FORT MADISON – Bruce Huddleson is looking for a special way to not only celebrate his 70th birthday on Jan. 1, but also to do anything in memory of his defeated wife, Dianne, who died in 2021 of COVID-19 headaches.
Huddleson is a Fort Madison resident who loves to ride his bike. So what better to do than cross the United States this summer?
Huddleson joined Cycle America in mid-June and flew to Marysville, Washington to begin an adventure that lasted two months to cover more than 3,100 miles, ending on August 20 in Glouchester, Massachusetts.
For Huddleson, it’s one of the most rewarding adventures of his life.
“It was a smart moment. I met a lot of other wonderful people and I got to see a lot of wonderful landscapes,” Huddleson said. “It’s like the old saying, ‘Everything you need in life is in the other aspect of Worrying. “I want to put my aspect of concern and do it this year. I’m glad I did. ‘
For Huddleson, the cross-country excursion began with a trip to Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where he met the team members. The team packed the entire team in a van, while Huddleson boarded a plane to Seattle to meet the rest of the team. members of America.
“We were entitled to two bags each. One for camping, the other for additional motorcycle equipment,” Huddleson said. “I stayed in Seattle with Andy Rump for a few days. He is stationed there in the marina of the airport and took me to Marysville to start the journey. “
Huddleson said all plans were made through Cycle America organizers, leaving cyclists loose to walk and enjoy the scenery along the way.
“The total foot paid: breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Huddleson said. “At the maximum stops, we spent the night in the schools that allowed us to stay there. We can sleep in school or sleep outdoors under the stars. “, depending on the weather. We drove six days and took Sunday. “
Huddleson said the organization traveled between 80 and 82 miles per day, but had decreased to 70 and 75 miles per day in the past week.
“I think the longest day in Montana when we drove a hundred miles,” Huddleson said. “It was 108 degrees one day when we were driving through South Dakota and it was 41 degrees one night in New York and I had to wear long sleeves. “
Huddleson said the scenery along the road was stunning. He visited many states and sites he had never dreamed of seeing until the Cycle America race.
“There were a lot of hills along the way,” Huddleson said. On the west side of Jackson, Wyoming, I had to walk the last three-quarters of a mile because the hill was so steep,” Huddleson said. We crossed the continental divide, we were at 9,600 feet and at the highest altitude. We had to take some breaks in those hills. And in New York, there were hills. They were steep, but not as long as those in the West. “
Huddleson said they were going to make stops in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Canada, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.
Huddleson said the funniest component of the two months was meeting with other people from all walks of life and listening to their stories. He said he met other people from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England.
“I met an 83-year-old man who was in his third cycle America to celebrate his birthday. Members of his circle of relatives from the Netherlands came to ask him and help him celebrate,” Huddleson said. the first line of NFL verification on TV was on the spot. He was born in Pella and his father was from Trinidad and Tobago.
“Something attractive is that we passed through Northfield, Minnesota, the site of the well-known Jesse James Gang bank robbery. My father’s grandmother fed James and Younger on their way to Northfield. It was great to see that. “
Matt Levins is a sports reporter for USA Today Network in Burlington, Iowa, who covered sports for 31 years on The Hawk Eye. Contact him at mlevins@thehawkeye. com.