The Romaniello Bike Blog

Atlantic Dreams

2008-10-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

They made it to Portland, Maine yesterday in a nasty driving rain and stayed the night in a motel. Nora parted ways and boarded a train back to New Hampshire. They awoke early this AM. The weather had changed and it was a beautiful cloudless day. They rode the five miles to Higgins beach where they dipped their bikes into the Atlantic. Then, they ate some buffalo jerky that they had purchased from a guy in Oregon.

Oh frabjous day! Callooh Callay!

Back at the motel they packed up their stuff and headed to the UPS store to shell out $200 each to pack and ship their bikes. In another auspicious ceremony, Chuck threw his leaky tent that he has had since 1976 into a dumpster.

Today they completed their transcontinental journey which began on July 15th in Florence, Oregon in three months and two days. During their trip they passed through fifteen states and one other country and covered a distance of 4400 miles (and some change). They met dozens of fabulous, hospitable folks who opened their homes or assisted them on the rode and they made lots of new friends. This adventure required physical stamina, mental discipline and perseverance and was not without it's share of hardships. But for the vast majority of the trip they encountered the most positive aspects of human nature, great weather and ideal rode conditions. We are all very proud of their accomplishment.

Of Wolves and Whales

2008-10-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

They spent Sunday the 12th in an ATV park in Cannan, New Hampshire and then rode to Lebanon where they hooked up with Nora and stayed at a ATV park and had Chinese food at a local wokaria. They are in the most glorious part of New England at the peak of Autumn. Leah describes the autumn colors as "neon".

Today, Wednesday, they rode to Meredith, NH and cruised to the local campsite only to find that it was closed. What to do? Ride another forty miles late in the day? Once again the great bicycle god, El Cycib, (pronounced El-Ki-sib) was watching and sent as an emissary the angel, Paul who offered his back yard on the banks of the great Lake Winnipesaukee. It was four miles from the closed campsite, and when they arrived, Paul, and his wife Kathy had built a beautiful fire and brought out the holy sacrament of cold beer.

They sat around the fire and exchanged stories and Paul and Kathy described an epiphany they had while kayaking off the coast of New Foundland. They encountered a couple of whales who leaped out of the water in their presence, an amazing enough sight to behold. But wait! There's more! The great leviathans swam about a mile out to sea then one turned around and swam back to the kayak, lifted its great head out of the ocean and looked at them with its giant eye. Then leaped one more time and swam away. They said this was a prime experience and for days afterward they felt connected to the universe and all of its inhabitants.

When I talked to Leah, she and Nora were snug in their sleeping bags and it was in the low forties. Paul and Kathy's neighbors raise hybrid wolves and they can hear them howling and it sounds like curse of the vampire. It is a full moon after all. As the fire dies out, they slumber on the shores of Winnipesaukee, the guests of two very fine and interesting folks. Tomorrow they will cross into Maine, their ultimate goal being the shores of Portland, and then in 7 days they'll fly to Denver. Leah will join her mom, Rebecca, and they'll drive back to Tucson together.

Stevie Roman

Cathy's on the road

2008-10-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday they spent the day in Rutland, Vermont getting tires for Leah's bike and running errands and assembling Cathy's bike. She will be riding to the finish with them. They stayed at Jen's Motel, and Leah said that Jen is a really nice person who took good care of them. This morning they hit the grocery store and and bought some goodies for the road. They headed for Woodstock, Vermont and put in 7 miles up hill and Cathy was a trooper. When they arrived, there was no place to stay. So they asked directions and unfortunately the directions were inaccurate and they put in about an hour and a half on the road in the dark. They rode a total of 47.5 miles. Finally they ended up in Queshee State park. Fortunately they had food so Leah ate a roast beef wrap, some sushi, a really delicious apple and a Reeses peanut butter cup. C and C ate a sandwich each and a sweet roll.

Tomorrow they'll cross over into New Hampshire and hook up with Leah's college buddy and brilliant photographer Nora who will also ride to Portland (I think). The sailing looks smoooth and they will be wrapping up this trip in less than a week so stay tuned.

Hi Autumn

2008-10-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

They tooled Rt. 28 between Old Forge and Ticonderoga through the glorious foliage of the Adirondacks, passing lakes and forests. Leah said the biking was beautiful, the weather perfect though a little chilly. Last night they had a beer in a bar where there was a bar fight between two inebriated patrons. Harsh words and then fisticuffs were exchanged - very exciting! Last night too, it rained and CR got a little wet and soggy but the weather was perfect again this morning and so they peddled on past Fort Ticonderoga which they visited, the place of the great Revolutionary and French and Indian War encampment.

They took a short ferry ride across Lake George and hit Orwell today where they are spending the night. Leah said Orwell is a "perfect very clean and pristine little town". Chuck is feeling nostalgic , I'm sure because we spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks as kids, on hikes and canoe trips. They are camped in the old churchyard.

In other parts of the world and as an earmark of the time, the McCain campaign is getting ugly and desperate and telling horrible lies to the ignorant masses, some of who are stupid enough to believe their drool about Barrack Obama. And that dummy Sarah Palin - George Bush in Lipstick is babbling her stupid drivel. Still Obama has an 11 point lead indicating that the stupid, lying carnivorous Republicans are on the way out (for joy for joy). Also the economy is falling hard and fast and we may be heading into a depression.

But hey, I'm not depressesd nor are our two traveleers who are hitting the home stretch. They'll ride only 20 miles tomorrow to Rutland and meet Kathy there on Saturday. Then it's just a few more days across New Hampshire to Maine. So the trip's in it's last weeks and there can be no better place to be. Soon their toes will be touching the great North Atlantic and their dream will be realized.

Adirondack fall

2008-10-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

It's high autumn and the traveleers are in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. I can't think of a better place to be. Yesterday they rode from Fulton (I think ) and landed in Old Forge which is a quiet hamlet. Leah sent me a picture of a farm and a milk cow which is all I've received over the past few days because I don't think they have much phone service. Last night when I spoke to her it was cold and she was snuggled in her sleeping bag at KOA campground.

They are pretty close to the Vermont border as the crow flies but the terrain is hilly. I think they will be hanging out in Ticonderoga for a few days to enjoy the glorious autumn while they wait for Cathy to show up.

Erie Canal and Lake Ontario

2008-10-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

From Lakawanna they peddled as far as Spencerport and camped in the park there. A hard driving rained pummeled them all night long which either lulled them to sleep or kept them awake, I'm not sure which, but I can say that they emerged from their tents bone dry. The next day (Friday) was clear and beautiful. They met a guy, (Herbert) about Leah's age who was bicycling East to meet some friends and they chatted it up to discover that he was from the Old Pueblo, Tucson AZ, Leah's home town. They knew a lot of the same people, in fact Herbert saw Sam Fuller just the other day in Vermont. Herbert is going to ride from NY to Tucson this fall with a group of friends.

They rode along the Erie Canal and watched as huge boats were floated uphill by the giant locks and landed in Palmyra around midday and were "power eating" a huge lunch at a local bar when I spoke to them. They were planning to head north another 20 miles to camp on the banks of Lake Ontario.

