Sunday, September 30, 2012

Last day of the month--20 days left.

http://www.jimserger.com/1033/

 Yesterday I was out and about all over Carmel--I did 28 miles yesterday and today I will shooting for 40. I took a week off, then climbing back up slowly back to 150 miles for later in the week in one day. Yesterdays ride takes me to 1178 miles since beginning this quest on June 19th. I have learned a ton about biking--I have gone from 0-100 on the knowledge scale in the last 100 plus days, and still getting educated.
     The key to the ride is not about what I am getting ready too do, the key is what others do for people in need. Cancer, literacy, suicide, and addictions. Educators, professors, teachers, doctors, nurses, volunteers, mom's, dad's, brother's, sister's--all of them are helping others in these four causes of the ride all the time.
   Not just yesterday, or today but tomorrow , next year and 30 years from today-people will still be lending others their time, effort, attention and their love. I feel great ever single time I go out and bike--it puts me in another mind set, like it is game day. My thoughts are about the people I am riding for, the groups that are searching to find a cure for cancer. The groups that are at a round table searching for the answer on how to touch others on the importance of reading. The staff talking about how they succeed on keeping someone from drinking alcohol for one day, or the members talking about how a young person called in for help about potential suicide, and how they walked them through staying alive and getting help
  On going funds are what keeps these programs alive and well--sheer determination, and sheer heart is why these four programs do so well. YOU may never have heard of them, you may not need them. But, down the road someone dear to you may. Please join me in donating to our ride for others. A ride that can give someone  the vision to stay happy and healthy, for a long time.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Sunny and 72---great day today.

http://www.active.com/donate/2012mmrfYOR/1033milesSerger

Out today wearing MMRF jersey--Felt really good out there yesterday and today.
Weather was just great 72 and sunny--
Hope this keeps up for the next 30 days, that would work out fine.

21 days left till we head to ORLANDO.

http://www.fox40.com/videogallery/72449802/News/Champion-of-the-Week-Jim-Serger

Story picked up in Sacramento and in Alaska.--

http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/72449802/News/Champion-of-the-Week-Jim-Serger

http://www.fox43.com/videogallery/72449802/News/Champion-of-the-Week-Jim-Serger

Story picked up in Pennsylvania and in Louisiana.

http://www.abc26.com/videogallery/72449802/News/Champion-of-the-Week-Jim-Serger

     When my dad and I decided to write our book--we did it so that we could help others. For years I was hurting inside--I was unable to talk with high school friends, college friends  Navy buddies, Fraternity brothers, old baseball teammates etc...  and I did not even go back to my 15 or 20 year reunion for I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I did not want others to judge me, judge my family, or just plain feel awkward talking with me.
     That was 1999 when my dad hit rock bottom--and it was the darkest hour for me. It was as if I was hit across the head with a 2x4 over and over again--the pain was very excruciating indeed. But when he hit rock bottom, the best thing came out of it--he asked for help and the help came from miles away, near and far. Doctors, therapists, friends, loved ones, family, shelters, counselors, educators, the list goes on and on. They all contributed their knowledge and guidance into my dad--and today he is 13 years sober and thriving.
13 years of living is how I see it--he is a grandpa, father, brother again. The mission of the groups paid off.
     Alcoholism not only affects the drinker, but hits the family hard as well. It is not just about the addict getting sober and clean--it is about family dealing with the problem as well. When we sweep the problem under the carpet, when we don't face the face straight on, it will will tear us down bit by bit--once we admit there is an issue then everything will come to fruition if all parties want it too. It takes ALL people to help, but first the drinker has to admit he/she needs help then we are off to the races.
http://www.prospect-house.org/  here is the link to one of the benefits of me riding bicycle down to Orlando-this is the house that saved my dad--this is the house that has save 6,200 men in 39 years--I thank this house, there mission, there way of life--for so many families are alive and well because of them.
Here is more information on our ride and how to donate to this cause and three others that have helped us,
http://www.jimserger.com/1033/

Yesterday I did 17 miles, which takes my total up to 1158 miles in 100 days of training. 21  days to go.


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

http://www.active.com/donate/2012mmrfYOR/1033milesSerger


Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a hematologic cancer, or cancer of the blood. It is the second most common blood cancer, after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and represents approximately 1% of all cancers in white individuals and 2% of all cancers in black individuals.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 21,700 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in 2012. The number of cases of myeloma reported at a particular time (the prevalence) varies according to gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Multiple myeloma is more common among men than women and occurs more frequently with increasing age.
As with any cancer diagnosis, hearing that you have myeloma can be overwhelming. But new treatments continue to be evaluated in research studies, and substantial improvements in treatment have been made over the past few years. Multiple myeloma cannot be cured, but it can be treated, allowing many individuals to live longer, healthier lives with the disease.

