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Tom:  

    This trip for me was an impossible dream come true. I’ve always loved distance biking, and a cross-country tour for me was always the ultimate trip. My problem in the past was not lack of interest on my part, but not being able to find riders willing to go long distance with me. But my loving wife Nancy was willing, even though she initially wasn’t as committed to the goal as I was. Her readiness to support me and trudge through 3500 miles of heat, cold, wind and hills was as heroic a feat a wife has ever performed. Hats (and helmets) off to my wonderful wife.

   Did the trip meet my expectations? It far exceeded them. Bicycling is, in my opinion, the very best way to experience a locale, and I feel I connected with our country in a very meaningful way. The sites along the way and the interactions with people we met will always be treasured memories.

    On a more philosophical note, the US impressed me as a country blessed not only with great natural beauty, but also with incredible resources – the seemingly endless farmland of the Midwest, the mountains full of coal and other treasures, an abundance of water and a temperate climate. Add to that freedom of religion, an abundance of churches, high quality education and a culture originally based in Judeo-Christian values – there’s no place like America.

    At the same time, although we met numerous kind and caring, hardworking Americans, who are making the ‘American dream’ work for them, it grieved me to see so many, for whatever reason, not taking full advantage of the abundance God has given us. Poverty is prevalent in America. Not only financial poverty, but intellectual, social and spiritual poverty as well. Many are living far below the potential they could enjoy in such a land of plenty. God bless America, and send her revival!

    Finally, we both are deeply grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ, whose angels, we’re sure, worked overtime to guard our way. Amazingly, we crossed the USA with very few issues – only a couple of minor falls, no accidents, no illnesses, no thefts, no assaults, no harassments (except for some drive-by hecklers), rare canine encounters and, in general, only minor breakdowns. Times when we did have a special need, God would raise up just the right person to help us out. It was so obvious that His hand of blessing was upon this trip. All glory to Him.

Nancy:

    My first long distance bike trip was a series of short and longer rides going through Europe with Tom and our two children. I remember a lot of beautiful scenery, a lot of rain and some bike breakdowns. Thankfully, most of our traveling was over flat ground. We camped with other biking families and shared the work and load on our bikes.
    When Tom suggested a two week ride from Pittsburgh to Washington DC to celebrate our son's college graduation, I had no idea of this adventure turning into anything progressive. Spending time with adult children you don't get to see regularly is always a blessing, and that trip certainly was. I do remember some hard hills and rainy days. Most people can put up with anything if it is short lived.
    I began to have an inkling about the passion Tom had for this cross country trek when we went from DC to NYC. This time it was no laughing matter when we pushed off from DC by ourselves, bused over the Bay Bridge, and began the route to the coast. To be honest, the best part of the day was usually during meals in the evening after the day's chore was done.
    I began to gain a little bit more enthusiasm when we traveled from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, although the first day of frequent rain on a cinder trail and the killing hills in Steubenville gave me Achilles tendonitis for days. But who can resist the Amish country of Ohio or the cross state trail with all its lovely wooded areas? I was beginning to get hooked.
    In the end, what really sold me on a cross country tour of America was not the scenery, but the Americans. Shop owners who have been there for years. Friendly fellow campers and bikers. Pastors and their congregations. Parents and their children at ballgames. Even in 2020, where Covid mostly separated us from others, we got to talk to our fellow sufferers about struggling businesses and swap stories of shared losses.
    The Oregon trail. The C and O canal. The giant models in Casey, IL. The rodeo in Burley, ID. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The mines in Superior, WY. The monuments in Washington DC. The cross at Effingham, IL. All places trod by people, made by people. Laughter. Tears. Prayers. Sweat. Life.
    So is it worth it to ride across the country? Is it worth the cold, the pain, the heat, the wind, the exhaustion? Yes, it is.
    Last acknowledgements go to Tom, who was always ready with a smile, an encouraging word and a patient, steadfast endurance to fix every one of my flat tires and answer my inevitable, “Are we there yet?” with a gentle, “Just a little bit more.” Great job, Tom!