Stevie Roman

Rain and road dirt

2008-10-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

It's been raining hard and they had to stay in a hotel last night in a town whose name escapes me at this moment but I will no doubt remember later. It get's pricey at 80 bucks a pop and so they are hoping the the weather clears so they can head to Rochester (of Kodak fame), about 50 miles away, but they're getting a late start and it looks like they might make it only thirty miles which is good because there are no campsites in Rochester and they'll have to shell out for another hotel. It's getting cold too, as summer has past and the wind chill factor on a bike going 20 mph is considerable.

They were in a laundromat when Leah called this AM washing the road dirt from their clothing. Matt headed off ahead a few days ago due to time constraints and an excess of testosterone, so it's conceivable that the could put in 100 or more miles per day (oy vey!) and may already be in Maine. Anyway, that's about all she said but more tomorrow no doubt.

Niagara Falls falls in the Fall

2008-10-01T23:51:00.000-07:00

Leah told me that yesterday as they peddled through Lakawana, New York they beheld a giant tumult on Lake Erie. Truly a sight to behold! A waterspout! A tornado over a body of water had formed sucking everything in it's path, primarily H2O and a few lampreys and sturgeon no doubt. They neglected to get a photograph so I've included an artists rendition. They crossed into Canada and spent the night at Fort Erie. For a moment they thought about staying until after the election in case McCain and Palin win, (god forbid), but after further rumination decided that it would be best to continue their journey.

Today, the first of October, 2008, LR and CR cruised pass the great Niagara falls on the frontier of New York and Canada. Leah called me and held the phone to the falls so I could hear the the roar of the falls. It sounded like she was running a bath. They viewed Horseshoe falls from the Canadian side and then bicycled across the U.S. border for a close-up of American Falls which actually falls up. They were quite excited to see (and hear) so much water in one place and I'm sure they had to pee afterwards.

They have about 400 miles to go to the NY-VT border which they will do at a leisurely pace as they are going to meet Kathy in Vermont on the 11th which gives them a lot of time to get there. Western New York is incredibly beautiful at this time of year so I think they'll be taking a few side trips, eating plenty of apples (it's harvest time) and digging the intense colors of the peak of autumn. Lucky, lucky, luck them.

Another State, Another Country

2008-10-01T00:48:00.001-07:00

I talked with Leah briefly today and she said they rode through the western edge of New York and into Canada. They seem to be making incredible time. Are we sure their bikes aren't moterized? That's about it for today except that it's raining and they are staying in a hotel to avoid getting drenched. More tomorrow.

On da Lake and Into New Yawk

2008-09-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

Publish Post

Leah, Chuck and Matt crossed into Pennsylvainia yesterday after a nice stay in Hudson Ohio. They rode along lake Erie for a day and camped on the beach at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio where they met Tom and Carly Kalish (picture attached), then after crossing the PA border they peddled another 50 lake view miles or so, and hit the outskirts of Erie PA and once again camped on the beach. The Eastern ambience is quite obvious at this point as shown by the white clapboard houses and covered bridges. Matt decided to forge on ahead and so he did, but when Leah and Chuck arrived at the campsite near Erie who did they run into but Matt who had to take a detour into Erie to buy some tires (he got a couple of flats) so Matts back with the crew today. Leah said that they also ran into a young man who had the same problem and Chuck stayed up late helping him patch a tire so he could go into Erie and buy a couple of new ones.

In no time they they slipped across the New York border, still on the lake, and in in grape country. Apparently they stopped and chatted with a guy who was harvesting grapes on a huge grape harvesting machine, and they spent over an hour riding around on the machine and stuffing themselves with fresh fruit. That slowed em down a little as they only put in 45 miles today. Leah said they'll continue along the lake a while longer until they get to Canada and they'll cross into Canada for a short stint then back across the border into the interior of the Empire State.

It's a great time to be touring the east what with the changing leaves and the cool days. Leah says they might check out Niagra falls. Perhaps go over in a barrel if the opportunity allows. No... enough adventure for one day!

Stevie Roman

Rest Stop in Hudson

2008-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

Chuck read the blog and called me and said that I had left out some info in the Hi ho Ohio post, so it's been added. Apparently the people of Ohio have been really fab to the Traveleers and they wanted me to acknowledge it and express their gratitude to all of the wonderful friends they have made.

Yesterday they rode from New Fairfield to Hudson, Ohio, 71 miles. They met a fellow biker who recommended that they take Granger Road which turned out to be quite a nightmare, no shoulders and a lot of traffic, and a fierce east wind. In fact they dubbed it the Road of Death. Well they made it through with out a scratch, (grazie Jesus, Maria e' tutti gli apostoli) and found there way to the Coyahoga River that had a wonderful trail. They stayed with Sue and Ron Stroble, Kathy's cousins, (picture attached) where they are loafing for a day as I write this.

Their hosts have taken good care of the three Travelleers with fab-u-lous meals, and nice soft beds.

This afternoon, Chuck and Matt helped Ron with some business on the roof, while Leah wrote post cards to the folks she had met on the road, and this evening they all watched the debate. Leah observed that the Dems and Repubs are not that much different in their world view. I beg to differ, (that's something I might have said when I was 24. ) I think my illustrious daughter has very radical ideas and I applaud her for that.

Tomorrow they head east again along Lake Erie and on to Pennsylvania (about 100 miles or so).

Stevie Roman

Hi ho Ohio

2008-09-23T23:47:00.000-07:00

The Traveleers left Iroquois, Illinois and peddled to Monon, Indiana, roughly 60 miles. They had dinner and then put in another 5 miles to an RV park called Trasher Woods campground. Monon must be a real party town because when they arrived at the campground, there was a huge party happening, hosted by the owners, a wonderful couple who invited them to the festivities. Leah said they had a blast. And were well taken care of by their new friends. It is indeed extraordinary that people have been so open and hospitable through out the trip.

Next day they put in another 70 miles, but Leah wasn't clear about where they stayed. Somewhere between Monon and Monroeville. Could be Royal Center, or perhaps Denver or any of a dozen places. In Monroeville they hooked up with Matt who had ridden West from Cleveland to meet them, so now the team consists of three. In Monroeville, they stayed at a free shelter especially for bikers doing the Trans America route.

They are happy to have Matt on the team. Leah says he's enthusiastic and fast. In fact today they put in another 60 plus miles clear to McComb Ohio, chalking up their 9th state. They are camping at the city park at a beautiful lake tonight. When they hit these small towns, they get permission from the local police to sleep at the park. The cops were really nice about it and gave em a tour of the town and unlocked the restrooms for them. In fact. the mayor took em to the local VFW (picture attached) where they fed em dinner and then breakfast the next AM. The people of these small towns are quite wonderful and have been really hospitable to Leah and Chuck. When you've been on the road and enter a town as a stranger it is truly delightful to be made to feel welcome, and these folks have put out the welcome mat and a fine feed bag to boot and the Traveleers really appreciate it.

UPDATE: Road Kill Report

Bikers have a unique opportunity to witness firsthand and close-up road kill that many drivers miss and therefore bikers can make informed observations. Leah says that the road kill in the central states is quite different than that of the Western states. In Idaho and Montana the road kill consisted mainly of deer and coyotes and has a very high stink quotient possibly 7.5-8.6. Whereas in Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana, the road kill is mainly raccoons and opossum. While the smaller roadkill is far more abundant, it has a much lower stink quotient, possibly 3 - 7.2 depending on the length of time on the road.

