In the End

One thing I have learned on this trip is how generous the American people are! All throughout our trip we met people willing to go out of their way to give us a helping hand. Sometimes it is easy to fall into the viewpoint that Americans only care about themselves, and are unwilling to give a helping hand. However, during this journey I discovered the opposite! It is easy to fall upon that viewpoint when we do not put our trust in others. There s till are great people out there! They surround us all!

Now that the trip is over I would encourage anybody to try a trip like this. It doesn't matter who you are. With the right mindset, anybody can do it! I hope this blog will be useful to others interested in doing the same or may inspire them to seek an adventure of their own!

Here are some stats from our trip:

We covered two countries (United States and a little part in Canada)
We went through 16 States
Max speed 52-54mph
Steepest Grade was in Ohio
Highest pass was Hoosier Pass in Colorado
Rainiest Weather was in Missouri
Worst riding weather was from Walden, CO to Saratoga, WY
Out of 62 days we only spent 5 days in a motel
We only took five full days off for the entire trip
With days off we averaged 69.3 mi/day
Without the days off calculated in we averaged 75.4mi/day
Our lowest average speed was 8.1mph
Our highest average speed was 13.5mph
Our average total speed was 10.7mph
If we had biked nonstop with no rest or sleep we would have crossed America in 16.5 days
Our highest mileage day was 129mi
Finally, overall the trip was 4297.97mi

The Last Day! (Day 62)

We left the house by 9:00am to ride almost 100miles to the coast in Seaside, OR. I was excited that our trip would be over and that we were actually going to accomplish what we had set out to do. What amazed me the most as I rode was how fast the time flew by. It feels odd that I have actually ridden my bike so far.

While riding to the coast I kept thinking what our first day was like after leaving the Atlantic Ocean. I thought about how easily we got speed wobbles, and how tired we were after 35 miles of riding. It is amazing how far we have come from those early days. I was ecstatic as I rode my bike that we were about to accomplish such a huge goal, yet a little depressed. It made me a little down to think about what life would bring next. I kept thinking what I could do for another great adventure! I kept trying to search in my mind what the next exciting thing would be in life. As I thought my mind wandered toward medical school... I thought of how maybe medicine was my next adventure! The education I will be able to receive over the next five or six years will be amazing. It will be an adventure discovering the functions of the human body and the complications it brings. Like any adventure going to med school will have its ups and downs, but in the end, I know it will be worth it!

Arriving to the coast was no easy accomplishment today. In fact as we came closer and closer I felt like I did when I ran my first marathon. I kept wondering when the finish would be in sight. It was so mountainous at one point I felt as though I were in a wetter Montana. Eventually we rolled into Seaside next to the monument of Lewis and Clark. There we put on our sandals and walked out to the Pacific! We did it!

Old Highway 30 (Day 61)

Today was a very interesting day! Instead of being on highway 84 to Portland we were able to ride bike trails and the Old Highway 30. When I was in Walla Walla and I use to go to Portland we always went on 84. Being on 30 was a new experience. It was really cool because the highway was a narrow two lane road that would climb out of the gorge and then descend back down to the river again. The views up above the gorge were really cool! It was fun to get a different perspective of the gorge.

The bike paths that we also road were really cool too! They were green and moss covered! It made for a really unique riding experience. Riding on the mossy trails we road a lot more cautiously. It was really easy to skid out the rear tire on turns, and when we braked. It was almost like riding on ice. At one point in the trail we hit a staircase that had about four flight of stairs. This was a very interesting obstacle to get up. The staircase was equipped with a bike groove to roll the tires up. One at a time we pushed our bikes up the groove in the staircase. At one point I was fearful that I would drop my bike sending it crashing down to the bottom.

Eventually we made it to our destination in Happy Valley, OR. There we stayed with Paul and his wife. Paul was a good friend of my dad's when they went to college together. We ate a really great supper that night and then prepared for our last ride to the ocean.

Mt. Hood (Day 60)

The wind never let up once while we slept during the the night. The strong wind continued through the night and into the morning. After that much wind I started to realize why the Columbia River Gorge is one of the best places for windsurfing in the world... It just never stops! Not only did the wind wake us up that morning but others in the campground. Around 6:00am we heard kids yelling and riding their bikes right next to our tent. This camping spot was a new experience for us because normally we have been the only ones. In fact we were pretty lucky that we had found a place to set our tent up it was so crowded.

With getting up early we packed our gear and were off into the wind. The wind died a little throughout the day but not much. We rode on the Washington side of the river for the larger part of the day, crossing back into Oregon at Biggs. Once we crossed that spot we would never cross another state line again. When I was first planning the trip I didn't feel like it would be a good idea to ride on the Oregon side because we would have to ride a lot on 84 which is an interstate. However, after talking with a few people I found out that you only need to ride about ten miles on 84. The rest of the stretch contains back roads and bike paths to go on.

As we crossed into Oregon and came around a corner we were able to see Mt. Hood. That was pretty exciting for me to see! One thing I have always enjoyed about the northwest are the volcanic mountains. They appear so massive standing by themselves. Hood was the only one I have ever climbed, and the last time I climbed it I had brought my friend Nate along. Nate was a good friend of mine from Walla Walla. He was from Maine, and I think we both connected pretty good because of our roots in New England. I am glad the year he went to Walla Walla I was able to bring him climbing on Hood. The reason I remember that time so well is because two years later he died in a motorcycle accident. Climbing Hood with Nate is an experience I will always remember.

That night we rode till we found some house to ask somebody if we could camp in their yard. It wasn't long before we had a good camping spot for the night. It is amazing how trusting and generous people have been on this trip.

Oregon (Day 59)

This morning we ate a good breakfast at the Thomas's house and soon we were off. It was kinda hard to get back into the groove of biking. My legs felt heavy as we pedaled away from town. As we came out of the Walla Walla Valley the sun started to shine but a strong headwind came with it. We eventually rode about 86 miles to Crow Butte Park. During that time we entered into Oregon and then back into Washington. We have now ridden through all the states we have planned to ride through. Another reminder that the ride is coming to an end.

As we pulled into the campground it was very crowded. We had a hard time finding a place to stay. This whole trip it has been very easy to loose track of time. While biking it is so easy to forget what day of the week it is. As we tried looking for a camp spot it finally dawned on us that it was Memorial Day Weekend, one of the biggest weekends for people to camping. This night we wouldn't be the only ones in the campground.

Walla Walla (Days 56-58)

We stayed in Walla Walla for three days without biking. This by far has been our longest break! While we were at Walla Walla Abdiel and I rested and relaxed. We worked on on our bikes and lightened up for the last week of riding. During our stay at Walla Walla it was also great to see friends I hadn't seen for a long time. It was great knowing that I can call Walla Walla home.

During our stay in Walla Walla Abdiel and I stopped by the BMX track to take our bikes for a spin. That was kinda interesting since we were on road bikes. While we were biking back from the track Abdiels front tire exploded ripping a hole in his sidewall. After that we met up at the Tred Shred where Josh helped us true our wheels, and fix Abdiel's tire.

