Guestbook
Please leave me a note here, I’d love to hear from you!
57 Comments »
3
Pam Burke
December 21, 2007 @ 6:06 am
Go gettem Ellen!
-your Biggest Fan
Arda Tole
December 23, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Hi Ellen
Your website looks great !!
I can’t wait to meet you next year when we ride accross country together.
Just think only 10 1/2 weeks before we leave
San Diego…
Arda
Debbie Smythe
December 23, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Beatiful site, Ellen. I will be looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you as we bike together across America. I’ll look forward to hearing some of the great music that is in your head since music is a big part of my life as well. See you in San Diego!
Debbie
December 25, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Hi Ellen,
You and your cycling friends are getting ready to start the ride of a lifetime. Last year’s ride was so incredible. I am jealous of you all, who are waiting to begin this awesome trip. I will be watching your journal and reliving my trip!
As you ride across the country, I will be getting ready for my Underground RR trip. See, once you go for a long ride, you just can’t stop!!! It is ADDICTIVE! Enjoy every moment!!
Anne Cowan
Marty Spencer
December 28, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Ellen:
I’m awestruck with your upcoming bicycling adventure. I will definitely contribute towards your goal for the BMC and for breast cancer research as well.
Fabulous!
Marty
PS. Beautiful website. I’ll spread it around.
Susan K
January 3, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
Ellen ~
You are such an inspiration! Makes me wonder what I’ll dream of doing in my 50’s! This will be so much fun….traveling along with you, via your great big beautiful blog!
Love, Susan K.
Fred Newton
January 29, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Ellen,
I hope you give that Felt bike a good workout! Good for you. I’m looking forward to following your progress on your blog.
Fred Newton
Tara Howard
February 3, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
Hi Ellen!
I am so envious that you’ve made the choices to do this fabulous thing - for yourself and a lot of other people…including those of us reading your blog voraciously!
I thought I was pushing the travel thing, living in North Carolina and working in New York, and learning way too much about every airport in between the two, but you! I can’t believe it’s eight years since I used the excuse of getting radiation treatments to get one more opportunity to sing (Verdi) with you and Susan’s gang… and here you are, tying it all together again.
I know you’ll have a fantastic, intense trip, filled with the wonder of exploration - both of self and the places you travel through. I’m looking forward to joining you (via armchair :).
with love,
Tara
Lauren von K
February 26, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
ellen,
we’re wishing you an amazing adventure…we can’t wait to hear about it all, and keep track of your miles. i’ll miss seeing you every tuesday morning down-under.
xo lauren and the von k’s
angel
February 26, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
ellen, you’re in for the ride of your life. i’ve done the so. tour and you will be amazed at what can be done. i wish you luck and have a great time. i’ll follow you all the way wishing i was doing it again.
Barb Larsen
March 2, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
Cheers Ellen,
I am so excited for you on your XC trip. I did it last year and rode with Anne Cowan almost every day. Take in all the adventures you can as there are many interesting sites along the way.Take time to stop and smell the roses. You are in for the greatest ride of your life. Good luck and have fun!
Cheers, Barb Larsen
Joanne Coutu-Paul Skiathitis
March 3, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
Ellen,
We’ll be following your trip via this page. Wish you a wonderful & exciting ride full of stories and fulfillment. Ride on!!!!
March 4, 2008 @ 10:59 am
Good luck!
I’m sure you’ll have the time of your life!
Take lots of pictures!
Remember: left foot, right foot, repeat
Kelly, Aidan & Lloyd
March 5, 2008 @ 6:51 am
Hi Ellen!
School was canceled today, Wednesday, March 5 so we decided to see what you were up to! Hard to believe you’re in San Diego. We’re so excited for you!
Shelley Dresser and David Gagnon
March 5, 2008 @ 6:58 am
Have a GREAT trip Ellen. It is very exciting and inspiring and we will look forward to your postings. We’ll miss seeing you on the hill!
