Was it worth it and did anything change?

I'm not sure yet, something has shifted under the surface already. I notice my responses are toned, my stress levels are down, and I feel internally content. Returning home to New York has not been the shock I was fearing - I am familiar with home again. The contrast between living in a tent to living in a 12 floor apartment building hasn't hit and never will.

Yet something has changed. Trying to understand what isn't clear. Like staring at the Earth from above the ground, the shape can't be seen until you move far away. I am too close to the experience to understand its effects, but I can still make some reflections.

Each day on the bicycle was a mission. For 20 days I woke up and accomplished my mission, I arrived at the destination I had hoped for: despite the aches, winds, and heat I did it. My entire world consisted of only the current day. It did no good to think of the future or past, those days did not exist

That is partly why seeing the entire trip is a struggle. I don't feel like I cycled 1800 km, I don't feel like 23 days passed, I don't feel like I ascended two Mt. Everests, yet I did.

I am most proud that I overcame 23 challenges without failure. I might not have done so with determination and consistency. 

The original trip was to go to San Diego. Now I understand that my friends made this experience: they waited for me and supported me the entire way. When I arrived in San Francisco, they greeted me, shared my last night, and rode me in for a hero's welcome. Thank you Lukas. Thank you Kanaad. Thank you Robert. The days you took to spend with me highlighted and end-capped my weeks on the road.

I owe a lot to the friends and family who stayed in touch and gave many words of encouragement along the way. Advising caution and rest helped me temper my expeditions and recover when needed. Thank you to each of your for writing something to me in whichever way you chose.

I feel that I will miss the kindness of strangers the most. Donna told me before my trip that "the bicycle is a passport to people", she was so right. In the middle of nowhere, in unexpected dynamics, people showed me great kindness. They took me in when it rained, they provided emotion support to a total stranger, and gifted me items which I wasn't in need of but received from their generosity.

People open up when you travel by bicycle, they become the best version of themselves. A bicycle is disarming, understood, and looked on affectionately by everyone. It also brought out the joy and warmth in myself which I can easily bury.

"Will you do it again?" I am asked already.

I think not. At least not for a long time.

I took something I loved and allowed it to consume me for weeks, which was a lot. In the near future I want to explore weekend trips by bicycle more. With time I think the next big adventure might present itself, but I won't do it alone.

Thank you for reading and enjoying my experience. I don't like sharing, as my friends know, but I enjoy reflecting.