Orlando

Great night at the Magic game.
What a way to finish the trip.

We made it

Very very windy.
Thanks to all for the support and cheers.

Florida

We just made in on or way to Tell City-- very flat today, so we could average 17 miles an hour--of course through cities is slow. Light light light -- once we get through those smooth sailing.

Very pretty ride today

Cotton all over US 41--- it was blowing like crazy.

Shoes broke

Walter at Home Depot worked his Magic--- no pun intended.
It was about teamwork today, and a person I never met gave us help.
Thank you Walter, you helped us get on our way.

Day 5 we made it to Macon.

On the way towards Valdosta.
All is well, so proud of Scott and is efforts today.

In Chattanoga

Great day today--- teamwork in motion.

Into Tennessee

Big day today.
Made it all but 20 miles short of Nashville.
Great weather again. Tons of hills once again another dog chased us.

We are off

Hit the road at 745. Just did 93 miles and we are almost to Louisville. Things are good. 2.5 hours to get just south of Indianapolis. 2 dogs chased us. We have reflective vests on and lights on, getting late.

3 days to go --- radio interview

http://cpa.ds.npr.org/wvxu/audio/2012/10/101412_JimSergerJr.mp3

Here is a radio interview I did in Cincinnati---talking about why I am riding down to Orlando.

3 days left to go, 3 days to go for cancer, literacy, suicide and addictions.

WE have raised 2,500 dollars so far---there is plenty of time to donate to the cause.

www.jimserger.com/1033

or directly to cancer  go to http://www.active.com/donate/2012mmrfYOR/1033milesSerger

ALL donations are HUGE, helping so many people....today, tomorrow and down the road.

4 days to go---

http://www.indystar.com/article/20121016/LOCAL0101/210180311/Carmel-neighbors-prepare-charity-bicycle-trip-Florida?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cs

Article in today's paper----talking all about the ride.

To make a donation please go to this site--

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

ALL DONATIONS ARE HUGE--going to help so many people--

Few days to go---LIKE page for the ride

http://www.facebook.com/CarmeltoOrlando?fref=ts

Follow my progress on the way down to Florida---see what we are doing and where we are.

Hit the LIKE page above and start charting----daily up dates, what we faced, who we saw, and how we are doing.

6 days --- CANCER we can beat it

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

CANCER-- it is a word that no one likes to hear, and it is a word that we also fear.

Cancer has taken it's place in my family. I lost my grandma and and uncle do to breast cancer and leukemia, But my dad beat bladder cancer and my father in law beat prostate cancer as well.

Her is a friend of mine that I am riding for that has Multiple Myeloma--he has it remission.

TOGETHER we can find a cure......

I am riding my bicycle from my house here in Carmel, Indiana down to Orlando, Florida--1033 miles to help him and so many others find a cure.

ONE week to go....

Yesterday I did 30 miles, which I will do every day up until Thursday of next week. It was fun to be out yesterday, but the wind was off the charts--upwards of 20 mph and the bike was blowing all over the place.

As I scooted on, riding dead aim at the wind. I was thinking to myself that this is pretty hard, I am used to going 20 mph and now I am only going 14--but then again, I am 5'10 and 233 pounds not exactly a pro-type of a Tour De France rider.

As I rounded the 15 mile marker, I looked off to the left and the Sun began to break through the clouds--rays of light  were beaming out like the red laser  pointer kids use--it was awesome. So I stopped and thought about what I am riding for.

I am riding for people who are afraid to speak up, I am riding for the family who has little money, I am riding for the spouse or sister of someone who took their life, I am riding for the parent of a child who is addicted to alcohol or drugs. I am riding for the cancer patient who is looking for answers  looking for love and looking for a glimpse of hope. I ma riding for the dad, mom who lost their only child to cancer, the son who lost his dad to cancer--or the school who lost a fellow student to drugs/alcohol. I am riding for the student who can't read at the current level of his class, I am riding for the teachers who help guide others on the importance of reading, comprehension and grasping the story with in the book. I am riding so that others can have sight on a vision of creating a better world that we live in.

