My 81st Birthday Cross-Country Bike Ride for 2026
With dogs in tow 2016 I made a ride from Twin Falls, Idaho to the place of my childhood Morris, New York in celebration of my 71st birthday, serving as a fund raiser for Mary Alice Park Twin Falls, Idaho. Chobani (The premier US yogurt company) also having its roots in New York and Idaho joined me in this ad venture.
As I approach my 81st birthday planning is underway to once again make this cross-country ride as a fundraiser for Mary Alice Park celebrating the parks 20th birthday, my 81st and our country’s 250st birthday.
I hope to have my wife Bonnie, Diva my dog and Chobani join me in this adventure
The plan is to leave mid June 2026 and arive in Iowa by 18 July to take part inthe 53rd Ragbrai ride accross the state west to east.
https://youtu.be/blo2qxg5mak
https://www.soidrvmarine.com
1 January,2026 Happy New Year
Thanks to Bish’s for their assistance in finding this travel trailer for Bonnie to provide comfort and support for us on ths ride.
Stay tuned for updates!!!!!!!
In the Begining
In a world run by monarchs, the United States announced an unprecedented democratic experiment whose success was far from guaranteed.
“A revolutionary idea, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
It isn’t about right or left but it’s about us “We the People” under the declaration of independence that makes us stand boldly let us be awakened in this year of celebration and remembrance of our responsibility “We the People”.
“Decent conduct does not mean what serves any person at any moment, but what serves society. You can’t have real safety or happiness in a society unless everyone play fair and learn to be kind to one another.” C.S. Lewis
In the Begining
Art undercover
https://youtu.be/kNUkBa4DPQ0?si=gBRFBcYJhZRkXK9y53rd Ragbrai Route Set
Here is my route
Thanks to Lytle Signs
Ready to go 2 weeks and counting down
Kick off at Mary Alice Park on Main June 20th 11 am
Day one great send off from Mary Alice Park ended day in Heyburn ID.
Hope to get things in order for making post as I go along.
Day 2 in the book ended in Amercian Fals, ID
about 70 mile ride today
see Mary Alice Park fb page for some pictures
Day 3 -
Meet with Chief Pocatello to day got permission to pass through and continue on to New York.
Done for the day at truck stop in Mcammon. 58 miles today didn't quite make it to Lava Hot Springs but meet up with Bonnie here and called it good.
check map fb for photos and video.
Day 4 over bedded down in Soda springs
check map fb page for more pictures and details
Day 5 done we are at KOA in Montpelier, ID.
Bonnie wanted to get some laundry done so we cut the ride short not being sure of laundry futher down road..
Last day in Idaho Wyoming hear we come.
Thank you Misty & Chuck of Soda Creek Campground for their friendly hospatalty, check them out if you are through this way. Tell them Art, Bonnie & Diva say Hi.
check Mary Alice Park (MAP) fb page for days pictures.
Day 6 & 7
No internet last night. Spent the night at Sage WY. (Goast Town) what is left of it.Some pictures on Mary Alice Park fb page (map).
Long winday day today finaly settled in at Little America.
This morning Michael and partner found me on my way to Kemmerer they are headed for RAGBRIA also just in a little more comfortable mode.
As I was riding today I reilized one of the most significant aniversies in my life is my 51st year of recovery. 51 years ago I was at a point of excaping life through the use of alcohl and was about ready to call life quits but in recovery I have found a way to live life not excape from it. On a bike ride abt 40 years ago I meet a gentelman in recovery here in Wyoming and he wanted to know long I had been sober and said he thinks he will skip that year there is no way he wants to bike accrous country
Enough for today think I well sleep well tonight. check out more pictures of the day at MAP fb page.
Start of second week Day 8 done in Rock Springs much of the day on gravle couple thousand feet of climbing some steep mountian bike sections. Finished up just ahead of wind and rain with Bonnie waiting with warm & dry space for me and food. Check out MAP fb page for some pictures and maybe a vireo.
Good night from Rock Springs
Days 9&10
Nice days ride from Rock Springs to Wamsutter I think trail may have been an oeignal cattle trail (see some pictures on MAP fb page) challenging mt bike trail in many spots.Day end with hot meal and warm welcome by Bonnie camped out in city park. Wamsutter to Rawlins on main road nice weather and tail wind found Bonnie at KOA camp ground in Rawlins.Not much excitment today posted a few pictures on MAPfb page.
Crossed the Continental Divide for the second time should be down hill from here to New York!!
Days 11 & 12 Long hilly highways few thousand feet of climbing. Internet is iffy wendsay evening in Arlington WY last night in Laramie WY.
Today headed for Cheyenne WY.
Nothing exciting for the past couple of days except my 81st birthday wanted to get in 81 miles but Bonnie had other plans maybe today thanks for all the birthday wishes.
check MAP fb page for more pictures.
Days 13,14, 15 & 16 (today is July 5, 2026 ) Maybe entering the date will help me remember what day it is!! How time flies already into week 3. Bedded down in Chappell NE.
