Crossing U.S. By Bicycle

Posted by Grace Lichtenstein Jul 3, 2007

It has been a thrill to follow 75-year-old Herb Schon on his bicycle trip across the U.S. As an avid senior cyclist, I know how he feels when he let out a "yahoo!" upon reaching the tour's midpoint in Kansas. In 1992 I rode cross-country on a bicycle adventure, from Seattle to Asbury Park, NJ. We took a different, more northerly route, but it was just as strenuous. I admire Herb's outlook:

"Time was flying by. Lots of good roads, rollers and better scenery began to appear. At day's end I surprised myself with the thought of wanting more miles. Hmmm, I must be losing it."

When Herb's group reached St. Joseph, Missouri, they were at one of the famous departure points in American history. From here,the Forty-Niners headed for California and the Gold Rush, and thousands of emigrants began their pioneer journeys here seeking a new life in the American West.

Herb said that his "body needed help" after four weeks and serious Kansas headwinds. Thus, "a rest day on July 2 was welcomed. Slept until 7:30, relaxed by the pool and did an easy 20 miler to make sure the knees functioned. A big WOW tinged with some sadness. Only three more weeks," he said.

I will admit that on my cross-country ride, I was really, really happy when there were only three weeks to go. But I'm not as tough -- and I didn't train as rigorously -- as Herb Schon. He is a role model for every senior bicycle rider. I look forward to visiting him later this summer in Santa Fe.