Four years ago in 2015, I set off on an epic adventure to ride a mountain bike, solo, from Canada to Mexico, following the US Continental Divide as closely possible. Completing that 2,700-mile journey forever changed my perception of what an ‘adventure’ is, also giving me a hunger for more.
Continue readingCategory Archives: American Trail Race 2019
Day 1- Cape Lookout to Maysville NC (70 miles)
June 1, 2019
Feels good to be ‘back on the trail’. However, it’s not without trepidation. With a rather daunting 4,930 miles to go I wondering what the heck am I doing out here?
Continue readingDay 2 – Maysville NC to Kenasville NC (57 miles)
June 2
Got an early start this morning due to the birds being very active early making it difficult to sleep. Even though I’m getting a good nights sleep, still need to get accustomed to sleeping in the sleeping bag again.
Continue readingDay 3 – Kenansville NC to Anderson Creek (80 miles)
June 3
Realize I’m not painting the rosiest of pictures of being out here with my previous two entries. Friends have contacted me regarding the state I’m projecting. As one friend even put it, am I having buyers remorse? I can honestly say it’s great to be out here riding and seeing the countryside. What’s proving to be extremely difficult is what I left behind to be out here, loved ones, friends and the general overall comfort of being home.
Continue readingDay 4 – Anderson Creek to Candor, NC (63 miles)
June 5
Poking my head out of the tent this morning the sky was looking like rain. After a quick breakfast and breaking down camp, I hit the road about 8:00.
The last 10 miles yesterday gave me the first taste of hills. Today’s section of the route provided more of the same, gradually getting bigger and longer as the day went on. Thinking rain might be part of my day I stopped at subway about 10 miles in to charge some things and write yesterday blog post and just kinda take it easy.
Continue readingDays 5 & 6 – Candor, NC to Richfield to Statesville, NC (49 + 57 miles)
June 5 & 6
Another morning the sky’s are cloudy looking like rain and I believe they mean it this time. Catching the news at the restaurant the previous night, they did indicate for rain today. To add credence to the forecast a gentleman at convince store this morning even said so.
Continue readingDay 7 & 8 – Statesville, NC to Bethlehem to Lenoir, NC (40 + 16 miles)
June 7th & 8th
Was very nice to get a shower, wash some clothes and sleep in a real bed with air condition comfort last night. My night was not without its moments though.
Continue readingDay 9 & 10 – Lenoir, NC to Pisgah National Forest to Collettesville, NC (28 + 20 miles)
June 9th
Third straight day of rain and not just a little rain. It’s coming down hard. Not so eager to get on the road this morning. Had a good night stay and day off in Lenoir. Marcia, who worked the front desk at the hotel I stayed at last night was a pleasure to talk with. Telling me she had a medical condition and she is just in awe of people like me that take on physical challenges like this. Because she can’t
Continue readingDay 11 – Collettsville, NC to Spruce Pine NC (36 miles)
June 11th
Woke this morning to the same beautiful partly cloudy skies that I went to bed with. So nice to not see rain after dealing with it for days. Also feeing just slight nausea so that’s improving too. Camping close to town I went to the only store to pick up breakfast. Sitting outside eating what I could piece together as a passable breakfast, This big dog, a chocolate Lab, was doing his ‘best sad’ face to get a bite or two from me.
Continue readingDay 12 – Spruce Pine, NC to Burnsville, NC (12 miles)
June 12th
Woke this morning unsure what time it was because there is no clock, and my phone is on the charger across the room. Laid there with some trepidation. Doing a self check. Legs feel good. Stomach feels good. Fingers crossed everything stays that way.
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