Ocean to Ocean

This journey is a journey of many parts, many places and many people.

Its aims will now be well known to regular readers of this Blog.

In addition to the Foundation's objectives we also have the clear  target of biking from the Pacific across the States to the Atlantic.  Dear Reader it is with the very greatest of pleasure and satisfaction that I can now post the Blog that confirms the fact that Tom and Alvon have cycled over 4,000 miles across this great country to arrive at the Atlantic.

I am typing this on the strip of sand that is known as 'The Outer Banks' lying offshore from North Carolina.

You will not need me to define the needs of riders over such an epic ride.  Wind, rain, heat, crazed dogs, crazed truckers, lack of sleep and more have all played their part in making the ride one of the most memorable and demanding times for us all but for the riders something more than just hard work.

But let the pictures tell the story, this, sunset, 20:30 last night here in The Outer Banks, NC.

The Crew

The Sea 2 Sea challenge is just that, a very real challenge at a number of levels.The endurance and fortitude needed to cycle almost every day averaging around 70 miles is not easy to imagine. We are to be in DC on July 3rd, this isn't an option, it's non-negotiable as they say. Well fine if you are driving a car but by bike a whole new world.

For a group of riders to do this the problems are magnified by some margin, add bad weather, hills, breakdowns, fatigue, well you get the picture.


To make this to happen is a team effort on a formidable scale.

We are now, quite literally, in sight of the Atlantic and the numbers speak for themselves, 3,997 miles ridden over 56 days of sitting on a saddle and cycling.
So today I thought it was about time, Dear Reader, that you could see who some of these people are.
Well, and I hope this doesn't sound too old fashioned, but ladies first:




Tricia runs the Social Media side of the operation. Thousands of people can view the Facebook and Twitter sites thanks to Tricia. Its whole now world to the rest of us and one that is demanding and, done well, highly sophisticated.

Tricia lives near Atlanta in Georgia with her husband and two children. In addition to working, sorting us out on the above areas she also studies. Super Woman 2012.



Marj, is the 'housekeeper' or RV keeper, she does a great job looking after the inner needs of us all. I can say without any fear of contradiction that Marj is invaluable on the trip, food and drinks always available when needed and whenever posible a change and variety brought to the table. Marj came out at the start and returned to the UK for three weeks but thank goodness returned once again and is now back in charge of all the stuff needed to keep the show on the road.

Marj has two children if you can call 30 to 40 year olds , children. The apples of her eyes are her 4 grandchildren. Carlo, Rosie, Eva and Luca. Marj lives in the centre of the UK with husband Bruce who has the same two children etc!



The newest member of the team is Chip. Chip lives in Germany and went to school with Tom and Alvon in Clemson. After 20 years in the US forces he now works in the world of finance. He is still is very fit and is a great addition to the riding team.



John is the head of the US arm of the Sea 2 Sea organisation in the US. John has had over 20 years experience in various management consultancy roles in industry. John graduated from the West Point and was a class mate of Tom's. John is married and his wife and he have a daughter, they live near Atlanta, Georgia.




Of course for many, no introduction for Alvon is required, he has a following generated in part due to his penchant for standing on his head and then being photographed.  Alvon is a very strong biker and leads the biking each day. Alvon's day job is as an engineer, he has been incredibly skilful in keeping all the machines alive and well. His home is in California, he was at school with Chip and Thomas at Clemson. Alvon is married to Maureen and has three children as well as one grandchild



Bruce (C'est Moi) I am the Blogger, driver of the RV and the recently appointed Commis Chef to wife, Marj. I also take photographs. Readers of the blog will know that I had my 65th birthday on the 22nd June. I have to call myself a pro-photographer now, I do get paid for taking photographs but this trip is 'pro bono', In a previous life I worked as a financial advisor.



