MY BIG RIDE
Written: Mar 16 '00 (Updated Oct 29 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Seeing America, Personal Growth, People, The ALA
Cons: Pallota, Limited Staff, Services not Delivered, CORN
The Bottom Line: I wish they were still doing it, and I'd love to do it again, as long as Pollata Teamworks is not involved.
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| DoubleCoog's Full Review: American Lung Association Big Ride Across America |
The 1998 inaugural Big Ride Across America, benefiting the American Lung Association was a 48-day cycling journey spanning 3,400 miles, twelve states, and the District of Columbia. This epic started in Seattle June 15 and finished in the shadows of the Washington Monument on August 1, 1998. Over 730 incredible people comprised the largest cross-country bicycling tour in US history. Hundreds of selfless volunteers aided us along the way. Even more touching was the hundreds who were not part of the ride that stepped in and aided rider after rider along the route.
Introduction
I previously wrote a review about why I did the Big Ride; now, as I promised, I will attempt to convey my epinion about participating in this ride.
The Big Ride promised an experience of a lifetime and delivered…for some, thankfully a once in a life experience for other’s myself included, hopefully the first (or one) of a series of similar events. The Big Ride was far from perfect, and frankly, I could (and almost have if you consider ALL the material I’ve written so far) write an entire book on the ride, but in this epinion I want to focus on broad positives and negatives, and then deliver a list of facts and related epinions.
Pros
SEEING AMERICA
I’ve seen on this site and in many places that many consider traveling America’s back roads by automobile is the only true way to see America. I beg to differ. Traveling America’s back roads at the pace of a bicycle allows you to see and meet every inch of America along your way, the people, the places, the history – up close and personal. As I said in the italicized prologue, hundreds, sometimes thousands walked into our lives nearly every day.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ENDURANCE
Not only is there a challenge inherent in riding over a Mountain Pass or cycling a century (100 miles), but having the will to do it day after day, regardless of aches and pains, regardless of weather conditions, regardless of sleep deprivation due to circumstances beyond your control is an experience that can not be properly explained in words. To be successful one had to remember only one thing, Keep on Pedaling, no matter what!
BREAKING BARRIERS
Not only did I have to overcome barriers to complete the ride as discussed above, but I had to fund raise, arrange for time off from work, train, and lose over 100 pounds, all in about nine months, in order to participate. In some ways, the preparation and fund raising were the most difficult and most “eye-opening” portion of this experience.
SELF SUFFICIENCY, HELPING OTHERS, LETTING OTHERS HELP YOU
In order for us to complete both the pre event preparation and the ride itself, it was necessary to allow yourself to be at peace with all of these situations. There were times and things that I had to do myself. There were many times that I was blessed to be able to help another rider in distress. And, finally, there were moments when I had to give up being hard headed and allow others to help me as well.
THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
I registered for this ride in honor of, and rode in memory of my grandfather, Joseph Halperin, who died after a battle with emphysema which lasted over 10 years. I also battled asthma each and every day of this ride. We not only raised millions for the American Lung Association, we were a personification of the largest public relations campaign they had ever run.
PEOPLE
There are several people I met during this trip that I will likely keep in touch with the rest of my life; there were also people who lived in the towns that we visited which took us into their towns, and opened up their homes to support us along the way . We were told there would be (and there were!) children who came out and routed us on, saying that “this is what they would like to do when they grow up.”
Cons
PALLOTTA TEAMWORKS – Ride Producer
Appropriate, because in many people's eyes Dan Pallotta personifies the word “con”. I am not privy to exact statistics so I will not release what I heard, but the margin of our minimum contribution which went to Charity was disappointingly low, so low that:
1. Pallotta’s Contract was not renewed for 1999
2. There is possible legal action pending
This is in line with similar complaints and actions resulting from several of the Pallotta managed Aids Rides as well. To solve this problem, the ALA released Pallotta and hired a staff of fellow riders from the 1998 ride to produce future rides. In addition, the number of riders was reduced to make the event more easily manageable.
BROKEN PROMISES - An example
Again due to Pallotta – we were originally guaranteed daily breakfast and dinner, as well as lunch on days that there was no food available en route. After arriving in Seattle, at orientation we found out that we would not get food on the seven off days. Eventually, after an uproar, breakfast was made available each day.
