"This is day 40. We started March 23 in Key West, Florida at the southern most point at the buoy. We have 10 more days to go," Al Reszel told the SooLeader Wednesday near Kinross.
65-year-old Reszel is riding his touring bicycle 4,100 miles, through 12 states, from Key West to Albany, MN to raise awareness, and money, for breast cancer research. The journey will end on Mother's Day, in Albany, MN which is a short distance from their hometown.
He is associated with Pink Pedals 4 a Cure - Terry's Ride organization that donates their proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
"Survival is a common thread in this historic and heroic story. Love is the needle and needful thing that weaves the threads together to form a fabric born out of determination, courage, and, commitment. 66-year-old Terry Reszel, Al's wife, is a breast cancer survivor, having already written her chapter of sufferance and stoicism, steps back into the multi-faceted role of supporter, comforter and, cheerleader as her husband Al Reszel once again enters the saddle, attempting another herculean cross-country solo bicycle ride to help find a cure," says a statement from Pink Pedals 4 a Cure website.
For years now, the Reszel's have been crisscrossing the country with the goal of raising awareness and donations for breast cancer research. Their organization was founded in 2016 and their sole donation benefactor is the BCRF. This is the seventh time Al will complete an extended multi-state solo bicycle ride for the BCRF.
An amazing feat when you consider that Al is 65.
Terry’s story of survival began in 2000 when she received the first of many calls regarding her mammogram results. From 2001 to 2009, Terry was forced to endure multiple biopsies and ultrasounds, setting the stage for a life-changing event that would alter their lives forever.
In the fall of 2010, while awaiting the test results of yet another biopsy, Terry received a call from her doctor, confirming her worst fear, a diagnosis of breast cancer. Soon thereafter, Terry underwent a bilateral mastectomy.
When all her surgeries were done, they wanted to do something to help find a cure.
Since 2016, Al and Terry have travelled 20,100 miles and raised over $52,232 for breast cancer research.
Al covers around 100 miles a day and has encountered some tough conditions.
"No matter what the weather, we just pound right through. The people who are fighting breast cancer, chemo, radiation and surgeries. That's the hard part. They are the warriors. I'm just riding a bike," he said.
While Al rides his bike, Terry is always within a few miles of him driving in her Jeep Renegade, which sometimes acts as their sleeping quarters.
Wednesday afternoon, they arrived at Bird's Eye Outfitters to rest and chat with people. While doing that, in the basement, Levi Cron of Fox Hole Bike and Ski Shop replaced the bike's tires and performed a safety maintenance check.
"We had a great day meeting many generous people and many courageous people going through it all now! Al had been talking with Levi who owns the Foxhole Bike & Ski shop. We had arranged to have him put new tires on. He did a great job going over and above for us and our safety. We were proud to thank him for his military service also. We were lucky to meet him. He even had a cool welcome sign for us! His shop is shared with the coolest restaurant, ‘The Bird’s Eye’. The owner, Wilda, invited us back for her great coffee and protein smoothies (for biking) in the morning. It was awesome," Terry said.
Wednesday night, they stayed overnight at a hotel in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. They wanted to make it a two-country, international ride, even though the ride in Canada was only a few miles.
"I can't tell you how kind and generous people have been on this trip. And I find out so many are affected by this disease, too. I am proud of myself of getting the word out about people getting their mammograms because people tend to put them off. The hardest part is making that call," she said.
If you would like to follow their journey and donate to their cause, Breast Cancer Research Foundation or Pink Pedals 4 a Cure - Terry's Ride.