Have not had internet connections past few days but have been able to make post on fb page. Nearing 900 miles into this Jurney, yesterday I logged 81 miles + in calibration of my birthday. We spent nights in Laramie passed over a pass at 8640 elevation visited Abraham Lincoln monument (“We must think anew and act anew”) moved on to Cheyenn, than to Bushnell NE. then a night in Potter NE. now here in Chappell for the evening. I think it was yesterday a truck driver pulled over to talk with me and offered a ride to Chicago (if you see a gap in my track it wasn’t that I took a ride just forgot to turn on spot for a few miles). The driver was originally from central Russia has lived in the US and been a long haul trucker for the past 8 years. He has a good friend who bikes around the world and is currently in Canada.
Good night
Day 17- 6 July 2026
Got an earlier start this morning hopefully to get my miles in before it gets too hot. Caught up with Bonnie at Paxton NE. Passed through several small communities most of the world has passed them by but they all have long histories in the growth of our country. I am traveling on US Hwy 30 which is the Lincon Highway. I have shared pictures of area history to the Mary Alice Park fb page as I go along.
Day 18 – 7 July 6, 2026
Done for the day settled at city park Gothenburg NE. 70 + mile day. Got earlier start light wind and warm, passed through Sutherland, North Platte, had lunch at Bonnies lunch wagon in Maxwell then onto Brady and ended here at Bonnies dinner in Gothenburg. Visited a wonderful original Pony Express Station, here in the park. The community has done an excellent job of preserving the history of this era.
Day 19-8 July 2026
Up and on road early. Cool and calm. Passed through Willow Island, Cozad, Darr, Lexington met Bonnies Lunch Wagon in Overton continued to Elm Creek, Odessa, and ended the day at Bonnies Dinner in Kearney NE.
In Cozad there was an interesting monument about the 100th Meridian, I posted a picture of this on MAP fb page it is worth reading. Lexington was a charming old city with some interesting architecture. Overton had many banners with picture and dates honoring community members who have and are serving in the various branches of the armed forces. Again, I have posted many pictures on fb. The day ended hot humid and breezy.
Day 20-9 July 2026
Off to a later start this morning waiting to see what the weather was up to.
Around 8 looking good headed for Grand Island NE. passed through Gibbon, Shelton, Wood River, Alda ending day in Grand Island. Posted a few pictures on MAP fb page.
On entering Grand Island met a fellow biker Paul Webb who was headed west towards Gibbon for the evening. Later in the evening Tom Caraher Danny’s brother stopped by to visit us. Tomorrow we are planning a day off her in Grand Island.
Day 21-10 July 2026
God rested after 6 days of work I am a bit slower, but I deserved a day of rest after 20 days!!
Bonnie, Diva and I did a bit of shopping in Grand Island and spent several hours at Stuhr Museum a must see if you pass through this way. AAM accredited, world class, nationally recognized educational and cultural institution. More then 60 buildings over a century old are spread across 200 acres to portray examples of community life along the Platte River Valley throughout history. I will post a few pictures on MAP fb page.
Tomorrow back on bike and continue towards RAGBRAI starting point
Day 22-11 July 2026
Left Grand Island RV Park around 8 this morning weather was cool and overcast but a very pleasant riding day. Returned to Grand Island had a pleasant ride through the city many grand old homes and buildings. Passed through Chapman, Central City, and Clarks where we met up with Bonnie’s lunch wagon and ended day in Silver Creek. Found a nice shady cool spot for Bonnie’s Dinner near a school yard. Came across a number of historical monuments and again posted to MAP fb page. I also noticed again that many of the communities have banners honoring veterans. Chatted with some locals and attended part of a local baseball game. A lot of corn and trains as you look down the road
Day 23-12 July 2026
Up an on road around 8am headed for Schuyler NE. cool humid and misty morning. Stopped at several interesting history monuments, check out on MAP fb page. Toured around Duncan nice little community of about 400 persons more pictures on fb. Next stop Columbus NE. The Columbus Quincentenary Belltower was an interesting stop check fb for pictures. Met up with Bonnie for a short visit then on down the road ending day at campground in Schuyler at Bonnies dinner. We were greeted by a friendly cat whom Diva found quite interesting maybe she would like to join Diva on this adventure.
Day 25-&26 14 &15 July 2026
Poor internet last couple of days, continued down the road the last couple of days passed through Arlington, Kennard, spent the evening in Bonnie’s favorite shopping center Walmart parking lot in Blair, Ia, on road this morning passing through Herman, Tekamah, Decatur and found a nice KOA just outside Onawa IA.
We are a couple days out from our bike ride across Iowa with the 53rd RAGBRAI
Day 27 16 July 2026
Day of rest at campground took bike ride with Bonnie and Diva into town (Onawa). Checking out area for day 0 of RAGBRAI meet some local folks who are heading up the Village activists for the kickoff of RAGBRAI which is this Saturday. We had lunch at Bamboo Village Chinese Café great service and delicious meal. Meet a few folks here at campground who are planning to be part of ride. One gentleman 91 years young is riding with his daughter and grandson (my inspiration for a 2036 ride, wonder if I register early I could get a discount for the 63rd RAGBRAI). Today’s picture from RAGBRAI fb page, also check out MAP fb page for more pictures.
