Donna and Dick. Here is the site you are looking for. I moved it up so you don't have to scour the entire blog looking for it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW2i1yd3jR0

It looks like the outside biking season is over for me. Until two weeks ago I was biking outside in 50 degree temps usually between 35-40 miles per day 6 days a week. So, now its on my trainer in the basement watching reruns of the Rockford files or spinning at Five Points community center watching (yuck) Fox news or ESPN. Basically boring stuff. I miss the outdoor rides. I delight in reading the communication between the people from last summers bike trip. It is a constant reminder of what great people I had the benefit of riding with across the country.
My presentations of the cross country ride is on hiatus until after the holiday season. It has virtually taken on a life of its own. With over 15 dates from schools, Rotary, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Sierra Clubs, I have fine tuned it based on the amount of time available and often run overtime. For an hour presentation I have a travelogue PowerPoint with scenery from across the U.S. followed by a musical slide show (can be seen on YouTube-refer to previous blog for site) with pictures featuring the riders from the trip finishing with a question/answer session. For shorter presentations I describe some of the experience, present the slide show followed by questions. I have had some of the most interesting questions and on a later post I must share some of them.
That's it for now and I wish all those who still follow this blog a joyous holiday season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW2i1yd3jR0
So, with a bit of difficulty, due to my limited technical abilities, here is the video that I shared with the people to whom I gave presentations. This was part of the "short" program. The attendees really enjoyed it. While it is Walker centered all of the riders are present at some point, either in group photos or individual pictures. I hope you enjoy it and please give me some feedback. To give credit where credit is due, local photographers, and two of the best in the area, Kevin May and Rich Burk produced this video. This blog site would not download the video so I had to use YouTube. However, the original music, "Takin Care of Business" that accompanied the video was not allowed by YouTube because of copyright infringement. So, the accompanying music was a substitute but after adding it, and with wife Veronica's approval, I am quite pleased with the result. Enjoy!

Rode yesterday the same training roads I used to ride a year ago in southern Illinois near Carbondale. My bike computer malfunctioned so I did a three hour ride and covered over 50 miles. The terrain consisted of rolling hills and the wind was at my back the for first 27 miles but returning it was a constant 15-20 mph in my face. It reminded me of the eastern part of Kansas. For some odd reason, the route was much easier than I remember. Perhaps riding 3,415 miles had something to do with it. Finished my 10th presentation to the Washington Lyons club and plan on doing at least two more full program presentations.

For those who still check in from time to time, I am in the process of presenting programs to various groups who are interested in my trans-continental riding experience. Apparently many people seem extremely interested. I have given 8 presentations so far and have another 4 scheduled. Rotary clubs, lions clubs, library programs, Sierra Club, church groups and school groups have requested a program presentation of some sort. I present in three different formats. Without any audio/visual equipment it is a short summary of the ride followed by questions from the audience. Depending on time and AV equipment available, I give a 15-20 minute summary with a video slide show made by local photographers Kevin May and Rich Burk. It shows me, the riders on the journey and many of the people I met and photographed along the way. Then, Kevin set it to the song "Takin care of business". I suggest he did an excellent job with the limited subject (me) with which he had to work. The 45 minute program includes a travelogue PowerPoint providing a photo journey with selected pictures from each state I crossed, followed by the video slide show and culminated by a question/answer session. After I am finished I will attempt to put the video slide show on my blog so interested spectators can enjoy it. I must stress, however, that the reason I agreed to present these programs is not so much to pat myself on the back and say "gee look what I did." I focus on the theme set by the Teddy Roosevelt quote recited by Tracy on the first meeting of our trip. Its all about setting goals, knowing there will be ups and downs, and doing ones best to accomplish those goals. I then use my ride to exemplify this concept. If anyone reading this would like to schedule a program feel free to contact me. Sorry Hank, can't go to California right now. Too many fires!!

First picture is my roommate Hank in the middle, his beautiful wife, Carol on the right (his left) and Karen an excellent rider from Sacramento where she and Hank are in the same riding club.

The second picture is the beginning of our ride from the hotel to Huntington Beach pier where we dipped our rear tire and began the journey

The third picture is of the group that began the ride. Compare to the picture at the end.

The fourth picture is fixing my flat tire. The first flat of the group. Harry, Karen and Alec stopped to assist and each got a puncture that day. (yes, Harry, I can now call it a puncture!)

I have decided to continue this blog until I reach my goal of donations toward the Central Illinois Alzheimers Assn. Having perused the other riders blogs I noticed that the number of pictures posted ranged from none to many. Most of my entries have only one picture as I felt it was a summary or highlight of the day's ride. I took about 400 pictures, many of which are now being converted into a slide show that I will be using when presenting to various groups. I will now attach pictures for each blog entry. Hope you enjoy them. They will be presented in chronological order.

To those who have contributed to the Alzheimers Assn. it is greatly appreciated. To those who are planning to contribute but are procrastinating, remember to indicate it is for Walker's Cross Country bicylce ride. the address is
Central Illinois Alzheimers Association
606 W. Glen
Peoria, Il. 61614
or
www.alz.org/illinoiscentral

The blog continues. My friend Kevin is working on a slide show production of my trip. I am going to share this with groups or individuals interested in seeing it. Five groups have already asked for a presentation.
Donations for the Central Illinois Alzheimers Assn. are still coming in. It is still not to late to contribute. Any amount is appreciated.
On my request to stay a night in the Obama White House Lincoln Bedroom, I have heard rumors it takes a $100,000 contribution to the Democratic party to even be considered. I hope not. I'm sure someone out there in the Obama administration will take pity on a poor retired history teacher who biked across America and wants to share the positive attributes of my experience with the country in this recessionary period. I am a patient person. I await eagerly by the phone (or e-mail) for the invite.