Two months... reflections

Well this weekend I realized it had been two months since Erik and I finished our biking adventure. Our lives have crept back into breakneck routines and the easy days of 70 miles are behind us, but I thought that I would tell you a few things we have done.

First off... I just got my bicycle fixed! Yes the cracked wheel took almost two months to sort out. Needless to say Bikeline and I have become quite close... As I was riding to my studio this morning, I thought maybe I will perform a smudge to clear out any residule mojo and make it all new again.

Two weekends ago Erik and I did a bike ride in Wilmington. It was the return of professional bicycling in Wilmington and they were trying to break a world record. So Erik, Mercedes, Sofia and Precillia Rakestraw and I adorned ourselves with Pink BreastCancer coalition shirts and did the 2.1 miles. Erik had brought some water he had frozen from the cookie lady's house and we all drank some to lift our energy, luck and spirits. I signed us up as a team and wouldnt you know it we were called to the start line first. This ment that we were the first to talk with the press! When they asked our names I said forget us! we are with the delaware breast coalition and that is all you need to know! Well we had fun. We did not break any speed records, but we all made the finish line. I joked with the several reporters who found out that Erik and I had ridden across the country, that we had ridden 3,700 miles as our training for this. I never saw if we made the news, but hopefully Precillia go some good press.

This past weekend I did a sweat lodge with a few friends of mine. They had allowed me to sweat with them before I took the trip and this was a post trip celebration/what the hell is next, kind of thing. As I was packing my towels and things I could not find an empty back pack. so I went to the basement and pulled out a small overnight bag... Well when I opened it, there was a business card from June Curry.... yep some of you may have guessed it... the cookie lady! Well I figured she needed me to find the card, so I brough her into the sweat with me. I also thanked the many others who's generocity and spirit had helped Erik and I accomplish our ride. So hopefully it will bring good things to you all.

the 28th of September is bike to the bay. Both here in Delaware and in New Jersey. I havent signed up for either, but I still may... so expect me to hit you all up for money if I choose it.

I still havent retreived all of my pictures from my camera and I havent listened to the tape recording I made, but eventually I'll get to it... (nor have I fully unpacked at home... sorry Mercedes) So keep a look out for updates.

Thank you all again for all of your support. If something pops into your head about the trip... ASK! and hopefully this will not be the end.

Much love

T

PS ask me about Sofia and my amazing adventure!

I'm still trying to post pictures

here is one ...

cracked wheels

So I get my bike back from the bike shop last night and they tell me that the reason I was getting so many flats in the end of the trip was because the spokes were pulling through and had actually cracked the wheel! Yes the wheel was cracked in several places...

So I wanted to update my repair list. a new wheel is in order... (I still rode the bike last night for a small ride... I crave the exercize!)

So here is the equipment that needed repair on my bike during the whole trip and in my return...

8 inner tubes (all the back wheel)

spoke tape was replaced on the back wheel

2 chains one in Pueblo, CO and the second once home

5 tune ups... the one in pueblo was the best... they pulled off the sprokets on the wheel and the cranks and cleaned the bike up all for $19! most of the others just checked the bike and wiped the chain off...

The airline bent the post that holds my front break on, but they were able to bend it back... ( a scary proposition for a custom welded fork!)

I already mentioned in a previous post my displeasure with my NIKE shoes... grrrrrrrrrrr!

Things of note.... I did not need to replace the break pads on the bike... (maybe I am too much of a dare devil on the down hills)

Again... ask questions... it helps with the memory

and I'm sorry about the pics... they are going up soon!

much love
t

Brooksie's question

First off. Brooksie, thank you so much for all of your support. You have been a mainstay and wonderful source of support for me during and now after the trip. Thank you, thank you, Thank you.

As far as total lbs I am guessing I have lost 50 lbs. It has not just been the weight loss, but a re distribution of the weight. My waist is much smaller. my thighs and hips are tiny. My calves are huge compared, but are about the same size as before. I am not ripped by any stretch of the imagination, but part of it is that it will take quite some time for my body to absorb the extra skin and stuff... ick that sounds so gross, but I am guessing its true.

I am hoping to get pictures up on another source so everyone can see them all. Blog spot has limited bandwith for pictures... maybe later today if it keeps raining here in the poconos.

I would love to do this trip again. I think there is a way to attach a bike to mine so Sofia can ride with me and then have Mercedes ride solo... or maybe a tandem built for three? But yes... it is my hope to do this again. I was also thinking of crossing europe. They are well suited for touring by bike. So do you and Stewart want to join me or us?

I am hoping to paint alot. I am also hoping to work on marketing my work a little more. I have had this question posed by more than a few people and I thought maybe I am supposed to do something big for an encore... like take on world peace or cure cancer... but for right now... I'm just going to be an artist, a father and friend... If you have any suggestions... let me know.

My beard is not very long... mercedes says three inches, but how do you measure that sort of thing. It is dark red with two patches of gray. They are in two patches that make them look like I have white horns from my chin. My hair is long and wavy... So I look like I just came from the mountian. (or 3700 miles on a bike if you will.)


Liz... I have tons of info on gear if you want... I am not sure what interests you... so either e-mail me or write your interests here.

Thank you again Brooksie and everyone who wrote. I will be posting pictures soon.

Much love
t

equipment on the trip

several stats for those who like these things...

I wore only one pair of socks to pedal in the whole trip. They are still in great shape. The Earth,Wind, Rider people gave me a pair and told me they would be my favorite sock ever and maybe I wont go that far, but they sure held up... and btw I washed them out almost every night... for those who were worried.

I did not use several items I brought, like bike tools and extra bungee chords, but I would say my list was kind of spartan, but I didnt miss anything. (except my bed) I would have brought a smaller sleeping bag for after the rockes if I had thought of it, but the extra weight just made me stronger.

My bike: what can I say... for what I paid for it... it was perfect. The tires Bruce Gordon sent with it were dry rotted and needed to be replaced in telluride, and I replaced the chain as a precaution, but the bike worked flawlessly. It needed very little maintence. I would suggest this kind of bike to any one considering the trip.

The Brooks Saddle: if you get one. Expect it to take a while to break in... or maybe your bottom to break in. (I'm not sure which it was in my case) the springs on the seat were invaluable... I was very satisfied. Again... buy it early and ride with it as much as you can before you take off for a cross country trip.

The Gordon bags and racks: they worked great. One of my pannier bag developed a rip along the way, but I am not sure if that was user error or poor materials... I am guessing it was my fault...

