Cycling across the U.S.A

When our oldest rider, Martin Berndt, turned 73 on July 29, the celebration lasted all day. He awoke to find his bicycle decorated with a Happy Birthday banner and a balloon tied to the seat. Hillary Capers presented him with a Superman button.

Martin's real surprise came after the day's ride. After the end of the day's map meeting, Martin was called to come forward. Ride leader Ryan Kaplan announced that Martin's daughter Martha had been contacting him by mail and phone to make a special celebration. She had shipped a case of Argentine Malbec wine to Missoula, and it had been in the luggage truck ever since. She had also coordinated with a local caterer to make a four-layer cake. When Martin tried to blow the candles out, he couldn't. They were the kind that relight after a blow.

Happy Birthday, Martin! Good luck with those candles...

The card from his two daughters, son, and son-in-law read:
"Having you as our Daddy has brought us all so much happiness! We are so blessed! We are all so happy to see you still able to enjoy your life and your health. May your health and happiness continue to bless you for many more years."

Martin was thrilled. "That birthway was memorable," he beamed. "I'll remember it to my dying day."

Comments

Happy 27th birthday to tour director Ryan Kaplan! Love, his fiance Linsay

Posted by: Linsay Wilder | August 02, 2006 at 04:16 PM

Hi Bill;
Relay to Martin a Big Happy Birthday from a blog follower from California. He is truly blessed with good health, and an adventuresome spirtit at 73.

Happy Birthday Martin!!!

Mark Ballock

Posted by: Mark Ballock | August 02, 2006 at 04:48 PM

Bill,
Best of Birthday wishes to Martin. Both of you are an inspiration to all of us. You make it obvious that the 'life is over at 50' (or was it 40?) viewpoint doesn't hold true.
I've enjoyed reading your adventure immensely. Hang in there to reach your goal!

Posted by: Jon Eden | August 03, 2006 at 09:56 AM

Happy Birthday to Martin!

Bill, I want to say that I've just recently picked up cycling as a way to lose some weight and get in shape.

The recount of your trip together with your fellow riders is a true inspiration. I've of course never been on a ride such as this but I am for now living it through you and it is great. I admire your determination, your love of live and of this great country.

Jorge

Posted by: Jorge Jimenez | August 03, 2006 at 11:06 AM

The tour seems to have exploded with steep hills, hormones, violence, bosky trails through idyllic landscapes, profound heat and human interest stories since you debouched from the barren Black Hills into Lake Woebegone country, organo veggie land, dairy land, the Capone detour, and Ohio's pancake farm land. Oh the wild wild Midwest!
Hills: Anyone climbing 14 degree hills in a recumbant bicycle needs to stop at the nearest Hospital to be examined for a case of the Simples.
Hormones: We now know that Floyd wasn't joking when he claimed touring by cycle inflamed the glands. Hillary and another bike bird become so stokedthat love erupts somewhere in the Dakotas! Bill Cook, exploding with ol' Dr. Testosterone, 'eaps from his bike, boards the van for a dash to Madison and his wife Ann's awaiting arms!
Violence: Two dog attacks, and one's bite proves worse than Bill's barnk. Another terrible car-biker crash--but this one ends, miraculously, with lives bruised but intact!
Bosky Vales: A glimpse of organo paradise from the squeeking saddle, another of cow- dairy nirvana, complete with talking cows, a cruise through the cornfields, the stalks doubtless creaking in their growth more loudly than Bill's derailleur!
Human interest: the retired journalist turns in half a dozen brilliant thumb nail sketches of parents and kids, twins, and a septgenarians' movable celebration of his 73rd, courtesy of deft long distance devotion from his kids! The personae of the trip have now become dramatis.
Bill: don't stop. Turn back west as you near Maryland. Go for the West Coast. To us armchair spectators, your tour is just getting interesting. Another month and a half, and you will have a document rivaling the Anabasis. Xenophon, Shmenophon! Literary immortality beckons!

Posted by: Rich Thomas | August 03, 2006 at 04:49 PM

Happy Birthday to my Uncle Martin! The whole family is so very proud of him and privileged to be related! We are inspired and awestruck at his determination and gusto. Thanks to Bill for the very gracious words about Uncle Martin and for relating the whole experience to the rest of us so we could be a part.

Catherine Noble, proud niece

Posted by: Catherine Noble | August 03, 2006 at 09:48 PM

Happy Birthday to my Uncle Martin from us Rednecks down here in Kentucky. We look forward to seeing you at Reunion 2008!

Brian, Wanda, Nicholas and Madison Berndt

Posted by: Brian Berndt | August 06, 2006 at 12:26 AM