Leah added that road kill is really unpleasant but by far the most horrible smell of all are chicken farms topping the stink quotient scale. In fact, she passed by a chicken farm the other day and swore off eggs for life. That is, until breakfast the next morning.

Stevie Roman

Corn corn everywhere but not a niblette to nibble

2008-09-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Friday, the Traveleers put in 60 plus miles and landed in Iroquois, Illinois lookin for a hot meal. Apparently there is not a lot of food in these parts as both Chuck and Leah complained bitterly about the lack of good eats. Small towns in the midwest; population 1000 or less, have difficulty supporting a grocery store or a decent restaurant. Hey, they ain't askin for Whole Foods or Chez Pannise (although that would be lovely) no,we're talkin just a good hardy feed of something other than burgers and fries. Something with a little seasoning already. Chuck says he's getting scurvy from the lack of fresh fruit, and Leah laments the absence of excellent pie.

CR also was incredulous at the fact that they are in the middle of the so called "bread basket" of America and there are no fresh fruits or vegetables and the only restaurants are franchises like Burger King and Pizza hut and the only grocery store is Cacy's, a kind of convenience store that specializes in processed hydrocarbons that vaguely resemble food. Ironically, thousands of square miles of Illinois is devoted to growing inedible corn and soybeans for ethanol (pictures attached) so we should perhaps be calling this America's "fuel pump" instead of "bread basket". Another irony is that they are only 70 miles from Chicago, where at Walinskys they could eat one of the best damn Porterhouse steaks on the continent. Perhaps they should consider a detour.

Stevie Roman

Meatball Blues

2008-09-19T00:47:00.000-07:00

Last night, (Wednesday), Leah and Chuck rolled into Winona Illonois. They'd heard about the spaghetti and meatball special for $5.95 at the local Italian restaurant. By the time they got there however the place had run out of meatballs. Drat! they exclaimed expressing their disappointment to the management. So they settled on some unspecified dish. When you're peddling for seven hours at a stretch eating becomes really critical Leah said.

Anyway this AM they headed out but three and a half miles down the road they found they were heading in the wrong direction. Drat again they exclaimed as they swung their bikes around adding a total of 7 extra miles. They finally got back on track and rode another forty miles east to Odell Illinois, population, a little over 1000. They ran into Jim, Connie, and Craig Ribholz. Jim practically runs the town, and Connie works at the high school. Craig their son is going to the local community college studying agriculture. The Ribholz's were kind enough to offer our traveleers their shower when the one at the campground was closed. They all went out to dinner together at another local Italian joint although she didn't specify weather they finally got meatballs and spaghetti, Leah reports that they had a swell time.

The roads are good and the weather has been fine. They are going to meet Matt, Chuck's nephew-in-law somewhere between the Indiana border and and Cleavland, Ohio because he's heading west. When they hook up, he'll point his bike in East and finish the trip with them. Kathy is going to hook up with the team in Vermont. They should be crossing into Indiana if they put in a longish day tomorrow.

The Photos of Leah, and Chuck from a birds eye view were taken in Illinois. The one of the city hall was taken in Wyoming.

Stevie Roman

Hospitality in Illinois

2008-09-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

It was a short ride yesterday due to the late start and Leah and Chuck crossed the mighty Mississippi into Illinois and made it as far as Reynolds. After a meal at a local bar and grill, the establishment invited our two traveleers to sleep on the floor. A fine meal, shelter and a delicious pie (what more can you ask for?) as they celebrated Chucks 63 years of walking (or riding) on the earth. Today they put in a little more distance; 60-some miles clear to Kawanee where their luck held out and they were=again invited to stay in the home of John (picture enclosed) the triathlete guy they met. Cozy and warm in John's pad, Leah sounded pretty bushed when she called a couple of hours ago. The people in the midwest have been amazingly hospitable to our two road rats and it seems that they are open to making new friends. Enclosed are a couple of pix Leah sent and two Google Earth maps of where they they have stayed since they left Denver and where they are now in Illinois. The little yellow markers indicate the communities where they have spent a night.

Stevie Roman

Happy B-Day Chuck

2008-09-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

As I write this Leah and Chuck are in Muscatine Iowa. They rode 76 miles from Fairfield partially because of detours and washed out bridges. Fairfield is an alternative university town (Maharishiville) with a lot of hippies walking around in tie-died shirts. They stayed in the old hotel there, the Landmark Inn. Leah said that road conditions were very bad and it has been raining much of the time due to resididuals from hurricane Ivan. In Muscatine, they camped in the back yard of the bike shop because the next campsite was a ways from town, and had dinner at Happy Joe's restaurant where they met a nice guy there with whom they talked politics. Chuck is having a spoke replaced and Leah has a problem with her chain. The bike mechanic had just arrived at 1 pm today when I spoke to them. His name is Charlie Harper (picture enclosed). It looks like they might not put in many miles today because they are getting a late start.

Anyway It's Chuck's birthday today (Happy B-day Chuck!) and it looks like the wheather is about to improve, an apt birthday present from God or Momma Earth, or the cosmos or whoever. They celebrated at the Good Earth this AM and I'm sure the festivities will continue throughout the day.

Chuck announced that he is increasing his dose of Terazaciene (reduces frequency of peeing). This may appear like too much information on this blog but I'm sure crawling out of a warm sleeping bag on a cold, damp night ain't no picnic, and therefore quite relevant to the conversation. At 63 years old one may not be over the hill but ones bladder is considering its retirement options.

Chuck and Leah are driving on with 1600 miles to go in mas o menos 32 days on their fabulous adventure. Chuck said he is elated by the serendipitous nature of the trip. All one can do is adapt to the current circumstance whether it means taking a detour around a washed out bridge or holeing up in a hotel during a fierce rain. Well, Chuck and Leah, enjoy this beautiful day as the sun breaks through the clouds, as you turn 63 years old. You're close to the Mississippi river, only a few miles from the Illinois border and the road looks sunny ahead.

BTW, check out my my political blog, Stevie Roman Rants for insights and babble about the election and other stuff.

Hospitality and Lost Horizons

2008-09-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

The rolling hills of Iowa present paradoxes. Up, down, up, down, up, down, up down, ad infinitum. Each slow climb is equaled by a speedy descent downward to another steep climb and so on. Yesterday, September 10th, our traveleers encountered this vigorous terrain. They got a late start and had some setbacks, closed roads, washed out bridges and the lack of information hindered their journey and they put in a mere 37 miles by 7PM. It was getting dark with no place to rest. As they rode through Ellston, Iowa, an angel who was tending her garden saw them rolling past and inquired “hey, where ya going?” to which Leah replied, “Maine!” The lady retorted “No, I mean where you going tonight?” To which they revealed their plans to put in another fifteen miles in the dark to a possible campground up the road. “Why don’t you stay with us?” She querried. Pretty much spent and overjoyed at the prospect of a shower, a warm bed, and good company, they agreed without hesitation.

