Rieks Koning – Hall of Fame

At the finish of the Elite Tour 2005, Tybee Island, GA

Rieks Koning, age 50

Currently living in Haarle, The Netherlands

(About 1.5 hours -by car- East of Amsterdam)

• Number of years riding: Over 45. Every child here learns to ride a bike as a means of transportation. As a hobby, I’ve been riding since 1975 or so.

• First Bicycle: Hand-me-down from the girl next door, I don’t know the brand but it was orange. First racing bike was a Peugeot UO8, orange too. A sign of things to come? This bike was marketed as being designed for the US market, with a triple in front. So I had 15 gears when 10 or less was the standard at the time.

• Favorite Bicycle: My Seven S8 and my 1990 Specialized Stumpjumper (Currently none of my bikes are orange, by the way.)

• Favorite snack while riding: On PAC Tours, Stoker Bar (Chocolate), over here we mostly bring our own sandwiches.

• Favorite post-ride recovery food: On intense multiday rides Recoverite or Born Supple+ (Dutch equivalent of Recoverite), on other rides typically beer. As far as solid food goes I would have to say pasta and salad.

• One accessory on your bicycle you would never ride without: Assuming that a saddle is not an accessory, I would have to say my pump and seatpack with spares. Even so I did get in trouble some weeks ago when I forgot to stock up on tubes after a flat, only to find out my only spare left was a flat too! Fortunately I was able to borrow a tube to get me home.

• Favorite section of road to ride: In the US- West-Yellowstone to Bozeman, Montana along the river and Ouray to Durango, CO over Red Mountain Pass etcetera

• Most extreme event / experience on a bicycle: Racing and finishing RAAM in 2000

Finishing RAAM in 2000

• Best ride of your life: Furnace Creek 508 in 1998, because the race went pretty much as I had planned it, but on top of that it is where I met my wife Molly (somewhere near Kelso) after she joined my crew after another crew member got dehydrated and had to be hospitalized

• What do you enjoy most about riding a bicycle? Being able to ride pretty big distances in relatively little time enabling you to see many different things. Being outside, staying in shape.

• What do you enjoy most when NOT riding a bicycle? Reading and when I have a chance, downhill skiing.

• Most memorable PAC experiences or days: My first PAC Tour as a whole. I was able to remember every single stage for many years afterwards. We had a pretty bad first week, weather wise. I still remember when it changed in the Rockies and we suddenly had a great view of the mountains, with sun on the snow that was on the peaks.
• Another one is June 17, 1998 when we got snowed in on top of Douglas Pass. That morning we started out in the rain and when we climbed the pass, we saw snowplows coming down, which in hindsight was very strange. Then rain turned to wet snow and real snow. On the top of the pass everybody huddled into the PAC Tour trailers. It was dangerous to keep riding and the vehicles couldn’t get through, because a semi was blocking the road on the other side just below the top. When the road was clear those that wanted to keep riding were first shuttled down right to the point where sleet turned to rain (thank you, Lon). I rode the remainder of that day with Carl Clogston into Vernal, UT where we got in pretty late as I remember (of course we did have a flat or two to fix).

• What keeps you coming back? Camaraderie, friends, great support.

• Tip for a PAC Tour rookie: Train hard now, so you are able to enjoy your tour, not just survive it. This is actually the tip that was given to me by my first PAC Tour roommate Bill Phillpotts. It was true then and it is true now.

