Kathy and Jeff

Thank you for your help and awesome work. You are both very special people to me.

Bloomingburg, NY

Wassuppp! Well, after an extremely frustrating delay Thursday and Friday, I'm back in black. I have realized that I can get injured and things are beyond my control - dare I say I am human? I guess I am, I have hung up my cape. I made the jaunt over the Hudson River today (pic w/ my bike through a stone doorway, the start of the FDR Bridge going over the river.) Soon after, I ate a donated french toast breakfast (Yes, I AM intercontinental when I eat french toast) by a sweetie pie named Kathy at a local diner who gave me great directions. Then rolled through some beautiful countryside in upstate NY into Bloomingburg. If it weren't for the delay I would have missed the hundreds of acres of apple blossoms which smelled amazing. One of those aromas that instantly makes you smile.

Bloomingburg is a Fire Company which serves 10k people and has an impressive fleet of Pierce Engines, wicked clean. I met Chief Dempsey and some of the department at the station.

Due to my delay, (BFD had originally had a dinner planned for me at their Firehouse Thurs.) we went to a surprise birthday party where the food was awesome and the drinks were cold. I'm all carb loaded up for tomorrow, mountains mountains mountains. I'll be staying at Johnny's house tonight and off early in the AM. The FF's have tweaked my route and have sent me on a longer but flatter route through Port Jarvis NY.

Observations on the trip so far:

-All roads in CT that are not interstates are poorly marked and all intersections in CT must involve 5 of these unmarked roads

-Red Sox fans make the best apparatus drivers (You know what I'm talkin' about Ken in HFD)

-CT has underated hills in the west

-When your jacket hangs off of your pack, over your rear tire, it will smell like roadkill when you put it on after 4 days

-don't rely on GPS, word of mouth is more reliable (so long as you don't take advice from someone you just asked directions from says "You know where your goin'?" WTF?

-all people have goodness in them somewhere, sometimes it may just take a stinky unshaven man in spandex to bring it out

Schedule Update

All: We have updated the daily schedule HERE to reflect changes due to the past 2 days due to equipment problems.

Images From the Road: Bloomingberg, NY (FROM MIKE)

Mike sent us these photo's from the road today from Bloomberg, NY.

Mystery Photo From Mike (He's on the road again!)

Mike just sent us this photo from his phone ... any guesses where this is?

'Bout Time!

MIKE UPDATE: He is still in Hartford, CT with a broken bike and injured leg

We just talked to Mike.

His bike has a broken front bike derailer (the part of the bike that switches the gears). Mike also told us that his leg got hurt from Branford to Hartford due to (in his words), "hitting the hills to hard".

He just picked up the part and expects to start toward Bloomingburg, NY as soon as he installs everything. His leg swelling is down - so he expects we will be ready to go in the morning.

When we hear more - we will give you all an update.

THE SCHEDULE IS NOW 2 DAYS DELAYED. WE WILL UPDATE THE SCHEDULE ACCORDINGLY ONCE MIKE STARTS IN THE AM.

Burn Survivor Story: Winson Chen

(Courtesy of the Phoenix Society and Steve Lobel, author of "Recognition Beyond Burned: Portraits of Survival, Rebirth & Hope")

I met my challenge driving home from Atlanta on October 26, 2002. It came in the form of a high-speed collision with an eighteenwheeler. I am unsure who was at fault. I burned alive for fifteen minutes before the fire truck arrived. I was rushed to the hospital and announced dead on arrival, but the burn unit revived me and kept me in a morphine coma for two months.

My body was asleep, but I lived in my dreams. I went to school, visited my parents, dated my girlfriend; everything felt real. I imagined I went west with a gang of credit cards, charged mansions, yachts and parties, and then skipped out on the bill. The cops chased me down and sent me to jail. I awoke to my father telling me it had all been a figment of my imagination. I was confused and frightened. My pain was indescribably intense. After much explaining from loved ones, I slowly became aware of my situation.

I was mad—mad at the truck driver, mad at the world, mad at God. How had I been named the delegate to suffer? I contemplated suicide daily. The hospital staff had to tie my hands down. Then the denial kicked in. I thought, if I could dream in color for two months and believe it was real, who’s to say that being here like this wasn’t just another chapter? This wasn’t happening to me. I still dream of one day awakening from the nightmare into my old life.

