Monday, August 26, 2013

Some Numbers from the trip

Bike Trip Recap 
We began riding on June 8th, and finished on July 31st, for a total duration of 54 days.  We rode the bikes for 50 of those days, with one “day off”, one zero day due to rain/road conditions, and two days off when we got to Berea.  Our shortest day was 40 miles, and our longest was 128 miles.
    Days over 100 miles (“Centuries”):  9
    90-100:  7
    80-90:  10
    70-80:  8
    60-70:  7
    50-60:  7
    40-50:  2

We did 39 days with at least a “metric century” (100 kilometers).
    We spent 4 nights in a motel (including one night in Berea), 10 nights in city parks, 7 nights in hostels, 19 nights in RV parks, 12 nights in state/national park campgrounds, and 2 nights at home in our own beds (when we took the weekend off in Berea).
    No falls, no injuries, no illness the entire trip.
    We saw the moon grow full twice on the trip, and saw the Milky Way as clear as can be from the high elevations out west.  We saw beautiful red rock canyons, awesome gorges cut into the canyon walls, lava fields, rushing streams of crystal clear water, and sunrises and sunsets so beautiful they make you shiver.
    We had what seemed to be an infinite number of variations of pasta for dinner in the evenings.  I don't know how Sue came up with all the different ideas, but I don't think there were ever any leftovers.
    When I look at all this, I just don't know how we did it.  How did we persevere?  How did we get up every day and get on the bikes?  Why didn't we quit when we got tired and discouraged and cranky?  It's pretty remarkable, really.   Somehow we were in a "zone", and when one of  us was weary the others gave encouragement.  And of course we are all pretty determined - some would say stubborn.   And of course we figure Mom was up there praying for us all the time to keep us safe.
    Good rides to all.
            Jerry

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