POOR STAFFING
Support Staff was bare bones, if you couldn’t fix your mechanical problem yourself, you were often SOL. Bike pumps were not even made available. In addition, all of the camp services were generally closed on our non-riding days. For the slower riders this meant that the mobile phones, laptops, mail pickup etc. that they generally did not have time to get during riding days was also inaccessible on off days.
Transportation was only made available to staff and volunteers (not riders).
SAFETY
Safety guidelines were not always enforced due to poor staffing; routes were also not closed until the authorities forced Pallotta to do so (In the case of a mountain pass blizzard). This was generally due to the inexperience and youthfulness of the staff on hand.
LOGISTICS
Due to a fixed starting and stopping point each day, there were often roses along the way begging to be sniffed which would have to wait until the next time I crossed their paths.
CORN
There’s just way too much of that stuff! (LOL-vwjane2)
Conclusion
Although the negatives almost seemed to outweigh the positives at times, I was determined to complete this ride. Because I went with the attitude of “just carry my stuff & give me an occasional meal, and any thing else I get is gravy” my trip was a huge success. At this point in my life, the big ride was the most significant event and an accomplishment that is helping to reshape my life even today.
Details
Name of Ride: 1998 Big Ride Across America
Ride Sponsor: GTE
Ride Charity: American Lung Association
Ride Producer: Pallotta Teamworks
Registration Fee: $150
Minimum Charitable Donation: $6,000 ($7,000 for 1999 and 2000)
Actual Charitable Donation: about $10,000
Length (Days): 48, including 7 rest days
Length (miles): about 3,400
Average Mileage: 83 miles
Surface: 95 % Road, 5% Limestone trail
Route: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC
Bike: 1997 Cannondale R500T
Riders: approx. 730 (largest cross-country ride in US history)
Logistical Support: Full Support
Accommodations: 90% Camping, 10% dorm rooms
Mechanical Support: Barebones
Sag Support: Moderate
Pitstops: 2-3 per day; adequate but moderately stocked
Safety: Moderate
Health Insurance: Proof Required
Would I do this ride again: Yes!
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Related Epinions (so far):
Why I bicycled Across America: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-2FFB-32F2891-38B3719F-prod1
My Bike: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-E3-A0A92EB-3824909C-bd1
Why I chose my bike: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-532E-496ABC2-389CFC90-prod2
My Bike Shop: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-374D-AF646E-3862E1B1-bd1
Important Cycling Outfitting -
Tires: http://www.epinions.com/content_65297944196
Seat: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-6BCD-CDC7968-39E7D461-prod1
Pump: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-2D7-150D22CF-3840C006-bd1
Pedals: http://www.epinions.com/content_65297616516
Hydration: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-69C0-B36B270-3827B639-prod1
Hydration Cleanser: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-2756-92501AB-38A8BBCF-prod8
Ride Journal (In Progress)
Seattle-1: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-3FAC-1898B119-3849F8A9-prod1
Seattle-2: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-404C-189CA7A2-384A02CE-prod1
Seattle-3: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-2CD7-19092B2C-384B1898-prod1
Snoqualmie: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-5FBF-192EC1B4-384B78D2-prod1
Yakima Canyon: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-2125-496912E-385B0882-prod2
WA Intermountain: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-2333-472A5DD-3861C116-prod1
G. Heileman Brewery: http://www.epinions.com/fddk-review-37D2-D1D7A6-38633F97-bd3
Cedar Point: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-4722-13B55E8E-383D4FFE-bd1
Youghiogheny River Trail: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-39ED-BD83F79-382926D9-bd3
Washington Monument State Park: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-5844-13866508-383CD7BE-bd1
Camping Gear Used:
Tent: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-6193-11E66BBE-3838AEDC-bd1
Sleeping Bag: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-5C65-CD37A23-39E7BD58-prod1
Camp Pillow: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-68C2-159CF356-3842302E-bd1
Thermarest: http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-7F81-CD75ED8-39E7C750-prod1
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
DoubleCoog
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Location: South Padre Island,TX
Reviews written: 123
Trusted by: 217 members
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This old bio will someday be updated....
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