My clothes: I wore a long sleeved wool sweater by EWR for the whole trip. I brought two and washed one and wore the other every day. Not only did it save my skin from sun damage, save money on sunblock, but it provided a steady tempurature whether it was 19 degrees at the top of Monarch Pass in CO or 100 in the humids sections of Virginia. When I was hot it got wet from sweat, but the wind that was genenrated by riding at ten miles and hour+ gave me a cooling effect that made it feel nice. OK it was 100 degrees and it would have been hot no matter if I were naked or in my sweater, but the wool gave me the sensation that I was cool... That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I brought three bike shorts with me... I basically used two. The third was a cheap pair and mas kind of uncomfortable so I kept it to wear while I washed the other clothes at the laundromat.

Bike gloves: they didnt do squat, but make my hands smell and polish my palms to a shiny leather look. I bought an expensive pair in Missouri and they promptly fell apart. My hands still got numb from the hours of riding huntched over. so wear them to save your bar tape from smelling too.

My nike SPD shoes... besides being very comfortable... NIKE sucks... my shoes started to fall apart the first week and after several e-mails to NIKE they informed me that they were doing nothing to help me and that I was SOL... the good thing is that they held up long enough to finish the ride, but I will never buy another NIKE product if I can help it!

what else? ask away.

much love
t

Some reflections

OK 3,700 miles was a lot of pedaling... a plane would have been much faster.

the trip was filled with so many amazing stories. I will try to remember and post them as they come to me. One of my favorite examples of "its a small world" was the houston Hotel. Eya, who is one of the hotel's owners, used to live in Delaware County PA. She graduated from a local highschool and knew many of the people I grew up with in Valley forge. We frequented many of the same places as a kid and as an adult growing up on the main line. But here is a freaky small world happening...

she was given up for adoption as a baby. She had recently met her biological father for the first time... (last year) she had gone and visited him at his home in.... yep lake naomi in the poconos. I have been playing golf with him for years in the Friday men's league here in our pocono house development!

so how weird is that? I ride all the way across to Houston, Missouri and meet someone like that.

Several people have asked me how much weight I lost... well I have no idea the number of lbs, but I lost six pants sizes and two shirt sizes.

I hope as you have questions you ask.... It will help me remember and stay focused...

much love
t

So it took 70 days

Today was a bittersweet day. I finished the ride in Yorktown around 5pm. Mercedes and Sofia drove down Wednesday to cheer me on for my last ride Thursday... I rode in from Ashland to Williamsburg by noon and we spent the day walking around colonial Williamsburg... then it was time. Time for me to finish what I started. I had received several congratulatory calls already and the last few miles seemed all but academic... Well they were some of the hardest thirteen miles of the trip. Not because of the terrain. in fact it was down hill most of the way, but because it was the end.

I will post more later today or maybe even over the next few days, but I made it!

Thank you all. Thank you for your love and support and most of all thank you all for being in my heart and head over these past 70 days. You should be proud of yourselves... you worked hard for me on my trip.

Anyway...

It will be my pillow tonight.

Much love
t

Blackberg, VA today... Cookie lady on Monday...

So the double riding days accomplished two things... The first was I did big miles and with the help of several nice gas station attendants I was able to advoid several big hills by riding some major roads at night...

The second is the body needs rest... So today no evening ride planned. I will ride on another ten miles to an off route motel, but the craziness is over.

So it looks like thursday will be when I get to assateague island... So if any of you want to make the trip...? I think it will be early afternoon at the latest. Call me or write me if you need an update?

Anyway...

I'm off to finish this day.

Much love
T

Gay's Creek post office hatched a new idea

So I was sitting in the Gay's Creek post office this morning with bike problems and the idea came to me... I'm not very tired any more, nor very hungry... I prefer to ride in the morning when it's cool and then it came to me... bike 14 hours a day and rest 10! I get up and ride at 6 am until 1pm and then sleep or rest until 6pm and then ride until 1am... I figured if I can get 100 to 140 miles in a day I can make it home sometime early next week. I am in Hazard to get out of the rain and then I'm off this evening to try this crazy idea... Who knows I may even like it.

Kentucky has been tough... Rain today made it scary, but it cooled things off... My goal is to get to Damascus, VA tommorow evening/morning if I can. Well I have to rest or this will never work.

Much love all.
t

Bardstown, KY

Kentucky has been quite nice. Lots of little towns and rolling hills. The heat seems to have broken today and I am looking forward to the ride in the coolness. I wish I had more exciting things to report... like the otters and the birthplace of Lincoln, but who the heck wants to hear about that?

The trip is winding down... The approach to assateague is getting closer and closer. It is my hope to see lots of you as I push my bicycle down the beach and finish this adventure.

I will keep you all informed as the date gets closer so you can start planning... Hint... think two weeks or maybe a little less.

Kentucky for a few more days... we hope

Well it has been a while, but we are safe and sound. We made it out of Missouri, through Illinois and are now into Kentucky! Yes we skipped a whole state of blogging. Illinois was the friendliest state in that we were given places to stay every night in the state, but the worst for Internet in that they wanted $5 per hour for access.

It is hard to remember all of the places and names, but out of Houston we rode through the hills of the ozarks and saw lots of historical places... from the bike. You get so focused that you often miss out on sights that you might stop at in the car, but then again you see places in a way you can't in a car. We camped in several national and state parks. We got our first significant rain while riding. We ate great BBQ and sat in a river, under a bridge while it poured around us. Missouri was fun.

Illinois was great too. You could feel the difference in culture right away. The history of who settled what and where shaped that. We cruised across the Mississippi into Illinois and made our first stop the 17th street grill in Murphysville. They have won national championships for BBQ a few times and I could see why. We met a very nice man at the grill who asked us to join him for some conversation... Well several hours later we were sleeping in his parents house in town. it was a nice blessing.

The next day we made it like 45 miles when the sky opened up. We were lucky in that we were sitting in a cafe eating lunch. A local man named John sat with us for a while and discussed our trip... little did we know that several hours later we were still pinned down by the weather and john came to our rescue. We had a blast with him. He is a very interesting man who I think enjoyed us as much as we did him. Well he drove us back to the spot where we last had pedaled from and off we went for Kentucky.

We got the river ferry last night and cruised into Kentucky like two guys who have almost 3000 miles under their feet. (maybe because we do!)

Thank you all for the comments and well wishes. Keep them coming they help.