Donna, Kevin and Grandma (who is 95 years old) Greenland (picture enclosed) are kind, generous and hospitable folks and Obama supporters to boot. Leah and Chuck had a splendid time, chatting it up with the Greenlands. Donna (who is a surgical Nurse) and quite energetic prepared superb fillet minions from cattle they had raised on their farm and set out a fabulous spread. In the morning she served a fine breakfast too and Leah picked the most delicious pears from the orchard. C and L had a wonderful time and were completely overwhelmed by the openheartedness of these wonderful people.

So today, energized by their new friend's hospitality they put in another 65 miles to Rathbun Lake and were planning to hit the local steakhouse for dinner (picture enclosed as I just received it as I'm writing this). No setbacks today except a spoke on Chuck’s bike broke. (mmm sounds poetic doesn’t it? – spoke, bike, Chuck, broke). Anyway he did a temporary repair and will get it fixed in Muscatine Iowa a few days up the road.

Chuck also said that they rode through a the middle of fabulous anachronism called Greenfield Iowa, which has wide streets and giant 19th century houses with lawns the size of a golf courses.

Chuck had an epiphany about this phase of the trip which he shared with me so here it is: A powerful underlying logic is what dictates the length of travel on a particular day. Iowa has dozens of small towns dispersed at unknown distances throughout the hill country. The roads are an unknown of which few in any given town have knowledge nor do they know what lies more than a few miles up ahead in any direction. Is there food? Are there campsites? Is there another town? Is there roadwork going on? Are the bridges washed out from last years flood? Although they have the physical capability of putting in many additional miles, it is the lack information that limits these possibilities and apparently in rural Iowa gathering information at the local pub, the restaurant or wherever requires a bit of probing in that these little villages are usually pretty isolated. As farmers, the people here live their lives in contact with the earth and are open hearted and generous and perhaps what lies up the road really isn’t of much interest. When you live in Shangra La why should it be?

People, Crickets and Road Kill

2008-09-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Leah and Chuck spent their first night in Iowa in a state park after a long slog in the rain. Next morning they headed East but to their consternation discovered that the Iowa highway system is not particularly welcoming to bicyclists as the roads have unridable gravel shoulders forcing them into the narrow two-lane thoroughfare with trucks speeding by at 90 MPH. "Drat!" they exclaimed (plus other expletives I'm sure) and made the decision to take unmarked country back roads. Chuck said these roads are wonderful, nobody on em except the very occasional farmer driving a tractor at 10 MPH. Only problem is that no one seems to know how to find these roads so they ask several folks directions, and everyone has a different opinion. But sooner or later they find themselves on the right track and every thing be cool.

It was raining when they hit Coin, Iowa and they were greeted at the gates of this fair berg by Rick, general caretaker and cool dude who practically runs the town (picture enclosed).

Rick directed them to the local campsite and the Coin Bar and Grill where the folks are friendly and the beer is cold. Mike the bar tender and the other patrons took a keen interest in their adventure and they spent the evening in the company of kindred spirits.

Next AM they awoke to Rick's strong coffee and cinnamon rolls. Wow! what service! Rick's a real mensch! He's got three kids and lives in this peaceful little town of 250 and does a lot to keep the town ship-shape.

They got a late start because they had to dry their tents and gear but made it 55 miles to Lenox-population a thousand or so. Leah said all the folks in Iowa are quite tall and Iowa is home to several billion crickets whose sound is a constant - day and night. Also she said a surprising number of a raccoons and possum has been converted to road-kill, Iowa's second biggest export (my comment) . The country-side is green and the rolling hills are beautiful if not challenging.

Chuck said that they are winging it right now and their route is an invention until they reach Eastern Iowa when they are back on the great northern Trans-American route again. Leah says that every day is exciting and different and she never knows what to expect.

-Stevie Roman

Crossing Into Iowa

2008-09-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

Leah and Chuck were headed for Aurora, Nebraska on Friday night and they made the 60 miles in a driving rain which luckily cleared by the time they arrived and they were able to set up camp in relative dryness. Then, yesterday they pulled a 70 mile day, clear to Lincoln where they were wined and dined by Leah's cousins Jim and Anneta. They are a wonderful couple who live in Scribner, a bit north east of Lincoln. Actually Leah and Chuck stayed at Jim's friends Mary and Jerry and they had a splendid time with a fine dinner being served and great conversation (mostly politics I suppose as that, of course is the general topic of discussion these days) and comfy warm beds being graciously provided. In the AM Jim and Anetta picked em up and took em to breakfast at the local IHOP. Leah said that the whole time spent with these fine folks was fabulous! So today (Sunday) they pulled another 60 and made it to a State Park about 12 miles into Iowa. Our traveleers rack up yet another state. That makes seven which everybody knows is a lucky number.

The days are getting shorter and cooler and they are rolling out of bed and getting on the road a bit earlier. In Iowa, the corn is as high as an elephant's eye as, I'm sure are Leah and Chuck.

Stevie Roman

Things are Copacetic

2008-09-05T01:34:00.000-07:00

Leah called a little while ago and it looks as though our wishes were answered. I asked that today they have an easier time then yesterday which was a @#$%^&* day with flats, broken racks, bent handle bars and head winds. Leah said it was smooth sailing all the way to Karney a clean 65 miles- blue sky, and no wind. They are staying with Leah's cousin, Doug and things are copacetic. They had a delicious spaghetti dinner and nice digs and it looks like they'll have a great nights sleep for a change. She saw John McCains uninspired acceptance speech and commented on how lackluster it was. Not much more to report in that our conversation was brief. More on this tomorrow. Here's a pic they sent of a covered wagon that some pioneers no doubt abandoned when they got confused and couldn't figure out which direction they were traveling.

A @#$%^&*!!! day.

2008-09-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

Chuck and Leah were staying at a park in North Platte Nebraska sacking out after putting in 55 miles on the road. At 2AM, the sprinklers came on and squirted through the open windows of Chucks tent. "#@$%^&*!!!! and a fusillade of other obscenities, we can hear him shouting into the night as the sprinkler makes another pass. He managed to close the window but he's a bit damp anyway and the sprinkler's sound kept them both awake for a while, so they ended up oversleeping and didn't rise until 9AM. Drowsy eyed from fitful sleep, Leah looked at her bike and realized that she had yet another flat caused by a ^&% $%#@ thistle so it wasn't until 10:30 that they changed the tube, oiled their chains and got on the road. They stopped at a local dive for breakfast which consumed another @#$^%& hour and a half.