I am riding because I got help--not me personally, but my family. We got answers,  we got help and we were guided into the right direction by people who give so much back to the community. I have read 162 books in 30 months, and I want others to gain what I have gained--I want others to feel good about reading, and challenging themselves like they have never done before--to get out of their comfort zone and seek more.

I leave for Orlando in 7 days--- these groups need our help, please join me in giving back.

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

Thank YOU---Jim Serger Jr.   Carmel, Indiana

The story behind the story of me riding bicycle

http://www.fox19.com/category/240225/video-landing-page?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7824119#.UHaVQpsXF6E.facebook

Today on FOX 19 in Cincinnati a friend of mine was on there talking about suicide---She lost her sister, and today she is talking openly about what happened, about what a beautiful sister she had. She is on the news today trying to help others understand suicide, help cope with it, and how to find answers to resolve a tragedy.

Shannon's Butterflies is one of the causes I am riding for---for all money will be donated in Shannon's name and given to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.--Together we can help others.

For more information on my bicycle ride to Florida from Indiana follow this link--

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

All donations go directly to helping all four programs---I am paying for the ride myself...

9 days to go, Indiana 2 Orlando.

9 days to go--and the bike is already..... It is funny to me, that 100 days ago I could not do more than 4 miles in one day--then that turned into 6 miles, 20, 50, 100 and 100 back to back and one run from Indianapolis to Cincinnati.

I feel this is a test to all people--not just a bike ride, but it is a test that we do not need to know much about anything in the beginning, we just need the drive to accomplish a mission. It was not just me that got me up to 1313 miles worth of training--it was the bike store next to my house, my friend who bikes all the time--they both were giving me tips, giving me knowledge, giving pointers....nutrition, sleeping, how many miles to ride, what tires to use, how often to fill air, what I need for 40 degree runs, and what I need when it is 100 out.

TEAMWORK -- is they whole key to this mission, and in my life--both at work, play and family. WE can not accomplish anything with out teamwork, assistance, and guidance...This bicycle ride down to Orlando, Florida is about team work, vision, and goals. 

Cancer, Suicide, Addictions and Literacy--all four are big powerful words. Down right a little scary when you read the statistics--but through teamwork, people helping people, people giving attention, people giving and sharing guidance--helping others day to day, is the key.

1033 miles from my house here in Carmel, Indiana  down to Amway Center in Orlando--8-9 days it will take me. But, these groups I am riding for need OUR help 365 days a year--Please join me in giving, for WE will be helping---click on link below to donate and learn about what I am riding for.

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

10 days till we start the mission

10 days, October 20th--is go time. Time to give 8-10 days of my efforts towards helping others combat

Suicide
Cancer
Literacy
Addictions

All four have touched my life---and this is my way of giving back to those who give so much to others.

365 days a year, they need our help in raising money to find a cure, to find a answer or to save a loved one--or give guidance to those who have lost a loved one.

I don't have all the answers, I don't have the educational back ground to find some ground breaking answer as well--But, what I do have is the drive and the initiative to help others get to the correct programs.

Please join me in giving to these programs so that others may have the strength and the courage to continue on with guidance, compassion, love and support.

At one point in our lives we all will need another person, group, foundation, program to help us---lets help others continue down that path.

http://www.jimserger.com/1033/      to donate and learn more click on this link---thank YOU, Jim Serger Jr.

11 days to GO! Indiana to Florida

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

It is funny how time sneaks up on us--no matter what, it always catches up with us.

90 days ago, June 19th I set out on my first bike ride and only accomplished 4 miles and I was winded.

I did Insanity Workout for 60 days before tackling this bike ride--but like anything else it is totally different.

1313 miles I have plowed through, each day taking on a different route, different challenge, different venues to prepare myself for what lies ahead.--no matter how prepared I think I am, I still have to push myself even further.

October 20th--my dad's 65th birthday. WOW!!!!!! My buddy, is 65. I still see him as 40 and I 20, or him 30 and I 10---that is the relationship I have with my dad.....years ago, him and I did not see eye to eye, yet today by putting our problems behind us and focusing on today, we were able to build back into a strong and healthy relationship. One of value, one of love and one that I will never forget 40 years from today.