Inclement weather on top of Douglas Pass, Ridge of the Rockies 1998

Ridge of the Rockies 2004

Near the Mississippi River, RAAM 2000

Rieks and his wife Molly, Ridge of the Rockies 2004

PAC Tour Log:
1993 Northern Transcontinental
1994 Central Transcontinental
1995 Ridge of the Rockies
1997 Elite Tour
1998 Ridge of the Rockies
1999 Elite Tour
2004 Ridge of the Rockies
2005 Eastern Mountains
2007 Elite Tour

Jim Hlavka – Hall of Fame

Riding Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park

Jim has been riding bicycles since long before he began touring with PAC Tour in 2002. He took his friends on his first long-distance ride to the Milwaukee airport and back from his home in Racine when he was only 12 years old, when a trip of 30 miles was an enormous undertaking. He spent many years commuting by bicycle to his job at the Case IH factory near his home. In 24 years of participating in the National 24-hour Challenge in Michigan, Jim has ridden 9,272.7 miles, the most logged miles in the event’s history.

Jim has ridden full time on many PAC Tour events, as well as working as a crew member to help us all move down the road.

Jim Hlavka, age 71, currently living in Racine, WI

• Number of years riding: Throughout his entire life, Jim can’t remember a time not riding a bicycle.

• First Bicycle: Generic 3-speed cruiser, black. His first good bicycle was a Raleigh, dark green

• Favorite Bicycle: Custom Waterford, red

• Favorite snack while riding: When prodded, Black Licorice. Otherwise, anything.

• Favorite post-ride recovery food: Beef jerky; juicy fruits like oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe

• One accessory on your bicycle you would never ride without: Helmet

• Favorite section of road to ride: Kettle Moraine Drive, north of West Bend, Wisconsin

• Most extreme event / experience on a bicycle: A 200k Brevet in late April. It started snowing at the 60 mile mark and continued to snow for the remainder of the ride.

• Best ride of your life: From Tuba City, Arizona to Mexican Hat, Utah through Monument Valley, Grand Canyon Tour. Or from Wenatchee to Coulee Dam, Washington with 50 mph tailwinds on 2010 Northern Transcontinental

• What do you enjoy most about riding a bicycle? Freedom of travel, a relaxing activity

• What do you enjoy most when NOT riding a bicycle? Reading, photography

• Most memorable PAC experiences or days: 1) 2nd day of 2010 Northern Transcontinental (from Wenatchee to Coulee Dam, WA) with terrific tailwinds 2) Riding through South Dakota in 2003 with good friends

• What keeps you coming back? All of the great people you meet

• Tip for a PAC Tour rookie: Take it easy, relax, don’t be so nervous. Listen to Lon.

Jim’s PAC Tour Log

• 1987 200k Brevet- Sharon to Attica, WI
• 2000 Eastern Mountains Tour
• 2001 Northern Transcontinental
• 2002 Southern Transcontinental
• 2003 Grand Canyon Tour
• 2003 Brevet Week
• 2004 Ridge of the Rockies
• 2004 Northern Transcontinental
• 2005 Central Transcontinental
• 2005 Eastern Transcontinental
• 2006 Route 66
• 2006 Southern Transcontinental
• 2007 Brevet Week
• 2007 Northern Transcontinental
• 2008 Alaska- Ride the Circle Tour
• 2008 Southern Transcontinental
• 2009 Route 66
• 2010 Northern Transcontinental
• Many weeks of Desert Camp between 2002 and 2010

Biking across Wisconsin, from La Crosse to Racine, in 1978

At the start of Paris Brest Paris in 1991

In Utah on the Central Transcontinental 2005

Crewing on the Central Transcontinental, 2005

Nancy and Mike Myers: 40,000+ miles of PAC Tour

Mike and Nancy in Arizona, Grand Canyon Tour 2010

Mike and Nancy have been touring with PAC Tour since 1994. They have done seven PAC Tour transcontinental events over the past 16 years, all but one on a tandem. In recent years they have been traveling on a recumbent tandem to accommodate Nancy’s back problems. They say they miss the speed of traveling on an upright tandem, but they continue to ride as steady as ever.