It was great to get some good rest at Walla Walla. I can tell that my body is very tired. The first day we had at Walla Walla I felt fine, but the second and third day I could start to feel how tired my body really was. I am excited to be finished and get some good rest yet I am also sad the trip is almost over.

Going to Walla Walla (Day 55)

Today we biked our longest day yet! Somehow we missed calculated how far it was from Walla Walla. Instead of the ride being around 95 miles we realized that it was going to be about 130 miles. By 7:00am we were off and biking. We crossed into Washington on route 12 riding along the Snake River. After riding along the Snake River for some time we hit our first big climb of the day. The climb was the biggest since Lolo Pass.
As we rode I could tell we were getting closer and closer to Walla Walla. Trees started to disappear and grasslands started to turn into wheat fields. As we were biking in this area we saw a red Cadillac pass by. Once we saw the Colorado license plates we knew it was Bill and Mary Joe. Once they saw us they turned around and pulled up next to us to say hi! It was pretty amazing to meet them again. They have been a couple that have stood out in our mind. In Lander, WY they were very helpful to us and we have thought of them often. We were in a huge shock to meet up with them again. They were driving back home to Colorado to finish the vacation they had decided to take in the Seattle area.

While meeting Bill and Mary Joe was a highlight for us, another highlight was pulling into Walla Walla. About five miles away from town the sun had gone down and it was completely dark. As we rode we a truck pulled off to the side ahead of us. The first thought that went through my mind was some guy jumping out of the truck at us. However I was totally wrong... Instead I heard a familiar voice. It was Marve head of the PE Department at Walla Walla University. He drove all the way out to escort us to the town. It was pretty awesome!

Once we got onto College Ave. near the University there was a crowd waiting outside to cheer us on! It was great and totally unexpected. Wet and tired from the long ride people came over to talk to us and congratulate us on how far we have come. It was great to share stories from our trip and talk with friends I hadn't seen for a while. I have really missed this area since I have graduated!

Down Down Down... (Day 54)

We woke up earlier then normal because we weren't use to Pacific Time which we entered yesterday. Getting up so early we decided it would be good to try making pancakes. For me cooking pancakes in a pot was a disaster... it turned out to be more like a pancake crumble. Abdiel on the other hand was almost able to master the art of cooking pancakes on a campstove. This is pretty hard when the stove can only run as off or full blast... no simmering options for us... Even though they weren't the best pancakes we have made they still tasted great! So I guess that is all that matters.

We continued to ride along the Clearwater River. In fact we stayed on twelve the whole day and watched the river as it kept growing and growing. As we road along the river we continued the downhill trend we started yesterday. I believe we have been going downhill for at least 100 miles. All the gradual climbing we did in Kansas has finally paid off with a nice long gradual downhill.

The day was pretty normal besides the humming birds that would zoom by our heads whenever we stopped. It amazed us how they would hover two to three feet away from us. Throughout the day I also worked on getting a plane ticket for returning home. Another reminder that things are almost to an end.

Lolo Pass (Day 53)

We were well rested after having a home to stay at in Lolo. The food was great, and a bed was even better! I was pretty tired today from the 115 miles we had biked yesterday. As we entered the mountains on highway 12 it reminded me of the Blue Mountains near Walla Walla where I went to school. I could tell that we were coming into the northwest. As we bike up to the top of the past I was feeling pretty sad that the trip would soon be over. I kept thinking about what I will do with myself once I don't have to bike 80 to 90 miles... The lifestyle we have been living the past two months has been so different compared to how we have lived our whole lives. It will certainly be nice to have all those luxuries again. I feel our trip has influenced us on the luxuries we have taken for granted everyday. Just realizing that we drove a car 30 miles in less then an hour will be crazy because on a bike that can take up to three hours.

The rest of the day went great once we got over the pass crossing into Idaho. Highway 12 has definitely been one of the most beautiful roads we have ridden! Over the pass we had a steep downhill and then for the rest of the day we were on a gradual downhill along the Clearwater River. While the road was scenic, it also was one of the more dangerous roads we have been on. That is because it was twisty with lots of turns. Every once in a while a truck would pass by too.

As we biked today we also saw four other cyclist heading across the country west to east. It is always great to see other cyclist for advice and how the road ahead is. It was a reminder of how far we have come. Most the cyclist heading west were almost 1000 miles into the trip. It reminded me of when we hit 1000 miles all the way over in Ohio.

115 Miles (Day 52)

I never would have thought we would have been able to get in our longest day yet. The day was a dark cloudy day with a few rain drops here and there. Within the first twenty miles we went over our biggest pass in Montana. Once those twenty miles were up, it was all downhill to Missoula or Lolo where we were going to stay the night. When we were about 25 miles out of Lolo we hopped on a newly paved bicycle trail. The trail was a blast! I was able to cruise on it going about 20mph. It was a lot of fun to ride on it with all the dips and turns that are missing in a straight road.

At night once we had arrived in Lolo we looked at the maps to see how much more there was to do. It seems that we only have about eight to ten days left till we make it to the coast. I have started to look at plane tickets to head back. I am kinda in shock that we are almost done.

Other Bikers (Day 51)

The highlight of today was that we saw five other bikers heading across the country west to east. It was kinda fun to tell them about our stories and what they might expect. It is also a great way to see how other people are planning on crossing the country. Most people we have met have bikes that are a lot stronger then road bikes. They have bikes made of steel instead of aluminum. They also ride on wider tires then we do. While wider tires cause more resistance they make a softer ride. Even though we think we are carrying a lot most people have about 60-70lbs just like us. Although we did meet three guys about our age who were going really light. They were carrying 25-30lbs. Plus they were on carbon fiber race bikes. Abdiel and I think they are crazy, but then again every trip is different. When you go light weight you throw away a lot of luxuries like a warm meal you can cook along with being warm while sleeping.

Overall the riding today was good. We made it to another biker spot to camp for free. This place wasn't as nice as the night before. But it still offered protection from the wind outside.

First Day in Montana (Day 50)

For our first full day in Montana the morning was very cold. Waking up the tent was covered with frost. It took a while for the sun to start shining in the deep mountain valley we had camped in. Once we got out riding we rode further into the valley. It kept getting narrower and narrower. In that valley we came across Earthquake Lake. The lake was cause by an earthquake. In 1959 when the earthquake happened it created a large landslide which dammed up the river that once flowed through the valley.

Once we passed the lake and moved out of the valley things got worse. The wind became really strong. Even though we were going downhill we had to push to keep a going about 12mph. We had a strong headwind most of the day until the road turned which made it more of a crosswind. When we talked with a local in Ennis about the wind she said it was a good day! She said the wind is normally stronger. Even though the wind was strong we kept pushing to Twin Bridges where there was a place for bikers to stay.

We made it to Twin Bridges just as the sun set. There in a rest area there was a building with water and showers. The building was built for cyclist riding through. It was a really nice place giving us showers and cover from the strong wind.

Old Faithfull (Day 49)

This morning we woke up cold. The area of Yellowstone where we were at still had about five feet of snow on the ground. That morning as we were packing up a ringer pulled up in his car with his lights on. He told us how we were camping illegally and we told him we new that. We told him how it was getting dark on us and instead of hiding we figured we wouldn't hide the fact that we had to camp illegally. Once we told him our story he was very understanding. So everything worked out.

