Catch up time! (Sorry for the wait)

I apologize for not writing in the last week or so! Wireless has been sparse, and when available, in high demand! It is difficult to disconnect ourselves from the outside world and wean ourselves from the internet.

Over the last several days, we’ve crossed 3 state lines and passed the halfway point in our trip. (Great, though I wish we could keep biking forever!) I’ve had a few hard rides due to pes anserine tendonitis (pain behind my right knee on the back medial side), ulnar nerve numbness (probably from the way I hold my handlebars), and general muscle soreness and tiredness. I actually had the same knee pain the first 2 weeks of the trip on both knees, as well as some patellar tendonitis (pain around the knee cap, particularly on the lateral lower part when going down stairs), but the break in Maryville for a week helped it recover, and I haven’t had much pain since. Yay! I borrowed a book from Amanda, another biker, about common medical injuries cyclists experience, and it’s really cool to read about all the injuries people are experiencing. Interestingly, several other bikers on the trip have also had patellar tendonitis, Achilles’ tendonitis or other injuries from overuse, and the good news is that they usually get better as your muscles get stronger. So by the end of this trip, hopefully our ailments will be gone! As for being tired, I have really developed a reputation for being able to fall asleep anywhere, including in the trailer during a lunch stop—wouldn’t recommend it because your legs cool down a lot, but boy, it was a wonderful nap!


I’ve also had a few great rides. After going over mountains, hills are “a piece of cake.” (Ok, not really, but they’re a lot easier! It’s all about perspective…) And compared to windy flats with straight roads that go on into the horizon, I much prefer the hilly terrain. I’ve also found some good riding buddies and I’ve grown to enjoy cycling in groups. It helps the time pass, and I usually go faster when I have people to help me keep a constant speed. In particular, Liz, Meredith, Ryan, and Jochem (Chris) have been great buddies on the road! Here are Liz, Ryan, and I at the top of a hill, ready for the downhill with an 11% grade! Woohoo!

Here are Meredith and I at the top of a hill, showing off the calves that the lovely hills have toned:

And here’s Jochem. The tallest member of our crew riding one of the smallest bikes! It was a circus act: