The generosity of total strangers continues to overwhelm us. We’re in Greenville, Mississippi—looking forward to a needed rest day Wednesday. The hotel owner offered us two free nights and a great local bar-b-que place fed us. Amazing. At the restaurant the server asked what we were doing. Becky told her the story, and she left […]
Continue readingCategory: Notes From The Road
Inspired Or Motivated
I spent a lot of time today thinking about motivation and inspiration. I wonder if I’m motivated or inspired to do this ride. It’s the sort of question you ask yourself while cranking along on a nondescript backroad that you thought was in Arkansas until you encounter this sign and realize you were still in Missouri. […]
Continue readingGrateful…Truly Grateful
We’re wrapping up week 6 of Rich’s Ride. As we speak to folks in Memphis and wonder at the generosity of strangers-turned-friends, this song popped up on Becky’s Ipod. I included the lyrics below. They’re wonderful, but one thought struck me: Giving thanks for what I’ve got Makes me happier than keeping score Please enjoy the […]
Continue readingCostly Comfort
Yesterday’s post proved to be somewhat prophetic. After writing about riding in adverse conditions, we awoke Tuesday morning to rain, strong wind, and temps in the low 40s. At home, that’s a prescription for another cup of coffee and no riding. Becky advised waiting, but I was determined to get going. So I layered on the […]
Continue readingSafety Net
I thought I trained pretty hard for this ride. After cranking a few weeks, I realize that the training isn’t the same as the real thing. It’s too easy to cut a ride short when I get tired. My route can be adjusted depending on the wind. I can avoid really tough hills. If the […]
Continue readingTraveling Well
“It’s about the journey, not the result.” Thursday’s ride was about as routine as it gets. Pretty straight roads, wide shoulders, a fair amount of traffic, hills were long and gradual—I hardly shifted gears during much of the ride. Friday brought country roads, absolutely no shoulders or traffic, and steep hills. I either crawled up […]
Continue readingSongs
Honestly–this post won’t amount to much. I rode 52 miles Thursday, from Carbondale to Cape Girerdeau. It was a great ride, but I’m pretty tired. So we grabbed an early dinner and I’m hitting the pillow. You know how songs get stuck in your head? It happens to me nearly every day, and four or […]
Continue readingAnother Silly Distraction
A few days ago I did a beautiful ride along the Illinois side of the river north of St Louis. As I traveled south, lots of cyclists traveled north as part of a one-day century ride. I caught myself wondering who had the easier ride. I rode slightly downhill with the river, but into a […]
Continue readingOld Chain Of Rocks Bridge
We stayed an extra day in St Louis to ride across the Old Chain Of Rocks Bridge and along the Riverfront Trail. When we originally planned this visit some local cyclists talked about ridkng with me. That didn’t work out, but we decided to do this ride anyway. So come along for the ride. I […]
Continue readingJust Get ‘Er Done
Friday was a ‘just get ‘er done” day. If you read yesterday’s post (You Gotta Refill The Bucket) you know I woke up feeling pretty empty. I’ve made a point each day of the ride to remind myself how blessed I am to have this opportunity. I did that Friday morning, but I wasn’t feeling […]
Continue readingYou Gotta Refill The Bucket
Today we re-learned a valuable life lesson. You know this lesson. One can only survive for so long on determination and adrenaline. If you want to keep going long term, you have to refill the bucket. Bucket-filling takes many forms, but generally I find that I need to recharge myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. […]
Continue readingHere Comes The Sun
Monday began week four of Rich’s Ride. I can’t believe how fast it’s going. My friend Glenn drove all the way from Denver to ride a few days with me. I’m grateful for the company, the commitment, and the great weather he brought along. We headed south from Burlington, Iowa under cloudless skies. For the […]
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