10 miles down Route 30, pedaling furiously Chuck takes a $%^(*@ spill. Fortunately he walks away uninjured if not a little humiliated and covered with #$%^&**& thistles. Apparently the front fender broke loose and jammed his wheel. A few makeshift repairs with bubble gum and rubber bands and they're back in business. 25 miles down the road in a heavy head-wind they take a break at a roadside cafe. They notice that Chuck's rack has lost a bolt and needs to be reattached. More % @$%^& time wasted. In another few miles Chuck spills again *(&^%&$#@!!!!!!! This time his handle bars were too loose and dropped. Will this #$^&%$@ day ever end? Well it does actually, in Gothenberg Nebraska 40, miles from the starting point. Chuck pitches his tent and realizes that he's lost a X*&%())&% tent peg. He manages to replace it somehow and they head to the Rundazzle Cafe to drown their frustrations in pie. Leah surmised when we spoke tonight that they got through this $%^&$@ day by laughing throughout it all. Tomorrow they're heading on a 6% downhill 100 mile run to Karney, Nebraska with blue skys, a tail wind and two solid bikes, - in our dreams -SR

Carbo Orgy

2008-09-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

Leah and Chuck spent the first night of September in Oglala Nebraska. They had put in a 65 mile day and set up their tents in a campground and put a few articles of clothing around the campsite to air out. Then they headed for the all-you-can-eat pasta joint to load up on linguine, rigatoni, spaghetti and lasagna et al.. After le gran repas carbo orgy, they headed out to the street to ride their bikes back to the campground, about a half mile down the road when they were overwhelmed by a le gran downpour. Naturally they got drenched, especially Leah as she neglected to bring her rain gear to the restaurant. Well, they made it back to camp and everything was a bit soggy but they managed to climb into the tents and hit the hay. Next morning they awoke to a cloudless blue sky. Leah said this was the first experience they had with rain since July 15th when they began their trip except for a few minor drizzles in Montana- rather remarkable, methinks and hopefully the whether will hold all the way to Maine.

Tonight, as the candidate running for fuhrer of the United States, John McCain and his running mate, soon-to-be unwed grandmother, book burner, creationism theorist and gun-toting beauty queen, Sarah Palin exchange platitudes with their delusional fellow Republicans in Minneapolis, Leah and Chuck are in Cody Park in North Platte Nebraska, no doubt a Republican stronghold. Leah said the people here are very interested in their adventure, also very conservative and very nice. Imagine that!

-Stevie Roman

2008-09-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

I got this picture today. I think its a picture of the Nebraska state line but it's so tiny because it was taken with a cell phone that it is difficult to decipher.

-SR

Nasty Winds and Exploding Tires

2008-08-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Chuck and Leah made it to Briggsdale where, Leah said, they were devoured by hungry mosquitoes. So they ate a modest dinner and got to bed early and hit the road the next morning heading for Sterling Colorado. Leah said they had to battle some nasty side winds over the past few days. In Sterling, they met DeDe a wonderful helpful person who directed them to the next campsite down the road (DeDe also posted a in the Blog!). Next morning they awoke to a flat tire on Leah's bike from a thorn or a thistle which in an attempt to repair it, exploded, causing much excitement and a few yuks. Today, (August 31) they put in 50 miles and made it to Holyoke Colorado where they camped at the park and ate Chinese at the local wok joint. Tomorrow they are going to have to change routes because Rt 6 is too windy and will therefore regrettably be unable to see the friends they met at an RV park, Kevin and Melissa Hart who invited them to stay a night in Nebraska. They should cross into Nebraska tomorrow on route 30 which begins their journey into the the American heartland.

-Stevie Roman

Montana Pix

2008-08-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pix of Leah and Chuck's odessy through Montana, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.

They are currently in Fort Collins Colorado after a few days in Denver for R&R and repairs . The Democratic convention was going on while they were there and although they didn't get to see it first hand, they were glued to the TV. They saw Barak Obama's acceptance speech in an RV of a couple of friends they met in a campsite in Fort Collins. Today, August 29th, they began the second half of their journey.

politics as usual

2008-08-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have been basically away from media for a few weeks now and the first thing
we heard upon getting into Missoula is about Paris Hiltons involvement in the
Presedential Campaign. Now I think she is pretty smart to take advantage of the
situation and the media idiocy. But the fact that it becomes a big media event
and uses up time that should be available for a meaningful discussion by the
candidates about fundamental problems confrunting American society should start
seeming strange even to the media crazed public. Now you may say Romaniello
you've been out in the Idaho cani ons too long. But frankly I found the whole
thing distressing. Really there's something clearly wrong.

I've been listening to lectures discussing the great books and it has been
really interesting to see the redundancy of problems that have confronted
society over the last few thousand years. These lectures are in such contrast to
the TV shows that Leah turnd on when we got to Missoula. Go trough the channels
and you see hours and hours of broadcasting with no meaningful content. Think of
the society we could have of super educated people if the media wasn't just
wasted . We should start really talking about weather capitalism hasn't been
taken to some extreme form in recent years so that much of the intellectual product of civilization is meaningless TV trash.

Finally I would be remiss in not mentioning what a beautiful and wonderful town Missoula is. Surrounded by mountains , at the the junction of rivers that flow through town, Missoula is a very wonderful college town of 57 thousand with great food, friendly people, and somehow the perfect ballance of industry and aesthetics. Leah has fallen in love with Missoula and dragging her away for further bicycling adventures may be a problem. In any case tomorrow we hit the road again for the 2 or 3 day assent to Chief Joseph pass 7241ft one of a few obsticals between us and Yellowstone.

more photos

2008-08-06T20:21:00.001-07:00

Montaaaana

2008-08-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

So now after going over the dread Lolo pass we are in Missoula. And what a few days it was. We actually went uphill for about 77 miles only those miles were much easier than we thought. 65 were totally without services but no problem we just loaded up with sandwiches and water and headed out. We spent the night at an unmarked camp site along the river. That morning we were treated to coffee and 15 miles later we were eating ham and eggs in preparation for the pass. The pass was 2000ft or so but hot with some truck traffic. No Problem. Now that we know we can do 7% grades nothing can stop us. I sent about 10 pictures. which should give you the jist of the thing. We got to Lolo hot springs and met a bunch of great folks with whom we partied into the night after the obligatory emersion in the well heated pool.

The road is a wonderful place. We experience days of breathtaking beauty and find friendship wherever we go. There on the other hand was one idiot in a white truck who rolled down his window and started screaming about us not paying road taxes, big guy with a beard. When I told him I would be in gravel if I got any further to the right it just got him madder so his response was to burn as much rubber as he could and drive away , it takes all kinds. And most of the kinds of people, bikers, motorcyclers, campers, fellow travelers are great. There's a picture that I sent in of a contraption in the middle of the river. It was cone shaped and turning. I wondered if it was an automatic gold paner or something that produced power. If anyone knows please send in a comment. We also met a very interesting couple. The guy had been on the TV show Biggest Looser., and had evidently lost over a hundred Lbs. He lost 30 odd Lbs in the first week of the show which made him the winner. What an ins
piration.

I am now typing this from the friendly office of Adventure Cycling in Missoula the folks who made our maps. These maps are wonderful showing camp sites, places to eat, and just about everything you need to successfully bike across the country. Many thanks to these people who make bike touring way easier with there immaculate research.

I'll write some more tomorrow before heading for Yellowstone.

Chuck

A real note

2008-07-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

 Here Goes

July 31, 11:30 Moscow

We are now in Moscow ID visiting my friend Priscilla. We biked up the 2500 ft
white bird hill getting us to Grangeville Idaho. It was hot and long but we're
used to it now. Priscilla picked us up at the golf course there and wisked us
off
to her house and then fed us a sumptuous meal. We will luxuriate here until
Saturday morning when we will be redeposited back on the trail on the way to
Missoula.

