Day Six: Two Broken Bikes Before the Ride Even Began
- Richard Webster
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
Ken had only 16.5 miles to ride on Day Six, but first he had to answer a much bigger question: Would either of his bikes be able to make the trip?
The morning began with a few false starts, a laugh, and an intentionally unpolished introduction. We left the bloopers in because this trip is real, and real mornings do not always begin on the first take.
A Short Day That Started With Two Broken Bikes
Ken had ridden 57.3 miles the day before, putting him ahead of schedule and leaving only about 20 planned miles for Wednesday. He stayed at camp longer than usual to help Richard and Jeremiah pack the support van.
That extra time quickly became important. The road bike had a leaking front tire, while the hybrid had a gear assembly coming loose near the pedals. Suddenly, both bicycles needed attention.
Even the smaller details mattered. Ken switched bike bags because he did not trust the zipper on the larger one to keep his belongings safe on the road.
The open rear doors show what Richard and Jeremiah pack into the support van every morning, then unload again every night.
Ken usually starts riding while Richard tears down camp. With a shorter day ahead, Ken stayed to help and got a firsthand look at how much work happens behind the scenes. He also gave Jeremiah, the trip's resident "muscle man," credit for hauling and stacking the bins.
An Hour to Escanaba
The morning air was damp enough that the windshield needed time to clear before the support crew could head toward Escanaba in search of a bike shop.
Jeremiah was ready for the repair mission. Richard's quick video also caught a familiar face on the road, or at least someone who looked a little like Betty White.
Along the way, they passed a Big Boy restaurant that brought back a vivid memory from Ken's earlier ride with his brother Don about 20 years ago.
Don repaired his first and only flat near that same Big Boy. The restaurant was already becoming a rare sight then, which made Ken smile to see this one still open today.
As Escanaba drew closer, Ken looked out at the roadside and marveled again at how far a person can travel under the power of a bicycle.
The Beaten Path Came Through
The answer to the morning's big question came at The Beaten Path in Escanaba. John carefully inspected the road bike's front wheel and discovered that the old tire was deteriorating near the rim. He donated a replacement tire to Ken's cause, even while road construction outside his shop had sharply reduced his business.
Then John turned to the hybrid. He repaired the unusual pedal-assembly problem and declined to charge for that work. Ken left with the road bike's new tire and tube, the hybrid's pedal assembly repaired, and deep gratitude for a business owner who chose generosity during a difficult season of his own.
Finally Back on the Road
It was about 1 p.m. before Ken could begin riding. The adjusted route was only 16.5 miles, a warmup compared with the previous day's 57.3. Richard routed him past a short section through town where the road offered no safe shoulder.
Ken also wore the blue protective mask Steve had sent. They originally thought mostly about smoke, but Steve reminded them that highway traffic also throws tiny particles of rubber and road dust into the air.
The bike path briefly seemed to disappear, but Ken spotted its continuation across the road and safely found his way back onto it.
The new mask stayed comfortable even as the temperature climbed toward 80 degrees, and it matched Ken's bicycle. More importantly, it helped keep road dust out of his lungs.
A Landmark Shared With Don
Outside Escanaba, Ken stopped beside a military aircraft display. It was not just another roadside photo opportunity.
Ken and his brother Don had stopped at this same place for a picture during their ride around Lake Michigan about 20 years ago. Returning with his bicycle made the memory emotional.
That stop opened the door for Ken to tell the story behind the earlier ride. He had promised to raise money for children in the inner city who lacked camping gear. When he asked Don to help with a bike-a-thon, Don challenged him to get a good bicycle and train every day for three months.
Together they rode more than 400 miles and raised about $2,500. Ken's coworkers followed their progress on a bulletin-board map, checking each morning to see how far he had traveled and how much their pledges would cost them. Ken remembers that they were glad to give because they knew where the money was going.
One Act of Kindness Keeps Moving
Before Ken left the bike shop, an 89-year-old woman stopped to talk about how much she once loved riding. When Ken told her what John had done, she promised to spread the word. Ken encouraged her not to worry about riding far. She only had to begin again. She told him he just might have inspired her.
Ken believes yesterday's extra miles helped prepare him for today. Because he had ridden ahead, the broken bikes did not put him behind. The shortest, flattest day of the route gave him room to slow down, think, remember Don, and notice the people God placed in his path.
While Ken rode, Richard and Jeremiah reached the campsite and found a beautiful site directly on the water.
The road made sure Ken kept the relaxed pace. A slow-moving roadside mower gave him no safe opportunity to pass.
At first, Ken laughed that God had found another way to slow him down.
The roadside machine was throwing dust and debris into the air, making Steve's mask even more valuable.
Ken stayed patient behind it and was very glad that the dust was hitting the mask instead of going straight into his lungs.
A Finish Right on the Water
At the end of 16.5 miles, Ken rolled into camp and saw Lake Michigan waiting beyond the tents. His first reaction was simple: he was going for a swim.
Richard captured the arrival from camp as Ken completed the shortest and flattest ride of the trip so far.
The Day Six Numbers
Distance ridden: 16.5 miles
Day: 6
Morning temperature: 65 degrees
Afternoon temperature: Nearly 80 degrees
Biggest challenge: Getting two bicycles repaired before the ride could begin
Biggest blessing: John's generous help at The Beaten Path
$1,727 From the First Goal
The live fundraiser now shows $4,273 raised toward the first $6,000 milestone. That is about 71% funded, with $1,727 remaining.
If you have been planning to donate, now is the time. The finish is getting closer, and every gift helps turn these miles into encouragement, joy, and hope for children.
The $6,000 milestone is 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
Ken reads the messages and prayers, even when he cannot respond right away. They help carry him through the quiet miles.
If you can, please do all three: comment at the bottom of this blog, like or comment on the related Facebook post, and text Ken directly at 262-707-4253. If you cannot do all three, choose at least one instead of only reading and moving on.
Day Six ended with repaired bikes, an easy ride, meaningful memories, and a campsite on the water. In the closing video, Ken and Richard share the full wrap-up, thank the people supporting the ride, and look ahead without making promises about a route that may still change.
Keep up the good work!!! Love and prayers!