Florida here I come--- I can't wait to get going, it will be fun, it will be adventures, and it is for others. A man once told me life is not complete until we do things for others, and ask for nothing in return....I thank him for telling me that, and I want to share that with others.....SERVANTHOOD--pass it along.

I thought reading was for others--I was wrong

http://www.reading.org/

READ    READ   READ    READ    READ

It took me 20 years to realize  what I was missing.. I thought reading was for other people. Doctors, lawyers, CEO--teachers etc....

I was sure wrong--I love to read and in 30 months I have read 162 books since picking up the activity.

The BIG pay off--is that my 8 year old sees me read, hears me talk about books--and over last 30 months she is plowing through books and enjoying them as much as I am--now she is only 8. Where will she be in 20 years---Well, READING for life.

International Reading Association is one of the groups I am riding bicycle down to Orlando for.

To read more about the cause please follow this link---http://www.jimserger.com/1033/

All donations are going to help so many people.

October 3 --- Indianapolis to Cincinnati

Up and at them at 5:30--downtown Indianapolis by 6:30, and on the road--me, the bike and a back pack headed for Cincinnati--my plan was to get 100 plus miles and tackle hills, test gps, test how bike would hold up and think about the mission down to Orlando from Carmel.

I headed out through downtown--stop light, after stop light. It took me 2 hours just to get out side of 465, and then I could really begin to get my speed up--and head for Shelbyville. I finally made it to Shelbyville at 10:30, went into Kroger with the bike on my shoulder--used the bathroom--refilled water bottle, ate a protein snack and back on the bike headed for Greensburg.

I must say that I really enjoy the country roads much better than the city roads--1 less traffic, obvious. 2 I get to see the farms, and pastures of Indiana, instead of just the highway and motorists passing by. I took in the scenery--but I was maintaining  19 miles an hour, which was a good thing since I averaged 9 miles and hour for 2 hours going through Indy. I finally made it past the Honda plant and through the heart of Greensburg at 12 noon--pulled over, used bathroom, filled water bottles, ate protein bar--450 calories. Took a few electrolyte pills--to maintain salt level. Then onto 46 east towards Cincy.

At this point I was feeling pretty good--10 minute break at each stop was way better than I have ever done before. I pulled onto 46 which the speed limit was 55, but the should was 3 feet wide, so plenty of space for me to be on. I rolled pretty fast around 18 or so--and finally made it to Batesville around 1:15--once again I ate a small gummy protein snack--and hit the road again headed for Harrison Ohio.

The hills now were pretty noticeable  speed was dropping down to 15 or so, then back up to 25 then back down to 15--then I hit 28 miles an hour, BIG huge dog came running right at me, and I had to kick it in, and I am glad I did. Cujo--would of nailed me. So for the next 1/2 hour I was looking for more dogs and sure enough another one came out of no where--and I had to turn on afterburners to out gun it--thank God, I was able to speed up fast.

I finally made it to West Harrison--which at the time was 3:45. I had to pull over and do interview with Eddie Fingers and Tracey Jones on WLWT radio in Cincinnati--they did live talk and they had me on talking about the ride--sure was nice of them to have me on and chit chat about sports, and the bike ride to help others.

4:00 up Harrison Avenue I went, and I made all the way up the BIG hill, then I made it all the way down--I ended up in St. Bernard parish in Cheviot and called it a day at 4:45.

107 miles, the most I have ever done in 1 day--plus I went up a ton of hills--and 2 hours through a major city.  I was happy with my results, happy with the bike, happy with my training--but I was the happiest when my buddy, my friend, my dad--picked me up at 5:15.--we headed back to his house and mom cooked us a great meal--we watched the debates and up and at them at 4:30 and dad drove me back to Indianapolis.

Fast day, tiring day--but well worth it.........It gave me an idea of what I need to plan for in another 2 weeks.
But most of all cancer, suicide, literacy and addictions--are all worth the journey, and that is what I am riding for.

To donate--or learn more on why i am riding please click this link  http://www.jimserger.com/1033/