 10 miles this weekend, but with the Garden Luncheon and now the cold weather I have been working out inside on my exercise bike. Many of you probably think I am a little off my trike taking on this 60 mile ride, but beware my energy has not changed since I was 6.