Training Highlights

Mike and I began a stringent training schedule around June 1st, for eight weeks. We rode different distances on our bikes five days a week and we walked just about every day.
Yesterday was the conclusion of our training. We rode 55 miles and walked 5. This was about the distance we had planned to cover daily in Canada (walk 10, ride 50). However, we made a slight adjustment to our plans. We couldn’t decide how to split up the walking and riding (which to do first, etc.). We finally figured we would walk 5 miles and then ride 25, walk 5 more and then finish with 25 riding. We walked our 5 first but Mike, who bought new walking shoes yesterday for this trip, had a blister after 5 and we had to improvise. So we walked 5 and then rode 55. I won’t say it was impossible, but it certainly wasn’t easy. We probably moved too fast and didn’t take enough breaks (we plan to change this in Canada). We finished our 60 in 7.5 hours and that included lunch at Wilkins (pretty good food and a welcome rest).

So, now that we know we can do 60 miles in a single day we feel more confident with our future goals. We are sore but not beyond going out and trying it again today (we won’t however).

In our training we've encountered several interesting things:

1. BEAR: Yes, I was out alone one day and came over a hill behind a passenger van. The van was braking and I looked ahead to see, in front of the van, the BIGGEST BLACK BEAR I have ever seen walking right down the middle of the road! The van was braking and I also braked (something you hardly ever do going downhill on a bike). The bear seemed oblivious to me and kept walking straight ahead. It finally walked off to the right. Made me think what would I have done if the van hadn’t been there? Mike said he would have ridden right by the bear. Ha!

2. DOGS: We encountered a black and brown dog at one spot on our most common route. They seemed intent on our biting our ankles. We squirted the dogs several times in the face with our water containers which stopped them for a minute while we got ahead.

3. WILDLIFE: We saw countless deer. In fact we had at last two different deer that never moved off the side of the road as we passed them. We were within 5-10 feet from them and they didn’t move. Awesome. We also saw a HUGE turtle (painted) that was bigger than a trash can lid.

4. WEATHER: In 8 weeks of training we NEVER got rained upon. AMAZING!

Yesterday, on our final ride, I told Mike that the last time I rode a bike 6 hours in one day on a seat the size of a corn cob was NEVER!

We are definitely nervous about the upcoming trip; like how big will the hills be (the toughest part of riding a bike) and how strong will the wind be in our face (the 2nd toughest part of biking) and what about wildlife? What else might we encounter that we haven’t even thought about? What an adventure this will certainly be. Alaska here we come!!

~Chuck

Lucky Days Parade Raises Awareness

In an effort to drum up support and gain visual recognition for The Grace Fund, Mike and Chuck rode their bikes during the 2014 Lucky Days Parade, handing out water (courtesy of Bob Nelson) and candy along the parade route. Chuck's wife Sandy says, "Five of our and Mike & Debbie’s grandchildren carried the banner - Caden Langeness, Kylie Broten, Makayla Langeness , Catcher Langeness, and Canton Langeness. Chuck & Judy McBrayer, Bob Nelson, Larry & Lois Skow, Debbie and I walked in the parade". Thank you to all who contributed, we are very thankful for your support!

Departure in Five Days

One week and counting!! We plan to leave with our new driver, Tim Bradwell, on Friday, August 1st. If all goes well, and with God’s blessings, we will return to Wisconsin around the end of the first week of September. Last Sunday in church, Pastor Ralph had a special ceremony of blessing for Mike & Chuck. Thanks so much to him and the whole congregation of Luck Lutheran. Note to everyone – there will be a send-off party at the Bon Ton in Luck this Thursday night, July 31st, from 5-6pm. Come give hugs, kisses, and best wishes to us as we embark on our journey!

~Chuck

Trek Route

Suggested route created by the fantastic bike gurus at Cyclova Bike & Ski shop in Saint Croix Falls, WI:

Suggested Route Part 1

Suggested Route Part 2

A "Bucket List" Dream

What is a "Bucket List" anyway? It is a list of things to do before you die. It comes from the term "kicked the bucket". So how does one go about writing their own Bucket List? Is it simply listing the things you've always wanted to try or is it more about finding the courage to push yourself past your perceived limits and challenge your mind, heart, and soul?

How did Chuck Langeness and Mike Broten decide that a walk to Alaska would be on their Bucket List? Chuck says it has always been a dream of his, so he decided to try walking from Luck to Danbury, Wisconsin to see if he could make the 33 mile hike with the company of Mike, his friend and son's father-in-law. 

Excitement encouraged them as they realized they could accomplish such a feat. But now the hard part - stringing a lot of days like this together, coupled with a bike ride, all in hopes of one great consecutive trek across Canada to reach their goal of Alaska, starting from the ND/MN border.

Once Chuck and Mike made the decision last winter, the planning process began. Chuck started by recruiting the help of local friends who have athletic knowledge, outdoor knowledge, and travel knowledge coupled with advice on where to seek extra information such as the internet and local businesses like Cyclova in St. Croix Falls, WI. In fact, Chuck recruited me, Paula Elert, a local friend, to set up this blog. Over the course of the next month I will be aiding Chuck and Mike with blog content and story telling so be sure and check out the blog a few times per week, or even daily once they are off and running on August 1st!!