This is a group that I will be riding my bicycle down to Orlando from my house here in Carmel, Indiana. The person I am riding for is Pat Williams--SR VP of the Orlando Magic. Pat was diagnosed in 2011 with this cancer, but because of his determination, willpower and sheer strength, Pat was able to get it into remission. This is an incurable cancer--but that has not stopped Pat--he is on a mission before and after he was diagnosed. He is the author of over 70 books, father to 19 children, motivational speaker and educator. Pat is passionate about life, friends, hard work and  theme of LEADERSHIP and TEAMWORK. Both of which he displays every day since taking on this cancer--
It is my HONOR to be riding down in his name--he has taught me the value of reading, writing, vision,people skills, communication, teamwork and leadership-but most of all he has taught me the value of SERVANT HOOD. 
8 days or so depending on the weather--is but a small blip on my radar of life--this will not be an easy task. I have been training for 3 months and have logged 1141 miles since taking this challenge on June 19th. My neighbor Scott Golden, will be going with me as well as a team member--for nothing in life is done on our own, and it takes people, doctors, nurses, staff, family to achieve dreams. That is what this mission is about--it is about helping others--who have helped so many.
Please click on the above tab and donate anything you can--for many people need our help to find a cure.
Thanks Jim Serger Jr.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Thanks to FOUR groups---my family is stronger

http://www.fox59.com/videogallery/72452854/News/Champion-of-the-Week-Jim-Serger

This a video of me nominating my dad for Champion of the Week here in Indianapolis.

He is a cancer survivor.
He is sober for 13 years.
He attempted suicide.
He and I wrote a book.

ALL four of these are what I am riding bicycle down to Orlando for.

4 groups that have impacted my life and so so many others here in the U.S. and across the globe.

To learn more, and donate please visit, http://www.jimserger.com/1033/

September 25th---less than 30 days.

http://currentincarmel.com/one-bike-two-guys-four-programs

Article today in Current Carmel about the ride.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

September 13

Up at them again at 6:45--breakfast as usual with little girl and on the bus she went at 7:45--said goodbye to the wife, and off on the bike I went. shooting for as much as I could . the good thing was grandma was coming over to get her of the bus at 2:45 so I had all day to really push it.

that early in the morning, is getting a little darker than normal--and it is harder for motorist too see me, so I wore my bight US NAVY bicycling shirt--so they could see me, and it paid off I did not get cut off. I did the first 36 miles in 2 hours and 7 minutes, then took a 15 minute break. ate a 400 calorie protein bar, drank two glasses of Gatorade and back on the bike again. The I did the 30 mile loop in reverse too change things up and I did it in 2 hours 16 minutes--then hit the bathroom, at yogurt, peanuts and string cheese and two glasses of Gatorade. then I hit the 30 mile loop and added 4 miles on too it. taking all the way up to 8 hours on the bike--which is the first time I have done a century ride since August 1st and the first time I have done 186 miles in two days.

I felt pretty good out there today--so tomorrow I am off, doing a newspaper interview at 9 am with a Cincinnati paper. Saturday and Sunday I will do 30 miles a piece.

The one thing that really stood out today was that there were a ton of butterflies way up north of my house. About 25 miles north it is nothing but farm land, and I guess it is that time of the year. But what really got me is that I am riding for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention--and the person I am riding for is Shannon, and her sister created Shannon's Butterflies which all the money generated will go to AFSP in Shannon's name--

I believe it was her day, and this ride is but a small step too helping others who are thinking of suicide--and families who have to cope with the lost of  loved one. Every 40 seconds someone takes their life and every 41 seconds someone is asking why. Please join me in giving back through donations on my bike ride to help others who have gone through this tragedy and others who are coping too understanding this crisis.

Here is the donation page--any help would be a BIG help and all money goes straight to the cause.
http://jimserger.com/1033/

