Addendum

You can never give or get too many high fives.

Addendum

......and only one flat tire for the girly and one for the mom.

Expect addendums for awhile.

3851 miles!

We did it! 3581 miles later, Jackie and I pedaled into the Wake Forest School of Medicine. The mom was waiting with a celebratory bottle of champagne. It was a great trip. We arrived and showered before going to the Olive Garden and eating a ton of food. After that we headed to the REI to get the remaining items needed for the roof rack system on the sag. When we returned to the hotel, Jackie and I began installing the racks while the mom cleaned out the cooler and did a last load of our very stinky laundry. Jackie's dad arrived and we went out to eat downtown in his convertible. We had a very good celebratory meal in a great restaurant. It was hilarious how nice everyone there was. The hostess, our waitress, and the restaurant owner were all engaging and interested in us and our trip. They were suggesting places to live, and even giving me phone numbers of people to call when apartment searching. Yet again we were overwhelmed with kindness.

Upon returning, the mom and I snuggled into our beds. It is great to not be camping! Today the search for an apartment begins.

Some final stats from the trip.

The mom rode over 2800 miles with me from Portland to just south of St Louis. She rode her bike for 50 days (which come out to an average of over 56 miles a day). She is amazing. There is no doubt in my mind that given even five more days to do the trip, she would have completed it with ease.

Jackie rode over 1200 miles with me from Iowa to North Carolina. It was great to have her company along the trip. She definitely rode over some of the most difficult terrain on the trip, in the heat, all without a triple crank. Wow!

That is all for the trip. Thanks for following! The comments, emails, facebook messages, and phone calls were a lot of fun along the way.

Things I learned while on this journey

People in the US are sooooo nice.

The US is wayyyyy more rural than urban.

There are many more cattle in Montana than people.

The major rivers in this country are very impressive.

There is way too much junk food and not enough fruit in the c-stores.

You can pedal your bike up anything if you have low enough gears.

Your wardrobe for 10 weeks can consist of all you can fit in one little pannier.

When you are really really cold you can always get warm. But when you are really really hot you can not always get cool.

The US women's soccer team is amazing.

I am still afraid of bears. Dogs, even mangy ones, not so much.

The limits of the mind are greater than the limits of the body.

We can bring our shelter anywhere and live with few belongings. Except our iPhones.

Ice cream is the answer and sometimes donuts, it depends on the time of the day

The girly is an amazing woman. Couldn't be prouder. So much fun.

People get out of your hollers and do something amazing.

Mission: Complete

Going out to eat a celebratory dinner with the mom, Jackie, and her dad (who is in town to pick her up). Will post final thoughts on the trip later!

The final state

Jackie and I made it to North Carolina! We are still pedaling through the last foothills of the Appalachians and will be arriving into Winston-Salem tomorrow. Wow.

We had a minor snafu today. With 16 miles to go, Jackie and I ran into the mom in Sparta. The mom and I had no cell service, so she was waiting for us outside of a cafe that had wifi. We chatted quickly about the route to the campground before heading off. The mom stayed in town to grab some groceries before quickly passing us on the road. Jackie and I saw her pass us and assumed she would be at the campsite long before we arrived. We were wrong. As we rolled into the campground, the mom was nowhere to be found. We sat down and waited for a while. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Thirty minutes. We were starting to get very upset with our sweaty chamois situation. Finally, after an hour the mom rolled up to our jubilation. Apparently she had taken a wrong turn and assumed we did too. Concerned, she was driving around looking for us to show us the correct way to the campground while we were patiently waiting at the site. In the end we all found each other and had an enjoyable afternoon and evening. Dinner and ice cream (large ice cream). Yum.

Destination tomorrow: Wake Forest Medical Center.

