I'm back home today and I wanted to add an entry to reflect a little on my experience.
Many have asked during the trip "Why am I doing this?" The short answer: Because I can.
The long answer: I left the work force and went back to school to pick up a degree in computer science. During my time in school, I began to wonder about doing something memorable that I would not otherwise be able to do when I started working again. This bicycle trip turned out to be that something.
When I graduated, last December, I still didn't know what that something was going to be. A few months later I bought a bicycle. The possibility of doing a tour entered my mind during the selection process. I then spent the rest of the summer building strength [800 miles of riding] while researching possible routes and selecting gear. I was finally ready to take off in late August.
This trip was very special for many reasons:
1) This was perhaps a once in a lifetime experience. Do to the amount of time required, it is very unlikely I will ever be able to do this again.
2) It was physically challenging and it felt good knowing my body was getting stronger as a result.
3) I've always liked to camp and I was able to spend a great deal of time outdoors.
4) I was able to meet old friends and family as well meet new people.
5) I traveled to parts of the country I've never seen before and revisited areas I haven't seen in a long time.
6) I've gained some insight as to why other people do bicycle tours.
And although this was a solo trip, it is very likely it would not have come to be without the support of my friends and family. Some gave advice, others words of encouragement, still others gave me a ride or a place to stay during the trip. Thank you all.
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I'm proud to say my bright yellow buckets worked out very well. I got the idea to build them from this website. They are waterproof, provide lots of storage, fit through hotel doorways mounted on the bike, worked as checked luggage on my return flight and provided a nice large platform for carrying stuff on top such as bottles of Gatorade, my sandals, a mesh bag for drying clothes, etc... They are quite durable and cheap to build. I've seen some versions made from kitty litter buckets, but I don't think those are as rugged nor very water proof, the lids do not seat well. I believe I'll get many years of use from the ones I made. However, I will be making a couple of modifications; First, I need to raise them a couple of inches so the bottom of the bucket clears the rear axle to ease removal of the wheel for fixing flats. Second, the reinforcement bar on the inside gives way under heavy loads. I need to add two more screws to each bucket at the ends of the bar. I found my buckets in the local grocery store called Ingles for about $12 each. I haven't been able to find this particular container in any other stores around town or online. It's also worth noting that I deviated from the original design by using rope cleats, S hooks and bungee cords rather than pannier hardware. This proved to be just as rugged and on the cheap. Otherwise, I would have had to order the pannier hardware that doesn't come cheap.
A sticker I saved from one of the buckets. This might prove to be helpful for those of you who might wish to use them. I think they can be difficult to find. I found mine at an Ingles grocery store. I hope Rubbermaid continues making these, they are perfect for adapting as waterproof panniers.
I was amazed at the amount of water I drank. I had some good tasting and some not so pleasant city and well water and I have to say, I believe the best tasting water comes from my well here in North Carolina. No I don't think that because it's what I'm used to. My brother, who visits from Atlanta, says the same thing.
When I started this trip, I wasn't sure where I would be heading from Little Rock, AR, I only knew Little Rock was my first destination. I had hopes of heading north and picking up the ACA
TransAmerica route in Missouri. A week or so into my ride I heard it was snowing in Wyoming, so I turned south in Little Rock to pick up the ACA southern tier route in Texas. What I was told and what I now know from experience is that I could and probably should have waited another month, when the temperature is a little cooler to do the route I ended up with. I should have started much earlier in the season for the TransAmerica route, that however was not possible because I took all summer to get my bike and gear together as well as building my physical strength.
More thoughts to come.
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