Best Regards, Shelley and David
Amy, Amy, and Kamini
March 5, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Go Ellen! We look forward to reading more.
xoxo A&A&K
March 6, 2008 @ 5:57 am
Wow, Ellen, You are about to get on the road on this MOST exciting adventure. I just checked the weather and you should have an absolutely gorgeous starting day and lots of sunny days after in the high 60’s and 70’s, perfect for cycling. THere is nothing more wonderful than dipping your wheel in the Pacific in the sun and starting EAST down the bike path out of San Diego. YOU GO GIRL!!
Wishing you safe and happy riding days ahead!
Anne
Southern Tier ‘07
March 6, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Hi Ellen!
We enjoyed reading about your visit to the zoo and looking at the pictures! We wish you lot’s of luck!
Love,
Shane,Aleah,Jen & Fana.
Jane
March 7, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Hi Ellen! You ladies sure are an inspiration, I hope to join up with you someday! The gal that got me pedaling is on your ride - Jeanne L. from U.P.Michigan - tell her I said hello and am watching the adventure through you. GO GIRLS GO!
Jane H
becky
March 7, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
ellen, i’m so excited for you. this is an exciting adventure. just watch out for the pot holes all the way. i rode the tour in 05 and wish i could go every year. try the fish tacos along the way they’re great. i’ll look forward to your postings.
becky
southern tier 05
Jen, Adam, Eli and Sasha
March 9, 2008 @ 6:53 am
Ellen- We are following your wonderful adventure each day. Tomarrow you head out on your longest day. Sounds like your well trained and have, as I would have expected, prepared yourself well for this great milestone in your life. We’ve got a map out and eli is putting stickers up as you go. Good luck tomarrow and we all love you! jen
Sharry Manning
March 10, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Hi Ellen: I had to send you a note and let you know that there are so many of us that hold you in our thoughts and prayers each day while you’re away. We’re so proud of you and love you and I’ll be checking in often. Have fun and thanks, thanks,thanks for doing this and all you do in sharing your love. xooxox, Sharry
becky
March 10, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
ellen, i hope all of you enjoy the pool and the rest. how did you like venturing through the chocolate mtns????
make sure when you all leave salome you stop at the coffee shop just outside of town on the right side of the road. you can’t miss it!!! the shop and it’s owner is alot of fun to visist. pedal on girls!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob Immler
March 12, 2008 @ 2:52 am
Today will be our 4th day of desert, desert, desert.
Today is a “rest” day so we’ll ride 20 miles to Douglas,az. Right on the border with lunch at the historic hotel Gadsen and then we’ll pop over into Mexico
Yesterday we saw a tethered balloon like the kindcar dealers in CA use. I thought it might have been to relay a cable tv
But it has thermal sensors to detect illegal border crossings!
Connie Green
March 12, 2008 @ 7:39 am
Hi Ellen!
I love reading your adventures, which I did for the first time today. Tom is probably filling you in, so to speak, on the potholes you’d be trying to ride around if you were here. Keep up the wonderful spirit!
Jim Anderson
March 15, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Hi Ellen, read your blogs and this all sounds so wonderful Keep pushing the pedals! all the best, Jim
Lydia Thomson
March 20, 2008 @ 3:35 am
Hi Ellen-
What a journey! It sounds like you are enjoying so many aspects of it - I am so happy it is going so well, and that all your training is paying off!
Thanks for this terrific blog - it;s great to be able to follow along.
Carry on, oh fearless one.
Lydia (sb #1)
Jim Dodds
March 20, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
Good Luck
I have been cycling with your friend Bob Immler for thirty years. I agree with him that it is important to remember:
1st the left foot, then the right foot and continue for 2,000 miles.
Look forward to reading about your trip.
Connie Green
March 21, 2008 @ 11:44 am
We still have snow, but there’s brown, ugly sand-covered grass showing beside some of the roads now. Alice has some daffodils poking up in a south-facing spot, but our crocus patch is still under a pile of snow.
There’s a new black poodle puppy in the neighborhood - guess whose?
We’ll be with Diane next weekend and we’ll cheer you on together!
