It seems fitting — after all the planning, training, and actual tour riding — to have a page on after-thoughts. A few words about what I learned, what I'd do differently if I were to do it again, and what I got from it. So here are those thoughts and observations.
What I Learned
First, I discovered that the training is tougher than the doing, or the actual touring. I know Bill found this out, as well. Why is this? Because, with the training you ride, say, a 60-mile distance as one continuous ride, with only three or four very short breaks (for peeling a banana, getting out a cookie, taking a pee-break, etc.) However, on the actual tour, covering 60 miles per day doesn't occur as one long ride but, instead, is two 30-mile rides with a 45 to 60 minute lunch break in between. A big difference. Further, with long training rides there's no one to talk with, nothing to break the monotony. Plus, you're doing the same route over and over, thereby, seeing the same landscape over and over. On the tour, you're regularly chatting, plus every minute of the ride is new scenery. The result: Riding the actual tour involves less physical fatigue, less mental fatigue.
Second, I discovered that my "traditional biking outfit" is less-than-optimal for multi-day cross-country cycling. For the past 30 years I've biked with spandex biking shorts and a white T-shirt. However, I observed that what my biking buddy Bill had works better. Cross-country biking pants have POCKETS. Highly useful for cross-country cycling. They enable one to carry wallet (money), keys, handkerchief, tube of sunblock lip balm, cell phone, or whatever, on his person — very handy. In addition, I discovered that a white cotton T-shirt isn't the easiest-cleaning, quickest-drying material. A synthetic colored biking shirt cleans easier, dries faster, works better, and stays looking better than a T-shirt. Lastly, it creates a better-looking photo.
Third, I found out that people are intrigued by someone who's doing something different and beyond the norm. I always knew this. And, I've experienced it from time to time. But not in the context of bicycling or an athletic pursuit. I didn't expect that folks would look at Bill and me with admiration, would desire to talk with us, would want to find out about us, and would genuinely wish us well in our endeavor. It was fun and gratifying to experience.
What I'd Do Differently, If I Were to Do It Again
First, I'd get a complete set of cross-country cycling attire (discussed above). Basically, I'd dress the way my friend Bill did.
Second, I'd buy a waterproof bag perfectly sized for carrying on the back of my bike. (I've already found one in the BassPro catalog.) To save funds, Bill and I decided to forego spending over a thousand dollars on pannier bags, which might only see one trip (the EUPBT 2009). As a result, I packed my stuff into two small canvas duffle bags that I had. In the end, it worked. But it wasn't the optimal set-up or the most convenient. I now know what set-up will result in maximum ease of operation.
Third, I'd try to obtain a bike seat (i.e., saddle) that results in less pressure on the ends of my butt-bones. This pressure, of course, tends to result in a dull pain in the rear. It wasn't enough pain to overwhelm the pleasure of the tour or make me wish I wasn't doing it. But, it sure would be nice to eliminate it, or at least reduce it somewhat. I'm not certain such a seat exists. But, I've noted that there are a lot of different "innovative" designs out there. So, if I do another tour, I'm going to do some researching and testing to find out if there's one that reduces the pressure and pain on my behind.
What I Got from It
First, I just plain enjoyed doing it. I loved seeing and experiencing the countryside from a bicycle — and, in particular, the U.P. countryside of my home State of Michigan. I like Michigan, always have — all parts of it. I like its people, cities, farms, woods, and waters. And, I have a particular fondness for "northern" Michigan. In the past 15 years, my wife Janet and I have enjoyed seeing dozens of plays. Of all these plays, my favorite of all — the one I enjoyed the most and laughed along with the most — was Jeff Daniel's Escanaba in da Moonlight, done by the Tawas Players. I totally loved it. At the end I felt like standing up and shouting, "Yes, THAT'S my Michigan." (Note: this critique pertains to the stage play, not to the movie version of the same title, which I've heard is not nearly as enjoyable as the play.)
I know that in today's economic situation, and in the face of the bad press that the State has received for the past 20 or 30 years, that most folks wouldn't believe that such a viewpoint is possible or realistic. But, I see it otherwise. And, I happen to believe that a strong objective case can be made in support of such a viewpoint. So, I'm a Michigander, proud of it, and love being here. As such, this trip enabled me to immerse myself in what I love, in a way, and to a depth, that I've never before had the chance to do.
Second, this experience — the EUPBT 2009 — reassured and re-convinced me that my "life ain't over yet." Yes, I'm a basically positive guy and I've always (or at least 99 percent of the time) viewed the future in a positive light. I expect to accomplish a lot of things in the fourth quarter of my life — the next 15 or so years. I work regularly on keeping myself focused on one or more exciting goals, on keeping a positive, productive mindset, and on improving myself in some way. Also, I've always worked to keep myself fit and healthy. However, none of my goals pertained to a physical or athletic achievement, until the past year. Thus, planning, training for, and accomplishing this bike tour was something that broke new ground for me. I accomplished an aspiration involving physical development and expansion. This made it uniquely rewarding and reinforcing for me. The moment Bill and I wheeled into his driveway on Day 7, I was able to proclaim to myself, to my biking buddy Bill, and to the world — "WE DID IT!"
Those three words rang in my head the night of the seventh day, when the tour was over. And, I said them again on the drive home the next day: "We did it!" We planned the tour, we trained for the tour, we DID the tour. I know people can intellectually understand those words, but I doubt that anyone would appreciate what they mean to me — with the possible exception of one person, my friend and biking partner, Dr. Bill Bacheler.
With Bill's photographic initiative and creativity we captured many great photos. Each holds a special meaning and memory for me. But, if pressed to pick one I like the most, I believe this would be it. To me, it seems to best embody the spirit and essence of the trip. (And, yes, you've already seen it twice before.)