The 77-Year-Old Breast Cancer Survivor Who Biked Across the Country

1 ^{of 10} 7:02 A.M.

Carol Zemola Garsee gets ready to head out for her last day of the cross-country bike ride. The team biked from San Julian, Calif., and covered approximately 70 miles to Dog Beach, San Diego. 

2 ^{of 10} 7:51 A.M.

Carol is all smiles as she rides from where the group camped in San Julian to their destination of Dog Beach, San Diego.

3 ^{of 10} 8:56 A.M.

Carol and the group of 13 seniors biked for 50 to 80 miles a day for 65 days. “You never know what you can do unless you try,” Carol told Guideposts.

4 ^{of 10} 9:12 A.M.

Resting en route. Carol enjoys a cup of ice cream, one of the many highlights of her trip. The group enjoyed Mardi Gras celebrations in Alabama and sang “America the Beatiful on the Road.” Carol also got a chance to visit relatives in Arizona. 

5 ^{of 10} 11:00 A.M.

After a quick water break, the group is ready to continue. Carol, who has been biking since childhood, said she often prays and talks to God during her rides.

6 ^{of 10} 3:29 P.M.

Carol hugs one of her team members after arriving in San Diego.

7 ^{of 10} 3:34 P.M.

Carol runs with her bike toward Dog Beach to dip her wheels in the Pacific Ocean. She said nothing beats that feeling of arriving at the beach, after riding 2,676 miles across eight states. 

8 ^{of 10} 3:36 P.M.

All finished after dipping her bike into the Pacific Ocean. Carol biked 200 miles a week in her hometown of Chicago to train for the ride. She also biked the northern border of the country in 2006, raising money for several organizations, including breast cancer charities. 

9 ^{of 10} 3:37 P.M.

Finally! Carol said earlier in the race, she didn’t know if she had the stamina for the whole trip, but that after Mile 1,000, she knew it was a done deal. “It has to be slow and fun,” she said. “If it’s not fun, you’re not going to want to do it.” 

10 ^{of 10} 3:42 P.M.

Enjoying a ride along Dog Beach in San Diego. 

Read Carol’s inspiring story from the August 2019 issue of Guideposts!