Thoughts on this Epic Ride — Mike's Epic Ride

Aug 1

Aug 1 Thoughts on this Epic Ride

Here’s a few thoughts about this Epic Ride:

Statistics:
1) Miles Ridden: 4063
2) No. of Riding Days: 68
3) No. of Non Riding Days: 11
4) Average miles per day: Riding Days Only / Total Days - 60 / 51
5) No. of States Visited: 15 plus District of Columbia
(Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon)
6) No. of flat tires: 0 (Big fan of Schwalbe Tires!!!)
7) No. of lakes / rivers fished: 19
(Youghiogheny River, Acton Lake, Ender Reservoir, Bellaire Lake, Michigan River, Snake River by Jackson Lake Dam, Madison River, Gibbon River, Beaverhead River, Big Hole River, Bitterroot River, Clark Fork, Rattlesnake Creek, Lochsa River, Clearwater River, Little Salmon River, Powder River, John Day River, McKenzie River)
8) No. of trout caught (and released): About 40 - 45
9) No. of bakeries found selling cannolis: 4
(Mom’s Apple Pie Company, Occoquan, VA; Greek’s Pizza and Tap Room, Franklin, Indiana; Elbee’s Coffee Shop, Wentzville, Missouri; Citta Deli, McCook, Nebraska)
10) Best cannoli, from this group: Greek’s Pizza and Tap Room
11) No. of riders at start of ride: 12
12) No. of riders at end of ride: 8

Reflections:
I tell people that this has been a “really great adventure”. Why is that? The answer has multiple reasons; The scenery was so beautiful and changed every day, the group of riders was very special, different and quirky in their own ways, but fun, adventurous, and always helpful, supportive and caring. The people I met during this trip were a big highlight, whether it was Lee Marie at the Vida Cafe, or Eric at the Leaburg Fish Hatchery, or Tim who owned a body shop in Lolo, Montana, or my new best friend, Patrick, who I met at the top of McKenzie Pass, they all added perspective and local color to the experience. The ride itself was challenging, not only for the high mileage, but also for the other factors like rain, wind, heat, hills/ mountains, and other factors, like dogs and rough roads. To look at a map of the US and say, “I crossed that on my bike” is a pretty good feeling. Clearly, to accomplish this ride takes determination, a positive attitude, and some luck. I felt very lucky and fortunate to be able to go on and complete this ride. I very much appreciated the support I got from my family, friends, and others.

I hope you enjoyed following my trip on this blog. It was very fun to take the photos, select the ones to add, and compose the blog each day. (BTW, the photos and updates were all done on my iPhone. Thanks, too, to my “blog master” Rachel, for her help in selecting and maintaining my Squarespace blog.) I enjoyed all of the feedback that I got. Thank you very much. If you have any other questions, or thoughts, please let me know. If you have a favorite photo, or story, please let me know that, too.

8/6/19 update: The official ACA group photo, taken at ACA Headquarters in Missoula, MT is included. That’s Ber’s new bike in front.

Mike