I am now out of the cocoon that I spent the last 50 days in while biking from Astoria, Oregon to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The cocoon was very thin at the beginning, but it grew thicker and thicker, maybe commensurate to each day's difficulty. The last week was very emotional, all of us facing the fact that we could soon be leaving our cocoons and returning to the life we left 50 days ago.
And here I am, at home, driving on the freeways with 8 lanes of traffic in each direction and facing a mountain of mail. Eight copies of Newsweek magazine is an indicator of how long I was gone, but it seems impossible. Was I really gone that long? It's like a dream. Did I really bike all the way along that black line on the map that connects Astoria, Oregon with Portsmouth, New Hampshire? Did I really bike in 10 states and a bit of Canada, 3,675 miles and climb 116,000 feet? Yes, I did, and I am now very proud of this accomplishment. It took a lot of mental and physical strength as well as determination. It was possible because we did what Doug Torosian, the America by Bicycle leader, suggested at the start. We rode one day at a time and at a pace that we would still be able to ride tomorrow. We also ate enough food each day to stay energized for the next. Thanks Doug!
I attribute my success and give great thanks to Tray, my trainer, for guiding me to fitness, and the Viking DNA from my parents that includes among other things, the ability to set reasonable goals and the determination to reach them, a good appetite, and the ability to get a good night's sleep. Of course, this ride wouldn't have been possible without all of the support from my family and friends.
You all made me believe I could do it. To my friends from my very first bike club, "The L.A. Sheriffs", special thanks, you guided me from riding one mile to a century. You made me a cyclist. To the America by Bicycle staff, thanks, for a very well planned and executed trip. And to all my new riding partners, I am sending you a great big hug. Thank you all for making our 50-day ride together unforgettable. I am seriously hooked on bike riding and most likely, my next physical challenge will be another trip with ABB.
This is my final entry for the web page. Thanks again to everyone that left messages and followed along. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did!
/Gunnel