Two local brothers ride their bicycles to Washington D.C. to help out local charity

Michael Duesterbeck, 75, of Elkhorn and Daniel Duesterbeck, 66, of Janesville, rode their bikes from Milwaukee to Washington D.C., July 11 to July 28 to assist increase cash for the “Time is Now to Assist” group.

“Time is Now to Assist” is a nonprofit group that gives funding to people who find themselves experiencing tough monetary conditions. Sal Dimiceli, president of the group, publishes a column within the Lake Geneva Regional Information.

Daniel Duesterbeck stated he reads Dimiceli’s column frequently and thought it could be a great group to assist fund.

“The necessity is unquestionably there,” Daniel stated. “So we wish to handle the necessity.”

The brothers raised cash by means of the Fb web page www.fb.com/WhereisDanD, which incorporates details about the bike experience, the “Time is Now to Assist” charity and a GoFundMe hyperlink for individuals to donate cash. Daniel stated he’s not sure how a lot has been raised, to date.

Daniel stated getting ready for the experience was not too tough, as a result of he and his brother experience their bicycles regularly.

“In case you get use to driving every single day, you’re physique will get use to that,” Daniel stated. “Talking for myself personally, I normally experience someplace between 25 to 30 miles every single day. It form of preps you and prepares you.”

The websites and other people alongside the pathDaniel and Michael rode their bicycles about 60 miles a day all through the journey. They have been in a position to observe their route through the use of Google maps.

“We added incentives if we went a bit additional, perhaps staying in a motel as a substitute of tenting,” Daniel stated.

Through the journey, the brothers rode by means of areas of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia and alongside the Nice Allegheny Passage, which runs by means of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath.

Michael stated the towpath was used to tug ships out and in of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal throughout the early 1900s.

“There’s a collection of locks. They’re not in working order, however they’ve put in indicators in entrance of them saying what that specific lock was used for and previous footage,” Michael stated. “Truly, the entire means was very historic, and so they did a great job explaining and bringing a number of that to life.”

Michael stated he additionally loved the view all through the route. He stated they principally biked alongside rural areas between small cities.

“The surroundings was attractive,” Michael stated. “Many occasions we have been half-hour between cities, so it wasn’t like we may pull over at a Kwik Journey and get espresso within the morning.”

Daniel stated he additionally loved interacting with the those that they met alongside the route.

“You assume you’re going to go on this experience and see all these neat spots, however what it boils all the way down to is the individuals you meet alongside the route,” Daniel stated. “That’s what makes it memorable.”

Michael stated a number of individuals would ask questions on their bike experience once they seen the quantity of substances they have been hauling.

“They take a look at the gear you’ve gotten, and so they know you’re not simply going across the nook,” Michael stated. “We have been packed fairly heavy. You needed to carry every little thing with you. Water wasn’t an issue. We didn’t deliver meals to cook dinner, however we all the time had entry to small city.”

The comforts of houseAll through the journey, the brothers stayed at campsites, motels and “heat showers,” that are lodging amenities hosted by different bicyclists.

“Individuals open their houses to bike riders to return and stick with them. They’ll put you up and so they provides you with a sizzling meal, bathe, a spot to remain and do your laundry,” Daniel stated. “Every of the nice and cozy bathe hosts we stayed at have been phenomenal. It’s utterly complete strangers opening their house to you, and the experiences have been superior.”

Challenges throughout the experienceMichael stated they did face some challenges throughout the bike experience together with hilly areas, stormy climate and sizzling temperatures. Michael stated there have been some days when there have been 100-plus-degree temperatures.

“To beat the warmth, we needed to get some miles beneath our belts early,” Michael stated. “We have been each wanting to rise up early within the morning and be on the street.”

After the bike experienceMichael and Daniel returned house July 28. Michael stated he feels a way of accomplishment finishing the experience at their ages.

“Being 75 and 66 is an accomplishment in itself, however we had an exquisite time collectively,” Michael stated. “We’re brothers. He’s a bit stronger rider than I’m, however he waited for me till I used to be up the following hill.”

Daniel stated he’s not sure if he is able to go on one other long-distance bike experience within the close to future.

“As soon as we get healed up and again to regular, perhaps,” Daniel stated. “This one took a bit bit out of us.”

Michael stated he could be keen to go on one other multi-state bicycle experience once more.

“I might do it in a heartbeat,” Daniel stated. “It’s one thing it’s important to plan for. The journey itself was nearly tutorial to the individuals you meet alongside the best way. The planning was the large factor. He did all of the planning, but it surely all got here collectively.”

Since returning house, the brothers have opened their houses as “heat showers” amenities to different bicyclists.

“Individuals can come and keep at our home. Mike has signed up and I’ve signed up, and I’ve already had a few completely different individuals keep at my home,” Daniel stated. “It’s like having an change pupil come and spend the weekend at your own home.”

Daniel works as a salesman for the Duesterbeck’s Brewing Firm in Elkhorn, aiding with getting the brewery’s merchandise into native shops and eating places. He stated he’s a 3rd cousin of the brewery’s house owners.

“I go to completely different locations and promote Duesterbeck,” Daniel stated.

Michael works a bartender at Boxed & Burlap in Williams Bay throughout weddings and different occasions.

Avid bike ridersDaniel stated he and his brother have been attention-grabbing in bike driving since their youth. He stated he rides his bike nearly every single day and normally enjoys driving alongside areas of the Glacial Drumlin State Path.

“As we’ve gotten older and retired or semi-retired, we’ve gotten the power to experience extra,” Daniel stated. “That’s simply my a part of my day, getting up and happening a 25-mile bike experience.”

Michael stated there are a lot of areas in Wisconsin for individuals to experience their bikes. He stated bike driving is turning into a extra well-liked exercise.

“You get into Milwaukee, even Madison, it’s a really bike-friendly space,” Michael stated. “With fuel costs and other people’s focus on well being right this moment, bike driving is a diversion,” Michael stated. “It’s an enormous, big factor. The entire thing is about getting out and getting sunshine and getting contemporary air.”

Daniel stated individuals can nonetheless donate funding to the “Time is Now to Assist” group by visiting, www.fb.com/WhereisDanD.

“If individuals loved following us in our day-to-day actions, they may nonetheless contribute to the charity,” Daniel stated.