Getting closer

The mom, Jackie, and I woke up this morning at the Methodist Church/bike hostel. I made use of the kitchen and whipped up pancakes for the three of us. Yum. I even packed a peanut butter and syrup pancake sandwich for the road. We began pedaling up through more Appalachian Mountains. The first gap that we went through was beautiful and relatively pain free due to some serious switchbacks. Most of our earlier Appalachian climbs neglected to use switchbacks. We arrived quickly into Damascus, VA (where I ate my delicious peanut butter and syrup pancake sandwich) and decided to take the Virginia Creeper Trail to our campground for the night. The Creeper Trail is a converted rails to trails project. Since it lies in an old railway bed, the entire climb to the campground was very gradual. Furthermore, the trail was completely shaded. We climbed for 18 miles straight on an easy going 2% grade. It was a nice change from the perilous ups and downs of the road. Most of the people on the trail (actually all of them) get dropped off at the top and then coast their bikes the entire was back to Damascus. The grade was just slight enough that they would occasionally have to pedal gently. It was funny because it quickly became clear to Jackie and I that they had no idea how much harder we were working to pedal up the same path.

Tomorrow we begin our second to last day of pedaling into Stone Mountain State Park in NC. After that: Winston-Salem!

Big A Mountain

Jackie and I left this morning from Breaks, VA and immediately began pedaling uphill. This was to be a common theme of the day. It was overcast and cool but very humid.

After about 25 miles we reached the base of the Big A Mountain. We agreed that this must have stood for Big A** Mountain. The climb was long but beautiful. We snapped some pictures at the top before beginning our short descent, after which we climbed some more.

The mom had gone ahead and found us lodging at another church bike hostel. Not as fantastic as the one in Sebree, but great nonetheless. We cooked dinner in the kitchen and enjoyed the air-conditioning. Although we could sleep inside, we decided it would be best to camp outside since there will probably be church tomorrow.

How is this for irony: we are in the middle of nowhere in Virginia, camping with another couple from Palmer, AK. Awesome.

Addendum

Jackie made it over 1000 miles. Yippie

Palmer people

Today while the girlies were riding I met a couple from Palmer cycling cross country. Small world.

Virginia

This morning Jackie, the mom, and I woke from a great night of sleep camping outside of the Hindman Settlement School. It was overcast and relatively cool compared to past days. Our goal for the day was to make it to Virginia, about 70 miles away. The ride today had 4 very large climbs. We played leapfrog for most of the day with the couple who has been camping at the same location as us for the past several nights. It was fun to see them at the top of a hill, around a corner, or at the next turn. They also helped us battle off all of the crazy dogs we saw. None of the dogs today were very threatening, but it is still a pain to be on such high alert, wondering where the next one is going to jump out from. It began torrentially raining several times throughout the day and we were waterlogged. The mom, Jackie, and I decided to stay in a motel just over the Virginia border. Great success! As we crossed into Virginia, Jackie and I marveled over how pretty their welcome sign is. Perhaps the best yet. Only one more welcome sign to go, and we have high hopes for North Carolina. I almost want to google what it looks like but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

There was a BBQ smoke shack across from the motel and we all ate delicious southern BBQ. After that we did laundry and relaxed in the motel. Tomorrow we are riding to Rosedale.

Hindman Kentucky

The mom found the greatest camp spot at the settlement school in hindman. The first rural settlement school in the US to teach mountain children. Nearly everyone in town told the mom to stay clear of the historical society arrangement. Apparently it is run by a guy who likes to financially take advantage of passerbys. Instead the settlement school is free camping showers and bathroom. Yeah. The ride today was great. We have been sitting under a big tree for the past 5 hours watching for other cyclist. The tree is so big we did not even feel the raindrops from the afternoon showers. Tomorrow we ride into Virginia, a long hilly day.

Heels (hills?)

Today Jackie and I began the Appalachian heels. They were not too bad yet, especially since we didn't have our panniers. Instead we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and amazing descents. We are marveling over the fact that we have a week left to go. I can't believe how close we are after all of these weeks of pedaling.

The campground is nice and quiet and the mom had everything set up when we arrived. Furthermore, for the past three nights we have been camping at the same campgrounds as another couple. They are very friendly and let us borrow their floor pump. It is nice to have our tires at their optimal inflation. Tomorrow we are going to Hindman.

Appalachia here we come!

Jackie and I had a relatively short day to Berea. We would have liked to go further but the next place we could have stayed was 80+ miles.