Once we cooked breakfast we were off to Old Faithful. On our way we went over the continental divide twice. In total we have crossed the divide eight times. Once we arrived at Old Faithful we were able to see it go off withing twenty minutes of arriving. We stayed around the area of Old Faithful so that I could call some professors of mine from college. They wanted to know about the trip and what I had been doing since I graduated.

Once leaving Old Faithful we checked out some hot pools as we road. By the time evening had come we were in Montana. As we biked there were buffalo right next to the road. This was kinda scary to be so close to such a big animal. Shortly after the sun had gone down we found a camping spot along a frozen mountain lake.

Entering Yellowstone (Day 48)

After a short night of rest we were off again. This time we were on our way to Yellowstone National Park. On our way out of the Tetons we took the Teton Park Road which went right along the mountains. That morning the mountains were in and out of the clouds. The day was a little dreary because of the dark clouds but eventually they started to clear out.

On our way to Yellowstone we met up with another cyclist named Nacho. He was riding his bike from Texas to Montana. Since it was later in the afternoon we decided to stick with him for the rest of the day and have somebody else to camp with. It was interesting to learn about his stories and how his trip was going. One characteristic of Nacho was how light he traveled. The only food he carried was tortillas and peanut butter.

Once it started to get dark on us we realized we weren't going to make it to Old Faithful which was open. So instead of hiding out, and camping illegally we decided we would camp out in front of the ranger station at Grant Village. Even though we were still camping illegally we hoped we would be able to explain our situation to the ranger in the morning.

The Tetons! (Day 47)

It was great to get good rest and catch up with email at the house we stayed at. We had another long day ahead of us. The first part of the day was all uphill. We went over Togwotee pass. Which was our second highest pass of the entire trip. Climbing up to the top was not too difficult. The grade was not that steep and we had a strong tailwind. At the top of the pass the snowbanks were about 15ft tall! It was like we were riding in a tunnel of snow. Once we got over the otherside of the pass the clouds and fog started to clear. As we descended we got our first glimpse of the Tetons.

After about 25 miles of descending between 30 to 40mph we made it to the base of the Teton mountain range and entered the park! I was pretty excited to see the Tetons. They are some of coolest peaks I have ever seen! The whole time we rode I couldn't keep my eyes off of them. As we kept riding it started to get late and we decided to look for a camping spot. Everyone we asked told us about Kelly's Campground. Each time we asked somebody about the campground they would tell us a couple miles down the road... it eventually turned out to be ten miles down the road. So we ended up biking in the dark again. Of in the distance we could see lighting going off which was really cool! We also saw a moose at night. While we were biking I heard something rustle the grass next to us. I turned my head and there was a moose twenty feet away. It freaked me out to have a big animal so close to me without knowing it was there at first. Once at the campground we got ready for bed. We were both tired after going over our second highest pass and putting in about 100 miles.

A Gloomy Day (Day 46)

We woke up rested but a little tired because of the dark clouds that were over us. That morning we helped Bill and Mary Joe pack their bags as they headed off to Jackson. We stayed around town a bit so Abdiel could go to the bike shop and buy some new bike shoes. Once we were off the day was a gloomy one. The clouds were dark spitting rain here and there. About 16 miles out of town I noticed that Abdiel had broken a spoke. The next shop was in 150 miles. So instead of biking we hitchhiked the 16 miles back to lander. By the time we were ready to leave lander for the second time it was almost 3:30pm.

Both a little bummed by the late start we just chugged along. We rode into the dark again till 9:00pm. Around that time with no camping spots around we decided to knock on somebody's door to ask if we could camp in their yard. Apparently we knocked on the right door because we met some people that take bikers in all the time. So in an instant we had beds to sleep on, a shower to take, and a place to wash cloths. It was so crazy and so unexpected! The whole night Abdiel and I were in shock with the luck we had!

A Windless Day (Day 45)

As we left the campsite a couple miles down the road some locals informed us that we had chosen a perfect day to ride. They said it was the first windless day they had seen for a couple of weeks. As we have been reading some about Wyoming I guess the prevailing winds cause it to be a pretty windy place. The bike map for Wyoming I have says to expect strong headwinds at all times! So we were truly lucky to have a windless, sunny day.

As we road today off in the distance we could see the Wind River Mountain Range. They were caked with snow. I remembered the summer after my freshman year in high school my dad brought us to the Wind Rivers to do a backpacking trip. Backpacking in the Wind River Range was an awesome experience. It was really cool to hike past green glacial lakes, and see glaciers off in the distant mountains. So seeing those mountains again reminded me of that experience.

Another great aspect of today was that there was a lot of downhill! This helped to have our best average speed of the whole trip 12.1mph. Also as we biked an older couple stopped their car and started to talk to us. They wanted to take us out to dinner that night. Bill, the older gentlemen had ridden across the United States twice. The first time he did it he was 64 years old. Once in Lander Bill and Marry Joe took us out to eat! They fed us well! Bill told us that we couldn't leave till we had eaten at least 6,000 calories. As they dropped us off to where we would camp it started to rain. So Bill and Mary Joe decided to get us a motel room in town. We were very gracious for what Bill and Mary Joe did for us. One would think it was very selfless, but they said in reality it was selfish. Bill said that they loved to do stuff like that cause it made them happy to help others out. So in a way it was selfish, but Abdiel and I both appreciated the selfishness that they showed us.

Dryness (Day 44)

After yesterday being so cold and wet we were very happy to wake up warm and dry. All our cloths had dried out in our motel room which normally never happens. The morning was cold, cloudy and windy but we were happy it wasn't snowing. In fact off in the distance we could see a small patch of blue sky. Today wasn't the most exciting day of biking. In fact it was a little boring. This is because for about fifteen miles we had to ride on the freeway. Trucks were flying past us, but it didn't seem too bad because of other traffic experiences we have had on our bikes. Since we were on a highway though it was straight, flat and boring. As we rode on the freeway towards Rawlins I kept thinking of what I wanted to cook that night. I have been eating the same things over and over so I was trying to think of ways I could expand my diet. I was actually getting pretty excited to try new things to cook on my camp stove.

Once at Rawlins we went to a grocery store. I got some cereal planning to by small cartons of milk at a gas station if I wanted a bowl, hotdogs, pasta with pesto, eggs, and some different foods to snack on. Once leaving Rawlins we had 40 miles to get to our camp spot and it was already 4:30pm. As I rode I tried to go around all the potholes in the road. I didn't want to break my eggs... my plan was to hard boil them as soon as we set up camp.

We ended up riding till ten at night to get to the camping spot. There was a good headwind the whole way which slowed us down. I was pretty tired by then, but I still wanted to cook a good meal. By the time we had set up camp, cooked, and got in our sleeping bags it was almost midnight.

