looking back

In the days after the Big Ride ended, my heart was heavy. I'd become so close to all of these people, and shared and amazing experience and bond, and they were all gone. It was a really tough transition back into the "real world".

I went for a run they day after the ride ended, and that served as day 1 of marathon training. I don't know what marathon, but I need to do something to keep myself out of trouble!

I like to make lists. I think they're nice. I've made a few throughout this trip, and now seems like a reasonable time to share them. So here goes...

Lessons learned

Bicycles work best when you keep the rubber side down.

Underwear is overrated

Flip flops are underrated

My bucket list

Learn (really learn) French and Spanish

Bicycle across every continent (except the really cold one... who needs that?)

Bicycle the Tour de France route

Run a marathon

Learn how to scuba dive

Things I’ll miss

The companionship

The beautiful simplicity of life on the road

The trail mix

The exercise and the endorphins

Possible funding sources to support my new life plan of being a fulltime bicycler

Become an immensely excellent blogger and rake in ad revenues

Game the lottery system (all those statistics courses have got to be useful for something! :o))

Become a day trader

Two days before my scheduled flight, I got an email from the UK Border Agency -- my work visa was approved. One day before my scheduled flight, my passport, shiny new visa and all, was back in my hands. On the day of my scheduled flight, I boarded the plane and headed off for a new adventure.

I'll finish with the motto that developed over the last days of the trip... while I may no longer be a Big Rider, I'll always ride big. :o)