Johnny and Joanne
March 21, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Hi Ellen,
It’s great fun reading your blog. It makes us feel guilty and we jump on the treadmill, well sometimes, but it’s Friday night so maybe just the hot tub and cocktails tonight. Much love and good wishes from us. Good Luck. Joanne and Johnny
becky
March 23, 2008 @ 4:05 am
ellen, looks and sounds like everyone is having a blast. as someone might say it’s all down hill from here???…………well sorta. the hill country of texas awaits ya’ll. go girls go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!becky
Lydia Thomson
March 23, 2008 @ 11:07 am
You crossed the high mountains! It must feel just amazing…
Your blog is really fun to read, Ellen - thanks for sharing the trip.
xo
Lydia
Ben Underhill
March 25, 2008 @ 9:53 am
Dear Ellen:
We missed you at Town Meeting!!! A few of us hoisted a twizzler in honor of your trip. Best of luck, congratulations on what you are doing, it’s an inspiration to us all.
Best to all your group,
Ben & Debbie Underhill
Kelly, Aidan & Lloyd
March 27, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
Glad to read you’re still alive!!!
Kelly
writing from the Outback at YogaDance…
stay upright!
xoxoxox
Ronny Johnson
March 28, 2008 @ 10:20 am
I’m in awe at your great strength, stamina, courage, and will! Hope your trip continues to be great, and that the weather is better than here in Bratt (2-3 inches of wet snow this morning!).
Love, Ronny Johnson
Ellen xc-07
March 28, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Ellen, don’t feel bad about not biking all the way across country. I, too, had my heart set on it last year, but when the weather dropped to the low 30’s amid torrential rain after leaving Kerrville, TX, I had to quit that day’s ride at mile 20 when Michelle officially canceled the ride (but 4 rode on nevertheless). My dr. later told me that I probably had a little frostbite in my fingers from that day’s ride.
You are doing great to be riding in the first group!
I never accomplished that! In addition to sharing our first name, we are both from New England. Ride on–you are a strong rider and write a terrific blog!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
becky
March 28, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
ellen, don’t beat yourself up over not riding every inch of every road. i had to ride with a broken hand on a 3 wheeler and i really felt defeated in 05. you’re out there doing the ride and getting it done on your terms.your blog is great and i check it everyday to see what’s going on. keep pumping it’s well worth it. oh by the way WELCOME to TEXAS!!!!
March 28, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Dear Ellen,
“Momma said there’d be days like this, there’d be days like this!” It is always hard to make a decision like you did about riding, but it was right for YOU!! Hey, you can’t ride when you are sick. Glad, though that you are back on the bike.
McDonald Observatory day was definitely the hardest one for many of us last year. It is great to read your journal and I always enjoy your husband’s comments. He sounds just like mine when I was on the road!!
Keep up the great peddling and have fun. Big day coming up on Sunday! I will be thinking of you!
becky
April 2, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
ellen, just think you girls are almost halfway through the adventure. if you have time or want to venture out of kerrville, fredericksburg is a great place to visist. there is a great wildflower farm there. i’m really enjoying your journal, i check it daily. you have bastrop park coming up only iddy bitty hills there.
Marty
April 4, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Ellen
Your blog is terrific –so well written. I’ve followed you all the way so far
and am full of admiration for your courage and stamina and grit! Very, very impressive!
Right now I’m in Amsterdam with Iedje for a few days before we go to Italy for
two weeks so we’ll follow you from internet cafes part way around the world.
Ciao and safe travel to you all. Marty
April 6, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Hi Ellen! Susan & I are enjoying your blog. Susan just said it seems like Texas is taking forever! 
A big bad a**ed state! And a lot more beautiful than I realized. What an aamzing journey you are making!
Ciao, Anne & Susan
Lydia Thomson
April 6, 2008 @ 7:27 pm
Hey El,
I just caught up on reading about all those miles you’ve been logging through Texas - the long haul! It sounds like you are doing so great. Thinking of you,
“happy to be on your bike”… nice.
Lydia
becky
April 7, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
ellen, wellllllllll it’s really all down hill from here and flat. i am sorry about the manners of the driver yelling at you. you’re headed for alligators and the beach.
i keep pondering another ride….. have a good ride tomorrow.
Kelly, Aidan & Lloyd
April 9, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Ellen, you picked the right year to leave VT!
