July 17, 2011

Rescue Riders.  Gotta love ‘em.  Burly guys on Harleys patrolling 100 miles of desolate roads south of DeKalb, Illinois.  All to make sure that the cyclists who rode the recent Biking with Beanzie 100 mile ride survived a brutally hot, sweltering, 97 degree day (110 heat index).

They have this way of pulling up alongside of you and figuring out if you’re delirious from the heat.  “How many wheels on your bike, Mr. Bill?”  Or, “Hey, Mr. Bill.  How’s that chafing problem you’ve got going now?”  (How did they know?!?)

Seriously.  The Rescue Riders are great.  It’s comforting to know they were out there keeping an eye on all of the cyclists who rode the Biking with Beanzie Century Ride on July 17.  It WAS very hot.  It WAS incredibly stifling.  The roads WERE melting!

But, Mr. Bill finished the 103 miles in 6:05 riding time.  It was his 3rd century ride of the season in his continuing quest to raise funds for the new Ronald McDonald House being built in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood.  All proceeds raised by Mr. Bill go toward sponsoring a guest room in the new Ronald House.

Please consider donating to this great cause.  It’s easy. Just go to www.firstgiving.com/billmelka  Keep an eye out for Mr. Bill as he rides his 4th 100 mile ride this August

June 26, 2011

“80 miles in 4 hours!”  Overheard by Mr. Bill as a “train” of hammerheads passed him during his recent century ride for Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Hmmmm.  Do the math on that and compare it with Mr. Bill’s 17 mph average.  The difference between stud and pud.

Mr. Bill likes to see the scenery.  Yeah. That’s it.  And, there was plenty of great scenery for Mr. Bill to see as he recently rode the Swedish Days Century Ride to raise money for the new Ronald McDonald House in Chicago. 

 And, such friendliness in farm country.  Mr. Bill was mooed at by a cow.  Mr. Bill mooed back.  (Hey!  Mr. Bill knows a good looking Holstein when he sees one.)  Mr. Bill received a greeting of oinks from some random hogs sitting in a mud hole.  Mr. Bill didn’t oink back.

Mr. Bill rode the 100 miles in under 6 hours riding time.  100 miles in 5 hrs. and 55 min.  A first for Mr. Bill.

All in all, a great day.

Mr. Bill’s next century ride is July 17 in DeKalb.  Keep an eye out for details.  AND, please consider donating to Mr. Bill’s campaign to sponsor a guest room in the new Ronald McDonald House at 211 E. Grand Ave. in Chicago.

June 12, 2011

Mr. Bill rode 104 miles in the Tour de Cure Century ride today.  The majority of the cyclists rode with diabetes.  Very inspiring!!

The day was great with a wind that was in Mr. Bill's face the entire ride....or so it seemed.  Otherwise, we had good riding conditions with lots of sun and cool temps.  Mr. Bill rode 104 miles in 6hrs, 24 min. of riding time.

Thanks to those who donated this week.  Mr. Bill is inching toward the goal of raising $50,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & NW Indiana.  The proceeds are going toward sponsoring a guest room in the new Ronald McDonald House under construction in Chicago.  www.ronaldhousechicago.org

Please consider making a gift and spreading the word about Mr. Bill's campaign.

Mr. Bill's next century ride in his campaign is Sunday, June 26.  He'll be ridiing the Swedish Days Ride, starting at Burlington Central H.S.

See you on the road.

Mr. Bill

May 29, 2011

Mr. Bill's first century ride of 2011 will be the Chicagoland Tour de Cure Century Ride on Sunday, June 12. http://www.active.com/cycling/wheaton-il/chicagoland-tour-de-cure-2011

Come join Mr. Bill for all or part of this century ride (that's 100 miles at one time) as he continues his goal of raising $50,000 to sponsor a guestroom in the new Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children's in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood.

Please consider donating and spread the word about Mr. Bill and his campaign.  He's raised over $27,000, or 54% of his goal.

Here's information for Mr. Bill’s first 3 Century Rides in 2011:

Century Ride #1 – 6/12/11    Complete 104 miles in 6:24!!
Chicagoland Tour de Cure – Wheaton, IL
http://www.active.com/cycling/wheaton-il/chicagoland-tour-de-cure-2011

Century Ride #2 - 6/26/11
Swedish Days Ride – Burlington, IL
http://www.fvbsc.org/swededays.html

Century Ride #3 - 7/17/11
Biking with Beanzie – DeKalb, IL
http://www.active.com/cycling/dekalb-il/711-beanzie-2011

Follow MR. Bill on Facebook at Mr. Bill's 5 Century Rides for RMHC and on Twitter @MrBillsFive100s

See you on the rides!

Mr. Bill

 

May 17, 2011

Keep an eye out for Mr. Bill as he cranks up his campaign to raise funds to sponsor a guestroom in the world's largest Ronald McDonald House being built in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. 

Mr. Bill's goal is to ride 7 Centuries (a Century Ride is 100 miles at one time) in 5 months at 51 years in 2011.

Mr. Bill's first century is the Chicagoland Tour de Cure Century Ride scheduled for June 12.

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Thank you for your interest in my campaign to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and NW Indiana (www.RonaldHouseChicago.org)! Your support will help build the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world, right here in Chicago.  Your donation will help RMHC provide a "home away from home" to families of children who are undergoing treatment, along with the other forms of support that the organization provides.