Mr. Ryan Goes to Washington

2008-05-13T09:42:00.002-06:00

The Students of St. Robert Bellarmine Bellarmine School presented Mr. Ryan with the Yellow Winners Shirt to thank him for all that he did for our school. Student logged on to read his comment, find out what was happening to him and leave their good wishes. We enjoyed following him on his journey.

More photos that I wanted to share from the trip

2008-05-08T19:22:00.013-06:00

My final post is below this post, but I had so many great photos that I wanted to share some more with you. I hope you enjoy them!

Biking uphill in Pennsylvania

Red Night - Biker's Delight!

Ivan Gorby: 94 year old man who has lived on this mountain his entire life.

Ivan invites us into his home and plays the fiddle for us

Another St. Robert's Church in Indiana

C & O Canal

A glimpse of a West Virginia Mining Town

Taking a break in the hills of Maryland with my brother Dan

Look Closely...there is a 6' copperhead snake coiled up on the timber. YIKES!

Potomac River

Barge on the C & O Canal

The Paw Paw Tunnel was dug out of a mountain side so the C & O Canal could run through it.

The Nations Capitol

2008-05-08T09:12:00.009-06:00

Arriving at the Lincoln Memorial

The Great Emancipator

Koren War Memorial

World War II Memorial

This morning, I got up early and started pedaling through the streets of Washington. The city has wide avenues, sidewalks, and many bicycle paths,which makes it a great way to tour the city. Washington is packed with thousands of visitors from all over the world, but is a must see for all Americans. There are monuments and memorials at every turn. I arrived at the Lincoln Memorial and read Lincoln's great speeches, and stood at the very spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I have a dream" speech in 1963. In front of me was the Washington Monument, dedicated to the Father of our country; this was a very emotional experience for me.
All I could do was utter a prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings God has given me. Blessed with a wonderful mother and father who taught me truths and values that have guided my life. Blessed with my lovely wife, Mary; no man has a better wife. Blessed with sons. Blessed with daughters. Blessed with many family and friends. And of course, blessed to be a member of the St. Robert's family for these many years.

I would like to thank all those who have made a contribution to the St. Robert's School Fund.

Looking forward to returning home! In the imortal words of Charles Dicken's famous character, Tiny Tim " God Bless Us All, Every One". Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Jim

Another Beautiful Day!

2008-05-07T20:13:00.008-06:00

The Chesapeake and Ohio Trail is real a national treasure loaded with all kinds of wild life and wild flowers. The trail winds through some of the most beautiful parts of America. I will pedal on this trail from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington D.C. - almost 200 miles.

Going back over this trip, I want to thank my brothers, Dan and Ray who were there for me when "Project Cycle St. Roberts" crashed and burned somewhere near the Ohio boarder. They left Chicago and came to my aid and got me back on my bike, refreshed and ready to complete the trip. I would like to say thanks to Sister Mary Lou for working with me and connecting me with the students of St. Roberts. I would also like to thank Ms. Sheelagh Spooner for using her teaching skills to bring me into the 21st century by replacing a plumber's wrenches with a keyboard and mouse. Now it is time to head for Washington D. C. which is just 65 miles further down the road.

Below are some of the photos I took along the way

The bike trail follows the Shenandoah Valley

Cumberland, Maryland is the beginning of the C&O bike trail

Climbing a hill in West Virginia

This is the Potomac River which parallels the C & O bike trail

This is the house of the C&O Canal Gate Keeper

Thomas Jefferson's lookout over Harper 's Ferry, West Virginia

150 more miles to Washington D.C.

Smooth Sailing

2008-05-05T21:08:00.001-06:00

Hi Students,

Well things should be getting a lot easier from here on end. There is a bike path that runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Washington, D. C. (google Chesapeake and Ohio Canal). I picked up this bike trail in Cumberland, Maryland which is about 200 miles from Washington, D.C. which means no more mountains, no more trucks and cars, and you can't get lost! I should arrive in D.C. - with a little bit of luck - on Thursday. This bike trail is listed as one of the best rides in the country and I have to heartily agree. On this path you pass a number of Civil War battle fields and you ride through the Cumberland Gap and the Shenandoah Valley along side the Potomac River. There is a spot there where George Washington is supposed to have thrown a silver dollar across the Potomac River but I think this story is probably a myth because I spent an hour or two looking for THAT SILVER DOLLAR and I couldn't find it so I'm guessing this story is probably not true.