The mom went ahead and found the campsite. She also reconnoitered the artisan district in town and found the best slow food movement restaurant! I had a roast beef, cheddar, horseradish sandwich on homemade bread. It was easily one of the best things I have eaten in months (aside from the cooking of Nora Vrakas). From the cafe we walked to the ice cream/fudge/chocolate shop. We were just like kids in a candy store! After contributing to the local economy, we crossed the tracks and went over to the evil empire... Walmart. Walmart was great, we found everything we needed and played a little bingo while we were there.

Tomorrow we begin the big hills!

Love the 4th of July. 5 days of fireworks not so much.

Last night as we settled into our tents for the night we were once again involved in someone's fireworks display. Unfortunately this time they were a little close. The were from the neighbors of the campground and the debris from the fireworks were landing on our tent. Not so hilarious. Add to that a freaked out barking dog 50 feet from our tents. After about an hour of this craziness we walked to the camp office and called the owner. We found a new flat spot away from all the craziness all at the lovely hour of 1100. Argggggg. Hopefully tonight will be uneventful.

Appalachia here we come!

Jackie and I had a relatively short day to Berea. We would have liked to go further but the next place we could have stayed was 80+ miles.

The mom went ahead and found the campsite. She also reconnoitered the artisan district in town and found the best slow food movement restaurant! I had a roast beef, cheddar, horseradish sandwich on homemade bread. It was easily one of the best things I have eaten in months (aside from the cooking of Nora Vrakas). From the cafe we walked to the ice cream/fudge/chocolate shop. We were just like kids in a candy store! After contributing to the local economy, we crossed the tracks and went over to the evil empire... Walmart. Walmart was great, we found everything we needed and played a little bingo while we were there.

Tomorrow we begin the big hills!

Addendum: I wasn't lost I just didn't know where I was

While driving the route this morning I took a turn at hwy 458 instead of hwy 438. Needless to say I did not catch up with the girlies. They were no where to be found. Anyway my drive was amazing. One lane bridges. Covered bridges. Dark winding curvy hilly roads.
Kind of missed my bike. Really a great road. When I did finally find the girls Katy was fixing her first flat of the trip.
Not too bad.

Happy Fourth of July!

We woke at the hotel and prepped for our day's ride (aka affixed our USA flags to our bikes). This whole trip had been such an American experience, it seemed appropriate.

The ride was mediocre. I got my first flat tire of the day. Then while changing it, I could not find what caused the flat even though I looked for almost ten minutes. We determined that the culprit must have fallen out of the tube. We were wrong, about a mile later the tube was flat again. Fortunately, this time I quickly found a stone through my tire and patched the hole. The one good thing about the ride was that we saw two baby bunnies. Very cute. We were disappointed that we did not see any Fourth of July parades and only one BBQ.

We arrived at the campsite to see the mom's fine sag work. Tents pitched and ready to go. After dinner we asked about dessert and were told they only had berry fried pie. They even fry their pies in the south! Needless to say, none of us were about to turn down fried pie. Delicious.

The donut distraction

I made a quick drive into bardstowm. Talked the hotel owner into letting is in at 11 instead of three. Found the Laundromat but was distracted by the donut shop next door. Bought donuts and made a delivery to the girlies. They were really moving and had already almost made it to town. Stormy tonight. Glad we are in a dry motel.

Short day

Today Jackie and I took a "rest day." We pedaled 28 fast miles to Bardstown, did laundry, ate, napped, ate, watched tv, and are now ready for bed!

Addendum

While sagging today saw many Amish families with their horse and buggies. Kind of strange seeing hitching posts in front of some the establishments.

Hey y'all

Honey, we're in the South now. The mom is drinking sweet tea like it's going out of style, there is nothing to eat but fried food and BBQ, and it's hot. Even all of the locals have been commenting on the heat.

Our ride today was 57 fast miles. Jackie was on the front pulling like she had a hot date to get to and I was just along for the ride. Fun! She even was able to find and eat a corn dog. We arrived to the campsite and the mom had set up both of our tents, scouted out food options in town, and coordinated with the pool man. Hot and sweaty, we all went for a swim. It was glorious. We then went out to eat (the food was not so glorious) and had ice cream (very glorious). The lady at the ice cream shop was "honey, baby, sweetie" to everyone and everything. It was great.