Snow (Day 43)

I'm not sure what we went through today people will ever be able to understand, unless they have been in the same situation. All I can say is it was the hardest day of biking we have had. Our first day in Wyoming was a hard one. We basically biked 67 miles in a blizzard with 25 to 30mph winds in our face. At the end of the ride we were cold, wet, and had plenty of windburn. Today as I pushed against the pelting snow and wind I kept thinking of how important it is to persevere even when things go bad. Sometimes the hard times help us to dig deeper and push harder then we ever thought possible! It is always amazing to learn how much potential we all have when things get rough!

Another Century (Day 42)

Last night was definitely one of our coldest nights! We woke up with a strong frost. Everything was coated with it! Even though the night was cold we stayed toasty warm! That is because we boiled water and put it in our Nalgenes which we then placed by our feet in our sleeping bags. That trick to stay warm I learned in 6th grade by one of my teachers. We got a early start which was great because we had about 100 miles to go to get to Walden, CO. There in Walden we had a warm place to stay.

Once the sun came over the mountain tops things started to warm up. We were lucky to have another great day in the Rockies. The ride turned out to be very warm until the end. Once the sun started to set it got cold! Luckily we were only a couple miles out from Walden when that happened. In Walden we learned some cool things about the city. First of all Walden is a big place to see Moose in CO. However we didn't see any. We also learned about how cold it actually can be! In the winter it can get down to -48 degrees. Jeremy, the guy we stayed with also told us July is the only time it doesn't snow there! He said you can get snow anytime of the year but it is least likely to happen in July. Around September and October the snow will start to stay around again. He also told us the biggest snowfall he has seen in Walden is six feet!

After talking with Jeremy and a warm shower I was ready to pass out. It was great to have a warm place to sleep after a long day of biking! I don't think a couch has ever felt so good to sleep on!

Chilling in Frisco (Day 41)

This morning when we woke it was freezing cold. It was most likely one of the cold3est nights we have had the entire trip. Because I had to wait for my shifter to come in around one in the afternoon we just hung around the camp. Once the sun came over the mountains things really started to warm up. The tent turned from freezing cold to hot. Once it started to feel like a sauna in there we packed all our gear up, and trudged through the snowy campground road to route 9. We biked about a mile into Frisco and got some breakfast. After Breakfast we went to a coffee shop and hung out a good five hours to wait for my bike part to come in.

Once the bike part came in the shop took another 2.5 hours to put it on. In the end everything cost about $200. I was not to happy about that. Especially with how long they took to actually put the part on. Although I should be thankful the shop didn't charge me shipping for the part because they had to special order it.

Once my bike was all set to go we headed down the road again. While we road it started to snow pretty hard on us! It was the hardest snowfall we have seen all trip. Eventually we lost enough elevation for the snow to stop. For a late start we got in about 25 miles. It was one of the most scenic 25 miles I have ridden. We saw a bald eagle, tons of deer, and a bunch of elk. The snow covered mountains began to pop out of the clouds as the sun started to set.

Hoosier Pass (Day 40)

Today was another relaxing day. It has been pretty easy biking for the last couple of days because my new shifter will be at a bike shop in Frisco by Monday. Today we were only fifty miles from Frisco and are camping just outside of the town. Most the camp spots are closed here but that didn't stop us from camping out on the snow. We basically had to push our bikes down a snowy road to where there are camp spots in the summer. We were wanting to camp in Breckenridge, but at the welcome center they told us there was no camping there. With Breckenridge being a huge tourist spot a hotel was out of the question. So here we are outside of Frisco camping in the snow.

The day was an awesome day! I would say it was one of our best days. The first part of the day we spent climbing toward Hoosier Pass. The highest in our trip at 11,539ft, not 11,250 like I previously thought. For the first eighteen miles our so the grade was hardly up at all. It didn't really get steep until we had four miles left to the top of the pass. Biking the last four miles wasn't too bad because it was really scenic and kept us going. Even though we have finally climbed our tallest pass the steepest grade we have gone up has been in Ohio. I personally would have never guessed this. The grade up to Hoosier wasn't terrible. I could keep a constant speed of 5-6mph. When I was in Ohio at one of their national parks I could only keep a speed of 2mph. I was struggling just to keep riding my bike.

At the top of Hoosier we hung around for about an hour. We talked to some people about skiing and our trip. At the top people were still going out to back-country skiing. Abdiel and I were both wanting to ski after talking to everyone that was heading out. One guy told us that Breckenridge has an annual snowfall of about 300in. However this year they got over 500in. It looks like a lot of the ski areas around here will be open until June this year

Going over the backside of Hoosier Pass into Breckenridge was a major highlight of the day! There were about 10-12 hairpin turns. It was a pretty good adrenaline rush. The descent was one of the bests for the whole trip. Also as we descended over the pass we crossed over the continental divide. However, we will be riding north following the continental divide crossing it a couple more times.

Up Up Up (Day 39)

It seems strange to be surrounded by mountains since for the last five hundred miles or so it has been flat. However, despite that strange feeling I get I am super excited to finally be in mountains. For most of the day we climbed up to a pass that was about 9400ft high before going down a little to the other side where it is pretty flat. While climbing we were surrounded by 10,000 to 11,000ft mountains. As we came over the pass off in the distance there were snow covered mountains about 13,000 to 14,000ft. Eventually we will be heading up to Hoosier pass which is at about 11,250ft. We should bike up to the top of that pass tomorrow and cruise down to Breckenridge.

Today we decided to camp in the town park of Hartsell, CO. We met a very nice couple there who took us out for supper and want to take us out to breakfast tomorrow. They were also very helpful in helping us understand more about the area. It seems as we keep biking things will get more and more rural. It will be common for towns to be about 50 miles apart. We are really getting into rural America now. Another interesting aspect of the area is how dry it has been on this side of the pass. The couple told us once we cross over the top of Hoosier Pass there will be snow all around us. The side we are is very dry and only got about 12 inches of snow this winter. However, just over the pass places like Breckenridge have had a record season of snow. So it looks like we will see snow again!

Entering the Foothills Day 38

Today we decided to sleep in since we had a motel and didn't have to sleep on mats. We left around 11:00. It was a pretty rough day compared to most. For the most part almost everyday we have had some sort of headwind. However, today we had our worst headwind yet. As we left Pueblo to head toward the mountains the wind was coming from the West at about 30mph. This made it really hard to ride. At some points the wind would gust so strong that wee would only hit 13mph while going downhill.

The coolest part of the day however was entering the foothills of the Rockies! I am pretty excited about that! As we rode toward the mountains today the valley was pretty flat. We had mountains to our right and to the left. As we kept heading down the valley the mountains continued to converge into a V. Once we reached the end of the valley we started to climb up into the foothills. Just before our camp spot we came to an overlook where we could see 13 to 15 snow capped mountains. It was really beautiful to see! We will continue to climb to the top of Hoosier Pass for the next two days. Hoosier Pass will be the tallest pass we go over at about 11,250ft.

Errands (Day 37)

While we tried to get some rest today in Pueblo it was actually a little difficult with the errands we had to run. We biked around town to do them before we checked into a motel to relax. We went to the post office again to get rid of things we didn't need. I finally shipped my water filter and a few other items adding up to three pounds. With all our mailings I believe I have saved up to seven or eight pounds in weight. We also stocked up on some snacks for the next part of the trip and visited a bike shop to get our bikes checked out.