Embarrassment overwhelmed me. I couldn’t do anything for myself. In the hospital, I had to be walked, fed and wiped. At home, my mother had to bathe, clothe and bandage me. Then depression took its turn. I wasn’t a bad-looking guy before the accident. True, appearances aren’t everything, but they are something. We more easily accept those we perceive as aesthetically pleasing than those we see as deformed or challenged.

I had to take my grief by the horns. Complaining changes nothing. I am alive, I have family and friends who care for me, and I have purpose. I still get looks of distaste and bewilderment, but I don’t hold individuals accountable for their responses. It’s human nature to look at what’s different. Everyone worries about what to say to survivors, but often it’s not about what you say. Just being there and listening can help more than you expect.

My name is Winson Chen.

Media Coverage: Hartford, CT

Cross-Country Ride Leads Man To Hartford

Firefighter Raising Funds For Burn Victims

PRESS RELEASE: Cross-Country Ride for Burn Survivors Stops In Scranton Pennsylvania

Cross-Country Ride for Burn Survivors Stops In Pennsylvania this Week!

Firefighter Mike Manning Rides Through Scranton To Support Burn Survivors

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Jeff Derderian/Community Volunteer
401-441-7823
jeffderderian @ hotmail. com

EDITOR’S NOTES:
Interview/Photo Opportunity – Interviews with Mike Manning call 401-441-7823 to schedule.



May 11th – Firefighter Mike Manning will be stopping in Scranton PA THIS FRIDAY—May 11th as part of a 3,100 mile cross-country trek from Boston to San Jose. The inaugural annual event, called “Feel the Burn ’07,” is part of Manning’s mission to raise awareness and funding for burn survivors and the treatments that can help them.

After selling his VW van for $1,000 and donating it to a burn survivor he had never met before, Mike wanted to do something on a much bigger scale.

Manning’s 40 city journey will take him across 13 states in 45 days to generate support for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, a national non-profit burn survivor assistance and advocacy group based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Every penny collected towards the $100,000 goal will directly aid burn survivors with the costly medical care and treatment necessary for a full recovery.

“The resilience to the emotional and physical pain, which is indescribable, makes burn survivors the strongest people I have ever met,” Manning said. “As a firefighter, you rescue people, often never knowing the outcome. I want this ride to offer the necessary support to bring survivors full circle from rescue to return to society.”

Amy Acton Executive Director of the Phoenix Society adds, “Though a burn injury can be devastating physically and emotionally, access to quality care, support and resources enables you to survive and thrive after a burn injury. The costly nature of medical essentials, such as burn recovery masks and compression garments, are often unexpected and overwhelming expenses for burn survivors.” “Mike’s will and determination will help benefit the entire burn survivor community”.

Donations for “Feel the Burn ‘07” can be made at the event or through the Web at www.phoenix-society.org

Check out Mike’s exclusive Blog at www.feeltheburn07.blogspot.com for live updates, photos, and Mike’s own diary.

To interview Mike, please call 401-441-7823

###

HARTFORD ROCKS

"A" Shift has graciously welcomed me into their station today. We have been running the Tactical Rescue Truck #1 today and filled up on some amazing lasagna from the Captain.

The NFFF tour bus stopped by this afternoon on the tail end of their whistle stop tour (http://www.firehero.org/) which coincidentally began in San Jose last month. I'll plan better next year and draft their bus across the USA.:-)

Tomorrow will be my first introduction to biking in Appalachia while traveling to Bloomingburg, NY. I'm ready for it and will remind myself of someone's advice when I need to slow down to conserve energy for the other 2950 miles to go, "It's not a race, it's a journey." I've already met hundreds of people who have been supportive and smiling on this journey - La vita e' bella.

I just got word that we have raised over $10k including the money the Hartford FF Union and Hartford Emerald Society comitted to donating today. Thank you for having me Hartford.

