When asked if I’d do this again, I would answer, without hesitation, that I would not. The trip was long. By the time the end was near, I was more than ready to get back to a normal life.

Once back at work, it didn’t take a full day before the ride began to look better and better. By the end of a week, I had forgotten the intolerable heat, the endless hills, the humidity, the traffic, living in a tent, using porta-potties, and never being comfortable because it was wet, or hot, or cold, or windy or . . .

I would remember the scenery. I would remember the people I met along the way. I would remember the hours of enjoyable riding, stopping for root-beer floats and farm fresh fruit. I would remember enjoying my contact nature. I would remember mountains and valleys, river canyons and forests of the west. I would remember the bad lands, the lush green of Pennsylvania, and the misty mountains in Maryland, the back county roads in Ohio.

Would I do it again. No, I would not repeat this ride. But I would do something a little more on my terms. I would take rides that are 2-3 weeks long. I would go on my route, and I’d have my agenda. I would be able to stop for a couple of days in an enjoyable area. I would go at my pace. And, I’d have good coffee each morning, and the pace would allow me to savor that cup of coffee. That would be the life.

 Miscellaneous Ramblings:

My leg muscles have been sore for days from the intense climbing during the next to the last day of the ride. I guess that proves that I had been taking it too easy the days and weeks before. I had reached an acceptable level of performance that got me across the relatively flat mid-west. It was not good enough to get me though the Appalachians without pain.

If I had to do this again, I would not take along the computer. I had a lot of tools and gear with me on the bike, adding about 25 to 30 pounds that I packed up every hill and mountain on the trip. I am going to experiment with minimum weight. Of course, the computer, digital camera, and e-mail were all part of the planned trip, but my next trip, wherever it is, will be different.

I lost over 15 pounds on the trip. A couple of more trips like this, and I’ll be at my ideal weight.

 The Camp Pallotta Song
by Welmoed Sisson
Performed at the GTE Big Ride Talent Show
July 30, 1998 in Flintstone, MD