Where is Lance?

Follow Al on his cross country bike tour!

If you want to see the itinerary, click here.

To learn more about the tour, click here.

You are going to ride from Caspar Wyoming to Michigan. Why? The answer I give… and the truth

2014-07-04

I’ve decided there are two kinds of people. Those who understand a ride like this and those who do not. . The people who get it don’t ask why, they already understand. The people who don’t get it, no matter what I tell them they will never understand. So this is how I deflect the question.
“I’m trying to ride in all 50 states.”
“What? How many have you ridden in?”
“ I’ve ridden in 38 and this ride will give me three more.”
“What states have you not ridden in?”
“This ride will give me two more, Wyoming and South Dakota. This pretty much ends the conversation and I can see their wheels spinning. He is a lunatic, I would never want to do something like that but he wants to ride in all 50 states.

What is the truth? Is it the adventure, seeing the country and it’s people, incredible fitness, weight loss, accomplishing something really difficult, committing to be immature forever, fighting aging, entertaining my friends, the great friendships you develop? Got me. I don’t know.

I wrote the above and then went for a ride. I got to thinking about that great twentieth century American philosopher, Elvis Presley. He said “you need something to do, someone to love and something to look forward to.” Well, I have more than enough to do and many people I love. Something to look forward to. Hmm. Interesting.

Tomorrow it begins. 106 miles from Caspar, WY to Lusk WY. High of 96.


Little known fact:
In July 1865, Lieutenant Caspar Collins was killed by a group of Indian warriors. The town is named after him. The Indians were retaliating for the Sand Creek Massacre. It was an atrocity in the Indian Wars that occurred on November 29, 1864, when a 700-man force of Colorado Territory militia attacked and destroyed a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho encamped in southeastern Colorado Territory, killing and mutilating an estimated 70–163 Indians, about two-thirds of whom were women and children.








Notice how thin I look in this picture. A lifetime of carefully watching what I eat and an iron discipline. Or having just ridden across the country and burning an additional 4000 calories a day.


It took 40 minutes to get a cab at the Caspar airport. Notice the 3 hours of free parking. A different pace here.
I would of taken more pictures but it is too hot to go outside

Messages

From: Message: To control SPAM, YOU MUST enter the characters above in the box below to post: [ Different Image ]

I think I get it although I will never do it. Sent 2014-07-07 from Dan Atkins

Good luck my friend! Sent 2014-07-05 from Mark Morton

I am riding my bike from Log Boom Park to the Snohomish Pie Company tomorrow. There will be a long stop at the Pie Company. I may ride my bike back, maybe not. I will eat an extra piece of pie for you, you need the calories. Sent 2014-07-05 from Old Uncle John

Have a great, safe time. Sent 2014-07-05 from Ellen Katz

As trim and fit as ever. If it's too hot to go outside to take pictures, how do you ride 100 miles in that heat?!?! Sent 2014-07-05 from 60

Ride with the big dogs, but stop to smell the roses. Stay safe. Sent 2014-07-05 from Jim

Okay, I still say you should have been a writer. You say a lot in a few words and I have no trouble understanding your motivation. Go for it Big Guy I will be reading daily. Sent 2014-07-05 from Cal

Al - thanks for including me on your journey. Look forward to following your progress! Sent 2014-07-05 from Nancy Cox

Cool, thanks for including me. btw,my answer to the why question is: the more you do, the more you do and who wants to do less. Enjoy Sent 2014-07-05 from Chuck Root

Should have told you that even if wy is a cowboy state . The baby back ribs are really great. Safe trip will continue to follow Uncle Don Sent 2014-07-05 from Don wares

Wow...what a trip. But you've got to tell us more: i.e. in a group? itinerary? etc, etc. Meantime, ride safe and be careful where you wear that M jersey. Bob Sent 2014-07-04 from

Go for it Al. You look terrific, remember to eat! Sent 2014-07-04 from Peter R.

Proud to say that we grew up in the same neighborhood! Take care. Be safe. Sent 2014-07-04 from Judy Baker