Day 28 17 July 2026
Another day off from my main ridding objective but have gotten 30 -40 miles in just riding around checking out Onawa and preparations for Day 0 of RAGBRAI. More participants are arriving, vendors and setting for entertainment, a lot of work and enthusiasm for a one day event. In the morning we will move into RAGBRAI staging area for the ride.
Day 30, 31& 32
19,20 & 21July 2026
Have you missed me? Not much luck with internet the past few days, hopefully we may have that resolved with the help Verizon. We left Onawa on the 19th and spent the night in Harlan about a 60 mile day with a lot of climbing. THE 20THHarlan to Guthrie Center another hilly day and about 60 Miles. Today on to Boone cooler day less climbing a bit breezy again around 60 miles. Diva is becoming somewhat of a celebrity, as people pass by they say hi Diva. Bonnie is a supper supporter keeping me fueled up and rested, always finding a home base each evening, she has teamed up with some other support drivers, and they help each other navigate from town to town and get camp set up. Check MAP fb page for some daily pictures and videos. Click on find art on this web page and you can get a real time update on my movements.
Day 31 22 July 2026
I am tired having problems with download of pictures from GoPro and into my web page. Today was a 70+mile day and 1860 ft climb caught up with Bonnie in Marshalltown IA. Tomorrow is going to be a longer day so will cut things short tonight. Check MAP fb page for some pictures.
Day 31 23 July 2026
Another day done 105 miles 2885 ft of climb ended in Independence Iowa. The next 2 days are going to be much easier and then on to New York. Forgot to mention last evening Bonnie’s support team and their riders made me a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to me even though it was a few days ago. The weather was very pleasant today for the long ride. Sorry no pictures still having trouble downloading but still able to post to MAP fb page.
Days 32 &33 24 & 25 July 2026
The last 2 days of riding were a bit easier and today Diva and I run our ride and trailer into the Mississippi River at Dubuque Iowa ending our ride across Iowa. Where to next, we are going to stand down for a few days do some visiting and decide how to finish up this ride. We visited the Field of Dreams this morning.
We are near 2,000 miles ridden since leaving Twin Falls with the initial goal of around 2,400 miles.
Met up with some Twin Falls riders at the river today who had also taken part in RAGBRAI.
Again, check MAP fb page for some pictures.
Day 34&35 26&27 July 2026
Last two days very warm and humid glad not to be biking. Yesterday spent dayvery pleasant time at Rustic Barn Campground and RV Park in Kieler WI. We also went into Dubuque for a bit of shopping. Spent a few hours working on computer issues with my photos not having much luck.
Today went to Rock Island, Illinois and visited with Paul and Sue McDevitt (Sue is Bob Penney’s older sister Bob and Marcia Penney our are friends in Twin Falls) talked about their days of riding RAGBRAI, Paul’s navy days and their life in Rosk Island. We are now headed for Greenville Ohio to visit with Connie & Steve Baum a Twin Falls couple, Steve is a traveling nurse, they also met us in New York 10 years ago on my last cross country ride.
Day 36 28 July 2026
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER 81 years ago I was just a couple of weeks old, and she were holding me now she is watching over me. Probably saying what is he up to now!!
Today we are in Greenville Ohio Visiting with friends Connie & Steve. Tomorrow on to Bonnie’s hometown Bradford PA. Then I am getting back on my bike for the completion of this ride to Moris New York. Shared a couple of photos on MAP fb page.
Day 37,38 & 39 July 29,30 &31
On the road headed towards Bradford spent night at loves truck stop in Madison OH then on to Limestone New York where we spent the next two days visiting with Bonnie’s relatives. Bonnie, Diva and I road bikes into Bradford to visit Bonnie’s hometown. Tomorrow back on bike headed for Morris about 200 miles left on this ride.
Day 40 August 1, 2026
Nice ride ended day in Almond New York found Bonnie’s dinner and are enjoying evening in a gravel pit. 69 miles and 2000feet of climbing. Passed through Olean, Village of Portville, Town of Bolivar, Allentown, Town of Wellsville, Town of Andover, and a few other small communities. Found Olean and Wellsville most alive and interesting, posted a few pictures on MAP fb page.
Days 41 & 42 August 2&3 2026
Well, here we are in Walmart Parking lot in Jonson City New York, tomorrow on to Morris. The last couple of days 60 to 70 miles each and around 3000 feet of climbing each day.
We spent last night in an amazing KOA in Corning. Got a good rain just as I finished up ride.
Now we have an electrical problem with trailer so may have to alter plans for tomorrows final ride to Morris.
Day 43 August 4, 2026
Off to Norwich, New York with hopes of finding RV dealer to assist with electrical problems. Success!! Gentleman at RV dealership turns out to be a distant relative on my mother’s side the Pegg family, small world. Finaly back on bike and headed to Morris.
Ride completed couple thousand feet of climb and around 25 miles, bedded down in Mary Valentine’s back yard with my trusted support team Bonnie and Diva. Well, I it is about time to get back to Idaho!!
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