Tomorrow we have a short day to Bardstown and a hotel (with air conditioning!). It will be nice to have a short day and get a little rest.

Mangy mutts

Had a very uneventful day. 76 miles to the Rough River State Park. The only crazy thing is that we are noticing more and more dogs on the road. Not all of them want to be friends. One nipped at Jackie's heel today but didn't break the skin. Then, while descending, a little lap dog came bounding out of it's yard and we both nearly killed it. We narrowly missed it by only a couple inches. Scary. We are both now on hyper dog alert. Unfortunately, cyclists that we have passed say it only gets worse into Eastern Kentucky. Darn.

On a positive note, I had some authentic Kentucky fried chicken today. Yum. Also, the mom is ridiculously good at sagging (almost as good as she is at riding her bike).

Addendums

#1. The girlies are not allowed to call me The Sagging Mom.

#2. They are getting soft with the sag wagon. Just called me to buy camp chairs. I did.

Amazing

Today was the longest, most amazing day. I'll start at the beginning:

Jackie and I woke up, packed up camp, and pedaled the half mile to the Ohio River. Just as we arrived, the ferry was getting ready to leave. Perfect timing. The ferry operator told us a funny story about a guy who had ridden his bike to the ferry and was disappointed to find there was no road across. Determined to cross the country under his own power, he put his bike on the ferry and swam across!

The ride into Sebree was 56 miles of beautiful, lightly rolling hills. The temperatures were in the high 80s but the humidity was low, under 10%. As soon as we arrived into Kentucky, a Krispy Kreme donut truck passed us. Had I known it was behind me I would have set up a road block and demanded a donut!

We arrived early into the baptist church bike hostel. Words cannot describe this place (but I'm still going to try). The couple who are the head of the church have been hosting cyclists for over 30 years. Nine years ago they built an enormous addition on to the church. It has multiple rooms, an enormous game area with air hockey, ping pong, and pool. Large comfy couches, a huge flat screen tv, showers, a bathroom, wifi, an enormous kitchen, laundry. All of the amenities and more! Then the couple invited us to dinner and we eagerly accepted.

Since we were hungry upon arrival, Jackie and I went to the Dairy Bar and had lunch and milkshakes. When we returned to the church/hostel/bike haven (heaven?) we used the wifi to read up on the Internet. It was then that I spotted a pack of children playing in front of the church. I immediately joined, playing with the sidewalk chalk. We started out by drawing a hopscotch and followed by drawing bikes, lions, horses, and all of the other kids favorite animals. Jackie and I then went inside to rest up before dinner.

The mom made it down to Sebree just as dinner was being served. Three homemade casseroles, vegetables, cornbread, cantaloupe, ice cream, and thin mints. Delicious. We have been utterly spoiled by the hospitality here in Sebree. Tomorrow we have to return to normal touring and will hopefully be camping along the Rough River.

Addendum

Girly just informed me that on her first day of orientation she is going camping. Hilarious.

The amazing sag

After a long uneventful drive to kentucky today met up with the girlies who were being entertained by a lovely
Baptist couple. Ate really good food washed it down with sweet tea. Gotta love Kentucky. Will load up the girlies gear in the morning and head out to find a camp spot. I can't believe i am camping again. When will this craziness stop.

Cave-in-rock

Last night Jackie woke me up to let me know raccoons were snooping through our things. I was tired and rolled back over to go to sleep, but Jackie scared them away. Our only casualty was that the coons got our baby wipes.

We had a good day, until the last five miles. Those last miles had some brutally steep hills that were demoralizing after a day of riding. Eventually we made it to the Cave-in-rock state park, 63 miles later. After setting up camp we had dinner at a restaurant in the park, and then walked down to check out the cave. We saw a deer with its baby in our campground, very cute. The cave was very large and cool inside. I couldn't help but imagine it being a perfect bat sanctuary. We are now in our tent (my anti-bug sanctuary) and relaxing before an early nights sleep. Tomorrow we cross the Ohio River into Kentucky and will camp in Sebree.

