I DID IT!!

I did it! I made it to the Golden Gate Bridge. I was greeted by the Pacific Ocean as a wave crashed over the wall and got me wet, but far from the gloom that the rains of Virginia brought, this water lifted me even higher. After two months of sweat, blood, and maybe some wind blown tears, I am in San Francisco. I feel like people could tell that I might have a story to tell because as I sat on a bench contemplating my achievement, about 10 people came up to ask me where I had come from (or it could just be my funny looking bike). Its funny, I have heard other bikers speak of how anti-climactic the end of their journey was; and I understand what they mean. Most people are just passing, living their every day lives, no idea what was just accomplished. However for me, I wouldn't have it any other way. This was not a journey in search of a tickertape parade or seventy-six trombones to announce what I had done. It was a journey in search of myself and to figure out what I wanted to do next in my life. I left from Ashland, VA in an unimposing parking lot and ended it much the same way at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Somewhere in between I decided that I would like to go to business school, so when I get back to the real world in a week or so, I will begin preparations to take the GMAT's. During my time on the road I met a plethora of generous and caring people, many of who I would talk their ear off just to ease the isolation of my day. For those of you who helped me directly, thank you. For those of you who left comments on this blog, you words helped me through more than I ever thought they would. For those of you who read without posting, I hope you enjoyed following along as my journey progressed.

Now this is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
~Sir Winston Churchhill

As for this blog, I may post a few more times before I head back to New Jersey. Just to let you know the daily happenings of my time left in California.

Thanks again,
Matt

So excited...

As I sit on this ferry crossing the bay into San Francisco, I can
barely sit still. I thought blogging might help calm me. I rarely get
excited, and it is never for normal reasons. Even when I went to
college, I was nervous and curious but not really excited; it was just
the next logical step. Well I am excited today. 6.5 miles of biking
left. Hopefully another post in about an hour. Until then...

8.5 miles and a ferry ride

After busting out three sixty plus mile days, that is all that stands
between me and my goal. Some thing that I have learned is that the
west coast has a ton of cyclists. Each time one would come up to me,
we would travel a few miles together chatting about my experience.
Although each time someone on a superlight road bike would pass me I
would pick up my pace to try and keep up, but after a while the weight
keeps me back. My last two days have mostly been spent on bike paths.
I just kept thinking back to days when Aunt Doris and Aunt Pat would
take me to the bike park. I did appreciate the lack of car traffic and
the number of water fountains. As I sit in my room tonight, I am
excited that my goal is so close. I will let you all know how
tomorrow goes. Until then...

Starlight, Star bright...

Well, I finally had to use my lights, but we will get to that in a
minute. Leaving Reno was pretty uneventful. Passed a few nicer
casinos, went to Joe's Diner (nothing special, thought some of you
would like the name). Day one was pretty easy only one climb and one
big decent (44.5 MPH). Day two on the other hand was an adventure. I
started out a little late (no suprise there) by 10:45 I was rolling.
After a 20 minute search for a pharmacy (forgot to mention earlier, my
right knee is killing me so I was looking for a wrap or brace) I
really got moving. I popped two Motrin and toughed it out. Today was
my last big challenge of the trip (I think), a 4,000 foot climb to
Carson Pass. If this were a movie "Eye of the Tiger" would be playing
over this montage. And don't think that I didn't sing it once or
twice. The climb got the best of me a few times and force me to walk
for a bit, but at about 5:30 I slew the beast. Now for the intense
bit, but first a word of thanks. During this trip, my Dad has been for
lack of a better words, my travel agent. While I am peddling away, he
occasionally, however increasingly, works to find me a place to stay
for the night. Tonight was no exception. Due to the mountainous
terrain, I was rendered without cell service for most of the day. He
found a few places for me, however by the time I was able to contact
him; all but one had closed (the furthest away, of course). So after
finishing my dinner and stapling on my lamps, I set off in the rapidly
fading light to find the Kit Carson Lodge. Now the trip was not all
that difficult, one and a half miles uphill and five miles down. Now I
don't know whether it was the chicken I ate for dinner or the sense of
fear I had that made the uphill fly by, but before I knew it I was
soaring down the mountain. It was none but by the grace of God that I
saw the sign for the lodge and made a hard left turn. After bumbling
around in near darkness for five minutes I found the right path and
the office; I was saved. Not only were the office staff very nice, but
they gave me a nice little shortcut for tomorrow. Until then...

