Final thoughts

The only certainty in life, beyond death and taxes, is that it won’t turn out the way you anticipate. I embarked on the Trans-Am ride on a whim, as an adventure and a swift kick to the head. I set the ridiculous goal of doing the trip as an unsupported solo ride in 30 days because I didn’t know if I could physically, emotionally or mentally complete the journey. And for me, that’s the joy of life: entering into challenging and rewarding experiences unsure of the outcome.

In the end, I wasn’t able to ride the entire route in the allotted time. After dealing with altitude sickness in Colorado, I suffered heat stroke in Utah. And not being able to eat for two days really put the brakes on the ride. Therefore, I decided to bypass Nevada and start riding again at the Nevada / California border.

But in those first 23 days, I found to a large degree what I was looking for on the trip. I overcame daunting obstacles: from environmental extremes to physical impairments to emotional rockiness. I learned that I am a stronger, more capable and resourceful person than I believed. It was a truly remarkable experience. Now comes the hard part – applying this to life beyond the bike.

Quick data:
Mileage: 3012 (out of an anticipated 3495)
Days in the saddle: 25 (out of an anticipated 30)
Daily average: 120 miles
Longest day: 160 miles (Ness City, KS to Eads, CO)
Average speed: 14.6 mph
Average time in the saddle: 8 hours 25 minutes per day
Dog chases: 33
Flat tires: 9
Shortest distance between flats: 3 miles
Longest distance between flats: 1,000+ miles (Day 5 to Day 14)
Trans-Am cyclists encountered: 72
Advil taken: 79
Toughest riding: Eastern Kentucky
Favorite riding: Virginia, Utah & Western Colorado