2 Wheels, 7 States, 1500 Miles

Arrived in Erie, PA, My Sixth State.. 1100 Miles done, 400 Miles to go! Day 14, 93 Miles

I can remember my training days in the weeks leading up to my departure to Kansas. I was so excited that I had completed a 113 mile and a 100 mile ride over two weeks. It was a big deal, but the reality was that I was only doing total rides of about 200-250 over a week period. If you would asked me if I was ready to do 400 miles in four days, I would have probably done my best to ignore you or change the topic. Of course, I saw in advance that these days were ahead but I conveniently disconnected. What do they call that? ... Selective Attention.

Today's 90+ mile ride was beautiful but challenging. I woke to 53 degree weather and heavy winds and while I don't have an accurate measurement, I don't think it rose more than 15 degrees all day. I don't wear cold weather gear because I know that I will heat up, making me sweat, and then later I will be forced to carry the wet clothes. While I was very cold at points, I didn't regret my decision. The winds were against me most of the day and my average speed was less than 14 mph. I didn't complain in my head because I was happy that I wasn't overheating. I also was pleased that the roads were almost void of cars for 80% of the ride. The roads were also good quality and generally flat with only 5 or so large climbs. While it took me a long time to finish the ride and I spent much of it by myself, the scenery was beautiful and I did my best to enjoy everything that was presented to me. I know that my trip is soon coming to a close and I am taking as many mental pictures as I can.

The most memorable part of my day I think was biking down a road with no cars and noticing that the electric was not running into the homes. This is how you can tell which homes belong to the Amish. Usually the properties had homes facing the road with large plots of land and farms behind and to the sides of it. They were very well kept compared to their neighbors with electric and it seems that they have great pride in how they live their lives. I stopped for a moment to look at three girls playing on a swing set. They were laughing and doing what any children their age would do. The girls wore their hair up and pretty handmade dresses made with bold solid colors of dark blue, burgundy and purple. When they saw me, they all stopped and waved, smiling from ear to ear. To them, I was the strange one in my goofy spandex outfit and silly orange flag. This was their world and I was just passing through.

I arrived in Erie,PA with Chris Brown on his recumbent bike. I'm not sure how I caught him, but I'm certain that he was taking it easy. We were one and two for the day. Erie, PA is a big town with real buildings on the beautiful waterfront of Lake Erie. I haven't seen a town like this since I left. The Sheraton is the nicest hotel that we have stayed at, and I am pleased that this is where we are resting for a day.

Today was my last day with the CrossRoads group. From this point, I will go solo to Davidsonville, MD. I have written many times about how impressed I am with this group and I wish I was there to see them come into Boston to dip their tires in the Atlantic. I don't really have a desire to finish the trip with them because I came half way anyhow, and it's not the same unless you do the entire 3400 miles from coast to coast. It's more that I would like to see their faces when they realize just how fantastic of an accomplishment they have realized. I'm sure that they'll be a lot of tears and a bond will be solidified that would have grown strong over the two months that they have been together. I'm struggling to put to print what will be happening in their minds as they finish that last 10 miles. But I conclude fairly quickly that I should not write another word about it as those moments belong to them and are sacred and unique to each person. So, a simple 'Job Well Done' will have to do. The chances are that I will never see these people again, but they have all had an impact on me as I look to my own future and what lies ahead as I move to the next item on my bucket list.

I will spend the next day and a half completing my route plan from Erie to Davidsonville. The hotels were booked weeks ago and I planned a tentative route at that time, but now I have to go through it thoroughly to make certain that I know where I'm going. My mother (Sharon), will meet me tomorrow and will become my SAG (Support and Gear) support for the next two days. Then my brother in law Nick, will meet us and take the hand-off for the final two days.. Theirs is a boring job if everything goes okay. We'll agree on some predetermined stop points and and we'll both keep our phones close in case there is a road issue, gear or biker (me) issue. I spent most of the last 14 days biking by myself. But truthfully, what I am about to do is not really the same. There will be no funny banter at the SAG stops or draft lines or mentally challenging myself to catch a rider in the distance. Additionally, while the roads are 'bike friendly', I do not have the benefit of CrossRoads having proofed them ahead of time. One of the positives is that as I move further east, there will be more amenities and less stretches of 30 miles with no services. Everything summed up, I believe I am ready for this last leg.

I can't wait to get home to see my family. It will be three weeks since I have seen my kids. I have never been away from them for that long in their lives. I have never been away from JoAnn for this long either. The tires on the blacktop and the freedom that I have experienced has been life changing and therapeutic. But it pales in comparison to being close to them, hearing them laugh, and knowing that they are just in the room down the hall. In the time that I have been away, Connor has got his driver's license (look out world!), Kathryn broke her ankle, and Josephine is saying 'Da Da' and 'Ma Ma'... and doing her best to crawl. Time really flies. I have no regrets about this trip and would not have changed a thing, but I miss the hell out of all of them.

Some Pictures from the Road: (Including a certificate from CrossRoads, I'm too legit to quit!)