USA, USA, USA....

After traveling 890 miles on a bicycle throughout a very small portion of the United States of America, midwest...the Iowa Lakes Soccer coaching staff had a new perception of American people and the beautiful American landscape the last few weeks.

But, personally, after serving 6 years to help preserve our freedom as a member of the United States Navy....the U.S. National Soccer team has finally demonstrated what many of us strive for on a daily basis through the simply and beautiful game of soccer. A work hard, positive and never say quite attitude that embodies the values that MOST Americans strive for.

After watching the following video, I, Kevin Farley...the strong, tough person that doesn't show much feeling...honestly, broke down ito tears. The celebration the unfolds around the world due to the goal by Landon Donovan is the exact reason that we, in America, grow up living the dream and playing a variety of sports.

I love America. I love the game of soccer. I dream of Landon Donovan and his fellow teammates to continue exhibiting this "never say quite" attitude and shocking the world, and all those Americans that always said soccer was never a sport. If you are American...you will support this attitude...this team...this will. Please enjoy the video.

USA, USA, USA!!!!!

Views from the Bike Trail....

Biking through the hilly backwoods of the "Stagecoach Trail" in Illinois.

Halfway Home...

Four and a half days and the Iowa Lakes coaching staff have met there goal of biking to Rockford, IL. Now all we have to do is make it back to Spencer.

The trip has been amazing. Although we had anticipated a 400-mile ride to Rockford...we have now biked 460 miles one-way. It was so difficult, but the feeling of jubilation that we felt upon riding out bicycles into Rockford was an amazing one.

As you can see by the picture, we celebrated as if we had just won a regional championship soccer game!

We knew this trip would be very difficult...but, we didn't realize how we would feel when we conquered feats such as riding through the "Stagecoach Trail" in Illinois...or outrunning "Beethoven" the killer St. Benard...or seeing the beauty of the backroads and rivers in American...or crossing the "Mighty Mississip"...etc.

According to my bicycle odometer, I have personally burned over 13,000 calories on my 4 1/2 day ride. Now we are going to enjoy the USA vs. England match today and watch more games at the Watermelon Soccer Tournament...and relax, before departing again on Monday morning to head back home.

We will take a different route on the way back that will lead us through the southern parts of Wisconsin and the possibility of experiencing one of the many Wisconsin Cheese Factories.

We have achieved the first part of our goal by arriving on bike to Rockford...the next step will be arriving back home. Both are feats that many people told us that...we couldn't do.

Views from the Bike Trail...

Day 2 Departure from host family's home in Fort Dodge, IA at 6am.

Views from the Bike Trail...

Storms in Cedar Falls puts a damper on Day 3

Thunderstorms is what the three coaches woke up to this morning at 6AM to start our journey. As much as we all would enjoy a little bit of a break, we are equally anxious to get on the road to meet our goal.

All of us sit here in the Super 8 of Cedar Falls killing time, waiting for the storms to pass, and still unsure if we will be able to ride today or not. At this time today, we would've already been halfway into our 100 miles to Dubuque, but only time will tell!

Two Days...Two Goals...Two Hundred Miles...

This is our first chance to get online to post our blog! And to be quite honest...it will be a short one...because we are too tired and too sore to even type.

We departed Spencer for "The Watermelon Ride" on Sunday morning at 6:30am. To be honest we had no idea what we were getting into. It was tough...I'm not going to lie. But, when it was all said on done on Sunday...we not only met our goal, but met out goal in better time than anticipated. We arrived in Fort Dodge, IA (100 miles from Spencer) at approximately 3:30pm.

After a deep sleep with a wonderful host family in Fort Dodge, we departed at approximately 7am; destination....Cedar Falls. The trip seemed much more difficult...but, we met our goal once again at about 4:30pm today.

The experience is amazing. We are sore, yes. All the questions being asked are probably a "yes". But, at the same time...I think the trip is helping all of us to not only reevaluate life...I believe that we are in the midst of a life changing experience. And to be quite honest...I was ready for one of those! ;-)

My goal tonight is to spend a few minutes in the hottub and figure out how to download this blogsight down to my phone so we can begin sending more posts from the road and from our bikes....and even some photos and possibly video. For now...you can find us on twitter. www.twitter.com/iowalakessoccer

Wish us luck tomorrow for another 100 mile bike ride. 200 miles down...600 to go!

Send Off Party!!

This Saturday, Positively Spencer Youth will be hosting a Watermelon Ride send-off party at East Leech Park. The get together will start at 4:00pm with some soccer training and different soccer demonstrations. At 5:00 there will be food tossed on the grill so we can all get some grub into our stomachs. Following the food and fun there will be a family bike ride around town for anyone that would like to participate. This will be a ton of fun so make sure you invite your friends and come out and see us!!