Reno, the City that Gambling Forgot...

Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World, is in an uncertain time. It seems that this city has seen some tough times lately as there are a few empty casinos on the main drag here, leaving a vagrant feeling parts of the town. Most of the casinos that are left don't seem to to have been updated in the past decade or so. However, it seems this city is in a period of transition, as the river area is being built up by trendy stops. I believe that this city has seen worse days and will rebound in the near future. While it may never again rival Las Vegas or even Atlantic City, it will remain known to future generations of gamblers, and there is always the fascination of walking the set of Sister Act. As for my time here, most of it has been spent in the casinos whether it be for wagering, hitting the buffet, or a free show at Circus Circus. Other than that there isn't all that much to do within walking distance. Tomorrow I get back on the bike and head west, only about one week left to go. I can't believe this trip has progressed this far. We shall see how far I get, as I have two possibilities for bedding down tomorrow. Well until then....

I have friends in dry places...

Well, I am sitting on the train waiting to depart Salt Lake City. That
being the case, I believe a recap is in order. My first day here, I
walked everywhere. From the Mormon temple to the state capital and
many places not in between. On thing I keep forgetting in this arid
climate is: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. Especially since I don't have
my water bottles staring at me eight hours a day. So I ended up with a
hangover feeling at the end of walking around. However once I had
dealt with that I hit the gym. I know at least 3/4 of you are shocked
by that statement. Being the first real workout I have done since my
trip started, I am more than a little sore today. After the workout, I
cleaned up and headed to a Brew Pub I had seen earlier in the day. I
am very glad I picked this place because the food was tasty, the beer
was good and the coversation insightful (Hello to my new friend if you
are checking in). This morning I got off to a slow start since I
knew I had to kill time until my 11:30 train. After walking around
town again for a while I headed to see a movie to pass some time. Once
time finally came I showed up at the train station only to meet four
bikers packing their bikes up for transport. Looks like I am not the
only who wants to skip Nevada. We stood around waiting for the train
swapping war stories about distance traveled, dogs avoided and hills
climbed. It was nice to meet some other younger people who are on this
trip for some of the same reasons I am. Talking with them has really
gotten me excited to hope back on the bike. Well, we have now departed
Salt Lake City. As we leave the city lights I think I will try and get
some rest for Reno waits in the distance. By the time most of you read
this I will be in the Pacific Timezone. Until tomorrow...

PS: I am updating this from my phone so pictures will be added later.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...and Bikes too!

There is a certain solemnity to riding a train through the countryside. My car is only one quarter full, so it is easy to forget that other people are with me on this journey. As you know, I jumped on the opportunity to get off the bike again and ride the rails instead. What I did not mention is why. There are two reason for this. The first is simple; this became more than a bicycle trip a long time ago. Since I first rented the car in Kentucky I have been on a plane, a bus, and a car. In San Francisco, I will take a ferry across the bay so the only mode of transport left out would have been a train (And we couldn't have that). The second reason is what made this part of the journey essential. Due to track work between Denver and Salt Lake City, Amtrak has diverted service onto track owned by the Union-Pacific Railroad. That in itself is not cause for excitement, that is until I found out that some of this route is updaed track from the original Transcontinental Railroad. On this trip where I have envisioned myself in the shoes and saddles of the pioneers of old, how could I pass up the opportunity to once again travel their path. As for the journey itself, it was a rather uneventful twelve hour trip. However, if you have the time I would definately recommend taking a train journey at some point. Now I am in Salt Lake City and trying to plan my day, so I will fill you all in later. Until then....