I Tried Not To Cry. Michael Beattie
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extra weight by using double thickness tires and tubes to try and avert any flat tires from the thorns I had read about in some of the southern states. I would use a Click Stand rather than a kickstand to save weight. This is a great lightweight item for keeping the cycle and all its gear upright on just about any type of angle or surface, something a kickstand cannot do. I had two Velcro-type loops that were standard on my rear pack where I could easily access and securely store the Click Stand.
I created a first aid kit and enclosed it in a lightweight bag, which held items such as a small amount of duct tape, needle and thread, ibuprofen, allergy pills, and other “might need” items that did not weigh much. I had been riding with a Brooks 17C composite-type seat and thought it to be good, so I stuck with that choice. I would carry a high-number sunscreen in a tube as well as a good-quality lip balm, as well as insect repellant. I had a good-quality pair of sunglasses that wrapped around my eyes to keep the wind out. My sleeping pad for camping was a Therm-a-rest Evolite pad which easily blew up by mouth and weighed a mere 1.1 pounds. My cooking utensils comprised of one lightweight titanium small pot and a combination spoon/fork, also of titanium, and an ultralight fold-up single-burner stove that could be used with a small butane canister. The stove as well as a lightweight lighter stored inside the pot/bowl combo. My helmet was a highly visible fluorescent yellow, to which I added another highly visible red strobe light to the rear. To the front side of the helmet I mounted a rearview mirror which could swing out of the way and adjusted easily, giving me a complete, clear rear view. Padded gloves were a must especially now that I had the hand and elbow surgeries.
Because my balance was not that good after my spinal surgeries, I decided to not have my feet strapped to or clipped into the pedals while carrying all the weight. I knew I wouldn’t be standing and trying to balance the load as one might do on a road bike, so I experimented prior to my trial rides with an open-toe stop that I had rigged up on my pedals. They seemed to work quite well as I could quickly and easily remove my foot from the pedal, yet, I could still maintain a constant distance for my foot on the pedal. To some, it may have looked strange, but for me it worked very well as I could instantly remove my foot. This also allowed me to wear a lightweight type of street loafer shoe, once again not having to carry an extra pair of riding shoes, which meant less weight to carry. A partially free foot also meant I could shift my foot a bit if I started to cramp.
I would wear a Protect hat, which I purchased from Adventure Cycling Association. Although it looked like a baseball cap, it had a sun protector which hung down around the sides and rear of my neck, protecting me from the rear and side sunrays. This hat fit nicely under my helmet and also acted to keep my head warm during cooler riding, as well as cooler during hotter days. It also would help keep the sweat out of my eyes and act as a coolant when wet. I carried a skullcap to wear under my helmet on cool mornings, as well as a balaclava for below-freezing temperatures. My rain gear consisted of a lightweight rain jacket and matching pants with ankle closure straps. I had already learned the hard way on my test rides that keeping the butt dry is crucial in avoiding sores. I would carry one pair of heavy gauge smart wool socks, as well as several pair of low-cut fluorescent sport socks. Two pairs of quality padded biking shorts, and two sets of long pants. I would also carry two long-sleeved fluorescent wicking shirts and three short-sleeved shirts.
I took all my shirts to a local screen printer and had them imprinted in large bold black lettering which reads, “I’m Biking 12,000 Miles to Feed Hungry Veterans.” I would carry one non-riding short-sleeved shirt, one lightweight hiking shorts, and two pairs of undershorts. I would also carry one lightweight jacket that would keep me warm on cooler riding days or very light rain or mist situations. Everything I would take was in the brightest florescent yellow color I could purchase, in order to help with my visibility while on the road.
Purchasing a book on endurance athlete nutrition would prove to be an asset, as I studied what to eat and when. This might prove to be crucial in my survival if I was to ride seventy miles day after day nonstop. I learned how much protein I would need and when to consume it, as well as my carbohydrates and fluids. I kept this book in the bathroom, and every time I used the facilities I would read, trying to use every moment I had to prepare for this journey. I spent hours each day studying the climates and my routes over and over again. I used each day to the fullest while recouping from surgery.
Suzanne was never happy about my idea, but then again, she fully supported my efforts as she realized how important this mission was to me. I was a lucky man to have the support she gave me. She would act as my support system back home, handling any personal affairs that might arise, as well as staying in constant daily contact with me in order to assure I would make it to my planned destination.
She would act like a personal secretary, which was great, as I created a letter-writing campaign to send letters to all the politicians both locally and nationally in order to tell them of my journey, as well as to remind them of the struggle that some of our veterans face on a day-to-day basis. It seemd to be a wasted effort as only one helpful response was received by a local state senator. Her name was May Flexer, and it seems her father lost a leg in the Vietnam War, so she was truly interested in my attempts to help feed the hungry. She met with Suzanne and offered her help at the state level, which was great as it seems no one else was interested. I could be wrong when I say this, but it’s how I feel. Oh yes, I received many “good luck” return letters, but no other offers to help me raise the awareness of the problem.
I purchased five hundred spare change donation boxes, which we started placing in various businesses that would display them on their counters. This turned out to be much more difficult than I expected, as many businesses refused them. I had printed material with a photo of me on my bike, which explained my ride to feed hungry veterans with the numbers that struggle with food. They explained that every cent donated would go directly to purchase food. I pledged to pay for every dollar of my trip and all the expenses out of my own pocket. All proceeds would be donated to feed hungry veterans and their families. Sue and I drove all over the state trying to place the containers, keeping a list of who received them. A self-addressed envelope with postage was included so that when the business cashed out the box, they could mail a check directly to us. I used social media in order to find people who would help distribute boxes for me. After all, I spent over three thousand dollars to purchase the boxes and pay for the advertising on them. It was a great disappointment when we were only able to place approximately three hundred of the containers. Each box had to be assembled, and the printing material had to be glued on each box, which in itself was a time-consuming project which we worked on each day. I guess the disappointment to me was that no one seemed to care enough about our veterans to place a box on their counters. This seemed like a reality that if it doesn’t affect them, then maybe it’s not really a problem.
Begging for money is not an easy task, and being a sort of stick-to-myself person, I found it hard to ask others for help. I wrote letters to a major portion of the business contacts whom I had worked with over the course of my forty-two years in business. I always had a constant flow of people asking for donations over the years that filtered through the doors of my small shop, and sometimes it bothered me to think that everyone had the belief that if you operated a business, you had plenty of money to make a donation to their cause. Nothing could have been further from the truth with my small operation. Although I tried my best to give at least something to each one, it was difficult financially at times. I didn’t know what to expect from my letter-writing campaign. My good friend Bruce John, who has been very active in feeding the hungry and housing the homeless in my hometown area, told me that I had to open myself up to the world by putting myself out there if I wanted anything to happen. I know he was right in that statement, but for me to open myself and my life up to others was going to be difficult.
I set up a 501C3 nonprofit corporation in order to deposit any money received into a separate checking account. Eventually all funds would be mailed in full to the Feed Our Vets pantry. This would basically be a holding point for all funds so that they could be properly accounted for. Sue was in charge of keeping the books straight, as she was well-versed in this area. I never wanted anyone to accuse me of withholding any funds. All expenses incurred from this journey would be paid from the money of my home sale. Lodging, equipment costs, food, postage for all the mailings of thank-you letters, and receipts for all donations received. I had business cards printed that I’d hand out