Houston was a blast

So after repeating the six miles out of Marshfield, we pedaled off to Houston, MO... The ride was awesome in that just when the Gatorade or water ran out a gas station appeared. It was blazing hot with hell like humidity, but it didn't seem to be a bother. Missouri has hills. They require you to think and stay on the gears. Nothing yet like the rockies, nevada, california or Utah!, but still there and still requiring the legs to work.

Well last night as we pulled in to Houston we had heard of a must stop at the Houston Hotel... The Owners are PonyBoy and Eya... We had been hearing about them since Kansas... so we made a direct course for the hotel...

Well as it has been the whole trip our luck worked its mojo. There were 14 or so riders all about to sit down for dinner in the front lawn of the hotel... We were greeted with a huge cheer and then handed a bottle of water (beer for Erik) and asked to join them...

They place was a lot of fun... lots of conversations about how hard the east was and we shared how hard the west will be for them... needless to say, we had a blast and will remember Houston for a long time...

Oh and btw... Eya is from Delaware county and knew lots of Conestoga people... how crazy to be in Houston, MO and meet someone who grew up travelling though Wayne and KofP? crazy...

Well to day we are off and hopefully we will be telling you about the BBQ in emminance!

Much love
t

Tough time leaving the Plaza Motel

Well today is our second attempt to leave Marshfield. Yesterday we were about six or so miles out of town, on our way to Houston, when Erik's chain snapped again. We were some fortunate pups... After sorting out that the operator had given us numbers to bike shops in Springfield, Ill instead of Missouri... We were picked up by the Sunshine Bike shop in Springfield, MO... Kay the owner was the perfect hostess. She fed us, gave us gatorade and had her efficent staff fix our bikes... And then Kay drove us back to our home away from home at the Plaza in Marshfield!

We also would like to thank the #2 fire house for giving us dinner. One of Kay's people made a few calls and we were all hooked up. the food was almost as good as the stories and company.

So today we are off to Houston... MO! We are rested... well as much as a half day in Springfield could offer and raring to ride home... (Hopefully before the 12th)

I guess I am sounding like a broken record, but it is the people that we meet that have made this trip amazing. The land is spectacular, but it is the generocity and friendlyness that makes it worth the ride. Everyday is an adventure and a new person to meet.

Good luck to Allison and the group she is riding with... I will try to make links when I have a few more minutes at the computer. (So jonathan... get your Yahoo map going again... the people miss it... I miss it)

Much love
t

Marshfield, MO

So here we are in Webster County... Missouri has been blessed with hills... not the kind that are kind to bikers, but hills that require you to be fast on the gears... its 30 seconds down... and then two minutes up and then down then up then down and then up.... over and over in a mind numbing repitition...

Last night we got into camp around 7ish... there were 12 riders from univ. of Illinois there in town riding to LA... They are riding with van support... that is good for them, becasue the section of the western express they are taking will be brutal in the July heat.

It is Erik's goal to make it home in time for the 12th... So if you are thinking of meeting us at the atlantic to see us finish... get your travel plans started... We still have Ill and Kentucky and Virginia left... oh yea and the rest of Missouri.

We still havent decided to take Chrissy's plan or Jerry's plan or the Trns Am maps to the sea, but I recon we will have to decide in the next few days... or weeks as it were.

Well off to find a place to sleep for the night and something to eat...

Much love
t

ps someone call dad and tell them we passed the sign for rt 44 to Rolla!

Golden City, MO

Last night we decided we needed one more day in Kansas so we stopped in the home of the Pittsburgh State University... Pittsburgh Kansas that was.

We have met many west bound bikers the last few days... Many of them are 26 days out from Virginia! so.... maybe we are less than a month away from home! Wow that would be a treat!

Kansas was a great state... flat and warm... not to much rain, not to much wind, not to much of anything... except nice people... Well not to much, but just enough... Like the guy who, told us a story about how, when he was born, the only incubator available was one for raising chickens... and being the youngest of four he was teased into not liking eggs for fear of eating a brethren... or the small cafe that was closing, but kept open to feed us... we got fed! it was a good thing we liked everything they fed us, but that is just how it is...

So far MO has been pretty much the same, except Cooky's cafe was closed... we have been hearing about it for days and now its closed...

Well we are off to the grocery to find some lunch and then... well does it really matter? the important point is, it is a few more mile closer to home.

Thank you all for the well wishes for my birthday... I got lots of great calls and Father's day was great too...

Much love all and keep the comments coming.

Almost out of Kansas

Well Kansas has been good to us... Last night we stayed in a city park... the weather held and we slept like babies... The night before we stayed at Jerry and Shirley Smiths... they are an amazing cycling couple... He has done over 200k miles in his bicycling career and she has done a lot with him. They fed us and washed our clothes and sent us on our way... thank you for the hospitality and the prayers.

Well today I was awakened by a rousing rendition of HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! yes 41 years young today... I am not sure how I will celebrate it today, but I bet there will be some pedaling involved... same with tomorrow and Father's Day... I bet pedaling will be involved... maybe a new state tomorrow!!! now that would be a great gift...

Well we have blown way past the half way mark... We are around 2000 miles and are blasting towards home... I have been instructed that I am to keep the playoff beard and not cut my hair until we roll into Wilmington... I am sure it will be a sight!

Jennifer... the bracelet is fine... I currently have it tucked in my bag for safe keeping... it would rot off if I didn't the sun screen has that effect on rubber. I look at it every night and think of why we ride almost hourly.

Well keep the comments coming... keep the questions and suggestions going... We love it and excitedly check the blog when ever we get a chance.

Much love all
t

Kansas is a blur...

I'm not sure if it is the heat that has melted my brain, the wind that blows in my ears to the point where I can't hear or the sameness of the terrain? Don't get me wrong... Kansas has been beautiful and it is the first state where we have seen a concentration of CC bikers. Everyone of them are going the other way. So we have been swapping intel about where to stay etc... (the road is washed away in front of us, but some industrious bicyclist have erected a temporary path across)

Today looks like we will get some rain... It has been raining constantly in Kansas since we have crossed the border, but just not on us... So maybe today we get wet? I'm betting not, but that is up to mother nature. (I spoke to soon. The rain started to pour on our bikes as we were sitting here)

We are fast approaching the 2000 mile mark. We met a man who has ridden 140,000 miles and has been on the road for the past 20 year. He is a comedian and gives concerts to pay for his riding and homelessness.