Lloyd just touched down in Costa Rica.
Barb Larsen
April 15, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
Cheers Ellen,
I think you are in St. Franisville. I recommend seeing the Rosedown Plantation, it is beautiful. So enjoy reading your adventures and reliving my trip from last year. You are stopping to smell the roses. Enjoy!
Cheers, Barb Larsen, Denver
Maggie Sullivan
April 18, 2008 @ 7:54 am
Hi Ellen! This is so great - I can hardly keep up with you! We just got back from visiting Louisa in Denmark, and they have little bike roads running beside almost every road - I’m very jealous (plus it’s flat)
I sent your blog address to Louisa, and I’ve been wanting to share this comment from her with you:
Thanks, Mom. It’s so inspiring to see a woman who hasn’t stopped challenging herself, and still leads an adventurous life. And I think it’s a nice reminder to me that my adventures don’t end after this year, or after college once “life” starts.
love Louisa
So you’re an inspiration!
Maggie
Margery
April 20, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Ellen, your trip sounds so amazing. I’ve thought of you often, but confess this is the first time I’ve looked at the blog. YOu are on the home stretch. You must be so strong . Awesome, Love Margery
Sharry Manning
April 21, 2008 @ 5:44 am
Ellen: I’m so tickled to see you’ve traveled such distances and are now past Texas. WOW! I’m so proud of you and continue to enjoy watching your progress on the map at Curves and receiving comments from the blog. Our snow is just about gone and it won’t be long now before we see you. xooxoxo, sharry
becky
April 24, 2008 @ 5:18 am
ellen, i love the pictures of the ride. time is getting short. the feeling when you get done will be both sweet and sour. the sweetness will be that you actually did IT! and the sour that the ride is over and what do we do now. re entry is another aspect of this ride and less eating as well. to bad all of us cross girls couldn’t have a mass gathering and compare notes.
Chris Chapman
April 24, 2008 @ 6:08 am
Great job, Ellen. We’ll look forward to having you back in Vermont if you manage to dodge the alligators and water snakes, too.
Hank Lange
April 25, 2008 @ 3:23 am
ellen:
Great pics and wonderful blog commentary keeps us Wheelmen on the road with you.
Enjoy the final week of your ride– amazing accomplishment! Truly a great trek!
Bring her home strong!
My Personal Best– Hank
becky
April 28, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
you have only 3 days left to ride like you own the world. on that last day you will, because you have DONE IT!!!!! make sure you get really well and enjoy the ocean. i’ve really enjoyed the pics and the journal you’ve written. may the wind be to your backs and the sun kissing your cheeks hello when you arrive on the beach.
Susan Winer
April 28, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
Ellen,
I am a long-time friend of Candice’s so thank you so much for allowing me to “ride along” with her and the rest of the group.
I have so enjoyed reading your blog. You are a great writer. Congratulations on your success! Give my love to Candice and I am sending $100 to the Breast Cancer Coalition to help you reach your goal.
On to the Atlantic!
Susan Winer
Connie Green
April 30, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
Hi Ellen,
I’m so proud of you for riding all that way! I’m so impressed with your stamina and humor and sense of exploration. Way to go! You picked a great time to be about to come home: We finally have flowering trees and some green beginning to show, although this morning the car doors were frozen shut. See you soon!
April 30, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
Hello Ms.Ellen, I was so excited to see that you already put the pictures on here. It’s 12 a.m. and of course Shelby is sleeping for school. I want to wake her up so bad to see this, cause I know it’s going to make her feel so special. My Shelby is a ’special’ little girl and not maney people know how to talk with her, she doesn’t understand alot of things. The time you took with her was priceless. Shelby had to make it a point to let people at church know about her lunch at Angels and her “new friends on bikes with the really cool shoes”. My heart smiled listening to her. Thank you and may you forever be Blessed. Lynn ~Shelby’s mom~
Nancy Kelley
May 3, 2008 @ 9:49 am
I live in Cavendish, Vermont and have signed up for next year’s Southern Tier ride. I’d love to talk with you about your experiences. Please email me at nmkpjlvt@sover.net or call al 802-226-7250. Thank you!
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