As 2010 ends it is hard to believe that it is over 1 year since we biked cross country. However, to this day, I must think about it every few days or so or at least every time I ride my bike. I did not think that it would be such a life changing experience, but just thinking about it brings a smile to my face and an inner feeling of happiness. Even when you want to forget about it someone will introduce you at work as that crazy person who biked cross country. At our year-end party my boss referred to me as the companies Forrest Gump. I am not quite there yet as he crossed the country 3 times, but I still have at least one more bike adventure in me.
I have even been able to get together with some of my fellow XC09 this year, spoke to some on the phone, followed them on their bike adventures in 2010 and even rode with them as well.
When I first returned from my trip in 2009, I really had a tough time getting motivated to get on the bike, but eventually the feeling of the freedom of biking returned. When I explained to people that I rode 12,000 miles in 2009 there response would be "But you rode cross country". They were right, but is was the preparation and training that enabled me to ride all of those miles. The cross country trip was easy in comparison to that and no doubt due to the fellow riders. This year my initial mileage goal was 6,000 miles. When I passed that I thought it would be nice to ride as many miles excluding the cross country trip. With the rain in my area it made it exceedingly difficult to bike, but I managed to achieve that goal.
As I write this I do not have any specific bike goals in mind in 2011, but I do know two things:
1) One pedal stroke at a time
2) Every day riding a bike is a good day
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
