Why this trip? Why Now?

"Why"? is probably the question I get asked the most. It's really pretty much impossible to explain it, because the reasons are not logical. Utitmately, doing something like taking 2 months unpaid leave from work and riding 80 miles a day for 7 weeks is pretty irrational. People seem to either "get it", or think I'm nuts. I understand and accept both of those reactions.

For me personally, I've dreamed of riding my bike across the U.S. basically ever since I bought my first serious bike. I didn't think it would ever happen, but the idea has always bounced around in the back of my head.

I love big, audacious athletic challenges. That is what first drew me to the Marathon back in 1988. It's why I did my first Ironman Triathlon in 1999. It's why I've done two more Ironman races, and 3 more marathons since then. It's why last year rode I rode 5 double-century (200 miles in a day) bike rides. The feeling of accomplishment when I finish one of these events is just incredible. It never gets old. They are not always "fun", in the traditional sense of the word, but these days are transformative, life-affirming events that most people never get to experience. I understand that my limits in life are truly in my head. Every finish reaffirms this. I know this in a way that the average person just can't grasp.

I've been looking at possible bike trips for awhile, but the timing was just never right, until this year. Laurie and I sold our house, so all of those homeowner headaches are gone. Our son is off living on his own now, so we're empty-nesters for the first time. I also rode all those double-centuries last year, so I already had a really solid base of training to take this on. In short, (well, too late for that) from a personal basis there has never been a better time.

So I started looking for trips to take. Believe it or not, there are several companies that put on these kinds of trips. The Crossroads folks had several things going for them.

The timing was good. They leave in early May, when Laurie is still working, so she won't be stuck at home all alone during the summer. It also ends shortly after the school year ends, so she can fly out to Boston to meet me at the finish.

The average daily riding distance is 80 miles. This is a do-able distance. I found one company that covers almost 180 miles a day. I'm looking to SEE America by bike, not SUFFER across America by bike.

Finally, I'm at a stage in my life where I'm not really looking to "rough it". We stay in hotels / motels every night. No camping and sleeping on the ground. Crossroads takes care of all the logistics, including hotels, breakfast in the morning, and dinner at night. They provide daily route sheets so we don't have to worry about getting lost. They have a bike mechanic that travels with the tour, so we can have repairs done as needed. Riding each day is all I need to worry about.

It's a wonderful opportunity to see the country in a very personal way. I can't wait to get started.