Friday, September 28, 2001 - Preamble of a Peregrinating Cyclist
I have been asked why Joan and I are doing this trip. After all it will
be difficult and how could you possibly ride a bike for that many weeks and over
such a distance and not get bored? First you must love cycling. That
is a given. Next there is the thrill of the road. You are reduced to
the basics; food, shelter, and the elements. You have neither the time or
the inclination to be concerned with anything else. It at least gives one
a taste of what it was like for Louis and Clark and other explorers.
Admittedly it isn't quite the same since we have paved roads, accurate maps and
grocery stores in abundance that our predecessors lacked, but it is a taste of
the uncertainty and thrill of discovery that we all lack in our everyday humdrum
existence. Plus there is the promise of riding on all new roads; 4,000
miles of them. This is welcome break from the stale training rides we have been
doing for the last seven months. I enjoy riding on the drops with the wind in my
ears on deserted stretch of road. It gives you lots of time to think
and observe the terrain. Admittedly, it is not for everyone.
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