We actually did 75 miles yesterday bringing us to the absolutely beautiful
Riverfront Gardens of Stan and Norma Moore on the salmon river at about 830 PM.
They served us breakfast this morning of the most wonderful fruit and yogurt
combination and great coffee too just because they are great people. They were
just so nice and took such great care of us. That's the recurrent story of this
trip so far. Everyone with the exception of an occasional unconscious trucker
has been wonderful.

I have some comments about biking though. First , when they newly gravel and oil
a road you have a mess and potentially dangerous conditions. Yesterday we rode
over 4 miles of it and the pebbles kept getting between my brakes and tire
causing many a profane utterance. Also today Leah took a fall on one of those
indentations in the road that warn drivers that they are too far to the right .
The problem was if you were on the right side of them you were in the gravel and
on the left well there were the logging trucks that weren't very sensitive to
the delema.    HOOOONK!

Let me throw in right here that  Priscilla's son Ben is an amazing wood
sculptor. You can and should see his work on  www.conjureworks.com. Have a look
they are a real treat.

So where's the profound political raving you've come to expect from my pen? I am
elated that  wolves are going to be protected again. What a victory for common
sense. May the  members of the current administration be subject to De-listing
as unprotected species. I wonder how long they would last?

This leads me to talk about the lectures on my I Pod.  I have now listened to
hours of lectures  compiled and provided by Ken Shauer. The subjects have been
wide including The era of Alexander The Great, The history of
American thought, Biological Anthropology, and currently Great Books. My
conclusion from listening to all of this is that all you still employed people
should make a habit of saying an emphatic NO to your boss at least twice a day..
It could ultimately save humanity. Please send me their reactions via the
comment section of this blog. It is indeed apparent that those who simply
unthinkingly follow orders do humanity a great  disservice

A Note to my friend Don Bruns- I listened to Jobe. What a dispicable little God
portrayed. My god and I hope yours is bigger than that. Let me also suggest that
you have Ken download the lectures on biological anthropology. It would do your
head good.Finally check the recumbant picture in this blog. Everyone who I've
talked to loves them. You may have been right however the one in this picture
sold on Amazon for $450 and was perfectly good. Consider getting one and then
buying a $4000 one later if you need one.

July 29, 2008

2008-07-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

steady as she goes

2008-07-29T20:18:00.001-07:00

News from the Romaniellos comes mostly in the form of cell phone photos for now. Chuck is not, admittedly, a world renown texter, thus, his messages are short and to to point. Got this in today.

"We spent the night in a town called counsil, idaho. We journeyed over many passes."

Here are a few  pictures.

news from others

2008-07-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

From John and Terre DeVilbiss - Our Rendezvous in the Cascade Mountains

My wife, Terre and I are friends of Chuck and Cathy and have known them for many years. We live in the Rogue River valley in southwest Oregon and planned to meet up with Chuck and Leah four or five days into their trip. We, along with our yellow Labrador retriever, Mardy, would meet at one of the Suttle Lake campgrounds on the Deschutes National Forest after they crossed Santiam Pass and came down the east side of the Cascade mountains. When we arrived at the campgrounds (July 18th, the day before Chuck and Leah were to arrive) all sites were occupied or reserved (it was Friday, after all) except for a few "First Come-First Served" sites, several very steep "up & down"miles off the main highway. We decided to change locations and began driving west to intercept them. At Santiam Pass we were able to catch a cell phone signal and leave a message for Chuck. Within minutes our phone rang; it was Chuck calling. He had not received our message, but was calling on his own to touch base with us. They were having a late breakfast at the Rustic Skillet restaurant and were wondering where we happened to be. They were getting ready to get back on the road so we told them we'd drive west until we crossed paths.

About 40 miles west of Santiam Pass we caught up with them riding along the McKenzie River under clear skies and sunny weather. It was great meeting Leah whom we had not met before and seeing Chuck for the first time in several years since our last trip to Colorado. They were in high spirits and seemed to be taking the miles in stride. After looking at the miles to go and the time of day, we decided to spend the night at the Ice Cap campground in the Willamette National Forest, about 16 miles west of the pass. To make their remaining 20 plus miles easier for them we offered to carry their bags and packs in our VW camper back to camp. Chuck remarked something about the objective for the trip is to get to Bar Harbor, Maine, not necessarily to carry the bags all the way, and agreed to passing on their cargo. It was just as well because within a few miles of our meeting spot, the gradient of the highway began pitching upward, significantly increasing in elevation as they cycled up the west side of the Cascade mountains.

We drove to the Ice Cap campground and claimed one of the three remaining camp sites. Several hours later Chuck and Leah came breezing into camp looking for the cold beer that had been promised them. We had a great time together around camp catching up on their bike experiences and plans ahead. It was interesting hearing Leah's stories, including those of her travels and work in photography. Also, it was a kick hearing about Chuck's twilight hours with the BLM. After relaxing in camp for a while, we took a hike to the nearby Koosah Falls and reservoir on the McKenzie River. Back at camp we started preparations for dinner in the camper as Leah and Chuck set up their respective tents. Dinner was Italian chicken sausage in a tomato sauce, polenta, and vegetables and wine. They brought their endless appetites.

Over dinner and into the evening we regaled one another with stories of our various travels and whatever amounts of road wisdom we had come upon. It was fun comparing the "cardio-vascular" adventure of bicycling coast-to-coast with each of our past experiences from many backpacking trips and climbs in the Rockies and beyond. That lead us to the question: When one cannot hike, climb, or bike any farther, is it the body that can't go farther or the mind that "says" it has gone as far as it can? How can one tell the difference? These camp ramblings had a certain "immediacy" about them as the following morning Chuck and Leah would be tackling their first serious mountain pass cycling on their 16 mile climb to the summit of Santiam Pass. Of course, it was to be just the first of many mountain passes to come.

Generally, we concluded that the mind is ready to call it quits before the body is unable to go any farther. One question lead to another, and the conversation moved on to the challenges of training the mind to avoid or lessen the "mind-games" involved in pushing hard on one's physical capabilities. How does one train the mind to be the "objective" referee between that part of the mind that wants to stop and the body that is capable of pushing on? These musings lead into a discussion of Buddhism, something akin to The Zen of Bicycling Coast-to-Coast. Finally, the miles caught up with all of us, especially the two who did all the work that day, and we turned in for the night.

The next morning after breakfast we took another walk to Koosah Falls for some pictures. Back at camp, Leah and Chuck were ready to go. We offered, and they accepted, for us to carry their bicycle bags in the VW while they made a "sprint" for Santiam Pass. We would meet them at the pass, hand off the bags, and have our farewell. They would head east, and we would turn west.

Since there was no possibility of hitting a cell phone tower along that stretch of highway, Chuck made his best guess on when they would reach the pass. We would wait until about that time, then drive up to meet them. We didn't want to get ahead of them and then not be able to respond if they happened to need assistance coming up from behind. As it turned out, we got to Santiam Pass within minutes of when they arrived. After the handoff of bags and last minute photos, they were on their bikes and headed down the east side of the Cascade mountains. As they went around the first bend and out of sight, we headed west. What we didn't know then, of course, was that within minutes of parting company they would have their blown tire problem on Leah's bike.

