Day Nine: 66.2 Miles, a Missing Piece of Don, and One Ride Left
- Richard Webster
- Aug 16
- 7 min read
Dad began Day Nine celebrating a fundraising goal he once feared was too high. He ended it in the dark, still thinking about something precious the road had taken from him.
A quick note from Richard: We are sorry this update came out so late. I was up until after 1:00 a.m. working through poor internet, and then our website ran out of video storage space. I had to upload the videos to YouTube and embed them here instead of hosting them directly on the website. Thank you for your patience and for continuing to follow Dad's journey.
Between those moments came 66.2 miles of construction, loose gravel, rolling hills, strangers asking about the mission, beautiful old churches, an ice-cream stop, and the realization that the final route home would need to change if Dad was going to keep his 600-mile promise.
One More Family Moment From Last Night
Before the morning ride, there was one more picture from the previous evening's fish fry with Uncle Scott, Aunt Terri, and family. Dad had slept through the nearby fireworks, but he did not sleep through the generosity that followed dinner.
Scott and Terri learned that the fundraiser was about $1,400 short of its first goal. Their response helped change the entire morning conversation: the first $6,000 milestone had been reached, and Dad was already talking about what could come next.
What Dad Drinks on a Long Ride
Dad showed the electrolyte and creatine mixture he has been using during the trip and explained why he prefers room-temperature water. This is simply Dad sharing his personal routine, not medical or nutrition advice for anyone else.
The route map made the progress impossible to miss. Most of Lake Michigan was already behind him, and only two riding days remained.
A Goal Reached Before the Ride Began
Dad and Richard opened the morning by talking about the previous night's family visit, Dad's memories of a 101-mile kayaking trip with Jeremy, and the running joke that Richard's mileage estimates have a habit of growing.
Then the conversation turned serious. Scott and Terri's gift pushed the fundraiser beyond its first $6,000 milestone. Dad had wondered whether that goal was too ambitious. Now, with one day still remaining after this ride, he set a new stretch goal of $7,000.
The family gathered to send Grandpa onto the road.
Back Across the Fox River
Dad crossed the Fox River again after a later-than-planned start. Earplugs had helped him sleep through the campground noise, and he was rested for the long road ahead.
The revised route called for about 65 miles. Dad admitted that reaching the first fundraising goal had left him almost speechless, but the new $7,000 stretch goal gave the remaining miles an even larger purpose.
In another small Wisconsin town, a beautiful church reminded Dad that God was still directing his path. A woman tending the flowers accepted one of his cards and offered to share the story with the congregation.
Road Closed Meant Road Construction
A sign warned that the road was closed two and a half miles ahead. Rerouting would have added more distance, so Dad continued carefully to see whether a bicycle could get through.
The pavement gave way to stone, loose material, and an uphill stretch that Old Blue did not particularly enjoy. Dad slowed down, used a sidewalk and driveway where appropriate, and worked his way through without falling.
Richard caught up from the support van while Dad was clearing the construction.
Dad summed up the moment simply: life can look like a rough road, but you keep working through it and trusting God.
Lake Winnebago and the Long Road South
A Fond du Lac sign showed 27 miles ahead. Dad used the downhills to cool off and give his legs a brief break.
During training he had ridden along the west side of Lake Winnebago. Now he was riding the east side on his way home, with the lake breeze beside him.
Dad joked about Laralynn worrying, but he knew that concern came from love. He also returned to the previous day's dangerous Highway 41 crossing and thanked everyone whose prayers, calls, texts, comments, and donations have helped carry him.
Mileage signs kept appearing along the route. Dad first suspected Richard had placed them as a joke, but they belonged to a nearby bicycle event on a road that was beautiful enough to explain why riders would choose it.
The Road Took Don's Mirror
Then Dad noticed that the mirror once used by his brother Don was gone. He has been wearing Don's vest during this journey, and Don's old glasses-mounted mirror had traveled with him until the construction and rough roads apparently shook it loose.
Dad called his sister-in-law. She told him not to worry and said that perhaps someone else would find and use it. Her kindness helped, but the loss still hurt.
Lake Winnebago stretched beside him as the road continued south.
Thirty Miles Still Ahead
At about 35 miles, another loose-gravel warning finally convinced Dad to rest under a large oak tree. It was his first real break of the day, with roughly 30 miles still remaining.
Fortunately, the next gravel section was short.
Dad decided to keep moving toward camp. The thought of Jeremiah's waiting high five, along with three more grandchildren waiting at home, gave him another reason to finish strong.
