August 17, 2020

100 miles? Pair completes 223 miles in four days

By Henry Howard
Commander
100 miles? Pair completes 223 miles in four days
100 miles? Pair completes 223 miles in four days

Cycling friends are among the first finishers of The American Legion’s 100 Miles for Hope challenge.

The timing of the 100 Miles for Hope campaign worked out perfectly for John Piechowski and Donald Weigend.

They had already planned a 200-mile plus bike ride as part of a vacation with their wives during the first week in August. When Piechowski read the announcement of the campaign in a newsletter from American Legion National Commander Bill Oxford, he immediately signed up and encouraged his friend and cycling partner, Weigend, to do the same.

“Any time I see an organization helping our fellow veterans, I'm interested in how I can help their cause,” said Piechowski, who has been a member of Post 486 in Jackson, Wis., for 19 years. “When I read that this fundraiser was focused on helping veterans and their families in financial crisis and supporting service offices, I felt like it was a no brainer.”

Weigend, a civilian, quickly signed up. The pair started their journey on Aug. 4 and finished the 223-mile ride on Aug. 7, becoming among the first participants to finish the 100-mile challenge.

The 100 Miles for Hope challenges American Legion Family members and supporters to bike, walk, run, swim, ride a motorcycle or cover 100 miles in just about way any possible in the 100 days concluding on Veterans Day. To join in, go to Emblem Sales and register.

For the $30 registration fee, participants receive a shirt (men’s, women’s and children’s sizes available) and a sign, as well as a link to download and print a certificate of completion at the conclusion. Please refer to Emblem Sales to learn when to expect the welcome kits to be shipped. About half of the fee goes to the V&CF, after figuring in costs for production and shipping.

Not only does the V&CF benefit, so do those who participate in the physical activity.

Piechowski, who has been cycling for about a dozen years, is aiming to hit 2,000 miles during 2020. “It has become a great outlet to disconnect from work and get better focus,” he said. “Especially now that I'm working from home full time, biking has been a great way to decompress. Physically, I am in the best shape I've been since I got out of the Army in 1990.”

He has come a long way since going out with a ride with his son.

“Shortly after starting to ride many years ago, I tried a seven-mile ride with my teenage son,” said Piechowski, who is the membership co-coordinator at his post. “For him, seven miles was nothing. For me, it felt virtually impossible. At that time, I was 65 pounds heavier and out of shape. He literally had to cheer me on the last two miles to get us home. That year, I probably rode a total of 70 miles. This year, I rode 70 miles in one day.”

He offers a message of encouragement to other Legionnaires to get them started.

“It's never too late to start riding, walking, running, or whatever gets you up and moving,” he said. “Even if you think you can't do it, you can. If I could go from struggling to ride seven miles to riding 2,000 in a season, anyone can.”

All it takes is one ride, Piechowski says.

“Take a ride - just one ride. Find flat ground so that you don't have to climb a hill. Rail trails around the U.S. are great places to start. Then ride. Maybe two miles, maybe four. Your butt will hurt. But trust me, that goes away as you continue to ride. Your legs will get stronger, your heart will get stronger. And soon you'll be able to ride longer and farther.”

Piechowski and Weigend started in Elroy, Wis., and took the Elroy-Sparta Trail to Sparta, then went to Lacrosse (54 miles on day one). Day two was the longest ride with just under 70 miles. On day three, they rode from Castville, Wis., to Galena, Ill. (just over 50 miles) and on the final day, they did a circular route around Galena, through Wisconsin and Illinois, at just under 50 miles.

Weigend is a civilian but supports veterans whenever he can. He says he is selective about what charities he supports but veterans causes are important to him.

“If it wasn’t for vets, I would not be able to have vacations like this,” he said. “Veterans help make the country that I live in and all the things I enjoy. I am eternally grateful for all the work that veterans do. Veterans causes are important to me. I have that gratitude because of what veterans have given me.”

  • Commander