Ride Across US Day 14

Well........I am somewhat sadly writing this post from home. Wednesday, Day 14, I rode from New Roads back to Baton Rouge airport, which was 45 miles, rented a car, drove to a bike shop, packed and shipped the bike, drove to New Orleans, spent the night and flew home. I had made the decision on Day 13. This was a good jumping off point and the next was about a week further. The challenges of a solo ride along this remote trail are many, as I've described. I never got "down", upset, or defeated by the numerous weather challenges, wrong routes, difficult roads, bad food, or lousy motels. In fact, on the road I felt great and really strong, and I started the trip in a much better condition than I had the previous trip. I was packed right, had all the right equipment, bike was tuned and I had prepared thoroughly. Having a great friend along the last time made the nights and meals fun and energized you on the road; you could share and motivate each other through hard days, support each other, and laugh at the day. Doing a solo trip you have none of that and that was difficult. Michele has been amazingly supportive and encouraging. Last Monday the Swift House received a 25 plus inch snow storm. Michele spent the next 3 days removing snow, which is my job, along with her work, my other tasks, and the guests. She did this without complaint, as usual for her. So I was struggling with what the impact of my trip was having and with why I had to be riding. I decided that right now there were better and more important things I should be doing. I did not want to be on the road any more. Biking and challenges were fine. Loneliness and not wanting to be there was another story. I am a very lucky person that can just say I do not need to be here and go home. My sons and their friends do not get to do that in their work!
So here I am, at home after the 45 mile "Ride of Shame" back to the airport. I am happy to be back and to have completed a 850 mile ride across FL, AL, MS and part of LA. In Baton Rouge I took my bike to a bike shop that was listed on the Cycling map: Dave's Bike Shop in Baton Rouge. Turns out that it is a one man shop: Dave in his garage in the back of his house. Nice set up and well equipped. Turns out Dave is not only a great guy of my age but a long distance cyclist. He had an article on the wall that showed he had completed the Lewis and Clark Adventure Cycling Route of about 2200 miles. He said to me "yes, but it took me three segment trips as I can't get away from my shop for more that 3 weeks at a time and miss my wife, so I do these trips in segments". Segments he says, not all at once? Wow, never thought of that, amazing! So.........anyone want to ride with me on segment 2 of 3, next year, across Texas on our way to San Diego?? I've done segment one!!

P.S. In the next few days I will be writing down some observations and thoughts about my trip. Things that are probably best left off a blog, about cycling, social comments, driver behavior etc. If you want me to send you a copy just e mail me or ask on the blog. Thank you to all that have followed me, I enjoyed your comments and support. Thank you for the e mails to Michele. I am off to fix a towel rack, I'm back!