Today you’re hearing from Honza. This is a joyous time, since Anita had the final rest day of her trek. And it happened to be in a picturesque town in upstate New York. Mentally drained, physically strong, many emotions bubbled up. It has been over 3,000 miles since Astoria, OR and only 6 days left before all 23 athletes dip their front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean. People in the restaurants can’t believe that this “ordinary” person is “visiting” from the Pacific coast and rode on their bike here. But they understand these are not your everyday customers, as soon as they they order the amount of food that would satisfy an appetite of a high school football team. And they eat it too.
Every athlete has a different drive. Some of them still try to beat their Strava segment (unreal), some try to push through discomfort, digestive issue, open skin wound and other ailments. Some conserve energy and try as much as they can to enjoy the beauty of the area they’re riding through. That’s the group Anita is in – the A group, or as they’re also know – the reconnaissance group. They leave early. On days like today, the sun was not up yet, so they rely on powerful LED lights for first 45 minutes or so. They support and encourage each other.
At this stage the camaraderie is more important, since the legs are strong already. Anita had wonderful support in Corning. This town is only about 90 from the area where we spent first ten years of our life together and our friends and “chosen family members” came to visit. They took a day off to come and see us. That is special. Our former nanny Jenna and her husband Jamie came to visit. Brenda left a board meeting to be with Anita. It was so wonderful to spend couple of hours together. Then a small dinner at the hotel and rest again.
This group is supported with 3 Trek Travel vans. One of them has a cheesehead on the dashboard. It feels like a mascot and the spirit of Wisconsin which travels along.
Frankly, I feel like a mascot too. Everyone from the team expects to see me now since I flew to every rest day. The first one was in Missoula, MT. That feels ages ago. Every visit is predictably the same. Eat, put ice pack on thighs, go to bed. Then drive Anita to massage, and while her muscles are restoring and body pampered, I am doing her laundry. Then lunch, sometimes a nap, sometimes visit with friends. Afternoon walk and early bed time. All while I am checking the forecast for the next day, for her what to pack and for me how to fly back home.
The weather in the morning was a bit gloomy. Low clouds and rain / mist. I while Anita was getting ready I went to check her bike, change batteries and pump it up. Glad I did, because her rear wheel had a nice staple in it and the sealant was leaking on the hotel room carpet. The sealant is a highlighter yellow color. Ouch… sorry guys. George got her a brand new tire, I changed the batteries in the powermeter and we almost didnt’ even have time to say Good bye.
They have around 600 more miles to go to Portland ME. Through the Adirondack park and the Fingerlakes region of upstate New York. Good luck to you all and be safe. You’re almost there.
Honza
