the bike:  this choice worked out. No problems except wear and tear on tires and chains. I'm not sorry to have ridden the Kestrel

Me:  The usual  wear and tear on the knees,  most other pain went away when we got to better roads than those in Texas.

the route:  not many of these rides would be a ride I would chose to do otherwise.  They were just the way forward and maybe the best of a miserable few choices.  Bad surfaces and too much traffic.  Also, many times no shoulder or space from traffic.   A few nice rural low traffic rides, some great descents.

organization:  there was enough to get us from one location to the other. Several people were involved in the planning and some had more attention to detail than others, but ultimately no one was in charge.  So many little things that could have been done almost every day. Instead, I felt we were all just sent out to do the best we could.

The start date: too early by 2 weeks at least.  The idea was to avoid the heat in Arizona and west California.  I guess it can be hotter there, but it was still 100 in Brawley and Ocotillo.  Instead, we were cold for many weeks in the 30's and 40's overnight.

some high points: the bats at the Congress Street bridge in Austin.  Seeing my name in the visitor book in Franklinton from 10 years ago. Nice trails through the Phoenix metro area and through the San Diego area. Visiting New Orleans just before Mardi Gras.