Tom Von Kaenel, Tom is the founder and Chair of the Sea 2 Sea foundation both in the UK and US. Tom lives in Oxfordshire in the UK, he was at school with Chip and Alvon. Tom was a professional soldier for 20 years following his time at the army's West Point Academy. Tom is married to Jackie and their son, Dan has followed his father into the army.



Dear Reader, a note at the end, so to speak. We've had a bit of trouble with the blog formatting this morning. Its now fixed so it is able to be read, but our usual high standard of text formatting... is well... not up to our 'usual' standards. A good read anyway though, I think.

65

Only once do you have a 65th birthday and for me it was yesterday, so I am commandeering the Blog to say thanks to everyone who wished me well now that I am at age that allows me to claim State Retirement Benefit. Old Age Pension.

It was a great day, my wife had bought birthday cards from the UK, emails from children and and family and Skype calls home.

It didn't end there though.  Oh no, we had a great day on the bikes, and the organiser of that day Diane surprised my be presenting me with a great cake, lilac icing no less and candles that would not blow out, what more can you ask for?  Well later in the day, Champagne from the bikers, all the way from California as well!  Thanks guys.

This combination makes a birthday that I will remember as being one of the best ever.

Here is the cake and the failed blowing out of candles experience

Diane, many thanks.....Just great

We are in the area of States where the marines have a bigg base, tough guys, but not just guys, Diane was a Marine as is the other girl in the photo.

Her hubby was also a Marine.  Very good company and a great help and support on this leg of the ride.

The excitement doesn't stop with birthday cake though, no as support team we need a super market most days and yesterday it Piggly Wiggly, good supermarket, perhaps a name best described as unusual.

 They sell the usual stuff, like balloons and bleach

and Italian food s that even the Italians can't get....

As is normal in this part of North Carolina, lots of churches, and some offerings that look interesting.

Not the end of the day but mid-afternoon sees the TV news interviewing Tom.

Thanks to all the emailers, Skype IM and FB users and all else for the congrats for yesterday.  It was brilliant.

Obsessions

You blogging friend is writing this in near 100 degrees of heat in the South and East in the State of North Carolina.

We are 15 miles from the ocean, our aim is to do the toe dipping a little further North though, ideally in the same place that the first English settlers landed.

Circumstances are combining that may make that an impossibility as we re very near to a Wildcat Fire, this area is pine woods . one of the few things that thrive on the pure sound we have had for the last 100 miles or so.

So we'll have to see, the best way forward. in the meant time good reader more images of America seen through the eyes of and English man with a Nikon.

Regular readers will know of my obsessions by now. The food, the weather, signs, and other things that smack me in the eye.

So no surprise that food figures here, in fact the food served at, a what, a drive thru, this is Sonic.  Here you can order what you want, pay and pick up and drive away.  But talk about avant-garde, this is how the set up looks.  To the American reader you will see that is just how it is, it works and is very popular, for the Brits this will be something very novel.

I should add that these were taken in the early morning, so no one there because of the time.

So one of the other obsessions, signage, well lots to see on this day,

The journey through (thru) Northern Carolina has been one of woodlands and more woodland, and lorries (trucks) but not too many of them.

They are very big  and bikers are not

At our daily ceremony to names the fallen from the wars we are often joined by others, many are 'Vets' themselves.

You may think sunset, but no think dawn.

Night all.

The Buckle of the Bible Belt

Yes here we are in the South Eastern part of North Carolina. We are at a very good camp site with great facilities but, yes you know what I am going to say, no wifi.

The very kind Tom was going by on his golf buggy and offered up his at his home which I am now using.

Tom was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, he was shot down, one survivor amongst 8 crew that were shot down that day, June 12 1972.

He still flies and became a pastor after his service in the forces.

Which brings me to the focus of the blog today. Tom tells me that this is the bible belt and then some, His quote   "........you are on the Buckle of the Bible Belt here...."

Certainly as you pass through the country the one thing that you see a great deal of is churches, maybe 4 or 5 for even a small community, these are often newly built, or built over the last 30 years or so,

Like this one, with huge car parks.

