Day 18 – July 4th

Continuing on this dual wheeled adventure, we started out of O’Neil, Nebraska with our hearts set on Blair, Nebraska 131 miles away. As I worked to warm up during the first few miles, I began to mentally prepare myself for a hard day on the bike. After the last couple of days in the saddle, I fully realized that my legs had been overly taxed and I would have to pay the piper. I was pleasantly surprised to find my legs feeling fresh and begging for a challenge. It was as if the fatigue had melted away, and two fresh pistons remained; I took full advantage of the opportunity. Generally Gary and I switch off pulling (pulling is the guy in the front working harder to break the wind while the guy behind drafts and conserves energy) every mile to mile and a half, but today I was feeling so good that I found myself pulling for 3 to 6 mile stretches. I at first didn’t know what to think about this energy or where it had come from, but soon I discovered my answer. Today was the Fourth of July. I was feeding off the energy that this country emanates on the day of its conception. I’m an econ major, and have a deep respect for what this country has accomplished over the last couple of centuries. It amazes me to no end.

And today is our Independence Day. As I rolled along prairie mile after prairie mile, I could not help but reflect upon what this day all entails to me, and the fact that I am riding across such a beautiful country during its birthday. And this country is beautiful; both in scenery and in opportunity. Wow, what a joy to be able to do such an amazing adventure at such an incredible time; the emotions this realization brought to me as I sat in the saddle was overwhelmingly powerful and caused a rush of energy.

4th of July. What does that really mean though? With hours and over a hundred miles remaining, I had plenty of time to reflect upon this question. Nearly 250 years ago men and women, like you and I, ceased shaking their heads in silent contempt and stepped into the light and in one voice stated “No More.” “No more oppression; no more tyranny. No longer will we accept the injustice and raping of our rights and liberty in silence. Freedom is an absolute; a right all humans are entitled to.’ And they put life and limb on the line for that right.

I feel fortunate to have forefathers whom had the courage to demand their liberty be restored. In signing the Declaration, I feel they had to know that they were ultimately sacrificing their property, fortunes, and lives; yet they still willing signed. I have heard it said that there are evil men in this world, but that an even greater evil resides in good men; good men who fail to act in times of injustice and oppression. The type of injustice that our country refused to accept so many years ago and through that denial America was given the breath of life. Today, of all the days, is the one time I think we as a people can cast aside our petty differences and regardless of creed, race, and political views unite as a nation on our country’s holiday. Today is the day we all can stop to reflect upon that honorable title that has been bestowed upon us: American. A title that our forefathers earned and passed onto us, and the title that so many people continue to honor today in hope to pass onto heirs yet born. People that honor that title through their daily lives and the work they do. The soldiers, merchants, labors and everyone who makes this country what it is today. Independence Day is not just a day to celebrate those of our past, but to celebrate the men and women who keep those two pieces of parchment (the Constitution and Declaration of Independence) alive and breathing today. Men and women like you. I would like to say thank you and happy Independence Day to you all.

Our ride came to an end for the day in Blaire after 131 miles of hard earned pavement. The final seventeen miles were especially difficult with the south head wind that we were forced to contend with. It was worth it though. We now are more than halfway to our goal; we surpassed the 1,800 mile mark on our sojourn of 3,600 miles to the Atlantic.

I would also like to say thank you to Brock. Brock, a very close friend of mine, lives about an hour from Blaire, Nebraska and gave up part of his holiday to drive and hang out with a couple of road weary cyclists and a support driver for a couple of hours. It was great seeing a familiar face; my only regret is that I didn’t have more time to spend with him. But I think he understands, and knows that one of these days we’ll get to a game and have plenty of time to catch up. In the meantime, he can practice his skills on Kart and maybe have a chance against me. Though, he should realize, there is not enough time in the world to give him a real shot at finally conquering me. My aim is just too deadly with those shells, hehe.