It was a wonderful rendezvous in the mountains. Since then we have found ourselves wondering aloud, where might they be camping tonight? We'll continue wondering as they lay down the miles day after day, all the way across America.

Hi

2008-07-25T06:36:00.001-07:00

here we have Chuck's mother, the Matron Saint of this expedition, then Leah skeptical about something, and Chuck, chipper so far.

Oregon Trailing

2008-07-25T06:30:00.001-07:00

Mostly have just received some pictures the last couple days. Not sure where exactly they are. Nevertheless, enjoy.

AN END TO SILENCE!

2008-07-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

We finally have some words from Chuck himself, who managed a little internet time in his busy schedule of riding his bike and hanging out with new friends. So here you go.

"

Dayville Oregon Presbyterian Church 10:20 PM July 22. As opposed to what you might derive from the media. The American people at least the one's that we've met are a wonderful lot. Leah and I have been barraged by friendship and kindness every day we've traveled . On the train, on the bus to Florence, and at just about every stop. My friends John and Terre DeVilbiss had just left after treating us to a sumptuous dinner breakfast and lunch when Leah had a compression flat on the down side of Santiam Pass. Neither pump appeared to work on her valve. So she sticks out her thumb and after a short while an ex bike mechanic pulls over looks at the pump and then looks at mine, shows me how to convert it and we are in business again. Then the bike shop in Sisters with the big friendly mechanic with the perpetual smile says you don't want to follow 126 out of here there's too much traffic take Goodrich road which was a bikers paradise. And then there was the Cafe in Mitchell this morning that made me enough Ice cream pancakes that even I couldn't finish them and threw in a gigantic club sandwich to boot. The lady in the store next door to the restrante emptied an alcohol container so I could have something to replace my leaking DR Bronners bottle. For free, wouldn't hear about taking money. And finally as if generosity were infinate we are told that the Presbyterian Church around the corner from our chocolate shake stop in Dayville OR lets bikers stay for free, including showers, staying in the church or camping on the grounds (and the miracle) the use of both ( listen to this ) a washing machine and computer.

Folks who are following this blog. If you know me you know you are not dealing with a Polianna kind of guy. When there's a problem I am the first to let you know. But out here in the great Oregon hinterland there are a bunch of people with hearts of gold.

So let me give you a brief discription of the traveling we've been doing. We wake up by at least 8:30AM. Try to figure out how all this stuff can fit into the panniers, go find some kind of wonderful breakfast and a sandwich for lunch. Then we either go downhill until we have to go over a pass or go directly up hill over a pass. We are talking basin and range country here and the raw beauty is sometimes overwelming. Then at the top of the pass there is the death defying downhill that makes the uphill suffering worth it. We usually get to where there is something worth getting to by 7PM or so. And set up camp.

The towns are often almost non-existent with populations of a hundred or so not unusual. People do real work like agriculture, concrete contracting (I 've met 2 contractors today) or run or work in resternts. I've seen a lot of the kids riding horses. In short it's out of my wildest dream as a suburban NY city kid.

Thanks to Ken Shouer my former colleague at BLM I am currently listening to the history of american thought a setries of 30 odd lectures. On a trip to South Dakota I listened to the Post Alexander era in 20+ lectures. In short I am learning all kinds of stuff and loving it. However in reflection I have to say that these are totally useless trying to get over a pass. The thought process is somehow numbed by the exertion of the legs. For passes I recommend James Brown , Motown, or my daughters mixes of modern rap and rock.

Finally a tribute to Jason. Because we have long periods of time without cell phone contact he somehow manages this blog on just the scantiest information. Not only that but the greater tribute is that more than 300 miles on often nasty chip seal pavement, my bike is still running like a singer sewing machine even though I'm carrying 40 odd pounds of gear food and water (at least a gallon) and a still 180+ lb body on it. Jason you do good work and especially as I descend those 1500 foot descents I really appreciate it..

Many Thanks,

Chuck"

Picturesque Prineville

2008-07-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Our friends have now made it into Prineville, OR. At the suggestion of some insightful bike shop employee (who are often rather insightful fellows) they took a bit of a detour through the town of Terrebonne. Chuck holds that the detour was worth it because it had a lot less traffic was very beautiful. After all, riding your bike across country is rarely about how fast you can do it, unless you're a sadistic RAAM contestant, in which case you are a highly unusual sort of cyclist.

Tomorrow, they need to make 50 miles to Ochoco Pass. Enjoy, friends, it looks like a beautiful ride.

The other Jefferson County

2008-07-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

I received a voice mail from Chuck in which he told me that in the last couple days they have made their way further east across Santiam Pass to Sisters, OR. They met a couple by the names of John and Perry DeVille who they spent a couple of days with. This couple is pictured above.

So, they did get a flat on Saturday. I'm not sure the details about it; don't know what caused it. But, one thing Chuck made a point to remark is how good people can be, as they were on the road experiencing some difficulty with the pump, someone graciously stopped to lend them the necessary help. The trip continues as expected.

In Oregon

2008-07-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here we have Leah with Dave at Joe's Cafe in Chesire, OR, and Chuck at the International Hostel.

First report

2008-07-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

I received a call from Chuck this morning. They are currently in Eugene, OR. A little background behind the photo of the bikes at the beach. Apparently Chuck and Leah had to tug their bikes over a very large sand hill in order even get the bikes to the beach. Well, I'd say it was worth it for a priceless introductory picture. They did 50 miles yesterday and made it into Eugene where they're staying at a hostel there. So far Chuck says "we're having the time of our life; we're having a blast."

A nice beginning

2008-07-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hey, let's ride our bikes across the country! Okay!

Waiting around in Eugene

2008-07-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

While I haven't heard much from Chuck, he sent this picture with the note that this is the train station in Eugene, OR. So, I assume that's where they're at. Tomorrow is the supposed launch date so we'll see if that all pans out. Good luck friends.

On the train pics

2008-07-13T13:56:00.001-07:00

Some first pictures

2008-07-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some of our first pictures. I have a couple of Chuck's ride, which after my first post, I'm sure you're all itching to see. Also are a couple of Chuck and Leah leaving on the train.

I am pleased to introduce Leah Romaniello

2008-07-13T13:49:00.000-07:00

When Chuck told me he was planning a cross country bicycle trip I knew there was no way he was going to leave without me. I am not a biker by any means; in fact, up until 2 weeks ago I didn't have a bike that could get me further then 10 miles, but this didn't seem like much of an issue to me. I figured that if I am not a biker now, I will be two weeks into the trip, and so I insisted that Chuck plan for two.

I left for Sarajevo soon after committing to the trip. It was incredibly difficult to train in Sarajevo. Not only did I not have the extra cash to buy a bike but even if I did have a bike riding through the streets of Sarajevo is virtually a death sentence. Taxis swerve in and out of traffic, people pay no regard to traffic laws, and parking on sidewalks is often the only option. The only benefit to riding in Sarajevo is that there is no right on red. I ended up training mostly by running along the river and the occasional gym bike.

One week before meeting Chuck in Denver I flew from Sarajevo to Arizona to prepare for the trip of a life time. Amazingly enough I was able to get everything together and before I knew it I was on my way to Colorado still severely jet lagged and somewhat delirious.

