Ready for the next half-century*

I thought I would be thinking a lot during this trip, contemplative things: about my life, my work, what might come next. You know, stuff you think about as you get old, like 50. Except I haven't really been thinking about this stuff - mostly I think about where & when I'm going to eat next.

But there are these arrows on the road I keep following - pointing ahead, to things I have ideas about but don't really know until I get there.

Riding alone I do find myself thinking about people I care about - not in a lonely way, much more it's about appreciating the love and affection I feel and receive from so many amazing people. I hope I let you all know that. It's probably something I need to do better.

The first day I set off alone from Jackson, riding through Grand Teton National Park, I found myself just about in tears - of joy and amazement. That I get to be here, doing this - that I have the time, the physical capacity, the money & support to do this (especially from Luis & Camilo, who let me go for this long) - I feel kind of overwhelmed with this great fortune & privilege. Not to mention all the endorphins, and the fabulous biker tan I'm acquiring...

*and yes, the title is also a bike joke (100 miles = a century)