At the shop Abdiel learned that his rear hub for his wheel had become pitted and corroded from all the water and rain we have had to bike in. We noticed a sound coming from that part of his bike about 150 miles out of Pueblo. Abdiels problem was simple this time compared to mine. A day ago I realized that my shifters were not working as good as they should. I had the mechanic check my bike, and the fear that my rear shifter was starting to break became a realization. I already new this was going to be another expensive fix. What made it worse was the fact that my bike is a nine speed bike. Shimano the company that makes my Ultegra shifters has stopped making nine speed shifters and only makes ten speed shifters. So if I didn't want to downgrade my bike to a cheaper component I would have to get new shifters, derailleurs, and a new cassette costing about $600. So I ended up calling ahead to some bike shops for a cheaper Tiagara shifter made for nine speed bikes. I was finally able to find a shop about 140 miles down the road that would be able to just sell me one shifter costing $150. The other shops I called could only sell both the right and left shifter which would have cost $300. Hopefully my shifter holds out until we get there because we will go over our tallest pass in the next two days.

Another Century (Day 36)

Yesterday we went over 100 miles and today we went 114 miles. We rode from Eads to Pueblo, CO. The reason we did that was so we could have a good day off in Pueblo which is a fairly big town. The landscape is totally different now. It is a desert with some rolling hills. Everything seems so dry and parched. In fact my lips are having a hard time getting use to the dryness. They are becoming really chapped no matter how much chap-stick I use. It is so different compared to where I've grown up tha tis hard for me to believe that I have ridden my bike all this way. Another factor that is different about this area is how rural it actually is. There is no civilization for miles. In order to fill up on water we had to ride 50 miles from our start point. It is easy to spot towns off in the distance though. We are able to see a town about 20 miles away. You can tell there is one off in the distance when there is a sudden cluster of trees surrounded by the dry desert landscape.

After riding about 60 miles with very or no wind we got caught up in a strong windstorm. At first this wasn't so bad because we had a tail wind! It was so easy to ride along at 20mph. It felt great to ride about ten miles in a half hour. However, shortly after that the road direction changed we ended up having a strong crosswind. It made it really difficult to bike. Even though it made it harder to bike I actually had a lot of fun! At one point we were leaning really hard into the wind just to ride straight. I'm going to guess that the wind was about 30mph with gusts up to 40mph. Also off in the distance dust storms started to pick up blocking our view of the mountains which we first spotted 100 miles away.

Once dusk came the wind died down and we biked into Pueblo. That night we stayed at a house by using couch surfers. It is a website that helps you find a warm place to stay with a floor to sleep on. It is kinda like Hot showers which the cyclist from New Zealand told us about. In total we rode 114 miles. The longest I am sure we will ride for the entire trip.

Our first Century (Day 35)

We got an early start and biked to a small breakfast shop for food. We headed off planning to bike about 75 miles to a town called Sheridan Lakes. The weather today was good! It was sunny and warm, but we still had a headwind. It got so warm that Abdiel and I decided to bike shirtless before we left Kansas. We were inspired by pictures we saw of cyclists riding the Trans American Trail for the first time in 1976. They were shirtless and helmetless. However, we did keep our helmets on.

Once we got to Sheridan Lakes, CO we decided to keep biking. We were still feeling pretty good, and had a couple hours of sunlight left so we decided we would try to bike to the next town about 30 miles away. As we continued to ride the landscape started to changed from grasslands to more desert. The wind also changed direction giving us a small boost. That part of the ride was very rural. For the thirty miles that we biked we saw two houses. We ended up pulling into Eads, CO at night. It was really beautiful to bike in the desert landscape with the sun setting off in the distance. As it got darker we could see flames burning from some of the oil pumps off in the distance. At one point we stopped next to an oil pump and listened to the machinery at work. After riding about 104 miles we decided to set up camp in the town park.

Meeting up with other Cyclists (Day 34)

Today we had another long day in Kansas. The coolest part of the day was when we met other cyclist biking across the country. Since we have been on the Trans American Trail we have been hoping to meet up with others. I believe one of the cyclist told me that a few hundred cyclists ride the trail across America every year. About midday, we met a gut by the name of Matt who was heading West to East. He told us that there was a German guy ahead of us who was heading to Oregon and two other cyclist about our age heading to San Francisco. He also shared some of his journey with us.

Matt trip looks a lot different then ours. He took six months off of work to ride and is taking it a lot slower then we are. He told us that he rides about 50 to 60 miles a day and mainly stays in motels. What was crazy is that he told us he started March 11. The stories of cold and snow sounded crazy to us! Hopefully as we go through where Matt has already ridden we won't meet up with more snow.

After talking to Matt we biked the rest of the way to Scott City. There in the town park where we decided to camp we met another cyclist from New Zealand. He was very friendly and helped us out with what we could ship back home. He told us to keep all of our warm cloths because the ride through the Rockies, and Yellowstone was very cold for him. He showed us pictures of Hoosier Pass and the road was still covered in snow. He also told us about a website called warm showers. It is a website that helps cyclists find a free place with a shower to stay overnight.

The information we got from the other cyclist was very helpful in informing us about what is to come. They both told us that the climbs are gradual, so hopefully they won't be as steep as the Ozarks.

Flat Flat Kansas (Day 33)

While the eastern part of Kansas has lots of trees and rolling hills, the western part is completely different. Today in our 90 mile ride we moved into the western part of Kansas. We woke up around six in the morning, had a little breakfast, and headed out. As we road the hills became less and less and the trees also started to disappear. The landscape started to look like a never ending field. As I road today it was strange, but a sudden fear started to creep up on me. It was a fear of vastness, of a never ending vastness. Like things would go on and on for eternity. For as long as I rode it felt as if the landscape would always be the same, never changing.

At one point while we road today we were lucky enough to have a tailwind. It was kind of nice because we constantly feel as if the wind is in our face. With the tailwind we could ride easily at 15 to 17mph. Normally we are only able to ride about 10mph. I know in the next couple of days I will get bored of the Kansas terrain... Each crest I bike over I feel as if something new will be seen... but at the top of each hill I become disappointed to see the same. I am super excited for the day when I crest a hill like that in Colorado and see mountains off in the distance! I really can't wait. I have always loved the mountain environment, and can't wait to be there.

In fact while we are in Kansas we are slowly, but surely climbing toward the Rockies. In the eastern part of Kansas we started at an elevation of 1000ft. Right know in the town Rush Center we are at about 2000ft. As we move into Colorado we will be around 4000ft. So to put a positive spin on things we are slowly but surely climbing toward the Rockies.

Flat (Day 32)

Today we slept in late at the house Chelsey and Joel were house watching. We were able to connect with them through Pedro a camp director Abdiel and I have worked for during the summer. It was really nice to relax at the house last night and sleep in. It is amazing how nice it is to sit and do nothing when you have been biking day in and day out. Since we were slow to get out of bed we were also slow to leave to bike for the day. Today we connected back with the bike maps in Nickerson, about 70 miles away.