I also want to personally thank Amy for lending me her anchor with a poem:

Anchors are meant to hold a boat still
But this one pushes me o'er
Anchors are heavy and break waters will
But this one's light as a clover
Over the mountains it makes me float
When I feel I can't give anymore
Something stronger than wind is moving my boat
This anchor is what I adore

Images from the Road: Hartford, CT. (FROM MIKE)

Mike sent us these images to post for him from the road today in Hartford.

DAY 7 – May 14th: Bike Route Dalton, PA to Canton, PA

NOTE TO BIKERS: Mike will be riding solo. He welcomes any and all bikers and bike clubs/groups to join him at any point along his journey across country. His goal is to leave around 8AM . If you want to ride with him, please arrive before then around 7:30.

NOTE TO ANYONE TAKING PHOTOS: If you can, please post any photo's or video on YouTube.Com, Flickr.com, or any other photo/video sharing site. Leave a comment on this blog letting us know and we will link to your pictures or video from the blog.

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DONATE: Mike’s goal is to raise $100,000 during his ride across the country. If you want to donate, please help burn survivors. Donate NOW.
****************************************************************

START: Dalton FD, 109 S Turnpike Rd, Dalton, PA 18414


- Mike will leave around 8AM-ish and will exit Dalton west on 632
- He will go through Osterholt, West on 87 and continue through Russell Hill, Lovelton, Dushore, Estella and arrive in Canton.
- Mike estimates that it will take 8-10 hours to go from Dalton to Canton.

END: Innes Fire Company, 101 Park Pl., Canton, PA 17724

DAY 6 – May 13th: Bike Route Bloomingburg, NY to Dalton, PA

NOTE TO BIKERS: Mike will be riding solo. He welcomes any and all bikers and bike clubs/groups to join him. His goal is to leave around 8AM . If you want to ride with him, please arrive before then around 7:30.

NOTE TO ANYONE TAKING PHOTOS: If you can, please post any photo's or video on YouTube.Com, Flickr.com, or any other photo/video sharing site. Leave a comment on this blog letting us know and we will link to your pictures or video from the blog.

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DONATE: Mike’s goal is to raise $100,000 during his ride across the country. If you want to donate, please help burn survivors. Donate NOW.
******************************************************************************************

START: Bloomingburg FD, PO Box 274, Bloomingburg, NY 12721

- Mike will leave around 8-ish and will leave Bloomingburg, South on 209 then west.
- He will go through Westbrookville, Forestburgh, Glen Spey and Narrowsburg
- Mike will then enter PA via Atco PA and go West on Rt. 6.
- He will go through Honesdale PA, Waymart PA, then South on 171 through Jermyn PA, and then take Rt. 632 into Dalton.
- Mike estimates that it will take 8-10 hours to go from Bloomingburg to Dalton. HE WILL BE STOPPING IN SCRANTON, PA during his ride. TBD on exact time.

END: Dalton FD, 109 S Turnpike Rd, Dalton, PA 18414

DAY 5 – May 12th: Bike Route Hartford, CT to Bloomingburg, NY

NOTE TO BIKERS: Mike will be riding solo. He welcomes any and all bikers and bike clubs/groups to join him. His goal is to leave around 8AM . If you want to ride with him, please arrive before then around 7:30.

NOTE TO ANYONE TAKING PHOTOS: If you can, please post any photo's or video on YouTube.Com, Flickr.com, or any other photo/video sharing site. Leave a comment on this blog letting us know and we will link to your pictures or video from the blog.

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DONATE: Mike’s goal is to raise $100,000 during his ride across the country. If you want to donate, please help burn survivors. Donate NOW.

*******************************************************************************

START: Hartford FD, 275 Pearl St., Hartford, CT 06103

- Mike will leave Hartford on Rt. 4 West (He is estimating 8-ish AM)

- He will go through Burlington, Litchfield, Bantam, New Preston

- Mike will then go through South Kent, Gaylordsville, and Menter on NY State 55.

- On Rt. 55 North, he will go through Pawling continuing through Billings, Poughkeepsie, Clintondale, Gardiner and ending in Bloomingburg, New York.

- Mike will arrive at the Bloomingburg Fire Department approx 8-10 hours after he leaves Hartford.

