Countdown

Big Ride countdown = 1 months 2 weeks, 5 days, 18 hours, 58 minutes, 44 seconds

48 days
3,300 miles
Seattle to Washington, DC
June 23 - August 9, 2008

This will be my third and not my last crossing of the American continent on a bike. This time time I will be leading 45 other cyclist in their quest to spend 7 weeks on a bike.

There are 260 million people in the United States going about the daily routine of living. In any given year, a few of them will do something extraordinary. Something will move them -- stir their imaginations -- and they will step out of their comfortable routine to make their lives truly memorable.

Some will do that by riding their bicycles across the beautiful expanse of earth we call America. Why they do it is something they can never quite explain to someone who asks, but never need to explain to anyone else who has done it. They come from all walks of life and all ages from 18 to 79 to accept the challenge of riding a bicycle from sea to shining sea.

As you can imagine my life has gotten rather busy. I just returned from the first Ertl amputation Symposium where I had the honor to speak. It was a real pleasure to spend the weekend with Will, Jan, and Chris Ertl, Three of the world leading surgeons. For a layperson to be asked to speak at a medical conference was quite an honor.


My 46th birthday came and went quietly as did the 8th anniversary of my broken leg. Some how it does not seem that long. Yesterday I gave notice to my winter employer and have begun to prepare in earnest for this trek. It was great to take the winter off from cycling and doing my long treks but it is just a wonderful to be back in Trip Mode again. I am back on the bike and will be in condition in no time. I travel to Vermont to meet with a bike touring company next week and will see some friends. then it is home to NM and train, train, train.
I am enjoying my role as tour leader. I sure have tons more experience than when I first led a tour in 2004. I have enough time in the saddle now that I can see the excitement, fear, and doubts the first time riders have. It is much like some of the amputees I coach thru the process. you see they can and will rise above their own expectations. It is a nice feeling to help them attain their goals.