We rode 96 all the way up heading in that direction. The ride was good even though 96 is kinda like a highway. The traffic wasn't bad since it was a Saturday and there was a good shoulder to ride on. The landscape is now a lot different then eastern Kansas. The rolling hills have now left us and it has become totally flat. It also seems to be a lot dryer in this area since we are seeing more irrigation systems in the farm fields.

Arriving at Nickerson the people were very nice there. The town is a small farming town. When we asked for a place to sleep they referred us to the town park. There I cooked some mac and cheese, set up camp, and relaxed for a little. As I tucked into my sleeping bag I could hear cows mooing off in the distance along with the howl of coyotes. It seems now we are getting into a real rural part of the United States. In fact as I was looking at the map for tomorrow there is a section 58 miles in length with no services.

Bike Disaster (Day 31)

Today we woke up at 5:00am Our plan was to ride early before the wind started. The wind was predicted to hit 40mph from the south. We packed up our gear and headed to a Mcdonalds for breakfast. There we chilled for a little to post some stuff on the internet and eat some food. Eating at Mcdonalds a lot I have realized that it is one of the most expensive breakfast places out there. We are a lot better going to a local restaurant to get a better deal for breakfast. The great thing about Mcdonalds though is its open early and there is internet.

As we rode that morning we were both in pretty good moods. The wind wasn't bad and the sky was a perfect blue. We were riding on these back roads with little traffic where one could see straight for a couple of miles. Finally, we came to a main road when disaster struck. I was riding up a small hill when all of a sudden something flung off my bike. At first I was thinking what it could possible be! When we turned around to see what it was it was my spoke. My spoke didn't break, but it had ripped straight out of my rim making it impossible to put a new one in. Plus within seconds of the spoke ripping out my rim became so warped that my tire was rubbing on my frame. Quickly we decided that we needed help. I couldn't think of a quick solution to ride my bike to a shop. Plus we knew a small shop wouldn't work for us. The closest small shop was 40 miles away. The bigger ones were 80miles away to Wichita, the biggest city in Kansas. As I tried to work on my bike for a solution Abdiel started to work on hitch hiking. The first person to stop was an elevator serviceman who was heading home to Wichita. His name was John. He said he would give us a lift over there. We were so thankful that John had passed us at the right moment otherwise we might of had a harder time getting over there.

The drive over to Wichita was a good one. We were heading off the bike route again by going southwest to Wichita. John was a very friendly guy. Just before we got to Wichita we watched him service an elevator. After that he took us to the bike shop. At shop I was worried about how much things would cost me. I knew I would most likely have to get a new wheel. The shop named Bicycle Pedaler was extremely helpful to us. Ruth the lady who owns the shop was extremely nice and willing to help. She found me a wheel I could use, and was willing to ship my broken wheel home. My broken wheel is fixable but it would of required a lot of work. So eventually I hope to get it fixed. While they took my bike in to get it fixed Abdiel also asked if they could check his bike out for any problems. While we waited we headed out to lunch. When we got back our bikes were ready to go and working in good condition. My only worry was how much it might all this was going to cost me. Ruth brought us to the register and started trying to give us as many discounts she could possible give us! I was totally shocked and thankful for what she had done. I think she understood how little money we had to spend, and understood what biking across the country took. That is because she had done it herself as a honeymoon. She told us that her and her husband had retired from nursing and decided to open up a bike shop. So once again we are extremely thankful for all that was done for us today!!

Bike Repair (Day 30)

Today Abdiel and I stayed in Pittsburg, Kansas for the first half of the day. We camped in the town park. Last night we called the local police department to see if it would be OK and they said it would be. That night I went to bed early and woke up early too. It felt good though because I was totally rested. The main reason we had stayed in Pittsburg was because Abdiel had broken another spoke. The bike shop didn't open till ten so we just rested, and went to the post office to ship some more unneeded items. We are becoming picky about weight, and are trying to lighten up as much as we can. This will allow us to move faster and put less strain on our bikes for the rest of the trip. When you are living off of a bike it is amazing to learn how little you are able to survive on.

This shop has been the least helpful. He kept trying to get us to buy things we didn't need. Of course in the end to put on a new spoke he charged Abdiel $38. A new spoke only cost $5 and the work to fix it should take less then 30 minutes. However he took over an hour to do it. We were both disappointed in his service and the shop. As we left he kept trying to get us to buy power bars.

Leaving at 12:30pm we only planned to ride about 65 miles. The progress was slow at first because of the wind. We could tell we were starting to get out there. The towns were spread out with populations of only 200 or so. As the sun started to set the wind began to die down. It was pretty awesome riding at that point. It was fairly flat with no wind. We were able to cruise at 15mph no problem. We made it to our camp spot just before the sun went down. The area had a Pizza Hut so we set up our tent and went there for supper. As we got to the parking lot we hit our 2000 mile marker. It was amazing to think of how far we have come. We are just about halfway now.

Kansas (Day 29)

While Missouri has some beautiful countryside I was glad to be leaving. The five days we were in Missouri were some of the toughest days of the bike trip. It is not easy waking up to pouring rain, putting on wet cloths from the previous day, and then riding in the rain another seven hours. I hope that is the most rain we will experience from now on. This morning while we rode it was a dark and cold day. It only showered for a little which we were thankful for. It was so cold I was wearing the same clothing I wore when we were in upstate New York. The day was fairly depressing because it was such a dark day. For most of the ride I kept thinking about when I was in New York. I remember there I would tell myself it would be getting warmer as we headed south and the weather would improve... However, as I pedaled I thought of how wrong was about that. In fact I believe in Missouri we hit our furthest point south. The next a 700 miles we will be heading mostly west but go a little more north to.

As we road toward Kansas we could see the landscape changing. It went from rolling hills to a landscape that was more flat. As we keep riding I'm sure things will get flatter, and we will be able to see for miles. I don't believe Kansas will be an easy state to go through. As I talked with my dad about the weather it looks like we won't hit any severe weather like in Missouri. However, the wind looks like it may be bad at times. I'm sure over the next 500 miles we will get very tired of the wind.

Today I was very tired from my sleepless night. It took everything just to keep pedaling. The coolest thing that happened was when we stopped for some breakfast. There at the restaurant some people got talking with us and we started telling them about our stories, and why we were biking. They thought it was very cool and called the local paper to do a report on us. So while we got some breakfast we also got interviewed. It was great being able reflect on our past experiences and share how we were raising money for Partners in Health.

No Rain in Missouri (Day 28)

Today was the first full day that we have been in Missouri were it hasn't rained. After getting a good nights sleep we were off to start in Hartville again. Because there was a detour on 38 The pastor recommended that we take route 60 to 160. He said that there was a good shoulder. On the route we ended up finding out it was more freeway then a simple country road. However, it was probally best because of the flooding going on. In fact at one point a part of 60 was closed because one side of it was flooded. Once we got into Springfield there was some construction we had to get around. Instead of riding with the cars we road in the closed off areas where construction was being done. Nobody was working at the time so this gave us a whole entire highway to ourselves. After 50 miles of riding a freeway we were finally able to get off. It was nice to be on a country road again with a lot less noise and more scenery.