I think the name of the town in Lerned, KS that we are in... Most are small towns, farming towns with a giant silo and lots of farm equipment. Sometimes they have giant feeding stations for the cows... (soon to be beef) The smell and the bugs are awful... actually amazingly awful!

Well much love from the road...
t

Brooksie... The only nut I have missing is the the coconut rattling around my head... I must be crazy!

Jim... Pull out the maps and pick a place... KS is not a place to visit, but I am guessing the further east we go the better... More mishief opportunity...

So good by Colorado, hello Kansas

Well it has been since Pueblo since I posted last... We stayed at a wonderful woman's house in Ordway, CO. She opens her house to distance bikers every year. Last year she had 83 bikers. I would recommend he hospitality to anyone going her way. She is on west 9th street... ask me for details... my e-mail is on my profile here.

Then next day we made it to Eads, CO... we were able to stay just in front of a rain front all day and pulled into town on the heals of a major wind storm... The topography is flat... well compared to delaware it is hilly, but the hills are miles up and then down... never getting more than a few feet in elevation difference. So not climbing or no coasting either.

Yesterday we made it to state number five. Kansas... Also we made it to another time zone... We are in central time zone... only one more to go! We camped out in the town park of Leoni, KS... it was a nice park with a pool that was closed to us...

The comments are slowing and so is the pace of my posts... Hopefully when we get closer to home it picks up!

Today we have done 25 miles so far... it looks like we might make 90 today...? The weather permitting.

Thank you jim for the post... It was a great time that weekend. It meant a lot to us... Hopefully it was fun for you too... (I know it was!)

Tell me if you have any questions out there... keep the comments flowing. It makes us fly to know you all are watching!

Much love
T

The Scariest Dudes of All Time

Having finally mastered this fakakkida posting-pictures- to-the-blog thing, I present to you recent photos of Tom & Erik, taken late one evening around the campfire outside a cabin where we spent the night near Gunnison, CO. Can you hear them singing Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song"? These photos were taken shortly before we agreed that it would be entertaining to blow bourbon onto the fire from our mouths. Above you can see the (expensive) bourbon "bloom" erupting from Erik's mouth a split second before it "fwooofed" into a fireball. More fun (and safer) than it looks, I assure you.

In the picture at top left, Tom has his Rocky Mountain Elf groove goin' on. Not sure exactly what that look is about, but we can agree he looks suitably devilish for the circumstances. Thinner too, eh?

More photos coming in the next post. Keep on bikin', boys.

--Jim

Another Mile Stone... onto the flat portion of the show

So yesterday we left Cotopaxi, knowing that we would be leaving our beloved Rockies. We also knew that it would be the end of the Western Express portion of our trip. I was left a little teary and sad, but the promise of the transamerica is looming.

We met several cross country bikers yesterday on our way into Pueblo. One couple were raising money for bikes for Africa and another was crocheting hats to support his year long tour of the country. I had no idea of the bicycle culture and how much people are seeking adventure... well let me tell you bicycle touring is an adventure.

Last night as we pulled into town a truck pulled us over and a couple offered us their back yard to camp. Dennis had done a fair amount of long distance touring and knew the value of his offer. They opened up their yard, as well as their shower.... It was nice knowing we had a soft place to sleep.

We went to a kind of fancy restaurant, looking like hardened bikers, and ate a celebratory dinner and then hit the sack.

I don't quite know how to say it, but the kindness and support that we have received so far has been touching and has changed me inside, I'm sure. I miss home tons, but I miss riding even the few short minutes I have been sitting here keeping you all updated. So thank you. thank you to all who have wished us well and have offered us help and encouragement. I am hoping I am living up to your expectations.

Much love
T

'Playoff Beard" at westcliffe, CO

That is a great description Peter! yes that is what it is... a playoff beard!

Well Colorado is having a huge wind storm right now and the pedaling is kind of tough. We made it into Cotopaxi last night and choose a room at the KOA vs a tent site due to the 60 mile an hour gusts. There were 90 mile an hour gusts up at monarch and it was 19 degrees only a few hours after we summited... The boy scouts who were staying at the KOA had their tents destroyed by the wind and falling debris. The wind caused lots of the rocks on the cliffs that line the highway we were travelling to fall. fortunately not on us!

today we are trying to go the 75 or so miles into pueblo... we still have about half of the 45 miles up hill climb left to go to today and then the long cruise down into the plains... (with the wind's permission....)

I am hoping to get a tune up on my bike in pueblo to be set for the long haul across the rest of the country. Erik and I are working on sails to assist us across. i have a huge sheet of Tyvek, and hopefully we can fashion something safe enough to assist us with the 2200 miles we have left.

thank you all for the comments.

much love
T

As the water does, so do we...

We made it! We are over the rockies... Well we haven't made it into Pueblo yet, but we are close! Last night we stayed in the beautiful and scenic town of Sargents CO. We camped in a cabin at the base of Monarch pass at the only building in town... or so it seemed.

Sargents actually ended up being fun. We met a family driving from Denver to Telluride and were staying at the half way point. (Don't worry we wont forget you!) I was thinking we would get to bed early and then hit the road at the crack of dawn... well the last half came true. We sat up late talking and I think some mischief occured... (wait until I get the photos downloaded)

Well at 5:15am Erik popped up and was ready to go... (Maybe he was concerned the owners might see the handy work?) By 5:30 we were climbing the ten miles and almost 2,500 vertical feet to the pass. Around 8:30 I was jumping up and down at the summit. Not because of the accomplishment, but because it was soooooooo cold... OK I was a little over joyed, but who wouldn't be?

After the summit we coasted for about 20 some odd miles and ate breakfast in the town of Selada... After we were hit smack in the face with 40-50+ mile an hour winds! It was the longest and hardest 45 miles I have ever pedaled... down hill that is...

Tomorrow we are going to attempt to make it to Pueblo... wind willing.

Happy Birthday Michael! I wont say how old... but it is a biggie!

Much love and keep the comments coming!

T

Rolling on and soon to be over.

Today Erik and I were saddened to see Jim go. I think he got enough pictures and video to make a short documentary. I am hoping he got enough... of what ever he needed, while with us...to feed his soul for a while.

Colorado has been magical. The amazing natural beauty, the fun, the gentle incline of the hills... Don't get me wrong... the miles have been tough, but for some reason Colorado makes them all feel ok.

We made into Gunnison today. The skies threatened, but with a little patience we have seemingly avoided the rain... for now. Erik is at the bike shop getting a tune up. I am hoping to wait until Pueblo (in three days) Today's ride followed a river and crossed a beautiful lake/reservoir. We met Jim at the top of one of the passes and sat and had lunch looking at the valley below and the Elk in the distance.

