The Big Ride is an amazing adventure, but it wouldn’t exist without the vision of one man, our ride director, Jeff Schlieper. Jeff rode the earlier Trans American bike ride several times. After that ride went away, he had an idea for a smaller ride that would be financially feasible. He runs the ride at cost for the Lung Association, involving no risk on their part, and a guarantee of a good percentage to the Lung Association. The new Big Ride ran last year as well as this year and has been an outstanding financial success as well as a personal benefit for almost 70 Big Riders.
Jeff is a tireless worker and a terrific group leader. He is extremely well organized and has the ride running like a Swiss watch, or perhaps a German car in his case. He has us all pulling together, working like one large peleton, and enjoying this winning tour.
I am so grateful personally for Jeff’s work and leadership, and I’m sure I can speak for the rest of us as well.
Thanks for all of your time, caring, and leadership Jeff!
Today was a day of rest in New Ulm. Shelley is still here and we’re having a terrific time. We even saw a movie this afternoon, and I remember a lot of it. A group of us had German food for dinner. Tomorrow, on to Owatonna and beyond.

Joe and Shelley do the Polka after an exciting German dinner in New Ulm.