As we started getting close to a spot where we could get a motel in Everton, we noticed a storm coming up from the southwest that was moving up fast. The clouds looked extremely threatening. Some of the darkest, ugliest looking clouds I have ever seen. One in Everton we started to ask around for a motel. Everyones reply was “there ant any here.” Finally we ended up at a bar and the owner said we could pitch our tent up out back. With no other place and the storm fast approaching we set the tent up as we heard thunder rumble off in the distance. As it started to rain we went into the bar and got something to eat. There the people were fairly friendly to us and interested as to why wee would bike across the country.

We were in the bar for a fair amount of time because of the storm. I mostly just talked to some people telling them about the trip, and watched the weather channel which was on the TV. The storm looked big but luckily we were not in an area with any watches or warnings. It seemed that only one edge of the storm clipped us. If we had been further south the storm would have been a lot worse. We mostly had a little thunder and some good rain. Eventually on of the guys about our aged asked if we would like to stay at his place so we could stay dry. Hanging out with these guys was an interesting experience.

Rain, Rain, Rain.... (Day 27)

We woke up early again to do a long ride. The day did not look good from the start, but with a warm front being stalled over us our only option was to ride. That meant more rain again. This time we started in the rain and we finished in the rain. In fact it rained most of the day. A steady drenching rain. Our cloths from last night hadn't dried so we ended up having to put on damp cloths and head out again.

While it rained most of the morning the hills were a lot easier then yesterday. Instead steep long uphills the terrain had a lot more rolling country side today. Despite the rain the riding was very nice. Later during the day the rain stopped and we came to a viewpoint. Off in the distance it seemed like we could see a little bit of sunshine. After some more riding we were heading to darker clouds off in the distance. It didn't look good. Off in the distance we heard some thunder rumble. All we could think about was yesterday and how bad the lighting storm was. We continued to bike hoping things wouldn't get worst. We eventually came to a town and decided not to stop. The thunder didn't seem like it would be too bad because it was very sporadic. Plus we wanted to make it to a motel before dark. Stopping to wait the storm out would have delayed us from finding a safe spot at night. It is a good thing we didn't wait because the storm never passed. It was mostly rain with an occasional rumble of thunder.

Eventually we made it to the small town of Hartville. There we grabbed a quick snack and headed off. However, it wasn't long before we found out that the route we needed to take was closed. There was a detour but this would turn our 25 mile ride to the motel to a 40 mile ride. This news was very depressing because it was 4:00 and still raining. If we were to bike another 40 miles we wouldn't make it to the motel till about 9:00pm. As we started to ride the detoured route a man pulled up next to me in a car. He said he was a pastor of the local Baptist church. He was wondering if we would like a place to stay. Being down about a motel being a good ride away, I said it would be great. One great thing about this trip is how well we have been taken care of by others. People have done so much for Abdiel and I it has been amazing! A great learning experience to all the good that can exist out there.

The Ozarks (Day 26)

Today was one of our toughest days, yet it was one of the most interesting days. Wanting to get a good start in the morning to beat any severe thunderstorms in the afternoon we left early. We started our day by waking up around 5:30am, packing up, and then grabbing a bite to eat at McDonalds. At McDonalds we met some interesting locals who told us to watch out for wild hogs and the black bears. They were shocked to find out that we didn't carry a gun with us. While some locals tell us tornadoes are not common in this area others say they are. One guy from Mcdonalds told us that on his farm his grandfather's house was destroyed by a tornado, his dad's house, and four of his sheds.

As we started to ride in the morning we were lucky to have no rain. However, around eleven our luck changed. Off in the distance the clouds started to darken and we could hear the low rumble of thunder. Finally it started to spit rain and within ten minutes lighting was all around us with rain coming down in sheets of water. Luckily a gas station was near by and we were able to take cover. Although, the two minutes we were in the rain we were completely soaked. After the stormed passed it rained on and off the whole entire day.

Most of the day we were riding in the Ozarks. While the mountains are small they still hold a lot of beauty. Being small mountains today was the hilliest we have ever had. We didn't hit anything as steep as in Ohio, but the hills were long and held their own in steepness. I am certain by the time I wake up my legs will be sore. In fact Abdiel was talking to a policeman, and he said that most bikers coming through say the Ozarks are the harder then anything found in the west. Even harder then riding in the Rockies.

With the steepness and the grade of the hills Abdiel and I both hit our all time max speeds for the trip. I was maxed out at 47mph. Even though we didn't finish the ride till 8:00pm, and were soaked at the finish we were lucky that we only had one thunderstorm to deal with. It has been raining a lot here. In fact the last three days have brought 12 inches or rain to Missouri. Most the rivers are flooded and by this Wednesday the locals say another 10 inches of rain is possible. They say it has been the worst flooding since 1967. So like always, our plan is to keep heading west to get out!

A Stormy Day (Day 25)

Today is the first day we have had an official rest day. It is about time we rest our legs because the fatigue has been building up. When we woke this morning we got up a little late and by the time we started to think things through about the weather and where we would bike we decided it would be best to relax for a day. When we went to breakfast we saw the devastating images of the tornado that ran through the St. Louis area last night. It is awful to see all the damage that has been done and see it happening so close to where we are. Houses once standing have just been flattened. Talking with some locals this morning they say it is rare to see a tornado come through the area we are in. While it can happen it is more likely to happen more north where it is flatter. That is what the locals told us.

Another thought that ran through my mind today is how our whole world is in need! We are raising money to support the need in Haiti, yet there is so much more need then that area. There is need in Japan, Africa, South America and even right here where I am riding, Missouri. I think while it is impossible to heal all the hurt in this world we can still try to do our part in helping others. While it may be the neighbor down the street or medical care for those in Haiti. We all have interests and abilities that can be used to help those in need.

While that was one thought that ran through my mind it felt good to relax. Especially since it thundered and rained today. It looks like as the week goes on the weather will be improving. Within our area though there are flood watches and warnings. Looking at the weather we may pick up two inches of rain tonight. It will be interesting to see what the ride will bring tomorrow. I hope that the roads will be clear of water and not flooded. We will try to stay off the back roads to avoid flooded river crossings like Kentucky. As we get into Kansas it looks like we will have a solid week of sunshine. I hope that the forecast holds true because it will be harder to hide from strong storms while we are in Kansas.

Gateway to The West (Day 24)

It was a good thing we decided not to cross the Mississippi yesterday because last night some strong thunderstorms moved through the area, and being in a tent would have been awful. After the thunderstorms moved through around four in the morning it rained until eight or so. This gave Abdiel and I an excuse to sleep in which led to a late start. We are coming to a point in the trip where our bodies constantly feel fatigued. It seems as if my body is craving sleep and not enough will ever fill that craving. Even after a good nights sleep I still end up tired a couple hours after being on the bike. It is at this point we still need to keep on pushing. Everyone I talked to told us we would reach a point like this. They say the first week or so your body is very sore from all the riding. Which was true for me. I remember that my upper back and legs were really sore. Now the fatigue has hit for sure! Despite being tired I am still enjoying the trip.