I'm a good tired right now, but that leaves me short for words... know that I have been thinking of you all and that it makes me smile...

Much love
T

In the clothing optional hot springs with Little Debbie

Before you go blaming him for this posting, I should tell you that this is NOT Tom writing. Nor is it Erik. Nor is it any of the local talent we met in the clothing optional hot springs in Ridgway, Colorado last night. But then that's another story.

No folks, the truth is, this is Jim Donahue doing the guest blogger today. I just happened to be cruising down Highway 50 out of Grand Junction last Friday night and who should I run into but Tom and Erik on their cute little bikes. And it's a good thing I spotted them when I did because the scenery out here is so fantastic that anyone could be forgiven for driving past a train wreck! The purple mountains majesty are definitely all that. Actually they're snow-capped mountains, and I'm talking lots of it too.

But I digress. First, here's your on-the-spot report on Tom and Erik: they both look fantastic, somewhat slimmer, definitely hairier, and lving large in the U.S. of A. They are in GREAT spirits and quite obviously having the time of their lives. They're a little unhappy with their forward momentum to date--not covering as many miles each day as they'd like--but if you could see the size of these hills you'd understand. Frankly, I think it's amazing they've come this far this fast.

They press on toward very definite goals each day, usually 40-60 miles depending on terrain, and are normally setting up camp or tucking in to some roadside motel around 5 or 6. How to describe living conditions? Let's see: think of a frat house without the house.

Last night was so beautiful that we literally slept under the stars. We set up the tent because it looked like it might rain, but we ended up around a campfire with the full moon shining. We laughed ourselves stupid making up a new game that we haven't quite named yet but which we will be patenting and selling to Parker Brothers (or maybe MTV) in the next few months, so keep your eyes open. There are many variations, but the main theme is to come up with oddly juxtaposed pairings. Like: timid bookeepers and drunken archers. Endlessly entertaining and highly adaptable to all sorts of variations. Food marketing spokescharacters were another topic. Imagine Little Debbie in a switchblade fight with the Pillsbury Dough Boy. The funniest part is to wait until everyone is almost asleep and then blurt out a new pairing. Hilarious.

If Tom and Erik are having as much fun on this whole trip as I've had with them in the last three days, then we all have reason to be jealous. Everyone we meet is friendlier than the next person and they are all fascinated with the cross-country aspect of this effort. I will miss being with them when I return to Philly on Tuesday.

I have lots of pictures and video, so if you'd like to see them, give me a shout--or your email. I will be making a photo album for Mercedes--as soon as I finish the Costa Rica one.

Tom and Erik send their love and hugs to everyone ; if any of you would like me to hug you for them when I return, please call or write. I promise to shower first.

I'll try and squeeze in one more posting before I head home.
Best to all,
Jim

Telluride from Dolores

Well we had to stay in Dolores afterall. I got another flat and I was running out of day light and inner tubes so we camped along the Dolores River. It was beautiful. The almost full moon crested right over the mountain on the other side of the river. The river glowed in the moonlight. We had a camp fire and then rested for the hike up Lizzard Head.

Yesterday we enjoyed the gentile climb out of Dolores. We were saw that we were lucky not to have pushed on the night before as the place we had planned to stop was closed. We ate lunch almost at the top of the pass at Rico.

The climb was set in a wonderful valley that had the Dolores River running along our side, pretty much the whole trip. Erik and I both missed the climb on the map that was right after the summit and had to put our aching legs back into climbing gear.

Last night we stayed at a friend of a friend of Erik's. Walter and Erin were generous hosts. They gave us a condo to sleep in and fed us. I think it was the company that made the night.

Today we are stuck in Telluride waiting on my bike to be fixed and for Jim to fly in and follow us for a few day in a car. It will be nice to have some company from home.

So one Rocky mountain down... several more to go...

Much love
T

UPDATE: Chrissy Donahue was able to move mountains and got me my tires here, on time. It is a good thing, the bike shop told me that the tires I had on the bike were severely dry rotted and could have caused problems... whew! Besides that they made a few adjustments to Erik's bike and we should be good to go for a while. Jim is on his way and should arrive in Telluride late and tomorrow we should be off into the Rockies!

T

State # 4

Well I'm re-hydrated and back on the road. Yesterday we rode into Colorado and for a moment I shed a few tears for Utah. I figured I had left some blood and lots of sweat... maybe she needed some tears to make her whole? Well To re-cap Utah.

What a beautiful state. We saw it in a very intimate way. I would recommend Utah to anyone who wants to see natural beauty at it's best. I bet every season is unique and wonderful... but... do it via something motorized! Or at least have someone follow you with a cooler of Dr. Pepper and spicy pork rinds.

Colorado... What can I say. We have been watching the snow capped mountains grow each mile we pedal. Colorado is greener than Utah and a little cooler. The roads are a series of ups and downs. Rolling hills so far. Yesterday I got my second flat tire. I had a wire, that looked like it came from a truck tire, embedded in my back tire. I have worn the tread down to nothing, so I was convinced that it was a tire related flat, not a puncture. Thank goodness it was a simple wire. Well we stayed in Dove Creek in a hotel owned by a fiber artist. I was able to fix the flat and patch the two inner tubes for later use. (the second tube was from my flat into Blanding)I am going to replace my tires in Telluride.

Today we got to ride right in the middle of a cattle drive. They were pushing the "doggies" right up the middle of the road. I loved watching the expressions of the horses and the cows. They seemed to be spooked by these, funny new creatures. At one point I was put in between a calf and it's mother... Thank goodness I was able to scoot out of the way in time. I am not sure the mother was going to stop.

We have made it to Dolores. This was supposed to be our destination, but I think we may eat and then push on to camp out somewhere past town. We have a few big climbs before we reach the pass at Monarch... so send us your energy... We will need it.

Much love all and thank you for all of your e-mails and comments. They really do help and keep the home sickness at bay.

Much love
T&E

PS... for those of you who are counting... 1219.5 miles and counting

Blanding... Gateway to adventure

So hello everyone from Blanding Utah! I will be so glad to get out of Utah... Well except for what's waiting for us next! The Rockies...

Utah has been so amazing. It has to be the most diverse terrain in the world. We have been in alpine and aspens... to lunar surfaces.