SAG WAGON

Today katy's new car (AKA THE SAG)

was purchased. A big thank you to katy's uncle John for hanging with the mom through this ordeal. 

"Would you rather spend 4 hours talking to a car salesman, or, sandpaper the a** of an alligator in a phone booth, or, pedal a bike 1000 miles at 90 degrees and 95% humidity?"

"What was that second one again"

Anyway the deal is done. Should be

off to join the girlies on thursday. 

3000 miles

This morning Jackie an I woke from a restful nights sleep at the hotel. We went down to the continental breakfast and there was another cyclist there. I was evidently feeling very antisocial because I did not even go over to say hello and inquire about his trip. We left with the plan of eating brunch in Murphysboro, about 31 miles into our day. This seemed like it would be a good plan since Murphysboro had a sizable population of 10,000 people. Definitely large enough to sustain a diner or cafe. We were totally wrong. After pedaling through the main strip of town and asking around, we discovered that out options were McDonalds or Hardees. Instead we picked up some snacks at the Walgreens and planned on eating an early dinner in Goreville when we arrived.

The ride today was hilly and hot. In the morning I quickly surpassed 3000 miles. Wow. After 70 miles we arrived into Goreville, starving. We asked around and three people all recommended that we go to this one restaurant. They were not wrong. The food was excellent and we topped it off with blackberry cobbler and chocolate cake. Fully stuffed, we managed to roll ourselves the remaining 2 miles to the campground where we promptly set up and showered.

Today Jackie broke into a song about sharing and proceeded to sing for the next couple of minutes. The mom would have been so proud. Speaking of the mom, she has purchased the official sag wagon for the remainder of the trip (aka my future car during med school, looks like I will be writing the first of many large checks to my parents!). It remains to be determined when she will make the drive down to join us. Jackie and I are hoping it is before we hit the bulk of the Appalachians.

A glorious ride to Sheboygan

Left early this morning for a 75 mile ride from elm grove to Sheboygan.
Weather was threatening but cleared after the first 20 miles. Rode out of the Milwaukee area into the countryside of Wisconsin. Great trail system. Lots of deer and bunnies. Also flat flat flat. This is the ride I have been waiting for all these weeks. Amazing!!!!! Tonight my brother made seafood fettuccini. Sooo good. Nora, it may have rivaled your cooking. Maybe not he didn't do it on a campstove. Good to see more family. Maybe a short ride tomorrow, but looking to buy a car tomorrow, may not have time.

Enough with the weather!

Last night another huge thunderstorm system passed nearby our campsite and kept us up for part of the night. We had hoped to wake up early and get a good start on our day; however, when the alarm clock was scheduled to go off, I check the radar and saw a large red blob that was nearly the size of Missouri. Needless to say, we were not going anywhere for a long time. It wasn't until after ten o'clock that we left on the tail end of the last thunderstorm. Even though we had a late start to the day, our ride was very pleasant and not nearly as hilly as yesterday. Large portions of it had me wishing for my road bike.

The fear of afternoon thunderstorms kept us mashing on our pedals and we made great time into Chester, arriving a little after four. 60 miles in total. We immediately ordered a pizza and cheesy bread upon arrival, knowing it would be at our door soon after we were done showering. It is great to air out our camping things, do laundry, and relax knowing that we will be safely indoors for any thunderstorms tonight.

Chester is the home of Popeye and there is a large statue coming across the bridge. If you look closely, you can see the can of spinach between his feet!

Tomorrow we ride to Ferne Clyffe State Park, just outside of Goreville, IL. The forecast looks promising!

Glorious

Arrived at Nora's after a 7 hour car ride. Went for a 10 mile ride. Glorious.
Tomorrow off to Sheboygan.

Ozarks

Today Jackie and I rode 55 miles to the St Francois State Park. This was Jackie's first fully loaded day and she sure got trial by fire. It was already 70+ degrees out this morning when we left and 97 percent humidity. Yuck. The temperatures rose to the mid 80s throughout the day while the humidity only slightly dipped. To top it off, we had an extremely hilly day traversing the Ozarks.