END: Bloomingburg FD, PO Box 274, Bloomingburg, NY 12721

UPDATED SCHEDULE

Mike Manning: UPDATED Feel the Burn DAILY Schedule

All – this is the NEW detailed schedule as of May 12th, 2007. Due to equipment problems we have been pushed back by 2 days.

NOTE TO BIKERS: Mike will be riding solo. He welcomes any and all bikers and bike clubs/groups to join him at any point along his journey across country. His goal is to leave around 8AM from each of the fire stations below. If you want to ride with him, please arrive before then around 7:30.

NOTE TO ANYONE TAKING PHOTOS ALONG THE RIDE: If you can, please post any photo's or video on YouTube.Com, Flickr.com, or any other photo/video sharing site. Leave a comment on this blog letting us know and we will link to your pictures or video from the blog.

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DONATE: Mike’s goal is to raise $100,000 during his ride across the country. If you want to donate, please help burn survivors. Donate NOW.

DATE	DAY	START	FINISH	Where Mike Will Stay
8-May	Day 1	**Boston, MA**	Branford, CT	Branford FD
		10AM Press Conference and Send off from Shriners Burn Center		45 North Main St
				Branford, CT 06405
				(Thank you, John Hines)
				Detailed Bike Route HERE
9-May	Day 2	Branford, CT	Hartford, CT	Hartford FD
				275 Pearl St.
				Hartford, CT 06103
				(Thank you, Lt. Taylor)
10-May	Day 3	DELAYED	EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
11-May	Day 4	DELAYED	EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
12-May	Day 5	Hartford, CT	Bloomingburg, NY	Bloomingburg FD
				PO Box 274,
				Bloomingburg, NY 12721
				(Thank you, Tom Dempsey)
				Detailed Bike Route
13-May	Day 6	Bloomingburg, NY	Dalton, PA	Dalton FD
				109 S Turnpike Rd,
				Dalton, PA- 18414
				(Thank you, Chief Carpenter)
				Detailed Bike Route
14-May	Day 7	Dalton, PA	Canton, PA	Innes Fire Company,
				101 Park Pl.
				Canton, PA 17724
				(Thank you, Chief Ken Jennings)
				Detailed Bike Route
15-May	Day 8	Canton, PA	Coudersport	Coudersport FD
				325 Port Allegany Rd
				Coudersport, PA 16915
				(Thank you, Chief Andy)
16-May	Day 9	Coudersport	Sigel, PA	Sigel FD and with Mr. Luther Yoas
				Rt. 949 South Hwy
				Sigel, PA
				(Thank you, Luther Yoas)
17-May	Day 10	REST DAY	REST DAY
18-May	Day 11	Sigel, PA	Petersburg, OH	Springfield Township FD
				13885 Youngstown Pittsburgh Rd
				Petersburg, OH 44454
				(Thank you, Chief Hughes)
19-May	Day 12	Petersburg, OH	Millersburg, OH	Holmes Fire District #1
				8478 State Rt. 39
				Millersburg, OH 44654
				(Thank you)
20-May	Day 13	Millersburg, OH	Circleville, OH	Circleville FD
				1220 S Court St.
				Circleville, OH 43113-2109
				(Thank you, Chief Tener)
21-May	Day 14	Circleville, OH	Germantown OH	Mike will arrive at
				Germantown FD
				75 N. Walnut St.,
				Germantown OH, 45327
				(He is staying in his own bed for 2 nights!)
22-May	Day 15	REST DAY	REST DAY
23-May	Day 16	Germantown OH	Martinsville, IN	Martinsville FD
				59 S Jefferson St.
				Martinsville, IN 46151
				(Thank you, Chief Fraker)
24-May	Day 17	Martinsville, IN	Yale, IL	Willow Hill, IL 62481
25-May	Day 18	Yale, IL	Litchfield, IL	City of Litchfield FD
				201 E Edwards
				Litchfield, IL 62056-2046
26-May	Day 19	REST DAY	REST DAY
27-May	Day 20	Litchfield, IL	Mexico, MO	Little Dixie Fire Protection District
				415 N Agricultural