Boy, will it be great to get off this bike and start heading back home. I am enjoying all of your comments.

Until we meet again,
Mr. Ryan

P.S. Congratulations to all the First Communicants.

Almost Heaven - West Virginia

2008-05-04T21:45:00.002-06:00

No more hills - just mountains! West Virginia is just as beautiful as John Denver said it was. It seems that I spend more time pushing the bike uphill rather than biking down hill. We ran into an old time mountain man named Ivan Gorby who was born in 1914 and still lives in the house where he was born. His family settled here in 1790. He invited us into his "parlor" and played his fiddle for us. It was a wonderful expereince. We asked him if we could take his picture and he said fine. He said, "Do I need to put my teeth in for this photo?" We said "No" - he looked just fine without them so he placed them in his pocket for safekeeping. The weather today was absolutely beautiful and the scenery unforgettable. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SEE AMERICA! We are now approaching the Pennsylvania/Maryland border - should arrive there Monday evening.

Received word that Sister Mary Lou's Retirement Celebration Mass was very special and the Reception was packed with hundreds of well wishers - both present and past parishioners. Congratulations, Sister Mary Lou.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

2008-05-03T20:50:00.004-06:00

Because of the terrible weather I was only able to ride for a few hours today. At this pace we should be home by Christmas of 2010. So we put the bike back in the van hoping for better weather tomorrow. With luck we should reach Moundsville, W.V. and cross the state at it's shortest distance. The eastern part of Ohio is really a beautiful part of America. The hills are getting higher and steeper as we head into the Appalachia mountains. Thanks for all your comments I will be happy to answer all of them as soon as I become better skilled at this web stuff. Good night for now Jim

NOT JUST ANOTHER DAY

2008-05-03T03:51:00.002-06:00

It's early Sat. morning I couldn't sleep. All the events of yesterday kept flashing back in my mind. I came down to the motel lobby and turned on the computer to see if I could somhow explain to you the things I had seen and done. As each event happened throughout the day I just took it for granted as a normal day, but when my mind relaxed at night all the noises, smells, colors,senic views,personalities that I had encountered throughout the day kept coming back time and time again. Now they are filed away in my memory for me to enjoy over and over again for many years to come. What a great day it has been. What a great week it was. Looking forward to today. Your friend Jim

Favorable Westerlies

2008-05-02T17:34:00.004-06:00

Hello SRB students
With 35 mile an hour west winds really made this an easy 40 mile journey. Weather got severe so I had to pack in this afternoon and head for Columbus Oh. in the van. Reached a top speed of 42 miles per hour coming down a long hill outside of Enon Oh. I had to slow down because my courage failed me, and my common sense prevailed I had a run in with a little dachshund(hotdog type dog) 2' feet long and four inch legs who paced me for a quarter mile. Nice to have a friendly companion for a part of the trip. I had the thrill of watching a herd of about 10 deer run along side of me over a farmers field and then all leaped over a 4' foot fence. It was really a wonderful sight to behold.

Somewhere in Eaton, Indiana

2008-05-02T08:33:00.003-06:00

Hi Students!

Today I am somewhere in Eaton, Indiana and I have hit the wall!

Strong head winds, flat tire, fatigue and long distances have won out; I cannot continue this journey alone. My brothers Dan and Ray drove here from Chicago and will accompany me to Washington D. C. as my "road crew". The journey is always easier when family and friends are there to help you. Tomorrow we will cross the Ohio boarder, refreshed and ready to continue on.

I have learned from my brothers that my 92 year old mother has decided to quite procrastinating and sharpen up her computer skills and check out the blog. It goes to show that when it comes to computers and the internet anyone can get on-line.

Stay with me and I hope to get some more photos posted soon.

Jim Ryan

On the Road in Indiana...Ohio bound!

2008-05-01T19:24:00.008-06:00

Good Morning St. Roberts Students!

Thanks for all the comments and words of encouragement. It really helps me pedal faster! If you have any questions for me, please send them along. Keep the posts coming...I love hearing from you all.

