Final Blog - Looking Back

It has been greater than a month since the culmination of my epic ride across America. Looking back on the journey, I am slightly taken aback by its magnitude. I still have problems fathoming the length of road extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the fact that I traversed every inch of it on two human-powered wheels. Yet, while I was in the heart of the journey, it never seemed that long or a challenge that I would be unable to complete. It was always just a matter of time.

Was it a difficult ride? Some days were tougher than others, naturally, and yet it was much easier than I imagined. The roads were nearly perfect, the traffic gracious beyond belief and the weather was heavenly. And aside from the knee pain, which has since subsided, the ride took a very limited toll on my body. In fact, my goal before the ride was to lose no more than four pounds; in the end I gained four. I’m damn proud of those four pounds too!

I believe a large portion of my enjoyment during the days of pedal pounding were a reflection of the hours I put in before the journey began as well as the people I rode it with. My cardio was in great form for the ride, in large part due to the climbing I had the opportunity to do in the mountains of Oregon, and thus made the challenge that much more attainable and enjoyable. As for the guys I did the ride with, they are all without equal. Gary and I were a couple of immature kids while in the saddle, making up songs and jokes that I think only we could appreciate and laugh at. As I am sure most of you have garnished from our other blogs and talking to us, our support crew was nothing short of Tour De France caliber. Truth be told, I’d put our support crew against theirs any day of the week. I believe the word ‘spoiled’ has been thrown around a time or two in describing the riders support from Larry and Bob and all I can say is ‘who am I to argue?’

I feel fortunate to have been able to accomplish this journey so early in life, and am thankful for the opportunity. Making this trip was something I have dreamed about since I began riding, and I originally hoped to do it by my mid forty’s. When Gary so graciously asked me to accompany him this summer, I jumped at the chance. Looking back I can’t help but smile at the realization that it was truly a dream come true. Thank you Gary for making this possible for me.

I also realize that an adventure is like so many other moments in life; it’s only a great achievement if you learned from it. If you fail to learn from it than the integrity of that accomplishment is lessened. So I ask myself, did I learn from this ride? If so, what?

During life and all the details that cloud our mind, we find ourselves often overlooking the people in it. And sad to say, often it is only during times of grief when we are able to see the beauty that lies within our friends and family. This ride, however, showed me that is not the only time it occurs. Throughout this cycling trip I was amazed at the people who took interest in it and showered the riders and drivers in unwavering encouragement. Looking back I stand in awe of that support network. There were people following this trip that I never imagined would care one way or another about it; and often it was the ones I least expected who were my biggest supporters. I don’t deserve it, but I am appreciative for that sustenance that your words and interest provided. On the tough days it was especially liberating; a hellishly windy day in Nebraska comes to mind…

I have also learned the meaning of true friendship. Friendship, a relationship you consciously choose to be involved in, is one of the strongest bonds I have ever had the great fortune to be a part of. A friend is the person that is there during the good times, and the bad. A person who will drive hours to be a part of something epic in your life, and the same guy that will call when things are down just to talk it out. The kind of person who will cross this country on two wheels with you and then a few weeks later drive half that distance in a rental truck by your side. The same friend who will then drive it all again in reverse when you realize you made a mistake; and yet never throw it in your face. The sort of friend you can talk to for hours and never really say anything, because nothing needs to be said. I may not have a lot of friends, but the ones I do have are beyond priceless. As I always tell my wife, my friends are the guys I could call when I’m sitting in a prison cell in Singapore for assaulting the Pope, and know they’ll get me out: some how, some way. Those are the kind of friends I finally came to appreciate on my ride. Not only appreciate, but I believe I may have added a couple of names to my list of friends as well. What more could I ask from an adventure?

The final piece of knowledge that came to light on this trip was that I at last realized what Christina really means to me. My wife, who has been my best friend through countless perils and journeys, was on my mind consistently during this journey. She is my wife, and I her husband, because we choose to be together. Each day we get to make that decision and I feel so blessed for it. It may sound cliché, but this beautiful women I call wife makes me a better, more confident, person. Just her presence liberates my soul and eradicates self doubt in the face of opposition. With her faith in me, I know I can conquer any task and triumph over any obstacle. She’s more than just the person I look to for support, she is the person that makes this life so enjoyable. Fortunes may be won and lost, personal triumphs diminish as the years pass, and yet the affection I have for her has done nothing but blossom and grow each day of the ride, as it did the days prior, and the days after.

Finishing the ride was a great moment in my life, but it dims in light of the realizations that I made while in the saddle. I have the greatest friends and family a person could ever wish for. To each of you, for I feel you know who you are, I say thank you. Your words, actions, and silent support when called upon, are the reasons this dream was possible and the same reason any dream is possible. I’m finally beginning to realize just how blessed my life is.

In parting I would like to use the immortalized words of Marianne Williamson. Her poem relays my view of people and the challenges that come our way. We all have a strength hidden deep within that sometimes needs a challenge to bring that light forth.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”