Thanks, Jim Serger Jr.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

September 12th

I was in the zone today--up and them at 6:45, kid and I ate breakfast together--on the bus she went at 7:45 and I changed into burrito man--well my cycling outfit. I feel weird in those, but it sure does feel better than t-shirt and shorts. On the road today at 8;15 and i headed out--it was a cool morning here in Indiana, around 60 or so this morning--but it felt better than 30 days ago when it was 85 at that time.
  Today I was planning on doing 150 miles--then do it again tomorrow. I do a 30 miles stretch then come back home, eat, bathroom, fill water bottles and back on the streets in 15 minutes--I did well it took me 4 hours to do 60 miles, with all the stop signs, waiting on traffic I thought I did pretty well today. When I hit the streets at 12:30 everything was going fine first half a mile--then I cut through a new neighborhood being built--which has taken 6 years to fill up. But they are building at a snail pace, but building is good--I saw a bobcat lifting sod's of grass up in front, he was in middle of the street then taking up to house--well as I approached he decided too stop right in the middle of the road--pick up trucks too the left and right and I had to slam on the breaks, then I got right foot out of the clips and I cut the bottom of my ankle open--about 6 inch gash in there. I was furious--I held my composure and headed on ride--I looked down and blood was running down ankle a little, so pushed on. I made it a 26  mile loop instead of 30 and when I got back ankle was feeling weird. So I called it a day.
  Tomorrow I will do 150--and this will be the first time I have pushed it this hard back to back--getting ready for October 20th. My friend who is a professional bike rider--said don't reach the top till you are ready to go--great advice so after tomorrow i will go back down too 40 miles a day for 10 days then go back to 150 back to back in 2 weeks.
  It is hard too believe that in just 38 days I begin the journey of a life time--but the four groups that I am riding for give so much too so many and THEY need our help, and that includes everyone.  We may not need them now, we may not need them in 10,20,30 years--but along the road us or someone dear to us will need one of them to help. Teachers, professors, counselors, Doctor's , nurses-- all of the those are affiliated with the four groups --and all need our help.
Please visit my web site on how to donate, and how to give back
http://www.jimserger.com/1033/   Thanks Jim Serger

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Okay--this is a first for me. Shaving my legs--I was told all bikers do it in the event of a crash it is easy too clean the wound. All this time i thought it was for aerodynamics, it is if you average 27 miles an hour or more, which I don't-I am more around 15.9 which is not bad for only doing this for 75 days.
I was off today on the riding instead I cut the grass, painted, fixed garage door and played with little girl and wife at the park--
As you can tell the knowledge that i am gaining by doing this ride for charity is really fun for me--it is the same with addictions, cancer, literacy and suicide prevention. When we educate others about the four, we help them gain knowledge, awareness, we allow them too grow and too take control of events that just are not doable on your own--we need others, professionals, doctors, teachers, professors, councilors too grow and educates the innocent on new topics they are facing.
It is the same for me going to the BIKE SHOP  Neboridge--they educate me every single time I go in--it may be any easy question for them to answer--but for me it is a hard one.
Same with the four groups--cancer, just the word is scary enough--but through guidance and the willpower of others to help us through our time in need is what I like too see--
The pay off is huge--it never stops 5,10,20,50 years from today people will still need too donate for causes and that is what I and my neighbor are doing--we are riding to allow these four to continue to flourish and this is just a little water for the harvest.
Please join me in giving back to these four--go to the site below and read about them all and any donation is a GREAT donation--
Thanks Jim Serger Jr.  http://jimserger.com/1033/

Saturday, September 8, 2012

September 7 and 8th

So yesterday, Friday I did not need to be at work till 11 am--so got little girl on the bus at 7:45 then changed into outfit and off on a 20 mile bike ride-- very  humid out, rain was heading in. Said we could get 2 inches here in central Indiana--and back home at 9 and cut grass, straighten up house--then shower and off to work, was  there by 10:50.--I was there until 10:15 at night--then back home and up and at them this morning at 3 am to get ready for work--then there at 5 and stayed until 1:30 back home--saw family--then on too a 30 mile bike ride--came back ate dinner as a family and then off to the local festival with wife and little girl--

But what struck me today as I was riding were the clouds looked like the ones from Simpsons cartoon--real bright blue sky and white fluffy clouds--very cool to be riding today--very windy--but it felt great 72 degrees just perfect.

As I was crossing a busy intersection there were 2 policeman with cars and lights on--there was a bike ride here in Carmel for MS--great ride I am sure--but, it is not only me making a difference for others--there are millions of people who STEP UP AND PLAY BIG--but not in anything else but giving their time and energy back too those who need our help--I am sure the police were happy too assist with the traffic--and I am sure the locals here in Carmel were happy with the event--For the BMW Championship is going on here as well--bringing money into the local community as well.--Tiger Woods, Jeff Overton, Ernie Ells, Vijah Singh, and others brought people into Carmel for this grand round of golf.

As I rode today I was thinking about my ride with my neighbor Scott Golden--we are just two normal dad's -- nothing famous about us--but we both see that giving back to those who help others is what our ride is all about. My dad would not be sober if it were not for the Prospect House, neither would 6,200 other men who have gone through it--dad's, husbands, brothers, sons--all reunited with family and friends because of that program--it costs $59 dollars per man, per day to house, shelter, feed and provide education, knowledge and guidance on addictions. They also provide dental and medical care if needed--also land those men a job in society--they are giving men hope and giving them structure and meaning to this world.
My dad is my buddy--friend, he is grandpa, dad and husband because of this house.

The roll that people play in giving others HOPE is huge--we all need a little hope in our lives and this ride is about giving hope to others who have, or will face adversity in their lives--cancer, addictions, suicide and literacy. All four need our help, need our help to help others.

So please join US in giving back and making a donation so that this can help resolve another family facing adversity.