				Mexico, MO 65265
				(Thank you, Chief Hoover)
28-May	Day 21	Mexico, MO	Clinton, MO	Clinton FD
				301 S Washington
				Clinton, MO 64735
				(Thank you, Chief Ritchey)
29-May	Day 22	Clinton, MO	Fall River, KS	Fall River FD
				Merchant St.
				Fall River, KS 67047
				(Thank you, Bob Elrod)
30-May	Day 23	Fall River, KS	Argonia, KS	City of Argonia FD
				22 N Main St.,
				Argonia, KS 67004
				(Thank you, Chief Paul)
31-May	Day 24	Argonia, KS	Ashland, KS	Ashland Rural FD
				703 Main St.
				Ashland, KS 67831
				(Thank you, David Redgar)
1-Jun	Day 25	Ashland, KS	Ulysses, KS	Grant County FD
				1225 N Colorado
				Ulysses, KS 67880
				(Thank you, Chief John Crosby)
2-Jun	Day 26	REST DAY	REST DAY
3-Jun	Day 27	Ulysses, KS	Kim, CO	Kim FD
				Kim, CO 81049-0157
4-Jun	Day 28	Kim, CO	Trinidad, CO	Trinidad FD
				1605 Santa Fe Trail,
				Trinidad, CO 81082
				(Thank you, Chief Bulson)
5-Jun	Day 29	Trinidad, CO	La Veta, CO	La Veta FD
				111 S Main
				La Veta, CO 81055-0044
				(Thank you, Sue Pezze)
6-Jun	Day 30	La Veta, CO	Monte Vista, CO	Monte Vista FD
				401 S Broadway
				Monte Vista, CO 81144-0187
				(Thank you, Charles Ercher)
7-Jun	Day 31	Monte Vista, CO	Pagosa Springs, CO	Pagosa FD
				91 N Pagosa Blvd.
				Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
8-Jun	Day 32	Pagosa Springs, CO	Durango, CO	Durango Fire and Rescue
				142 Sheppard Dr.
				Durango, CO 81303
9-Jun	Day 33	REST DAY	REST DAY
10-Jun	Day 34	Durango, CO	Teec Nos Pos, AZ (Navajo Nation)	Navajo Nation
				Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514
				(Thank you, Richard)
11-Jun	Day 35	Teec Nos Pos, AZ (Navajo Nation)	Kayenta FD, AZ	Kayenta FD
				PO Box 188, Arizona 86033
12-Jun	Day 36	Kayenta FD, AZ	Page, AZ	City of Page FD
				808 Coppermine Rd.
				Page, AZ 86040
				(Thank you, Capt. Reed )
13-Jun	Day 37	Page, AZ	Kanab, UT	Kanab FD
				76 N Main
				Kanab, UT 84741
14-Jun	Day 38	Kanab, UT	St. George, UT	City of St. George FD
				51 S 1000 E
				St. George, UT 84770
15-Jun	Day 39	REST DAY	REST DAY
16-Jun	Day 40	St. George, UT	Panaca, NV	Panaca FD
				Panaca, NV 89042
17-Jun	Day 41	Panaca, NV	Rachel, NV	Little A’Le Inn Hote,
				Rachel, NV,
18-Jun	Day 42	Rachel, NV	Tonopah, NV	Tonopah FD
				100 Erie Main
				St.,Tonopah, NV 89049-1128
19-Jun	Day 43	Tonopah, NV	Benton, CA	White Mtn. Fire Protection District, 24931 N Hwy 6
				Benton, CA 93515
20-Jun	Day 44	Benton, CA	Tuolumne, CA	Tuolumne Fire Protection District, 18690 Main St.
				Tuolumne, CA 95379
21-Jun	Day 45	Tuolumne, CA	Groveland, CA	Groveland FD
				18930 Hwy 120
				Groveland, CA 95321
22-Jun	Day 46	Groveland, CA	San Andreas, CA	San Andreas Fire Protection District, 37 Church Hill Rd,San Andreas, CA 95249
23-Jun	Day 47	San Andreas, CA	Sacramento, CA	Sacramento FD
				1231 I St.
				Sacramento, CA 95814-2933
24-Jun	Day 48	Sacramento, CA	San Jose, CA	San Jose FD
				4 N Second St.
				San Jose, CA 95113

Media Coverage: Branford, CT Welcome

Firefighter Mike Manning's Ride For Burn Victims

BRANFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT

What a great day. This is what it's all about. Thank you to all the burn survivors who signed the bike yesterday and to the therapists and nurses who rode with me for a while from the Shrine. Your signatures and iron will pulled me over some heartbreaker hills yesterday as my legs were trying to cramp up on me.