But not all so new, but I don't think that this is in use any more...

and its not just churches that are to be seen, the numbers of billboards are very popular, this one, clearly hand  painted, is typical.  It was really in the middle of nowhere.

Lots of churches and lots of florists, lots of handmade signs and adverts, this combine the two.

To the side of the door we have some great art work....

and the "We can deliver...." sign

At the end of the day we stay in all sorts of places, Union and dawn.  The fair ground, where the Agriculture Fair is held each year and had been held for the previous 104 years at this site.

The day before the day before

Back to the place we went from reader, yes the the blog goes back to the day prior to Clemson.  For this blog I thought I would have a look at how that day went, who we met and what we saw.

It finished in the small town of Toccoa, but we had to get there, and on the road we saw and photogrpahed a Neon Studio, we met the owner and he told us of his busness.  In many ways he reminded me of many American entropenours we have met. Open and up front about how the buisenss was going, his problems and asperiations. He spoke of his pride in his business and the effects of the recession had been having. He was happy to have his photo taken I am glad to say.

Thd road outside his office and workshop was suitable curve to make a good turn on a bike, sorry a Harley...

Harleys are THE bike of choice for many Americans, and the brand represenst one of the most enduring iconic American images, along with what, well a big car.  Not so many big cars on the road, lots of big 4x4's though.

The small towns are very attrative, easy to get around, have a good range and varierty of stores, very often in spite of the massive out of town shopping malls.  I have yet to see a butcher's shop but lots of florists.

Also lots of space...

We were able to have our ceremony of names in the towns main square on a beutiful evening, both the local radio and newspaper reporters joined us, I assume the coverage will appear before too long in the paper and on the radio if not already done so.

In the evening we stayed as guests of the Baptist Convention Centre, a great spot. By a lake and one that some of us had to swin in, Alvon had to swin in, always a risk taking your iPhone on such a tgrip!

Dahlonega is in Georgia

Yes it is, Dahlonega is in Georgia, so the blog is in reverse, I would like to tell the avid reader about our ride into and our stay in Toccoa.

But first a small test.

Here we have a picture of something, yes its brown that has no bearing whatsoever on the purpose, but here is the question what is the purpose of this brown thing?

I have smudged out the company names that would say what it does. But what does it do or what would you use such a thing for.

Moving on...

and now for the important stuff.  People

The rides and organisation around Dahlonega was organised for us by a remarkable woman, Jeanette and very ably assisted by her good friends Julie.

We have met so many remarkable and good people on our journey and both of these two remarkable women were great company, hugely supportive, helpful and just, well, good to be with. Many thanks.

The were able to organise a very good and comfortable overnight stop for us in the beautiful home of Betty and Bill,

Again, what can one say except, many thanks, we enjoyed greatly your hospitality and welcome that you gave us.

Betty makes parasols and umbrellas.  Very good to help with rain if biking....

The town was host to a very good naming ceremony.

As we have gone across country we have noticed the number of elections for Sheriffs and other public appointments.  In this part of the world its the same.  So folks your chance to view the potential, fist Sheriff...

and for the judge....

The American Food Culture, I know I have spoken of this before on this blog and for good reason, it is hard not to be impressed with the quality and quantity of food that is available in the States.

In addition the names are very inventive, I think I can understand what is meant by this type of burger but I am not sure...

Charbroiled is a word we just don't have in the UK and, well thickburger is a new one as well, I guess it mean a B I G burger cooked over charcoal.  If you know please drop a note on the bottom also the quiz picture.

As we left Dahlonega we saw this rock, part painting, part sculpting in the garden of a house owner in the town.

The paintings are in recognition of those killed in the 9/11 events.

From our pint of view it was interesting to see the text, "From shining sea to shining sea'

and finally folks.  TVK enjoys a monster ice cream,