Thanks! Despite my vow to never do a long bike tour again, guess what: I'm thinking about another six-week tour next year.

Thanks! I just noticed your comment as I was looking at my journal months after I finished the trip.

Can't disagree with any of your post, Thomas!

What a great way to end your trip.
And I absolutely love the sunset photo of you and Joy!
Xoxoxo

I just uploaded a pic of us on the boat:

https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/2024tbd/manitowoc-then-to-ludington-michigan-on-the-ss-badger-6ef/#55108_uz0tqcs4jse5urcuqjo0jiviu7p

I wanna see a photo of you and Joy on the SS Badger.

Your amazing mileage and climbing statistics no longer surprise me, because you've done it so many times before. Nor do the most frequently asked questions. But the three bottles of Nyquil and the fact that you persevered through all those coughing fits is most impressive.

I don't think I've ever been asked if I'm afraid. Interesting, being female. I have been asked if I'm alone, but I always quip that my husband sleeps in, and rides fast, he gives me a head start because I"m slow. All true statements. Perhaps his potential for catching me is enough to keep people from asking if I'm afraid? I'd guesstimate that I ride alone 95% of the time. The exception being our Europe tour, where I made advance arrangements with Jacinto to ride together. But that's not our norm.

To my knowledge, I've toured once with a man carried a gun in his handlebar bag. I didn't know until weeks into the tour when he mentioned not being concerned about bear along the route, because he had a gun, and of course he carried a gun for personal safety. Why would I think otherwise?

Good summary - I enjoy recaps of bike tours, it helps in understanding the route and the adventure. I also get asked the "Aren't you afraid?" type of questions. I think the folks who ask this live their own lives in fear and would never consider undertaking an adventure such as you just did. And I can't imagine carrying a gun on a bicycle tour - I think folks who think they would need to do so are too frightened to undertake a significant bike tour anyway.

Thanks, although this is probably the oldest I've ever looked in a photo :|

This is a great picture. :-)

Thanks! We did take the Badger across the lake. I just added a page about it.

I'm sorry about the dogs in my home state that caused you to abort your tour.

Yes, I believe blisters are one of the reasons backpacking is harder than bike touring.

The bike touring equivalent would be saddle sores though, right?

I think real saddle sores while bike touring are probably a lot less common than blisters while backpacking, though.

Thank you for a great journal.

(Note: I will not be replying further, regardless of whether or what Gunton says.)