We camped in Boulder Utah a few days ago out of Bryce. It had been a long day and all of the motels were way to expensive so we hunkered down in a camp that was right out of a horror movie. We actually did a smudge to clear all of the bad vibes there. There were animal skeletons and all sorts of weird remnants of previous campers. I think if I ever get back this way I will skip Boulder!

Then we went on to Luna Mesa... (I think the town has a different name) The luna was right out of the Capital Reef National park. The luna was a quirky place, where the owner mentioned that it was common to see UFO's there all the time.

Capital Reef.....GO THERE! yes GO THERE and fast... it was amazing. We were on Bicycles and I felt like we were rushed. 50 million years of earth history there. The rest of that days ride was nice too.

We travelled to Hite on lake powell next. Hite was listed as a resort, restaurant, etc... on our map, but instead it was a ranger station with a closed down gas station. I've been to lake powell... dont go to Hite. That days ride was filled with at least four different kinds of landscape. The desert flowers we in total bloom and were very colorful.

Yesterday we rode into the rest of glen canyon and the whites. I got severely dehydrated and had to call for help to get me into town. A nice couple from Colorado drove me into Blanding and I started drinking fluids... Erik made the impressive, aw-inspiring ride in the dark and met me there around eleven last night. What an animal! Today I am still pretty sick, so I apologize for the brevity and lack of passion for Utah. I may edit this later.

We both needed a zero day and hopefully I'll be ready to ride tomorrow.

Well keep the comments coming... We appreciate the love.

T

Escalante Dreaming

Yesterday, We mosied into Ruby's inn around 1:00... We knew it was going to be cold so we got a room at the inn and Erik un-loaded to BOB and rode off to Bryce for a little. I hunkered down for a nap. Red canyon was amazing as well as all of the wash land. The whole ride was nice as much of it was on bike trails

Well we woke up this morning... We knew it was going to be cold, but we didn't know it was supposed to snow! Yes it was a blizzard, almost white out conditions... well it seemed that way. We stayed indoors until 11:00 and then headed out for Escalante.

About ten or so Miles we met a fellow Cross Country Trekker. He had started a few day before us, but has taken several small trips with friends and his family. Len was welcomed company today and he is camping with us tonight.

As far as some of the questions... BROOKSIE!!!!! My Saddle is well broken in now, so some days I am a little more sore than others, but for the most part... Things there are fine.

The weather is going to start getting warmer, so I am looking forward to shedding the leggings and the parka. Brrrrrrrrrr.

Keep the comments coming and Don't forget to keep us in your prayers.

Much love
T

Panguitch was calling

Well today the graces were with us. We had amazing weather and luck. It started with the trip to the bike shop. Erik squeaked out with a $50 part and some labor. They were able to get it done by 11. We went into town searching for breakfast and a ride up the mountain when we lucked out on both. We met a policeman at the polaris dealership (yes that is where you go for rides up mountains in Utah... who knew?) He was coming back at 1:00 to pick up his ATV and offered to take us back to where we stopped Saturday night.

I went into town and bought a few things for loved ones and Erik went to the hardware to fix his BOB trailer... Well at 1:00 sharp we loaded our bikes onto the kind policeman's flat bed and drove up 25 minutes what took us 6 hours on Friday.

Filled with vitamin Dr. Pepper we rode off after many thanks and headed here to Panguitch. The ride was spectacular. We saw volcanic residue from millions of years ago (ok like I know how long ago?...) The ride was beyond words... we saw it all. The national forest is called Dixie... land of many uses... well that is a great description. Even the snow was pretty!

We stopped for a tasty Burger at the Burger Barn... Solid food has been making me feel sick, and this was no exception. It tasted great and I am sure was top quality, but my stomach can't stand solid food. We will keep you posted.

So another KOA tonight and then who the heck knows tomorrow? lol I think it is Bryce canyon or something like that... you know... more spectacular scenery... ho hum...

Really it is some of the most breathtaking natural land I have ever seen. I've been in Utah before, but never this way... Try it...

Keep the comments coming. They help us. Really.

Much love
T

Cedar Break we went bust!

OK! yesterday we climbed a little mountain out of Cedar City... 10,350ft! We stopped near the summit at a place called Cedar Break to see a national monument and then camp about a half mile down the hill... Well all day Erik's bike had been giving him trouble in the lower gears... Well as we started off the path onto the road away from the break, there was a loud bang and some clicks and clacks...

Erik's rear derailleur disintegrated and bent up his rear wheel a bit... Well what the heck do you do then? Well we started to talk to the people who were there to see this amazing place and some of them took in their hearts to help us. One nice family offered to pick us up this morning and drive us back down that mountain and bring us to the only bike shop for the next few hundred miles. So last night, we camped in the national park amongst the snow and the cliffs waiting until the morning.

So that is where we are. At the KOA, in Cedar City, waiting for the bike shops to open tomorrow (or today if we can enroll them in opening up for us) I have no idea how expensive this will be, but my hope is that after it's fixed some kind soul will drive us back up that 10k hill!

Much love all!
T

The hills got nothing!

Well we got stuck in Ely one more night. We stayed in the "El Rancho". We did civilized things liked wrote e-mails and saw Spiderman 3. Our bikes needed some serious cleaning and it took several hours by the bike shop mechanic. If you need work done on your bike get it done in Ely. Only 5 bucks! Well after our wonderful night at the El Rancho we pedaled off towards Baker and the State line. We got to Baker around 4. Baker is an old town along the pony express line. It is also the headquarters for the Great Basin National park... We camped on the lawn of the Silver Streak Hotel. We played cards and drank a few beers with a public defender from Illinois. Baker was filled with characters. It seems that most of these small towns, quality.... hmmm how to say this... relations are hard to fine. Not that Erik and I were made any offers..., but they sure like to talk about it alot. Not good for two men on the road for 60 days away from their wives?

BTW.... the picture is of ERIK!!!!!

We left Baker around 8 hoping to make it into Utah and then maybe even make it the 83 miles to Milford UT.... Well we made it to Garrison UT only a few minutes into the ride, but the strong winds in our faces made the possibility of 83 doubtful at best. The wind did keep the temp down, but the three huge mountains added to our dilemma. Do we go for it or not? So around 5:30 or so we had one more 7000 foot mountain to climb and about 40 miles to go... so we decided that it was worth the ride in the dark to make it into town. WE DID IT! at 8:30 we glided into Milford. It was dark, but the lights of the town guided us home for the night.

