So can we expect you to stay with us in September!!??!!

Racpat

Keith, no definitive plans yet, but who knows? I’ll be keeping an eye on your journal and we’ll see if stars align. September seems like a long way off!

Thanks for the tips Henry.  The Mickelson Trail is on my list.  Needles Highway looked hilly to me but I'll see how I feel when the time comes.

I think I knew, maybe, that Sage Creek Rd is unpaved but didn't know about the mud.  Good to know there's an alternative. 

IDK how closely you've estimated your schedule. It's possible we might be in the same area at the same time, although we are on paved roads. Possible close spots are Abiquiu, NM (6/24), Del Norte, CO (6/26), Salida, CO (6/13). Salida looks too early, but possibly NM?

Kelly

Happy New Year!

I don’t have exact plans beyond finishing the Trans-American trail trip that I didn’t complete last year.  I know I will start in or near Eugene area and ride to Colorado.  From there it will depend on the health of my senior rescue dog, who may or may not be in doggie heaven by then.  Wag’s health will be the determining factor on if I return home after a month or so, or keep wandering aimlessly through the summer.

With that said I am mentally transitioning to semi-retirement (and retirement) in the near future and am super excited about new adventures.  Truth be told, over the last few years I have not felt as excited about cycling in general or bike trips in particular as I used to.  Not sure why, and it wasn’t Covid related.  It was just one of those ebbs in life I guess?  But now that I have retirement in my mind for the near future I am full of trip ideas and super exited again.

I am even thinking about more off road tours and debating with myself if I want a separate bike or the same bike with different wheel sets (and tires) to swap out depending on the type of trip.  I’m not thinking mountain bike/single track stuff but more fire road type terrain.  Deciding on bike needs will give my brain something to think about in the coming months and years.

My new year’s resolution is to take better care of my bike.  This year I spent some time removing the patches of surface rust from the frame.  Now it’s time for touch up paint.  After that we will be ready to hit the road again.

Can’t wait!

Wow.  That is a PLAN you’ve got there!   Kind of makes my plans look like a walk in the park. Looking forward to following along!

Wow.  That is a PLAN you’ve got there!   Kind of makes my plans look like a walk in the park. Looking forward to following along!

After my wife and I returned home in December of 2019 from a brief trip to visit Christmas markets in Germany, I started planning a tour in Puglia for that Spring.

And we all know what happened.

So I've had a lot more time to research and refine the trip. Bought our tickets to Italy last night. It will be a counterclockwise loop starting in Trani, with balanced themes of history, food, and wine. We'll eventually get down to the tip of the heel in Leuca and then make our return. 

We'll fly to Bologna in May. My wife and I have been but my brother hasn't, so we'll stay a couple days so he can experience the food. Had to twist my arm for a nanosecond to get that concession. From there a train to Trani where we put our bikes together and pick up the hired bike for my brother. 

We will see what happens to the rules regarding vaccination requirements and if necessary for travel hoping all three of us will be able to get another booster before leaving.

Karen, I went through a similar lull.  In fact, this summer's plan is really partly to assess whether I am back, or done.  Hence the title of my journal.

What I can tell you, based on about 3.5 months of data, is that retirement is GREAT.

Thanks Rich.  I find the planning and research are as fun as the ride, perhaps more, since in my mind's eye it is always perfect conditions. 

My plans are like the Pirate's Code: more of a guideline than a code, really.  Knowing that I am committed to being at X place on Y date is stressful so I try not to obsess over details.

On the other hand, where resources are scarce, it's important to me to have confidence that food and shelter are going to be available, so I plan to make a few key reservations far in advance.  I'll cancel or reschedule if / when needed, but it's a comfort to know that arrangements have been made. 

And of course, LOTS of people have done rides that make mine look like a day ride by comparison.  Around the world,  pole to pole, circumnavigating a continent... those are ADVENTURES.  I'm just going to slob along on routes well-traveled by thousands before me.  There are even printed maps and everything.