Headwind, Hills, and an Unplanned Conversation
A steady headwind pushed against him, but Dad refused to call it a complaint. At 81 degrees, the wind also cooled his sweat-soaked shirt. He said the entire trip was the adventure he had chosen, and he was grateful people were enjoying the videos.
At 40 miles, Dad planned to ride the final 25 without stopping. He tucked an apple into his clothing so he could eat without ending the ride.
God, apparently, had a different break scheduled. A man saw the QR code on Dad's back, waved him into a parking lot, and asked about the mission. Dad had not intended to stop, but the conversation became one more chance to explain Operation Christmas Child.
The same man explained that a 100-mile bicycle race would use the road the following day. Dad was glad to miss the traffic and joked that he probably would not have stayed ahead of the racers.
A fast downhill nearly blew Dad's helmet off.
Old Churches and Wisconsin Hills
Dad stopped at another historic church and cemetery, admired the former St. Joseph school, and could not resist going closer to the old bell. The workmanship in these rural churches has held his attention throughout the ride.
The rolling countryside opened into one of the day's most beautiful views. Dad had run out of water, so he asked a homeowner for help and received permission to photograph the landscape from the property.
After a long sequence of climbs, Dad finally enjoyed a long descent. The posted speed limit was 25, and Dad was moving fast enough to joke about being pulled over on his bicycle.
One more old church earned another stop and another look at the details built into it.
Water near Highway 23 looked inviting, but camp was still ahead.
Ten Miles, Then Five
Richard and the family found Dad with fewer than ten miles remaining. Hunger was setting in, and Richard already had an idea for the finish.
At 60 miles, Dad believed he was entering Cascade. The breeze off the water felt wonderful, and the promise of hamburgers and ice cream sounded even better.
There was only one small correction: the town was Dundee, not Cascade. The meeting place was still just ahead.
Richard and Jeremiah waited as Dad rolled in. The day's total was climbing toward 66 miles, and the trip total was moving well beyond 550.
The Last Campground
The Hoeft's Resort sign finally appeared on Crooked Lake Drive. Dad called it what it was: the final campground of the journey. Tomorrow, he would ride home.
Jeremiah ran out to welcome Grandpa from the other side of the arrival.
The family marked the finish with ice cream.
A Dark, Honest Ending
The nightly recap happened after dark because Dad and Richard had driven back along the route looking for Don's missing mirror. They did not find it.
Dad ranked the day among the harder rides of the trip: not as difficult as the 84-mile day or the 96-mile day, but still a demanding stretch of rolling hills and rough roads. The final route calculation also showed that efficient rerouting had shortened the original 610-mile plan. Dad had promised 600 miles, so the final ride home would need a safe extension.
The recap returned to the people Dad met, the ice-cream-shop conversation that may bring more supporters to the finish, the first fundraising milestone, and the gratitude he feels for every prayer, call, comment, text, and gift.
The Day Nine Numbers
Planned distance: 65.8 miles
Distance ridden: 66.2 miles
Ride time: 7 hours and 42 minutes
Elevation gained: 2,250 feet
Average speed: 8.6 mph
Maximum speed: 26.9 mph
Trip total through Cascade: 555.3 miles
Direct final route: About 33.4 miles
Additional distance needed to finish at 600: About 11.3 miles beyond the direct route
Finish: Hoeft's Resort & Campground near Cascade, Wisconsin
$6,231 Raised and a New Stretch Goal
The live fundraiser now shows $6,231 raised against the first $6,000 milestone. That is about 104% funded, with $0 remaining to reach the first goal and $231 already carrying the mission beyond it.
Dad announced a new $7,000 stretch goal in the morning video. That would help cover shipping and handling for about 700 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, and the fundraiser is now $769 away from that stretch goal.
If you have been planning to donate, now is 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 shoebox gift and help one more child receive encouragement, joy, and the message of Jesus Christ.
Encouragement Matters
Dad has one ride left. The prayers, calls, texts, and comments have mattered more than he expected, especially on the days when the road became long, rough, or emotional.
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.
Tomorrow Dad rides home. He plans to take the safe long way if necessary, cross 600 miles, and finish what he promised.
You did an awesome job Ken, operation Christmas child gets the help and God gets the glory. Have a great last ride.
We are so so proud of you cheering you on from the homeland. Reaching your $6,000 goal is so amazing. God is so good. Can’t wait to see you cross the finish line. Woohoo!!