We arrived into the campground and set up the tent before showering. Just as we finished our showers, a thunderstorm moved in. It poured for two straight hours. We had to move our tent because an impromptu drainage river began running right through it. I am getting really tired of weather events. The thunder, lighting, and rain finally stopped and Jackie and I made dinner. Unfortunately, the camp host said another storm should be rolling through around midnight. I hope it doesn't. I need my beauty sleep!

We saw a lot of turtles and armadillos today alongside the road. Jackie manage to go a day without killing anything (however right now she is on an all out hunt to kill a fly that is in the tent).

Tomorrow we are going to Chester. We may stay in a hotel/motel if the weather is still poor.

Another long narrow bridge

Nora, Christine and I were heading down the road in front of the girls. We crossed the Missouri River bridge. Nora immediately said we have to turn around and escort them over. So we did. Everyone over safely. How are they going to cross the rest of the bridges on the way to NC?

Blood on her hands

During our ride today, Jackie and I were descending down a hill when a squirrel ran out onto the road directly under Jackie's wheels. I heard the crunch and just narrowly avoided the body. We both screamed for the next mile, and then proceeded to laugh for the mile after that. At the next turn in the road I told Jackie that we needed to take a break so I could regroup.

We also saw an armadillo today (dead) and outraced a lightening storm. Excite!

It is the last day with Nora, Christine, and the mom. Sad.

No pictures for today. Sorry. Hopefully more tomorrow. We are headed to the St Francois State Park.

The end of the ride for the mom

After much thought the mom has decided to end her journey. Girly needs to be in NC July 13th. With almost 1200 miles still to go we determined that in order for the mom to make it more time is needed. Time she does not have.
Anyway this has been an amazing physical and mental journey. Almost 3000 miles of peddling. One I will never forget. Thank everyone for all the support.
I will be driving to elm grove with nora Vrakas on Sunday and then Riding my bike up to Sheboygan to see my mom. If anyone in the area wants to get together I will be in town until Thursday , then flying to NC, renting a car, finding the girls and sagging for them.
Again the trip of a lifetime. Amazing.

Nora Vrakas reporting from the Katy Trail

This is Nora Vrakas reporting from the goofing around tent at the Katy Trailhead as a guest blogger.

I started the day watching the sun rising over the Mississippi River while the others sacked in. The motel was wonderful and owned by the Indian man who kindly shuttled us to the car yesterday.

Next Donuts in town and conversation with some very rowdy doobie smoking, Food Inc veterans. The real riders hit the road while Christine and I headed to the Kroger to replenish the cooler. On the drive out, we ran into some closed roads due to road construction. Those are my people and I organized with them to let the others through when they got there on the bikes.

Christine and I were forced to drive the detour and reached our parking spot at this amazing state park. Miles of wooded hills really green. We jumped on our bike and began cranking back toward the other just dying. We are on super light weight race bikes and cannot imagine how the real riders are getting their heavy bikes with gear up those crazy hills. We passed them about 15 miles out and decided to give them the car keys and keep going
North as it was a perfect day. Chistine kicked my butt up and down the hills as usual. She rocks.

We looped back and found Jayne at the car waiting for us. The girlies were pushing to complete 80 miles and the mom has come to the point where she is done. She is so amazing ! After just three days on this ride I cannot imagine what she has achieved. Wow! Very tough.

So we put her bike on the roofrack and headed toward the showers in the park. The ranger insisted that we register for a site before using them even though we had no intention of staying. So we did and proceeded to the men's shower house as the women's was closed for plumbing. No one around at two in the afternoon. We left the park behind knowing we would not find as beautiful a place to sleep tonight

What we did find after first showing the mom the rigors of sagging, was a little patch of grass in the middle of a village Park in marthasville mo. There is a ballgame going on one side and a country music concert on the other. Down the middle is the Katy trail, a rail to trail route that runs 250 miles through mo. Managed to cook blackbean fajitas w onions peppers and tomatoes in the back of my Subaru. Yum. Watermelon and icec bars topped it off . The cooler is getting empty and we have just one more day with the real riders. On to merimec state park near Sullivan tomorrow.

Some images from the day

For those of you who would like to read Jackie's perspective of the trip, check out her blog at
http://greenmachinejd.blogspot.com