Your donations are making a difference!  More patients at the Mbingo Hospital now have pure water thanks to your donations through the Pure Water Ride.  A recent update from Cameroon, Africa tells of an upgrade to the Mbingo Hospital water system that you helped to pay for.  The new system has added a significant capacity to the overburdened supply, but has failed to deliver the design goal of 195,000 liters per day, due partly to organic contamination, and partly to filters which are not performing as the manufacturer claimed.  A new type of filter is being considered.

Current capacity is about 30,000 liters per day.  Though falling well short of the design, the new system is supplying much needed water to the hospital during the dry season, when the wells that normally supply the hospital dry up.  For those who would like to read the entire report by Tom Schotanus, send me an email and I will email it to you.  I may be able to post a link later.

Pure Water Ride 2013

The 2013 Pure Water Ride is underway.  Check this blog from time to time during the summer for new posts, or re-visit previous year's rides-there are now several pages of pictures and reports to enjoy! 

Thanks to the support of people just like you, the Pure Water Ride has been successful in raising the health and quality of life for many people through efficient water filters and protected wells.  Please consider a donation.  Every donation is a gift toward life and health.

Day 3 - Manchester by the Sea - 25 bicycle miles

Gordz showing off his Pirate's grin at Singing Beach, Manchester

Singing Beach was surprisingly quiet (and nice)

A cruise ship entering Gloucester harbor? Seemed out of place in this fishing town.

At Gloucester, we saw this 'ElliptiGO' bicycle (foreground).  The rider stands up-almost like running-on this elliptical powered bike.   Later, as we were riding over to Essex, the dude blew by us!  It works!

Gordz had taken a kayak out to an island (behind him) in Gloucester another day

 If you've ever had their fried clams, you know why the sun rises and sets on Woodman's in Essex.  And the  delicious aroma wafted through the entire town!

 Too tired to even smile at the end of the day-the old man looks ready to collapse!

Day 2 - Litchfield, Maine - 18 bicycle miles

The Black Crow Bakery bakes really wicked good cookies and genuine wholesome breads.

Litchfielders don't just mosey around.  The town fathers had to post a speed limit on this ATM.

Litchfield is a tres avant-garde community where local artists display their creations for free.

Potter's field is in Litchfield, too.  (Well, Potters Brook...)

Welcome to Purgatory.  Last ride was in Satan's Kingdom.  What'd I do?

So far...Sooo Good.  Awesome ice cream and Litchfield's premier attraction!

The Country S ore does a really big business despite it's name.

People come from all around to Litchfield's own Tractor Mile!

Even the side roads in Litchfield are safe and well posted!

Day 1 Northfield, MA to Brattleboro, VT (and back)

July 11, 2012 - 50 miles by bicycle.

Our ride began in Northfield through landscapes like this

We saw a few Budda statues like this one 

The Blueberry Haus's blueberry-banana smoothies were awesome!

We officially entered Satan's Kingdom after crossing the Connecticut River

Gordon staying connected.  It was hot!

VBS at the Blueberry Haus.  The kids got an ice cream cone after.





Melchen road (to the left).   This one was a leg-breaker!

Chief Red Face demonstrates how not to wear a helmet in front of Round Top mountain, the highest point in Brattleboro.

Gordz by the Vermont Yankee exit.  What we got to see of Vermont Yankee
was awesome, even though it was only the giant steam plumes
shooting skyward above the surrounding trees!

The water lilys were an attractive veneer for  this
dark and swampy pond in Satan's Kingdom.

The Vernon Dam on the Connecticut is massive.  There is a hydro-electric plant
 (to the left) and a fish ladder.

We rode through scenery like this all day.

We got cold drinks at this Northfield store after the ride.
I was too tired to do anything but sit and read.  

Near the end of our ride, when we were the hottest and tiredest,
Gordz spotted this spring and pulled over to cool off.

2012 Pure Water Ride

The pure water ride asks for and needs your support to provide clean healthy drinking water for people who have only dirty, unhealthy water.  Please give what you can.  100% of your donation goes directly to the charities we support who will give you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.  We support charities who provide clean water in the Dominican Republic and in Cameroon, Africa.

The pure water ride is a 250-300 mile bike ride between Massachusetts and Canada, and is done a day at a time during the summer and fall months  Some by bicycle, and some by motorcycle. The Pure Water Ride gladly accepts donations at any time.  Or you may make a pledge for so much per mile-whatever you decide.  To pledge, send an email to: purewaterride@msn.com.  We will post miles total miles covered with each day's report.  Whether you donate now or later you will be helping people to avoid disease and to enjoy good health through healthy water!

Thank you!

Day 5

This barn was storing up heat for the coming Winter.
The road over Mount Hunger was not thirsty.
These birches chose a place with a view.
The first and only flat tire ever on the Pure Water Ride.
Note the high water mark on this road-side house and new gravel foundation. Incredible rains during hurricane Irene caused a local stream far below to swamp this house. This grateful homeowner posted a thank you sign to everyone in the community that helped to salvage their home.
Do I look exhausted? For some reason, my energy level was at a record low that day. It was unseasonably warm. I should have worn shorts. After 18 miles, I called it quits.
The leaves on this seldom traveled road rested undisturbed.
Closed for the season, this park offered a good place to leave the truck.