In addition to being ambitious cyclists, Nancy and Mike are fiends for all athletic activities. At the Grand Canyon this past September, Mike and Nancy were the first to depart on our day of hiking in the park. They hiked 16 miles in and out of the Grand Canyon on our “rest day”. I attempted the same hike as the Myers that day. On the descent I could see them on the trail far below, but once we stopped to rest and eat at the Colorado River their matching tan vests were out of sight. We met up with them again at the visitor’s center after the hike, everyone ready for ice cream. I am still impressed by Mike and Nancy’s enthusiasm and endurance, and their desire to be as active and healthy as possible.

Nancy Myers, age 63, currently living in Baxter Springs, KS on Route 66

1. Number of years riding: Has commuted by bicycle for 20 years; first ultra-marathon event- Bicycle Across Missouri 1992
2. First Bicycle: Raleigh 3-speed with front basket (purple)
   
3. Favorite Bicycle: Trek 5200 Postal Service 2001  (red, white and blue)
4. Favorite snack while riding: Hammer products – gels, Heed, Sustained Energy, peanut butter pretzel pillows (like Combos)
5. Favorite post-ride recovery food: Yogurt or skim milk
6. One accessory on your bicycle you would never ride without: Rear-view mirror on handlebars
   
7. Favorite section of road to ride: “Zebra Road” – a hilly section of road in Oklahoma near Missouri state line featuring a zebra out to pasture.
   
8. Most extreme event / experience on a bicycle: On the Nachez Trace parkway in Mississippi during the hurricane conditions in 2002 Southern Transcontinental
   
9. Best ride of your life: Paris Brest Paris 1999- beautiful weather. 2001 Ridge of the Rockies- patriotic attitude.
   
10. What do you enjoy most about riding a bicycle? (Shared response between Nancy and Mike) Challenge and adventure, up-close and personal travel, being in the great outdoors, the wonderful family of lifetime friends, fitness and food, achieving and sharing all of this with my best friend, biking partner and spouse.
11. What do you enjoy most when NOT riding a bicycle? Being around water, water sports
    
12. Most memorable PAC experience: Beginning the 2001 Ridge of the Rockies after the September 11 attacks. Clear display of patriotism (both cyclists and drivers sporting American flags) and automobiles were very respectful.
13. What keeps you coming back? Good support.
    
14. Tip for a PAC Tour rookie: Train before the trip (so you can enjoy yourself).
    

Mike Myers, Age 61, currently living in Baxter Springs, KS

1. Number of years riding: 25 years, first ultra event in 1990
2. First Bicycle: Red and white Western Flyer 1-speed
   
3. Favorite Bicycle: 2002 Trek 5200
   
4. Favorite snack while riding: Quaker Chewy granola bars
5. Favorite post-ride recovery food: Chips and salsa, summer sausage
6. One accessory on your bicycle you would never ride without: Mirror
7. Favorite section of road to ride: Apple Butter 200k – a Permanent Randonnée near Baxter Springs, KS
   
8. Most extreme event / experience on a bicycle: Boston-Montreal-Boston 1993
9. Best ride of your life: Bicycle Across Missouri 1996
   
10. What do you enjoy most when NOT riding a bicycle? Fixing things (bicycles)
    
11. Most memorable PAC experience or day:
    Driving 24 hours straight to the beginning of the 2001 Ridge (All airlines were out of operation due to the September 11th attacks.)
    
12. What keeps you coming back? Good support and value,  organizers have lots of experience and provide motivation.
    
13. Tip for a PAC Tour rookie: Train, then pace yourself. Also, bring a wider range of gears than what you may normally ride with (specifically on transcontinentals).
    

Mike and Nancy’s PAC Log

• 1994 Central
• 1997 Southern
• 1998 Desert Camp
• 1998 Route 66 (Half)
• 2000 Central
• 2001 Ridge of The Rockies
• 2002 Southern
• 2003 Desert Camp Tour Week
• 2004 Desert Camp Coaching Week
• 2005 Central
• 2006 Desert Camp CoMotion Tandem Week
• 2006 Southern
• 2007 Desert Camp Coaching Week
• 2007 Grand Canyon
• 2008 Southern
• 2009 Wisconsin Tour
• 2010 Grand Canyon
• 2011 Rt 66 Eastern Half  Looking forward to it!

