September 2, 2023 – I’m going to take a chapter out of Sarah Kreb’s playbook and go with Plan B. Earlier this year Sarah of Jackson, Wi set out to run the entire Ice Age Trail in record time. The goal was to raise money and awareness for cancer and her friend Corey, who died too young of pancreatic. Her adventure was titled Sarah’s Crusade for Corey.
There was a lot of planning, logistics, and promotion; a week into the ultra event Sarah was hindered by a nagging leg injury that put the 1,150-mile trek on hold.
Undeterred, Sarah rested and within a week was back on track. She put in 50-mile days; running. She successfully finished her journey on July 16, 2023.
Be. Like. Sarah.
Within a week of setting out on my annual bike tour, Cody, WY to WI, I had an unexpected encounter with a low-hanging tree branch. While it pushed me sideways and to the ground, I got up, brushed some dirt on it, and pedaled another 30 miles.
Something wasn’t right as I couldn’t brake with my left hand and it felt extremely weak. My sister, the nurse, prescribed RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
I didn’t have time for two of those and this wasn’t going according to plan.
Be. Like. Sarah.
I took a day off but then needed to soldier forward to get home in a couple of weeks. Any normal person would phone a friend, buy a plane/bus/train ticket, or rent a car.
Instead, I sought out Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois license plates at the KOA campground and started hitchhiking with retired people in mobile homes. It was safer than trying to hitch a ride at corner gas stations.
While unconventional, it still did afford lots of adventure and newfound friendships.
Noreen and Jeff from California were touring the wild West and helped me safely get from Moorcroft, WY to Rapid City, SD.
Jamie and Mary Kay from Illinois are probably going to start their own bus tour business. They took me through Wall Drug, the Badlands, and the Corn Palace before dropping me in Mitchell, SD.
“So where will you be staying tonight,” asked Jamie after a full day of traveling together.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’ll knock on a couple of church doors and see if someone will take me in.”
“You travel weird,” said Jamie.
“I know,” I said.
Mary Kay and Jamie have contacted me daily to see how I’m doing.
Be. Like. Sarah.
After securing a church that night in Mitchell, SD, I took my sore, swollen arm and pedaled 8 miles east to a KOA campground and met Marc from Illinois. We became fast friends and he welcomed someone to talk to as he drove back home after seeing Grand Teton National Park.
“I cried, they were so beautiful,” he said.
Marc was a Cubs fan, recently retired from UPS, and a people person.
“I guess that’s why I was a good union steward,” he said. “I like people.”
The miles between Mitchell, SD and Albert Lea, MN passed quickly. The landscape changed from plains to fields of corn and windmills.
Marc dropped me at a McDonald’s in Lake Delton, Wi. I have friends in the area and another day of resting my wing will definitely help.
Be. Like. Sarah.
Sarah Krebs was always smiling. She was putting in grueling miles, she may not have even known what day it was… but she was always smiling and enjoying the experience even though it didn’t go as planned.
I phoned my friend Shelly who I’ve consulted before for physical therapy.
“It’s all about maintaining a range of motion,” she said.
“Can you reach behind and tug up your pants,” she asked.
Yup.
“Can you scratch the back of your head?”
Yup.
“Can you tug your pants, scratch the back of your head and now trace two fingers on your left hand down your outstretched right arm,” she instructed.
Yes… Is that range of motion?
“No, but if you played fast-pitch softball for Joan Gianniou at Dominican that was our steal sign,” said Shelly.
Yes, I’m still trying to be like Sarah and enjoy the adventure.
“Have I not commanded you? … Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
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The 2023 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raises money every year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2023.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.