So I’ve done it, I have cycled diagonally across the USA!
The journey has been fantastic and, the roads of Florida
aside, I have enjoyed almost every
minute of it. The bits I didn’t enjoy
have been character building, so I have also developed my persona into the
bargain.
It’s hard to describe how I feel about finishing the
journey, I guess it is a mixture of elation and sadness........
I am obviously elated to have completed my journey, (on time
and within budget); I am excited to be reunited
with loved ones and do all the things I have missed whilst in the USA (e.g.
drink tea and eat proper cheese!) plus there are certainly things I will not
miss at all (e.g. packing up my campsite each morning, cooking on a camping
stove and, of course, my saddle!!).
However, it is with genuine sadness that the journey must
end and I will leave the USA to return home.
I have seen some great scenery and met some amazing people, memories of
both will stay with me forever. I will
miss the star filled skies at night, the daily campsite lottery and believe it
or not I will miss having the same conversation with every single person I
meet. It may sound tedious, but I have
loved telling people where I am travelling and why, despite doing it around 4-5
times a day.
I should admit, when I left the UK I was terrified at
spending three months on my own, but my fears never materialized. My fears were augmented by friends and family
predicting all the awful things that were going to happen to me (despite good
intentions). So if you ever hear of
anyone planning any ‘crazy’ journeys, tell them to go for it!
I have spent a handful of nights on my own with a book, but I
have met so many people that these were welcome moments of solitude, and
despite one incident I have met nothing but good, nice, generous people.
I accept bad things do happen, but it is not a reason to
shelve your plans. I have met a number
of long distance cyclists on my journey and all have said that cycling the USA
is a fantastic experience.
I recently read a tweet which sums it up my journey:
Take risks. If you win you will be pleased, if you lose you will be wiser.
I won. Which sadly
means I finish this trip no wiser, despite the beard!
