2013 Elite Pactour final thoughts

As I rode the last few days of this trip, my mind began to turn toward all the people that helped me get to the start line and then provided encouragement along the way. I was amazed at just how many people were involved in helping me cross the country on two wheels. I reflected on the fact that accomplishments that we think of as solo events, like swimming the English Channel or sailing solo around the world, are not solo events. They all have huge amounts of help in planning and support before and during the event. This event was no different. There are many people that helped me in numerous ways to make this trip a success.

The first thanks goes to Michele and Kate. They have always supported and encouraged my crazy adventures and made sure that I had the training time I needed to get ready for this one. They were right there at the beach yesterday on Tybee Island as they should have been, as they are part of the team. Thanks to both of you for "getting" me and helping me to succeed.

The next thanks goes to my mom and dad. I was always "a little different from the other kids" and instead of trying to change me, they encouraged me to be different and pursue what I wanted, and not necessarily what others expected of me. So instead of fitting the mold, I've always been comfortable doing unusual and challenging things and I give them great credit for instilling that spirit in me. It has led to an incredibly happy and fulfilled life.

Thanks go to my brother Greg, wife Andrea, and niece Sophie and nephew Luke. They were kind enough to call me in Socorro, New Mexico and what a great pick up that was. Knowing you guys were following me and pulling for me meant the world to me. Greg, the only thing that could have made the trip better would have been to have had you riding beside me across the country. Maybe someday it can happen.

To my Aunt Ann, thank you for following me across the country. I appreciate the kind comments on the blog and it was great to know you were pulling for me.

Uncle Dave, I thought about you a lot the day we rode from Socorro to Roswell. I knew you were stationed in the area back in the day with the military and I knew I was in places you had been years before. Thanks for following me across the country.

David Hayes, thanks for your nice comments on the photos and blog as I went coast to coast. As you are a fellow adventurer, you could relate to the many challenges facing me on my ride. Thanks for the encouragement and I look forward to doing the same for you on your next adventure.

To my roommate, Steve Reed, it was a great pleasure getting to know you and room with you. You had a tough time early on and I want to congratulate you on your perseverance in finishing the trip strong. A lesser person would have bagged the trip. I look forward to seeing you again in a few weeks when you come through Indiana while crewing for Race Across America. That team is lucky to have you on their side.

And, Ethan Thorman, my former Pactour roommate, you saved me from the heat my friend. The tips you gave me to deal with the heat allowed me to survive the Mojave Desert and live to fight another day. I'm eagerly awaiting the day we are on another Pactour together.

Thanks to Tim and Julie Perkins for their thoughts and prayers along the way. Knowing you were pulling for me meant the world to me. You are ready to finish a journey of your own in about a week and I'm proud of you. I'm looking forward to seeing you up there on that stage.

Thanks to my fellow 2013 Elite riders. What a great bunch of people. I don't think I've ever seen so many type A personality/hyper achieving people in one place. I loved the friendly competition and the camaraderie across the country. I expect and hope to ride with many of you again.

I would certainly be remiss in not thanking the Pactour crew, Lon, Susan, Doug, Dave, Bill, Tracey, Debbie, Lynn Anne, Brad, and Paul. I would not have ridden across the country without them. There are so many logistical parts of a trip like this that they take care of. It is not an exaggeration to say that all I needed to do was ride my bike and they did the rest. They were all so positive and so helpful every day that you couldn't help wanting to ride better and succeed. Thank you guys for a wonderful trip. Let's do it again soon.

I've had several people ask me if I would do this trip again. My answer is ask me again in a month. I don't know that I would do this route again but there is another Elite route that starts in San Diego and then goes across the country further north, through southern Colorado and Kansas, finishing in Virginia. That would be too tempting to pass up I think. The Ridge of the Rockies from Kalispell, Montana to Albuquerque, New Mexico is on my to-do list as is the Pacific Crest from Washington State to Reno, Nevada. So when those trips happen, I'll be back here blogging again. Hope you've enjoyed the trip as it happened through my eyes as much as I enjoyed telling the story.