Larry Ritland, a former tour bus driver and truck driver, his wife Kay, a former Vinton resident and former Farmers Bank employee, met when their paths crossed thanks to their jobs intersecting. While traveling brought the two of them together, they figure why stop?

Larry a Vietnam Veteran, rode his bike from Cedar Rapids where the couple now resides and attended the Memorial Day meal held yesterday at the 4th St. Diner.

He has taken on quite a few adventures on his bicycle, all after the age of 67. He's ridden the Alaska highway, four RAGBRAI's, five Century Rides (100 miles in one day).

Larry will be taking two separate trips this summer.

100 Mile Tune-Up Bicycle Ride

The first is a "short" 100 mile ride on June 1st which will begin and end at the American Legion Post in Marion located at 625 31st St. He plans to start pedaling at 6:30 a.m. and return to the Marion Post at 6:10 p.m. His schedule will allow for a 10-15 minute visit at each Legion Post on his itinerary for the day. (the schedule will be at the end of this article)

Anyone is welcome to join in for the entire route or any segment they feel comfortable riding. There is no registration or sign up fee, just show up and ride.

There will be no "sag wagon" if someone needs to drop out, it will be up to the rider to make transportation arrangements, Ritland cautions.

Cross Country Ride

He will add a much longer ride beginning on June 7th, one day after his 71st birthday. He plans to leave from Ocean Shores, Washington and finish in Washington D.C. Kay will be driving and accompanying Larry as he rides on the trip that is expected to take 74 days.

Larry said of his ride, "The purpose of the bicycle ride across the country is first to commemorate the 100th anniversary of our American Legion. Second, I will be promoting the Legion during the ride and also encouraging veterans, especially younger veterans, to join our American Legion. If the American Legion is to survive and continue the legacy we desperately need those younger veterans. I also want to meet fellow Legionnaires along the way and hear their concerns.

My route will take me south of Seattle, skimming Coeur dAlene, Idaho, into Missoula, Montana, across the rest of Montana, through the northeast corner of Wyoming, into Sturgis, then winding through the Black Hills. From there the route goes south into Nebraska, across the state and stops in Council Bluffs, Iowa for a couple of rest days prior to RAGBRAI." which will, of course, take him across Iowa.

As a Veteran, Larry has been a member of the American Legion for 37 years, but as he'll tell you, he hadn't been very active because of his career.

If you would like to follow Larry and Kay as they make this trip together, they will be posting to a Facebook Page which you can find him here, The Old Cycling Veteran

If you are a veteran and would like to become involved with the local group, feel free to contact the Vinton group through their Facebook page the American Legion George G Luckey Post 57

Shellsburg American Legion Post 166


100th Anniversary/100 Mile Tune-Up Bicycle Ride

Itinerary

Saturday, June 1

Arrive Depart Location

-------- 6:30 a.m. Marion Legion Post - 625 31st St.

7:30 7:45 Cedar Rapids Post - 50 2nd Ave. Bridge

8:45 9:00 Ely Post - 1535 Main Street

9:45 10:00 Solon Post - 222 East Main Street

11:15 11:30 Lisbon Post - 112 West Main Street

12:40 1:25 Springville - 252 Broadway St.

Lunch on your own in Springville

2:50 3:05 Central City Post - 6 Central City Road

4:15 4:30 Center Point Post - 904 Main Street

5:50 6:00 Hiawatha Post - 207 Robins Road

6:30 p.m. Marion Legion Post - 625 31st St.

The route will follow walking/bicycle trails where possible and lightly traveled county roads.



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