FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did you get the idea for a cross-country bicycle ride? When Joan's oldest brother, Ken, ran the Boston marathon to celebrate his 40th birthday, Brian realized he wanted to commemorate his own 40th birthday (September 2) with a major accomplishment. He soon decided to ride his bike across America.
How are you training? In addition to riding his bicycle to work 3 times a week, Brian usually takes a 30-40 mile ride during the weekend. He also takes a "Spinning" class once a week. He followed this same training regime when he rode in the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia two years ago.
What kind of bicycle will you ride? A Raleigh R300 touring bike which he recently purchased. For the past 15 years he was riding a Raleigh Technium for pleasure and commuting. The Technium will be brought along as a spare. He also has been riding a Giant Sedona SE mountain bicycle which he won from The Great American Insurance Company at the 1999 Atlanta Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure 5k Road Race.
How did you pick the route? The route was selected based on a desire to touch the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, travel through Washington D.C., home of NAMI, and travel through Chicago to visit Brian's mom and brother. The route was then selected using four sources. The first source are routes from the American Lung Association (ALA) Big Ride used in 1998 for their cross country bicycle ride. The ALA went from west to east and we'll be going east to west. Brian made other changes based on the following information. The second source is from Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) for the trip from Yellowstone to the Pacific Ocean. The third source was your State and Federal Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators that exist in each state. Most states, through these coordinators, have free maps showing bike friendly roads. Fourth and last, the State road maps.
Why East to West rather than the usual West to East used by most cross country rides? After "careful study" of the wind tables, it was determined that it is actually more beneficial to ride East to West in the summer months. Also, Brian felt it was visually more beautiful to ride toward the west coast.
How did you get all this time off from work? Brian meticuliously accrued his vacation time and will only have to take about 2 weeks off without pay. Joan left her fulltime job but retains her part time status at Delta Airlines.
What percentage of the funds raised will go to NAMI? 100% ! Brian and Joan will pay for their own expenses for the bicycle ride.
How are you promoting your mission? We sent solicitaion letters to relatives, friends, neighbors & almost anyone we have ever known. We placed posters at work and around our community. We sent press releases to local and national media. We posted messages on the electronic bulletin boards of RV Associations, Mental Health Associations and Biking Groups. We set up booths at work and our health club to promote the ride and NAMI.
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