Riding Day 38 – 45.83 miles The final push had arrived, and the team was up early. The Bob was stoked, Odie was beyond ready, and me…I was feeling a little weird. I’d already topped-off Hank’s tires with fresh air and had propped him up against the picnic table in our campsite. I thought he looked a bit lost, but maybe that was me projecting how I was feeling with the end so near at hand. This was it, the culmination of some hairbrained plan conceived mostly on a whim some 15 months earlier that had actually worked, the idea that a 66-year-old guy with bad knees and a fake hip could pilot a 30-year-old tandem bicycle with a 59-year-old blind guy as his stoker, from Ocean Beach in San Diego, CA to Crescent Beach, FL, with more than a little help from a very good friend driving a 2005 Toyota van as a support vehicle. Crazy, implausible, impossible, yet there we were, a mere 43 or so miles from conquering The Southern Tier bicycle route. Standing there as the new day’s sun was just starting to warm the air and my weary bones, watching from afar as The Bob and Odie carried out their by now too-familiar morning routines, I was both giddy and sad…weird
Congratulations almost seems inadequate for what you all have just accomplished! We, the friends/readers/onlookers, are truly SO impressed by your amazing perseverance! What you have achieved is nothing short of incredible. And I realize that many people do incredible things of this sort on the daily…but aside from you three, I just don’t know any of them. Like Nancy, I’m a bit sad now that it’s all done. But, THANK YOU for taking us along on your great adventure… and allowing us to share in your triumphs and struggles, all the while unintentionally humbling us as we read your nightly entries from the comforts of our own home. That being said, WELL DONE gentleman! YOU DID IT!!! And now safe travels returning back home to your own friends and families! ♥️
I love that Oscar went from being asked to take your picture to wanting to have his picture taken with you when he heard about your adventures! Thank you guys for being adventurous and brave. My mornings will be different now because I won’t have your daily updates.
What can be expressed to convey my respect and awe of the great trip you have just accomplished? You now know more about this country of ours that those of us who followed you will ever know. We stood in the shadow as you faced a dream and challenge everyday for 7 weeks as you faced the ups and downs the day brought three very close friends. The trip is over but the memories will last forever, and the lesson you gave all of us shows how faith and dedication to yourself and others …..makes this life a joy.
Be Brave, Be Strong, Be Kind
Congratulations almost seems inadequate for what you all have just accomplished! We, the friends/readers/onlookers, are truly SO impressed by your amazing perseverance! What you have achieved is nothing short of incredible. And I realize that many people do incredible things of this sort on the daily…but aside from you three, I just don’t know any of them. Like Nancy, I’m a bit sad now that it’s all done. But, THANK YOU for taking us along on your great adventure… and allowing us to share in your triumphs and struggles, all the while unintentionally humbling us as we read your nightly entries from the comforts of our own home. That being said, WELL DONE gentleman! YOU DID IT!!! And now safe travels returning back home to your own friends and families! ♥️
Wow! I'm a little sad now. I looked forward to your post every day. 🤔 ....What to do....what to do.... Inspiring. Epic.
Thank you for sharing. I'm thinking all who read along with you will have some deep thoughts and possibly an adventure of our own. Wow.
So super awesome! Congratulations!!!!
Enjoy the ride home! I kid. :). Unbelievable guys, trip of a lifetime for sure.
I love that Oscar went from being asked to take your picture to wanting to have his picture taken with you when he heard about your adventures! Thank you guys for being adventurous and brave. My mornings will be different now because I won’t have your daily updates.
Hey I thought it was a round trip 😉
What can be expressed to convey my respect and awe of the great trip you have just accomplished? You now know more about this country of ours that those of us who followed you will ever know. We stood in the shadow as you faced a dream and challenge everyday for 7 weeks as you faced the ups and downs the day brought three very close friends. The trip is over but the memories will last forever, and the lesson you gave all of us shows how faith and dedication to yourself and others …..makes this life a joy.
Thanks for allowing me to share the journey. Courage, Stamina and finally Joy! Carpe diem, my friends!
Brilliant!