One last thing and I'm going to bed....

My roommate (Tom Zack) is from Keller, Texas, just north of Ft. Worth. He retired last year after 42 years working for some big railroad in some technical capacity. He started work there when he was 18, and is now 61. He is a father and grandfather, happily married since 1974, and is in great shape and looks very young. He is an avid bicyclist. He bought the bike he brought on this trip in August 2005. And........are you ready for this? He has ridden 25,000 miles on that bike in less than 5 years! Unbelievable. Unbelievable. I will NOT be trying to ride with him. My nickname (which I gave to myself a few weeks back) is El Tortoise.

A run-down of the people on the bike trip

There are 47 people (of all ages) riding all the way across the country, and 25 more people who will be riding one of the four segments of the journey. Two young guys are from Switzerland, one guy from Scotland, who now lives in England (Newcastle upon Tyne), two from Toronto (Ontario), one from Hong Kong, and the rest from the following US cities: Santa Rosa, CA, Austin, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Portland, ME, Erie, PA, Pea Ridge, AR, Newtown, CT, Larchmont, NY, Dover, NH, Jackson, WY, Newburgh, IN, Columbia, MD, Boulder, CO, Glenview, IL, Newport, ME, Redondo Beach, CA, Berthoud, CO, Tucson, AZ, Jasper, GA, Sammamish, WA, Westlake, OH, New York, NY, Fishers, IN, Havana, IL, Ann Arbor, MI, Cedar Falls, IA, Greenwich, CT, Coquille, OR, Keller, TX (Tom, my roommate), Barnes, WI, Duluth, MN, Camp Hill, PA, Bloomington, MN, Deerfield, NH, Salt Lake City, UT, Sandy, UT, Lawton, OK, Carpinteria, CA, San Francisco, CA, and of course, me (San Diego, CA). There are four MD's in the group, and nearly everyone has left behind a spouse and kids. Maybe it's like going in the military and people coming from all over the country. Very nice people - seemingly normal.....

They're freaking me out now......why are we doing this??

The 4-hour orientation has worn me out. We have covered all the many things that can go wrong, all the health and medical issues and injuries, all the obstacles, challenges, mountains, things to be careful about, how to ride safely on Interstates, fixing flats, mechanical problems, all the weather challenges, clothing needs and changes, how to read the route sheets, saddle sores, overuse injuries, pushing your body past the normal limits, sore necks, sore legs, sore everything, achilles problems, dehydration, sunburn, throwing up, etc. etc. etc. I'm getting freaked out. The more they talk about all this, the more I'm wondering: Why are we all doing this?? I suddenly can't remember. The talk of the day was Dream Vs. Reality (riding a bike across country). And, yet, there are many people here who have done this before - sometimes several times. Mike Munk (the leader) has lead 37 previous bicycle trips across the USA. Many of the riders have gone on very long bike trips in the US and other countries, and they evidently love it. I just can't remember why I was so intent on doing it. But, everyone is very nice and supportive, and the staff of the company (America by Bicycle) are excellent and very well-organized and experienced. I'm sure I picked the right group to do this with.

The 3-hour-bus ride to Astoria, Oregon

Met 4 of my riding companions. Joe, from Atlanta, a CPA who used to do ultra marathons. He has run a 75-mile run around Portland, a 125 mile, 12-man relay from Mt. Hood to Seaside, OR, AND the Mountain West 100, in Lake Tahoe (one of the most grueling races on the planet). Will I be able to keep up with him?? Also met Rod from New Hampshire, and a couple (John and Dereka) from Maine. She is a librarian - can you imagine? She worked at a genealogy library in Washington, DC for 14 years. So, quite a variety of people are showing up. It's rainy this morning in Astoria.

Yippeee...finally getting the trip going!

Ha! After arriving in Portland, OR at the airport I immediately went into action, figuring out the light rail system, buying a ticket to downtown, and jumping on the train. Then, about 12 miles into the trip I realized I left my big bag at the airport in the luggage area (I hadn't checked a bag in many years, just carrying my backpack normally). So, I went back and got it. Then, made my way to the Amtrak station downtown Portland for the bus ride to Astoria. "Typical" Portland person!

Only 15 more hours until I leave

I want to thank everyone for being so supportive and encouraging. I appreciate your positive attitude about my being able to complete this bicycle ride across the country. And, I am totally at peace with it, too.

How come this is more my speed??

I do enjoy the relaxing feel of a casual trip to Pacific Beach, rolling along leisurely on a beach cruiser - comfortable seat, seating upright, no gears, foot brakes..........ahhh...in time......
This is me again "in training" on Memorial Day at Pacific Beach, San Diego.......working hard....