This bike ride across the country has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. As I pedal through the desert, a few thoughts have been swirling around in my head.
First off, focusing is exhausting! I never realized how much energy it takes to stay focused on a ride like this. I can't afford to look away even for a second. There are cars zooming past, potholes, dirt, gravel, and glass – all demanding constant attention.
The physical aspect of pedaling is tiring, but the mental effort required to concentrate for so long is something else altogether. It's a skill that I want to continue working on when I return home: building my focus muscle.
Second, I can't believe how much of it blurs together. After countless hours on the bike, what sticks with me are the fun times, the laughs, and the moments shared with friends. I guess that’s true with a lot of life... like what do you remember from school, work, vacations?
Most of it blurs, but we remember the laughs and the moments we share. Those become the best parts of the stories we tell.
The third thing that has struck me is the awe-inspiring resilience of the human body. It's an incredible machine, capable of repairing and healing itself if we push it and allow it to do its thing. Our ability to recover and keep performing is incredible... and, of course, a little sauna and cold plunge don't hurt!
But what has impacted me the most on this trip so far is the sheer diversity of our beautiful country. The USA has so much to offer – city life, desert, water, and mountains. Seeing people living in various environments, from desert dwellers to suburbanites with their fancy cars, and then witnessing a lone RV surrounded by cows in a field – it's just fascinating to see how everyone experiences life differently.
Being away from our families and regular lives has also been an eye-opening experience. I'm already dreading the adjustment back to the noise of everyday life, literally and metaphorically. It's been like a four-day sound bath, and re-entering the world of constant noise will be a challenge.
But one thing is for sure... we live in an amazing country. I love it!
Overall, this has been an unbelievable experience, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the journey has in store.
Thank you again to everyone donating and showing us support online and on the road. It means the world.