We ate at the all night diner and got a room at the adjacent hotel. The shades in the room were so good we slept in to 10:41! so here we are... riding along and are in the little horse town of Minersville... hoping to make it to Cedar City sometime tonight or early tomorrow.

A few questions answered: Yes I'm on the same socks. I did by a pair of socks to wear as my town socks. Going barefoot was keeping me out of the better establishments. We have been told we are insane by enough people that I am beginning to believe it.

So three states! Only a few minor physical anomalies... and close to our first 1000 miles since San Fran.

Hopefully all of you will spread the word of our trip. Hopefully it will continue to move you as much as your support has moved us... Thank you all.. we really do thrive on your support and love.

T&E

Thoughts from the road

Well Erik and I are in Ely Nevada. We will be crossing into Utah maybe tomorrow. We had hoped to make it today, but our bicycles needed some attention.

So let me re-cap the last few days. We made it into Austin, NV from Middlegate. The day was filled with a huge climb and long stretches of open valleys. We chose the more senic and more challenging alternate route and were given a scenery bonanza. Who knew that Nevada was so mountianous? we made it into Austin around 6.

Austin was where we took our first zero day. We hunkered down in a hotel and rested and rested and skipped meals becasue we were busy resting. lol

So after our rest day we took off for Eurika... We had more mountians and more valleys. You can really get the sense of the ocean that covered this area a few million years ago. The geology is amazing. There were a few ranches, but for most part it was devoid of people. (They don't call highway 50 the loneliest highway for nothing!)

The night was cold! we slept in a rest station on the side of the road. The only phone available was at the county jail so I called home from jail... kind of funny.

Yesterday we had four big climbs and four long downhills. We did big miles and made it into Ely. I am guessing we are either getting stronger or crazier. We covered more vertical feet yesterday than we did in four days in the sierra's. There is not much to report as far as things we saw other than nevada is: say it with me... big mountians and bigger valleys...

Today we have to get some work done on the bikes and then we are off to see how far we can get out of Ely tonight. My body is tired but seems to be holding up.

Why I called this thoughts from the road is that you spend a lot of time thinking while grinding out the miles. I asked Erik about it and he seems to be thinking about the future alot. I can get that, given what he has ahead of him when he gets back. As for me... Well I covered a lot of my past... I have replayed many good and not so good times with all of you... over and over. I have also thought a lot about the future present and the possibility it brings.

One of these days I will remember to bring my camera in with me and see if I can add photos. If there is anything you have questions about leave a comment or e-mail me.

lots of love to you all. I can feel your energy and it has really helped me cover all of these miles.

try: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100166537273525461929.000001126873bbd7261f1&om=1&ll=38.852542,-121.393433&spn=3.020056,5.141602&z=8

Middlegate Station

Well last night we did not make it to Fallon. We slept along the banks of a lake 20 miles out. It was beautiful! We had our Raman noodles up at the privy, becasue that is the only place that the wind was reasonable enough to use the stove. I fell asleep with the big dipper right over my head and the good soreness of a hard days work.

Today we got up at the crack of sunlight. We did over 20 miles before 8:00am! We had breakfast in Fallon and then tanked up and headed off into the Nevada back country. Well after more than 70 miles and several 1000 ft elevation climbs... we made it to Middlegate station... When I say one horse... I am being generous! It is a beautiful saloon and hotel. They have free internet... so that is why I have been able to update so soon.

I am hoping to enroll Erik to stop these 12 hour days!

I miss all of you soooooo much and I think of the ride into Wilmington often!

Much love
T & E

Carson City!

Well yesterday we summited the Sierra's and we made the white knuckle ride down into Nevada. So for those who were keeping track... Over 200 miles and now one state completed.

We left Folsom and into the mountians. We made the seven up ranch around 8pm. It was either poison oak on the left or $140 at the B&B on the right. We chose the right. Well they had pity on us bikers and let us use the room for the shower and the kitchen for cooking and let us set up the tent in a freshly mown lawn. It was heaven. They shared their dinner and cooked us breakfast. We left around nine and took off up into the mountian further.

We only made it to cook's station but luck was with us and we tented in the back of this rough biker bar. The diesel generator was loud but the big tree we slept under provided a nice soft bed.

We made it to silver lake the next day. Only 20 miles of grueling elevation. yes that is right 20 miles in 10 hours of pedaling. but we were rewarded with a waterfall and huge iron bear boxes. It was breathtaking, but my sore ankle kept me pedaling on one leg for the whole day.

That brings us to yesterday. We summited around 12. The weather was perfect. There was snow everywhere except the road so it was... well word escape me. We met a nice family who took pictures of us at the sign and hopefull merc will have them soon. My camera is not working and I have a B&W camera katie gave me so my photo ops have been limited.

Well my time is almost up here at the carson city library... so I'm off to fallon Nevada.

Much love all!

"so many miles to go Tom"

So it has begun! We made it to San Fran and with terror in my heart we started. We made it to the beach around 10am and dipped our tires in the ocean and then made our way out of town. I could tell you all of the amazing stories that we have already experienced in the three days... like having the police arrive at the camp site tazers drawn... to the hundreds of serendipitious things that have happened, but I will only bore you with that if you if you want?

Ok I'll bore you.

We made it out of San Francisco and did about 40 some odd miles. There were plenty of hills climbing out of the bay area, but they were all ok. We made it to the outskirts of Cordillia and decided to camp. The best we could come up with was the on ramp to I-80... (it was a cozy field with pine trees etc... Thats when the police showed up... Well needless to say it is illegal to sleep along the highway...after asking the police a few times what that meant... they just said it was illegal. It was a nice camp site. We ate cheese and salsa burritos and slept like babies.

Yesterday we rode almost 60 miles to Davis. California is so beautiful. They have it right with the bike trails everywhere and it seems it is required to have a really tricked out bike if you want to live in the region. It was almost demoralizing to be passed by so many riders, but when the guy with the two giant bags of empty tin cans buzzed by... Well lets say I almost quit... for like a second. Then a coyote ran by and it was all good. Lets just say the stories are endless... so I will stop on this day.

Today we rode into Sacramento around 10 and we were met by Katie... she hooked us up with breakfast and then a place to sleep tonight. For those who don't know who Katie is... she has posed for me and then moved to california via a few places along the way... The trails today were even more amazing if that is possible. We saw coyote, quail, blue birds, woodpeckers, tons of squirrels. I could keep going, but I might be here typing when I should be sleeping.

I spent hours thinking about all sorts of clever things to say. Profound things to say, but what do you say or what to you leave out? Maybe I'm exhausted and should start over in the morning....?

