You're doing what?

Bicycling across the US?!  Why would anyone want to do that?  Well, 30 years ago, before we were even married, Tino and I participated in our first bicycle tour.  We were a ragtag little group of 5 novice bikers, seeking adventure on the plains and in the mountains of Montana and British Columbia.   It was a great trip, where we learned a lot about bicycle camping and ourselves.  We covered 700 miles in 2 weeks, and  most of our adventurous spirits were satisfied for the time being....but during the ride,I remember at one campground in Glacier National Park, we ran into a couple that were bicycling across the U.S.  I watched them in awe from the corner of my eye, as they expertly cooked a gourmet  meal of Spaghetti Alfredo  and read quietly until dark, looking perfectly at home.  I think we had burnt our steaks over the open fire, and had had peanut butter and cheese for dessert that night, trying to dry our sleeping bags that had been soaked inside a leaky tent the night before.  How did they do it?  The seeds were planted that evening, and now, 30 years later, WE get to take that trip, and hopefully feel as at home on our bikes as they did on theirs those many years ago.

We will need plenty of preparation and proper equipment for this ride, so a couple of years ago, we started buying some of the big stuff that we would need like an ultra light tent and sleeping bags, and as time went on, added better bikes, panniers and cookware.  Birthdays and Christmases became about acquiring the right clothes for camping or biking, and we started making lists after every ride to see how we could improve our efficiency and comfort.  Now, we are six weeks away, and nearly ready!  We have a few more test rides planned to be sure, but the reality is really sinking in...we are going to bicycle 3,500 miles from Portland to Portland!  I wonder where that couple that we saw at the campground is now?  I wonder if they know how inspiring they have been to me?