(Le Mars) — Have you ever imagined riding a bicycle across the United States? A Le Mars resident did just that this summer. Father Kevin Richter of the St. Joseph Catholic Church was granted a Sabbatical for the summer, and decided to ride his bicycle across the nation. Richter divided his journey into two halves. He left Le Mars on June 9th, heading east.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter1.MP3{/audio}
Richter’s journey consisted of 68 total days with 56 riding days and twelve days that he rested. He averaged 68 and a half miles per day.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter2.MP3{/audio}
He says one of the worst days in terms of weather conditions, was his first day on the journey at a point not too far from Le Mars.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter3.MP3{/audio}
Another challenge, according to the Catholic priest, was entering St. Louis.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter4.MP3{/audio}
Richter either camped out under the stars, or slept in motels. But on a few occasions, he would spend the evening at a church or with host families who opened their home.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter5.MP3{/audio}
The St. Joseph parish priest says he didn’t do much sight-seeing activities, or visit tourism destinations, outside of riding his bicycle on the designated trail.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter6.MP3{/audio}
Richter says he has thought about riding his bicycle across the nation, and started preparing for his journey about a year ago.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter7.MP3{/audio}
The priest offers his philosophy about his trek across the United States.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2014/Richter8.mp3{/audio}
All told, the priest had 13 flat tires, rode 3836 miles, crossed 14 states, burned 299,099 calories, and lost 25 pounds. He says psychologically, the second half of the cross-country trip was better, because with each mile he was getting closer to home, whereas, with the first half of the journey, each mile was taking him further away from home.