OK that is the gist of it... I think what I am saying is so far the road has been kind to us. We are being spirited on by love and it feels pretty amazing. There are so many thanks to be handed out so far, but I know they know who they are... and if not... thank you and I love you too.

The next few days we will be climbing around 8000 vertical feet and then coasting back down. I am choosing to think about the coasting part...

Thank you all again.

Much love

One week to go.

Well this is the one-week to go mark. We are bringing our bicycles, packed in boxes, with us on the plane. When we get to Oakland we will head out to San Fran and get our bikes re-constituted and then start the next day... so hopefully the back wheel dip will happen sometime on Wednesday the 2nd!

The bike repair shop is ready to receive our bikes and put them back together when we get to San Fran. I have offered to bring some liquid concentration to lubricate the process for a quick turn around time.

I wanted to thank all of you for the love and generosity that you have already bestowed upon me! It has been overwhelming at times, but always inspirational!

I am hoping it will never stop... I'll need it!

On a side note:

I am still deciding if I will be packing some pants to wear after biking. I am also rounding up some toiletries and a few other incidentals that I may need. I am guessing most of what I need, will be available on the road. (Yes socks might be available too!)

Oh and BTW if you are around this Friday night... stop by my house and wish Erik and I a bon voyage! We will be having hamburgers and a few beers.

Much love to you all and hopefully the next entry will be from San Fran and then on the road!

T

Here is my packing list (so far)

Equipment

Bruce Gordon Rock ‘n’ Road Tour Custom bicycle
Bruce Gordon pannier rack front & Back
Bruce Gordon Panniers front and back
Shimano Deore XT group 11-34 ratio
Shimano 959 SPD pedals
3 stainless King Kage water bottle holders
Brooks Flier Saddle
Trek Handle Bar bag

Packing List

Bike Clothing

Gloves
Fleece Gloves
headband/earwarmer
Helmet
SPD bike shoes
1 pair bike socks
3 bike shorts
1 shorts to wear over bike shorts
2 long sleeves Jerseys. 1 short sleeved wick tee shirt
Gore rain Jacket
Plastic Rain pants
Leg Warmers
Sun Glasses

Camping Equipment

Stephenson Warm Light bag
Camp pillow
Drop Cloth (50x84 sheet of TYVEK)
Poncho
Firefly & Nalgene bottle/lantern
Petzl e+lite
Sunscreen
Tyvek sheet (groundcloth, table cloth, tarp, etc…)
Emergency Blanket
Whistle
20ft of chord
Pentax Optio S6
4 gig SD disk
Scan Disk usb converter
Moleskine sketch book
Bungee netting
2 spare bungee chords
Spare SPD cleats
Bushnell 7X21 compact binoculars
Small Purell hand sanitizer
Spork
Steel mug
3 bike line bike bottles

Tools & Maintenance

Leatherman Wave
Spoke Wrench
Tire irons (one set plastic one set aluminum)
Bike lock
Patch Kit
Wrench Force Bike Multi tool
Morph Turbo tire pump
4 inner tubes
Cassette tool
Chain whip
Cat Eye light front and back

Personal Items

Pink Ribbon
VT colors ribbon
Pink bracelet
Purple Bag (Father's Friend)
Cell Phone

Hygene Items

Bio Suds
Baby Wipes
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Vitamins
Pain Relievers

Well the plane tickets are set

We leave May 1st from Philly with our bikes and our gear and fly into Oakland... From there our first trip will be to the bike shop for last minute items and a last minute check up for the bikes... then hopefully May 2nd we will be dipping our back tires in the pacific!

I have been thinking about this trip for a long time. I was asked to ride cross country at the end of High School, but at the time I wasnt ready...(for lots of reasons) but here it is. I wish I was 19 again physically, but hey I bet a lot of us wish that too?

I have recieved lots of support from all sorts of people and I will be thanking hundreds, I am guessing, by the time the trip is done. The pledges are pouring in too! I am excited to think of all of those zeros being added to people's lives if I can make it!

So keep the thoughts and ideas coming. I already have a pink ribbon requested...

Here is the map of the US and...

The trip broken into 10 stages.

1. San Francisco to Fallon, NV.
2. Fallon, NV to Cedar City, UT.
3. Cedar City, UT to Dolores, CO.
4. Dolores, CO to Pueblo, CO.
5. Pueblo, CO, to Alexander, KS
6. Alexander, KS, to Girard, KS
7. Girard, KS, to Murphysboro, IL
8. Murphysboro, IL, to Berea, KY
9. Berea, KY, to Christiansburg, VA
10. Christiansburg, VA, to Yorktown, VA

So the route is set!

Last night the route was cemented in, by Erik and I purchasing the maps we will use for our cross-country bicycle ride. This is my first entry, so maybe I better rewind a little and then tell you all the places we will see.

At the end of February, my friend Erik started this whole thing by in essence challenging us to ride across the country on a bicycle. Yes two basically out of shape 40 something’s taking off for a 4000+ mile trek! Well at first I was hesitant to say anything. I knew that something inside of me was busting out to make it happen, but wow so many reasons game along for those first few minutes. 1. Out of shape 2. How freaking long is it? 3. Do I want to do something so hair brained? 4. Etc.... The list kept going and going and going. So I did what I am really good at... I stalled.

I saw my friend Mary Lou a few days later and she was one of the first people that I dared utter the words to... a trip cross country on a bike... Yes I had talked with Merc and all, but Mary Lou is a physical therapist (as well as a world class expert of all that is) so she said why not meet her at the Y and let her evaluate me. Erik kept saying, and a few web pages that I had checked out, that no one is truly in shape enough and that you ride your way into shape... Well Mary Lou was not convinced... She had me stretch first.... well my heart rate went through the roof.

I say it was the outfit Mary Lou was wearing, but....

So I demonstrated how inflexible I was and then we went to the bike... When I say I was a little rusty... rust started falling from the rust that was protecting the rust whose job it was to hold the rust on. I could see it in her face... We did a few more exercises and then she said, "why not ride a few days in a row and see what happens."

So that is what I have done... pretty much every day for close to a month I have gotten on the bike at the Y and rode. I can now ride up to two hours without dying. I figured that two on the bike is like one on the road. So if I can do a series of one hour rides every day... I might make it.

So since then I have declared my intentions. I have ordered the bike and purchased several pieces of equipment and here we are... The start of the blog that hopefully will carry you the reader and I across this amazing land!