Day Eight: 52.6 Miles and the Ending Dad Wants You to Watch
- Richard Webster
- Aug 14
- 6 min read
Dad expected a shorter 42-mile ride into the Green Bay area. Instead, Day Eight became 52.6 miles of family surprises, beautiful river trails, a few good laughs, and one ending that has to be watched to be believed.
We are not going to give that ending away. Watch the videos in order and see how Dad handled the moment when the route stopped making sense.
One More Family Moment From Last Night
Before Day Eight began, there was one more picture from the previous evening at Holtwood Campground. Cameron and Brooke arrived with their children, then Jeremy, Janel, and more grandchildren joined us. Pizza, barbecue chicken, ducks, baby chicks, pedal carts, and cousins filled the campground with exactly the kind of joyful chaos Dad needed after a long ride.
That family moment is where Day Eight begins: surrounded by the people cheering Dad forward, then back to the real, imperfect campsite morning before he climbed onto Old Blue.
A Real Morning, Imperfect Pictures Included
Not every picture from the road is perfectly framed. A couple of quick morning snapshots caught the edge of the support vehicle and the trees overhead. They are part of the day too, so they are staying in the story.
A pulled frame from the Live Photo captures Richard at the picnic table during the campsite morning, with Dad's bike and the support van nearby.
Dad stood ready in his blue jersey before the ride began.
Day Eight Begins
Dad opened the morning by looking back on the previous day's faster, flatter ride and the family gathering at camp. He planned to use the road bike again, enjoy the shorter route, and arrive early enough to help set up.
He also talked about how quickly the trip is passing, his niece Lindsey's encouragement, and the next adventure already waiting for him: a 42-mile wilderness hike in September with a 30-pound backpack.
Then it was time for Old Blue and Dad to hit the road.
Country Roads, Nature, and Encouragement
The cool country roads felt far better than the heavy highways of the Upper Peninsula. Dad laughed about the train and owl that interrupted his sleep, but he also spoke seriously about how much every call, text, prayer, and comment has helped carry him through the ride.
He is already picturing the final ride down Honeysuckle Road, with the support van behind him and Jeremiah riding beside him.
An eagle brought Dad back to Isaiah 40:31 and the prayer his sister-in-law Faith had shared. Seeing eagles along the route has become a personal reminder that he is not riding alone.
Into Green Bay
The route began pulling Dad toward Green Bay, across Highway 41 and toward a frontage road.
The familiar highway signs made it clear that Milwaukee and the final stretch home were getting closer.
Long miles leave plenty of room for stories. Dad shared one about an emergency bathroom stop, a private road, and a sign he noticed just a little too late: "Smile, you're on camera."
A protected trail beside the highway gave him some welcome separation from traffic.
At Duck Creek, the water brought back memories of the family's 100-mile kayaking trip.
Dust, Detours, and City Riding
Road construction sent dust into the air as Dad worked through Green Bay. He kept his mask on and took the changing route carefully.
Even this quick, imperfect rooftop picture belongs in the day's timestamped record.
A closed sidewalk forced another adjustment, but Dad found a workable path without letting the traffic rush him.
Dad normally stops around 20 miles. His legs felt so good that he kept going until roughly mile 35, when a riverside park finally convinced him to take a ten-minute break.
He admitted that Laralynn had asked him not to ride the whole way without stopping. She may not have expected him to wait 35 miles for the first break.
The Fox River Trail
The Fox River trail became one of the most beautiful parts of the day. Dad learned that the path continued for about 20 miles, which sounded almost short after everything he had already ridden.
The scenery, shade, and well-maintained path made Dad wish the trail were even longer.
Crossing the Fox River brought a different kind of city riding and another view of Green Bay from the bike.
While Dad was riding, Jeremiah found his own campground adventure. He rolled a large plastic culvert up a hill, climbed inside, and rolled down with a new friend helping him.
Three Miles From Camp
With only a few miles left, Dad reflected on having his hip replaced about four years ago. His doctor told him he could bike as much as he wanted, but he should not run. Dad's answer was simple: he did not need to worry about running because women stopped chasing him a long time ago.
Then the easy ending disappeared.
The route pointed toward a road that was closed. Dad could not yet tell whether there was a way through, and the situation grew more uncertain with every turn.
What happened next is the part we promised not to spoil. Watch these videos in order and decide for yourself what you would have done.
Dad's immediate reaction says plenty without us explaining the joke or the outcome for him.
When the Campground Road Was Gone Too
The final navigation instructions created another problem. The expected road to Apple Creek Campground was not where the map said it should be.
A local confirmed that the road used to go through, but it no longer existed. Technology had sent Dad toward a turn that was not there.
Keep watching. Dad still had to find a real route into camp.
The entrance finally came into view, followed by the only remaining challenge: finding Richard.
Dad reached the campsite, where Richard and Jeremiah were waiting.
Richard and Jeremiah caught the arrival from their side too, complete with a hot lunch welcome.
Family Surprises at the Finish
Dad finished 52.6 miles in 5 hours and 10 minutes, about ten miles more than planned. Most of the route was flat, the Fox River section was beautiful, and the ending was anything but ordinary.
The campground brought more surprises. Family members appeared during the closing video, and Dad was looking forward to meeting Uncle Scott and Aunt Terri for a fish fry. Scott had also sent a message saying that Dad reminded him of his father, a comparison Dad felt honored to receive.
Dad thanked everyone for the prayers, phone calls, texts, comments, and donations. He is getting close to 500 miles, has spent more than 65 hours in the saddle, and has burned roughly 26,000 calories.
The Day Eight Numbers
Planned distance: About 42 miles
Distance ridden: 52.6 miles
Ride time: 5 hours and 10 minutes
Total distance: Close to 500 miles
Time in the saddle: More than 65 hours
Calories burned: Roughly 26,000
Bike: The road bike, Old Blue
Best scenery: The Fox River trail through Green Bay
Biggest surprise: Watch the final road videos and decide for yourself
The First $6,000 Goal Has Been Reached
The live fundraiser now shows $6,040 raised against the first $6,000 milestone. That is about 101% funded, with $0 remaining to reach the first goal and $40 already carrying the mission beyond it.
Thank you to every person who helped make that possible. If you have been planning to donate, now is still the time. The $6,000 milestone was the first goal, not the ceiling. Every additional $10 can help cover the shipping and handling for another Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift.
Encouragement Matters
Dad said again today that the prayers, calls, texts, and comments are helping him finish this ride.
If you can, please do all three: comment at the bottom of this blog, like or comment on the related Facebook post, and text Dad directly at 262-707-4253. If you cannot do all three, choose at least one instead of only reading and moving on.
Day Eight was supposed to be one of the easier days. It became longer, stranger, funnier, and far more memorable than the map promised. Dad made it to camp with 52.6 more miles behind him, family waiting, and the first $6,000 fundraising goal officially crossed.
So happy you met your goal financially and tomorrow you will finish the ride! Congratulations Ken, what an accomplishment.