First of all, I want to say something: When I was planning this trip, I had vague notions about sharing it via a blog, but I wasn’t that interested in it. It sounded like a burden with no benefit to me. I was totally unprepared for how much fun sharing it would be. Your support and friendship have meant so much to me over the last 112 days. Thank you!
Special thanks to Bill Shaneyfelt (https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/directory/?user=awanabug), whom I’ve never met, but who checked my blog every day, and identified EVERY SINGLE ANIMAL I found on this trip. This was an amazing contribution!
And today I finished my odyssey today in the company of many friends.
Last night, in Bremerton, I had dinner with Leo, Mike, Eugene and Marlene (NONE OF US TOOK A PHOTO!).
This morning, Jeff surprised me in Bremerton and rode the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, and Robert was waiting in Seattle.
Rick, Rich, Simon and Elizabeth rode with me from Seattle to the bicycle trail leading to Redmond.
Cynthia, Tim, Joe and Peter were waiting for me on the bicycle trail and we continued to my favorite Szechuan restaurant.
And, ultimately, at least twenty-five people, including my youngest child, Meg, gathered at this restaurant to welcome me home.
I was humbled and overcome with happiness!
After a wonderful meal and stories, I rode the remaining 10 miles home, alone, on a familiar route I’ve ridden hundreds of times.
Walking into my home to be greeted by Meg and my dogs was surreal. And lovely! It’s good to be home. Sadly, my wife is walking across England (the Coast to Coast walk), and won’t be home for 13 more days, but she left her mark by remodeling the kitchen while I was away!
Anyway, here are few statistics from my trip:
Distance: 5,457.7 miles (8783.3 kilometers) *
Elevation gain: 257,580 feet (78,510 meters)
Hours actively traveling (not counting stops): 488.45
Average speed: 11.17 MPH (18 KPH)
Number of tires: 4 (replaced at 3,500 miles)
Number of chains: 2 (replaced at 3,500 miles)
Number of brake pads: 2 sets (replaced the organic pads with metal pads before 2,000 miles)
Handlebar tape: 3 sets
Fingerless gloves: 4 pairs
Number of flat tires: ZERO!!!!
Mechanical problems: ZERO!!!!
Granola bars eaten: Countless!
(The total distance is from Strava, and it differs from the distance here by a suspiciously round number: 10. I am sure one of these blog entries is wrong, but I will fix it another day)
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