Today we crossed the Mississippi which was muddy and flowing with a strong current. From this point on we will be heading into the great west! I am pretty excited about that. It feels like we are making good progress. As we rode today we were fortunate enough to have good weather. The forecast for the day said that severe thunderstorms were possible. As I rode my bike I couldn't help but keep an eye out for good places to go to if a bad storm came in. Luckily every mile or so there is a house, and I am sure that if a bad storm came by we would be able to find a shelter. The people of the Midwest have been very generous in everyway.

Riding through the first part of Missouri was beautiful! The rolling hills along with the farmland made it a picture perfect place. The woods also brought a feeling of being back in New England. I really enjoyed the hills as we rode. The curves of the road brought new scenery at each turn. However as we road closer to Pilot Knob we came to a place where the woods were infested with black flies. It was impossible to stop without a swarm of them getting in your hair and helmet. That is why tonight we are in a motel... not to mention it is suppose to storm again. I can hear thunder of in the distance.

Not So Flat After All (Day 23)

After a good nights sleep in the Presbyterian Church Abdiel and I were off early. Our goal was to make it west of the Mississippi. The river was about 85 miles away. Today we lucked out because we had a tailwind! It was pretty awesome! Abdiel and I have had so many days with headwinds that we joke around by saying if we are heading into the wind then we must be going the right way! Way back when we first started our trip we had somebody tell us that the whole headwind thing was a myth. He told us that he had ridden east to west and only had about four days with a strong headwind. Either he was lucky or Abdiel and I are bad luck.

Nothing too exciting happened today as we road. The riding conditions were pretty mellow and we were enjoying the tailwind. The best part of the ride was when we were getting closer to Chester, IL. We were off in some farm fields when all of a sudden we came across a set of hills. The hills took us by surprise because they were long and steep. While we only had a few to climb we had more to go down. One hill I was able to hit my max speed so far for the trip. I hit about 42mph and Abdiel hit a little over 43mph. It is pretty amazing that we can go that fast without getting speed wobbles anymore. I remember the first couple days of riding my bike would start to shake going 25mph. The trailers have now become part of our bikes and how we handle them. It is actually pretty funny when we try to ride our bikes without the trailers. Without the trailers one would think we would be super fast, however without them we now wobble all over the road.

We made it with enough daylight to cross the Mississippi but decided not to cross. That is because there was no place to stay on the other side. On one of the bike maps we found a place where it is free for bike riders to camp. The spot was run by a local bar in the town. They let us stay in a cabin made for those biking across the country. Showers where available too! That night since we finished a little early Abdiel and I did a lot of bike maintenance before going to bed.

Crossing into Illinois (Day 22)

Waking up after the storm it was cloudy and cool. The air was drier and not as humid as the day before. That morning I decided to wash some of my cloths in the sink with dish soap. I then air dried them by attaching them to my trailer. Today was rather uneventful. We just kept riding. Instead of crossing back over 41 to our planned route we decided to stay in Indiana and meet up with the maps again in Murphysboro, IL. The riding was pretty flat today and was very rural. We are now hitting towns with populations of 300 people.

In the evening we rolled into the town of Galatia, IL. There we had some dinner at a local restaurant. While we were eating we asked a fellow by the name of Bill if there was a place we could pitch a tent to camp for the night. He ended up referring us to the major who was not helpful at all. His only suggestion was that we bike another ten miles at night to another town... In the end Bill ended up helping us out. He said we could stay at his house. So after our meal we biked over. Just looking for a place to set a tent Bill helped us more then we expected. He went through the effort of helping us get a roof over our heads. He was able to get it so we could stay in the Presbyterian church he goes to by his house. People have been very helpful here throughout the Midwest. The place where we ate called Kelly's Kitchen served us a terrific breakfast. Everyone has been very generous.

Tornado Watch (Day 21)

Today was very eventful. A lot happened. That morning some locals warned us that the weather was going to be very severe that evening. Because of the severity of the weather Abdiel and I decided that at each major town we hit we would keep updating ourselves and decide whether or not to stay at that location to wait the storm out. The whole day we road it was cloudy, hot, and real humid. The sky always seemed like it would storm but it held of.

At one point during the day Abdiel and I were riding some back roads that ran along route 62. These roads were in a valley close to the Green River. With no signs warning us we came across a flooded road. Instead of turning around we decided to cross to the other side. Some parts were not deep with only a couple inches of water. However as we kept riding we hit a flooded part that was just over our knees. The experience was pretty exciting and was a highlight for the day. It really highlights what our trip is all about. That is its an adventure where we can not see what may lay ahead.

That evening Abdiel broke a spoke. The only bike shop was about 13 miles in Evansville, Indiana. So we crossed the Ohio River via 41. At the time we crossed the bridge was very congested with lots of traffic. It was one of the worst places we have biked since accidentally getting on the Buffalo Skyway on route 5. However, we made it across and things worked out. Once the bike was fixed that evening we stopped at McDonalds to eat. We ended up talking with a few people about the trip. That night we met a guy about our age named Ross. He worked for a power company and only stayed in Indiana to work and went home on the weekends to his family in Georgia. We told him that we were going to be camping that night. He told us about the storm that was coming and offered for us to come over and stay in his apartment. So that night we had a safe place to stay. Around 9:00pm the tornado sirens in the city were going off. A couple hours later Ross had to leave to work for the electric company to fix downed wires. In the morning we found out that the storm did produce tornadoes in other areas. However, over Evansville a funnel cloud was spotted. That night it stormed good with hail and max winds of 76mph. It is good we didn't stay at the campground in town. Otherwise our tent would have been torn to pieces.

First Lighting Storm (Day 20)

Today we left the Lutheran camp that we were staying at. It really was a home away from home. When we woke up that morning the ranger's wife came over with some coffee, egg sandwiches, and some OJ. She even made us a bag lunch for the ride. My only issue with the area is that I have been fighting some pretty bad allergies. Normally I never get allergies. That morning my eyes were so itchy and watery that it was hard to keep them open. Everyone who I have talked to say that the Ohio River Valley is known for its allergens in the spring. Because of my allergies our first stop for the day was at the drug store.

The riding contained many challenges today. As we rode we would climb out of the river valley and then descend back down. This created a lot of climbing which was pretty challenging. It was one of the hilliest days since we left New England. Being one of the hilliest today was also one of the hottest. The temp hit about 85 degrees. Overall we were able to ride about 77 miles to finish the day. So we finished strong.

During the evening as we rode we hit our first thunderstorm as we were searching for a place to camp. We put on our rain gear real quick and kept going. The storm wasn't too intense.
There were a few flashes of lighting here and there. Even though it wasn't to intense and the storm didn't last very long one lighting strike was very close to us. It struck in the woods not too far from us. As soon as we saw the flash of light the thunder was almost instant!

That night at the campground we found a place to set our tent up underneath a pavilion. There we were sheltered from the rain. Although there was no thunder at one point during the night the wind and rain became very strong. It seemed as if the tent was going to blow away with us in it.