BFD brought me into town with a kick butt Harley escort from a few of their FF's. Thank you to all who organized and showed up for the party at the American Legion Hall. Pipers were pipin', drummers were drummin' - AWESOME! BFD raised a ton of money for the fundraiser and is counting it as we speak. WE are ALL behind each and every burn survivor - the Phoenix Society, healthcare community, firefighters and their families. HELP AND SUPPORT ARE ON THE WAY.

I'm on to Hartford this AM after a nice pancake breakfast with my brothers. See you there!

-Mike

Photo Gallary - Day 1 Boston

Thank you to everyone who took photo's today!!

NOTE TO ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS: Let us know if you post photo's online so we can link to them here. All you need to do is post a comment below as to where to link to your photo's and any info you want to share. We moderate/approve all comments. We do that to avoid spam. But if you are shy and just want to notify us and not have your post go live ... we can accomodate that ... just let us know!

From Kathy Sexton, Middleton, MA: Photos from the Kick off event at the Shriners Hospital for Children

Media Coverage: Boston Kick Off

Firefighter Kicks Off Cross-Country Bicycle Ride For Burn Survivors

Quincy Native To Raise National Awareness

*********************************************************************

"Feeling the burn: Firefighter rides for a cause"
By LANE LAMBERT, The Patriot Ledger

*********************************************************************

Ohio Firefighter Bikes for Burn Survivors

A Great Send Off in Boston!

Thank you to everyone at Shriners, the Phoenix Society, the Boston Firefighters Association and Department, and most importantly, to all the burn survivors who showed up at the press conference this morning to offer your support. This ride is symbolic of your journey. May we inspire everyone who hears of this journey to donate to help all burn survivors.

Quincy native & firefighter begins nationwide bike ride May 8th/Boston

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jeff Derderian/Community Volunteer
401-441-7823
jeffderderian @ hotmail.com

Quincy Native & Firefighter to begin Bike Trek for Burn Survivors

3,100 mile ride starts at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston

Quincy native now Ohio Firefighter Mike Manning kicks-off his awareness and donation drive for burn survivors as he pedals across America to benefit The Phoenix-Society for Burn Survivors. Mike will take 7 weeks to bike from coast to coast stopping at fire stations and burn centers along his route to meet his goal of raising $100,000. After selling his own personal van on E-Bay to help a burn survivor, Mike started training for something bigger and as a first responder , he wanted to help people in their recovery and return to life.

Come hear Mike’s inspiring story and watch as Mike’s fellow firefighters from the Boston Fire Department cheer him on as he and members of Shriners Hospitals for Children ride with him out of the city. Mike will also have his own special cheerleading squad led by some of the children at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

WHAT: "Feel the Burn 07" kick off

WHERE: Shriners Hospital for Children—51 Blossom Street (outside)

WHEN: Tuesday, May 8th—10:00am

For more information on Mike’s cross country ride please go to Mike’s own biog. where you can track his progress state by state at: www.feeltheburn2007.blogspot.com You can also learn more about

Mike’s ride at The Phoenix-Society for Burn Survivors at www.phoenix-society.org. To interview Mike, please call 401-441-7823

Regis University

Thank you very much Kelli and Donny for covering this fundraiser through the Regis U. webpage. It was great meeting both of you

THANK YOU,
Mike

http://www.regis.edu/newsdetail.asp?sctn=news&p1=rdn&archive=false&year=&newsID=328&page=1

36 hours to go!!!!

Just got back from Denver, CO with diploma in hand, great weekend!

Can't wait to see all of you kids at Boston Shriners on Tuesday morning!

See you all Tuesday, keep smiling.

Mike