Today I am running late...Ohio is still a long way off, so I got an early start this morning on my bike. I could use a good strong wind from out of the West to help push me along. Today I passed through a town called Kinsey. I was hoping to find some breakfast, but only found a rusty old gumball machine outside the American Legion Post 2465. My hope is that when I get to North Manchester there will be signs of civilization and a place to eat...I can only hope.

Wait...I can see a Big Mac, French Fries and a Chocolate Shake!!! No - it was only a mirage. North Manchester is still 12 miles away.

On my ride today, I also biked past another St. Roberts Church out in the middle of farm country. There is not much out here but fields and wide open sky. My goal for tomorrow is to reach the state of Ohio.

On a final note, I wanted to wish Sister Mary Lou all the best this weekend at her retirement party. I am sorry I will not be there, but my family and I wish her all the best and thank her for her dedicated years of service to St. Robert Bellarmine.

Jim Ryan

Good morning from Plymouth, IN

2008-04-30T07:07:00.007-06:00

Good morning St. Roberts students.Yesterday was a tough day. With lots of traffic, traveling along N.W. Indiana through towns like Hammond, Gary, Hobart, and Valparaiso. It was nice to finally arrive in farm country with quiet roads. I'm going to call yesterday my three dog day. The first farm dog I encountered was near Hanna, IN and I spotted him long before he saw me. So I quickly crossed over to the other side of the road and jumped on my pedals and had a hundred yard advantage on him, no contest. The second pooch was sitting on his porch when he heard my chain skip. He jumped up and came down the steps and barked a few barks. When I got a good look at him I could see that he was almost as old as I am, and there wasn't going to be a chase after all. That third little devil was on me before I even knew it. He nipped at my right heel. I jumped 3 feet off my bicycle seat and screamed at him like a banshee. He got scared and looked at me like I was insane, then he put his tail between his legs and went back to his farm. I took my pulse by placing my finger on my neck, 160+BPM. Boy he really got my blood turning. It's going to be a beautiful day, and I'll be heading south on In. Route 19. Mrs. Spooner the Webmaster did a great job with those photos. Have a great day, see you soon. Jim

Day One: St. Robert's to Valparaiso, IN

2008-04-29T20:53:00.008-06:00

I began my adventure today traveling through Chicago as I headed towards the state of Indiana.
You don't have to travel across America to go on a great bike ride. Chicago's lake front path is one of the country's best bike rides. Here are some of the sites that I have seen along the way.

How many of these Chicago sites do you recognize?

Buckingham Fountain

The Art Institute

Solidier Field

The Shedd Aquarium

The Adler Planetarium

Fallen Police Officers' Memorial

This is overlooking Lake Michigan with Gary, Indiana in the distance. Gary is two hours from where I am right now on the lake front.

Departure

2008-04-29T16:35:00.000-06:00

Father Neil and the Students of St. Roberts gave me a blessing as I started my trip today.

2008-04-28T15:39:00.003-06:00

Kick off day!!

2008-04-20T15:30:00.004-06:00

Hello,

Below are some pictures from the official "kick off" at St. Roberts. The kids made me a good luck sign and I talked to the school about my upcoming trip. I emphasized the importance of physical fitness and getting out on their bikes now that the weather has turned for the better. Both myself and the kids are excited for the upcoming trip. We will be able to communicate back and forth through the blog while I am on the road.

Stay tuned......

Hello Bruins!

2008-04-09T19:28:00.006-06:00

Hello Bruins! Welcome to the SRB Bikers Club. Spring has finally arrived; at least that is what the calendar says. Let’s toss aside the shovels, boots and gloves and think spring!!! Dunham Park, baseball, summer vacation and biking are just around the corner. Let’s get out those bikes, pump those tires and oil those chains as we embark on this journey to our nation’s capital.
I hope you will follow along on this adventure as we bike across the great states of Illinois, Iowa, and California…oops!!! - my map is upside down! Let’s try this again- we will travel through the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and finally arrive at Washington D. C.

I will be posting photos and sharing my thoughts with all of you along the way. If you have any questions or ideas for me, I would love to hear from you. I look forward to our journey together!