So now here I am, on my way to Oregon to start a bicycle trip to Maine. I may be a little unprepared but I it's going to be a trip of a life time.

--
-Leah Romaniello

A little more intro

2008-07-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Romaniello Bike Blog
By: Jason

I can count the number of BLM economists I know on one finger, which puts Chuck Romaniello in a rather exclusive group. I first met Chuck a little under a year ago. He came into Bike Station where I work, discussing a bike trip across the country. Interestingly he was not the first over 60 person I had met that summer who was planning such a trip for the following year. Our customer Sue Ahrend (who is currently en route) was also in the planning stages. I was glad to be able to work with these two separate adventurers and to help them achieve their goals. I soon discovered that Chuck's trip was going to require a little more work on my part. First, Chuck had decided to ride his trip self supported, which meant he was not going to pay to be part of a group that totes your luggage and puts you up in hotels. Consequently, we were going to need to equip his bike with the necessary luggage racks. Second, though, and arguably more significant, Chuck had chosen to do this trip on a bike not designed for that purpose. He first brought in his old Trek trying to figure out how to get a more comfortable riding position as bike of this vintage traditionally had very aggressive riding positions, not at all suitable to long miles day after day. We changed out the stem to a tall, adjustable stem and raised the riding position by about 10 inches; quite a dramatic change in itself.

This change of position brought about a problem for Chuck though as his bike was still equipped with down tube shifters. The raised handlebar created a much longer distance between the riding position and the shifters. Chuck began to express some concerns over constantly having to reach down from his handlebars in order to shift. And here is where I began to learn of Chuck's unnatural simplicity. At several points up to this, and especially with this scenario, Brad and I at the shop had tried to impress on Chuck the ease of simply purchasing a new bike built for this, one that already had the riding position and shifters and other accoutrement's necessary for cross country touring. With all of our "sales tactics" laid before him, we simply couldn't get around Chuck's rock solid logic that "this bike is just fine." That left us the duty of finding a seven speed Shimano STI lever set (everything nowadays is 10 speed, so there's your reference). As luck would have it, we happened to have a set of used seven speed shifters in a box left over from another customer who had "garaged" their bike and gotten a new one. So, my refusal to throw away perfectly good parts worked out for Chuck. We installed the shifters and all was good.

About this time Chuck began to ask about tires, looking for a comfortable ride that could handle the weight of his luggage. As is normal for use with road bike caliper brakes, we installed a couple of 28mm wide Bontrager Hard Case tires. Next, we needed to find some racks as the bike was not yet equipped. This proved to be quite difficult as most front racks require a fork with bolt holes in the middle of the legs to bolt the rack. A little research and we found a rack we could bolt some adapters to. The rear rack wasn't a problem; a stock rack mounted up perfectly.

Then Chuck came asking about fenders. This was going to prove a task as well, as the tires and rack installed prevented the used of regular full length, bolt on fenders. Luckily, we weren't the first people to encounter this and we found a set of shorter length fenders that strap directly to the fork and seat stays with rubber straps.

Comfortable, safe, loaded, dry riding accomplished.

Then Chuck just had to screw with his gearing.

He came in discussing a certain set of gears that he thought would be good for his tour. The gear set basically consisted of a wider range cassette mated to a chain ring set including a very small 24 tooth little ring as well as a change in middle and large rings that set the change in tooth number from one to the other farther apart than the front shifter was going to be able to handle. The nice STI front shifter was now worthless except for its brake lever use. Needing to innovate a bit, I ordered up a set of Shimano bar end shifters (ironically the same ones that come on the touring specific bike we tried to sell Chuck, but hey, it's more fun this way). The installation of the bar end shifter on the front produced a seamless, easy shift that did not require the unsafe movement of the hand from the bar to the down tube. And finally, after months of riding and experimenting Chuck had a bike he knew he could take across country. It's a little bit of a Frankenstein, but I've learned that may just be the perfect bike for Chuck. Early on he said "it would be just fine," and, after a lot of work, I must say I agree.

A few days ago, the bike came in for the last time. I cleaned it, lubed it, adjusted it, put on some fresh tires, and packed it into the biggest bike box I could find. Fifteen years ago I don't think Chuck could have said that this bike would ever be doing something like this, and I have to wonder if the same couldn't be said for himself. This bike, with its mixed parts, some old, some new, some even vestigial, has become the symbol of what Chuck's trip is turning out to be. A lot of work, persistence, innovation, and a few heaping spoonfuls of luck and I think the challenge before him will turn out "just fine."

Good luck my friend.

An Introduction from the Man Himself

2008-07-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Romaniello Bike BLOG

By: Chuck and Leah (his 24 year old Niece) Romaniello

With the able assistance and absolutely necessary expertise of Jason Gardner -Bike Mechanic and Blog Kahuna

I know virtually nothing about blogs, have certainly never done one before, and wouldn’t now except for the generosity of Jason and The Bike Station where he works. Not only is Jason an experienced blogger but one hell of a bike mechanic at that. The Bike Station is one of those wonderful businesses that are beautifully balanced between being professional and personal. Less than a year ago I brought my 15+ year old Trek into the Bike Station and proposed, probably to their astonishment, that I was going to ride it across the country. I’m sure that the bike at the time looked more promising than its 62 year old (on the chunky side) motor. Since then I’ve put enough mileage on the thoroughly refurbished beast that both engine and bicycle have greatly enhanced probability of crossing the country. This however I must stress would not have been possible without the patience (perhaps endurance would be a better word) of the Bike Station and its extraordinary personnel who through the generous donation of their expertise have made the attempt at this trip possible.

Many of my friends are probably wondering at this point if Romaniello has finally lost it. Taking a bike trip across the country (4250 more or less miles) is admittedly a little dicey for a “moderately chunky” 62 year old. And taking his only blood niece Leah (24) on this adventure is probably even more baffling. Well in my defense let me ask then: after 32 years working mostly as an economist for the BLM what better cure would you recommend? And as for the adventure prone Leah, currently on route back to Tucson from Sarajevo, I’ll let her rave on about her motivations later. You have to admit though that the trip has a certain appeal especially after years of sitting in front of a computer screen. And to my friend Carl Barna who has highly recommended “I take the bus” I say fie upon the bus!

So here’s the plan: Take the train (July 11) and then bus to Florence OR. Leave Florence on July 15. Follow the Adventure Cycling Trans-America Rout to Rollins WY. Invent a way to Denver depending on our current feeling about mountain passes. Invent our way to Muscatine Iowa. And finally follow The Adventure Cycling Northern Tier Rout to Bar Harbor Maine arriving sometime around Oct 15. May I add that that means New England during foliation. Simple! The plan is also to be self- contained (camping) for the most part but staying at an occasional h/motel as the overwhelming need for a shower or inclement weather demands. So that’s it except to say that we plan to spend a few days in Denver letting Jason re-refurbish the bikes. We as much as humanly possible will contact Jason once a day updating this blog with phone calls, text messages, pictures and rambling observations and riveting political commentary as computers become available.

May the hills all be down hills, may the winds always be tail winds, may the roads be smooth and well marked, may the weather be perfect, and may the truckers have mercy.