As I leave town the terrain is becoming very desolate. I ran into a fully loaded rider heading west and he tells me to expect it to remain pretty unremarkable for the next 400 to 500 miles. With that in mind I meet with Dale and decide that I don't want to ride by myself for the remainder of the trip (2,000+ miles). Half the fun is in the shared experience and I have ridden what is the most challenging terrain of the trip - so I have confidence that a trip like this is in my future with a larger group so if someone needs to go home I'll still have people to ride with.
After regrouping Dale and I decide to head home. One of our stops was at a motel in Flagstaff - it was late at night and it was pouring down rain, almost sleet! Dale got up in the middle of the night and there was 4 inches of snow on the van and tent trailer - by morning there was 6 inches. Ummm, snow? We got a late start because we had to wait for the snow to melt a bit before we could head for home.
OK, so snow made for an interesting ending to my ride.
I want to thank everyone who made this trip, shortened tho it may be possible -
Particularly my husband Dale, whose dream this was NOT,
my cycling friends who helped me prepared for this trip,
to Barb and Paul who were so encouraging
and to my clients who were totally understanding and were willing to wait for me until I finished my ride!
I haven't given up, there is another cross country trip in my future - just not this year!
Lesli
gee guys sorry you are coming home. the weather is rainy here with plans to continue for a while.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of turning around, you are to be congratulated! You are amazing.
ReplyDelete