Rolling through the rain. Grand Canyon Tour 2010

Many things can go wrong on a bicycle. 2010

Ice cream after hiking in and out of the Grand Canyon. 2010

Charles Breer, PAC Hall of Fame

I recently met with Charles Breer at his home in St. Paul, Minnesota where we talked about his time spent with PAC Tour. Charles has been touring with us since 2002. I can never seem to get a complaint out of him, as he is well prepared for most situations.

Charles kept a blog on his most recent transcontinental, the Northern this past summer. In his last post he offers a good summary of his habits (sleep, nutrition, mental) that kept him riding every day. I recommend to anyone curious about a transcontinental to check out his site; he has great pictures documenting the many aspects of PAC Tour travel.

Charles Breer, age 47, currently living in St. Paul, MN

1. Number of years riding: 25 (10 years when he was younger, then took a 10 year cycling leave, then for 15 more)
2. First Bicycle: Purple Banana-Seat Bike when in 3rd grade
3. Favorite Bicycle: Seven-Axiom SG Titanium
4. Favorite snack while riding: Banana or Great Harvest raisin roll with peanut butter and jelly (or Nutella and jelly)
5. Favorite post-ride recovery food: Fruit – juicier is better
6. One accessory on your bicycle you would never ride without: Mirror
7. Favorite section of road to ride: North end of Bald Eagle Lake, MN
8. Most extreme event / experience on a bicycle: PAC Elite Tour 2007
9. Best ride of your life: Paris Brest Paris 2003 – tailwinds both ways, good conditions
10. What do you enjoy most about riding a bicycle? Looking at scenery (including small towns and natural scenery)
11. What do you enjoy most when NOT riding a bicycle? Eating or riding trains
12. Top 3 most memorable PAC experiences or days:
    1) Tichlio Pass in Peru 2) Mt. Ventoux 3 times 3) The first day of any transcontinental
13. What keeps you coming back? Great routes, perfect support, great food, right amount of miles
14. Tip for a PAC Tour rookie: Take it easy, you have all day.

Charles’ PAC Log

• 2002 Desert Camp
• 2002 Southern Transcontinental
• 2003 Desert Camp
• 2003 Ultra Week Double Century
• 2004 Desert Camp
• 2004 Midwest Training Camp
• 2005 Desert Camp
• 2006 Alaska Ride the Circle
• 2007 Desert Camp
• 2007 Elite Tour
• 2008 Desert Camp
• 2008 le PAC Provence
• 2009 Desert Camp
• 2009 Eastern Mountains
• 2009 Peru Adventure
• 2010 Desert Camp
• 2010 Wisconsin Tour
• 2010 Northern Transcontinental

Prepared for rain on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Eastern Mountains 2009

Enjoying an Inca Cola, Peru 2009

On the Whittier-Valdez ferry, Alaska 2006

Climbing Ticlio Pass, Peru 2009

Greetings from Sharon

Safely at home after a long summer of travels. A week of touring in western Wisconsin, half of the Northern transcontinental, Albuquerque and the Grand Canyon. (Not to mention many trips to Minnesota and St. Louis on family matters. I also nearly forgot the trip to Door County, Wisconsin in preparation for next year’s Wisconsin Tour.)

It makes a person dizzy moving around so much.

It is good to be home, centrally located, for a few months of rest before beginning the year again with another cycle of seasons, cycling season, growing season, and many unforseen obstacles and adventures.

Thank you for joining me on this voyage of words and worlds. Who knows where we will end up!

-Reb

Ash Cave, Ohio. Northern 2010

An unidentifiable insect on the side of the road. Between Tuba City, AZ and Mexican Hat, UT

Visited Cave Point State Park in Door County, WI. Lake Superior shown.