Click on the link for more information and a way to make a donation   my goal is 100,000 so any donation is greatly appreciated.  http://jimserger.com/1033/

Remember tell someone you love them today--

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Day 15,16,17 and 18 September 3,4,5,and 6th

It was a pretty crazy week here in Indiana--rain Saturday, Sunday and Monday--I did get a ride in on Wednesday  36 miles in 2 1/2 hours. My best time yet, then it was off to Cincinnati too do a radio interview with WVXU on the bike ride. It was great to be back to my home town, but had to do interview and head home--2 hour drive took me 4 hours at 45 mph in rain all the way home.
  Around Cincinnati is the name of the show that had me on--we talked about the Prospect House one of the causes I am riding for--as well as Multiple Myeloma Cancer, American Foundation for Suicide prevention and International Reading Association.
  All four groups have touched my life in one way or another--
My father tried to take his own life--and his best friends daughter did in 2010 and the money raised will go in her name to Suicide Foundation.
I had not read a book in 20 years--then with my dad we told our true story in a book which was published and by reading andwriting the book it has helped not only us--but I love reading and in 30 months I have read 158 books.
The Prospect House is an addiction house in Cincinnati which has a 68% success rate in saving men and reuniting them with loved ones--my dad spent 18 months there--and they helped our family and 6,200 other ones in the last 39 years introduce alcohol and drug free men back into society.
My dad is a cancer survivor, I lost my grandma to breast cancer, my uncle to leukemia--and a friend of mine in Orlando has Multiple Myeloma Cancer--he has it in remission. Because of his passion, willpower and drive he got it that way. He is a man of great character, leadership and one who possess great vision and commitment to life, co-workers, family and friends--so my ride is for his foundation as well.
  It is 1033 miles from my house in Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida. with the help of my door neighbor Scott Golden we should be able to do the ride in 8 days--or 9 depending on the weather and how we feel.
WE are trying to raise 100,000 dollars and divide that 25% evenly too all four.
Please click on the link below to learn more about how to donate and more information on our ride--I am going for another 30 miles tomorrow which will take my total too 933 miles in 70 days training--next week is the big test--2 ten hour days back to back to get ready for this quest.
http://jimserger.com/1033/

Monday, September 3, 2012

Day 12, 13, 14 Aug 31, Sept 1 and 2nd

So on Friday I had a pretty busy day--up and at them little girl on the bus--then I tackled the kitchen sink. Waiting for caulk to dry, I cut the grass. Then wife brought home lunch, then finished the sink. Then around 1:30 got on the bike and did a quick 20 miles again--RAIN they said was headed to central Indiana and it was not going to stop till Monday. Got ride in and then showered and off for a visitation in Columbus, Indiana. It was a great day, in that I need to get it all in--Labor Day weekend is a great weekend at work.

Going to visitation was very sad, but it was something I had to do--My wife, and I and little girl just love this family. As I stood in the waiting line pictures were up of the gentleman, with his teenage kids, wife , brothers and sister. It is tough, very tough seeing he was only 47 years old--47 right in the middle of his life and WE lost him. I did not know him very well, but is younger brother, my neighbor are great friends and I was there too support him and his family in need of love and friendship--

That to me is what this bike ride to Orlando is all about--it is about love, friendship, commitment, strength, honor and knowing that when someone is looking for help or guidance others step in and show the way.
Could you imagine not knowing how to read?Could you imagine having cancer and no one around to hug, talk or even just say hello and speak with you? Can you imagine what it is like to be homeless and have an addiction problem and no where too turn? Last, is the fact that every 40 seconds someone takes their life, and every 41 seconds someone is asking why--and what if no one was there to help cope with that question?

The four groups that I am riding for are there, willing to help anyone at any given time. The Prospect House, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, International Reading Association, and American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. They all have helped me in one way or another--some you may never heard of, some you may never need, but in donating we all can give back too those who help others.

It is 1033 miles from my house to Orlando and it is 1.5 minutes to the bike store next to my house. I was there yesterday for the bike was having a hard time shifting correctly and I took it in with my little girl and up on the rack it went--I new NOTHING about bikes until I took this challenge up and yesterday was no different. The young man explained to me and my girl what needed to be done--as if he were the doctor and I was the patient. He explained and showed and then put the bike back together as if he had done this 1 million times. He was awesome to share with us his knowledge and his passion for his job. the whole staff at this store is great--my bike is 10 years old and he did not say a word about it--a few suggestions as I get closer to the ride--but that was it.

New cables, are on and the rain has stopped here in Indiana--so on Monday I should be able to get a ride in--my goal this week is 20 miles a day for 7 days--then a HUGE task for next week--we are getting closer and closer to the ride.

Till tomorrow--read 15 minutes a day--it will change your life.

For donations please visit the following http://jimserger.com/1033/

Have a great day, Jim