Epilogue
Monday, October 10, 2011 Category: Bike Ride
This ride was a case study of “groundhog day”. Every day started and ended the same way, regardless of where we were. We would wake up at 6:00 am, get dressed, take the bike and the laptop down to the parking lot at 6:50 am, pump up the tires and fill the water bottles, eat breakfast at 7:00 am, return to the hotel room to retrieve my luggage and take it down to the parking lot, and leave for each days ride at 7:30 am. We would usually have 2 rest stops in the morning, followed by lunch on the road, with one additional rest stop before the end of the ride. At the end of each ride, we would wash the bikes, wash our riding clothes, take a shower, and find a place to eat supper. After supper, we would find a McDonalds, Wendys, Dairy Queen or a Sonic for a chocolate shake, I would write my blog after finishing with dinner and shake each day, and usually hit the sack about 9-10 pm.
Riding over 100 miles each day expends a large number of calories. Therefore, I had a tendency to eat a fair amount each day. One of the things that I will have to do after completing this journey is to change my eating habits. Certainly, the chocolate shakes will have to come to an end!
Lots of thoughts and emotions have been a part of this ride. The emotions have run the gamut from elation to sadness to even sometimes dejection. The end of this ride was very emotional for me. Certainly there was the elation of completing this journey. At the same time, sadness because I would be going my separate way, certain to see some of the riders for the last time. We grew close as a group, and I value the relationships that developed with fellow riders. What a talented group of cyclists! I especially enjoyed riding with my partners Jamie and Bob, and thoroughly enjoyed the time I spend with my roommate Bob Clarke.
And, during the trip, there were times that I though I wouldn’t be able to complete the day’s ride. This happened at least twice, once going up some good climbs into Ruidoso, NM, and another time when I was not feeling well. But, I prevailed and completed the ride of those days. I really believe that these challenges made me a stronger rider. Each days rides was not easy, and there were times when we had to deal with some type of adversity; wind, rain, big hills, cold temperatures, etc. Dealing with these challenges and overcoming the problems also makes you stronger as a rider, and gives you the confidence that you can really succeed. The end of each days ride was an emotional high. I was always glad to be able to pull into the hotel parking lot at the conclusion of a ride!
As several days have gone by since the end of the ride, I have been processing what happened on the ride. I am still coming to grips with the reality that I completed this ride. It still seems surreal, but hopefully someday, I will be able to understand what it was that was accomplished.
We were blessed with some of the best weather ever! From Amarillo (the last time we were rained on) on, we had fabulous weather! We could not have asked for better weather.
I am so happy to be off of the bike, but am anxious to get back to riding. My wife and I are driving back to Albuquerque, visiting relatives and friends on our way back. It has been good so far, having stopped by to stay with my sister in Texas. We have visited or will visit two of my nieces, my cousin, and a number of friends along the way home.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do this ride. Thanks to Katie for inspiring me to do this journey! I consider myself lucky to have had this opportunity, and it has been one the highlights of my life! I am also very glad that I had the opportunity to blog the ride each day and to share it with you. Thank you Lon and Susan so much for all that you did to facilitate this ride. You and your crew were awesome!!!!! I can’t begin to thank you for how enjoyable you made the trip. It was truly an Epic Journey!!!
Life is good!!!!
Click for some additional pictures
Riding over 100 miles each day expends a large number of calories. Therefore, I had a tendency to eat a fair amount each day. One of the things that I will have to do after completing this journey is to change my eating habits. Certainly, the chocolate shakes will have to come to an end!
Lots of thoughts and emotions have been a part of this ride. The emotions have run the gamut from elation to sadness to even sometimes dejection. The end of this ride was very emotional for me. Certainly there was the elation of completing this journey. At the same time, sadness because I would be going my separate way, certain to see some of the riders for the last time. We grew close as a group, and I value the relationships that developed with fellow riders. What a talented group of cyclists! I especially enjoyed riding with my partners Jamie and Bob, and thoroughly enjoyed the time I spend with my roommate Bob Clarke.
And, during the trip, there were times that I though I wouldn’t be able to complete the day’s ride. This happened at least twice, once going up some good climbs into Ruidoso, NM, and another time when I was not feeling well. But, I prevailed and completed the ride of those days. I really believe that these challenges made me a stronger rider. Each days rides was not easy, and there were times when we had to deal with some type of adversity; wind, rain, big hills, cold temperatures, etc. Dealing with these challenges and overcoming the problems also makes you stronger as a rider, and gives you the confidence that you can really succeed. The end of each days ride was an emotional high. I was always glad to be able to pull into the hotel parking lot at the conclusion of a ride!
As several days have gone by since the end of the ride, I have been processing what happened on the ride. I am still coming to grips with the reality that I completed this ride. It still seems surreal, but hopefully someday, I will be able to understand what it was that was accomplished.
We were blessed with some of the best weather ever! From Amarillo (the last time we were rained on) on, we had fabulous weather! We could not have asked for better weather.
I am so happy to be off of the bike, but am anxious to get back to riding. My wife and I are driving back to Albuquerque, visiting relatives and friends on our way back. It has been good so far, having stopped by to stay with my sister in Texas. We have visited or will visit two of my nieces, my cousin, and a number of friends along the way home.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do this ride. Thanks to Katie for inspiring me to do this journey! I consider myself lucky to have had this opportunity, and it has been one the highlights of my life! I am also very glad that I had the opportunity to blog the ride each day and to share it with you. Thank you Lon and Susan so much for all that you did to facilitate this ride. You and your crew were awesome!!!!! I can’t begin to thank you for how enjoyable you made the trip. It was truly an Epic Journey!!!
Life is good!!!!
Click for some additional pictures
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