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Best/Worst of Moments of the Blog

Partly because I wanted to see if it survived the traumatic experience, and partly because I wanted to feel what it was like to ride without all of that extra weight, I put my bike back together today.  I cycled a route I have done many times in years past. This time was not like any other. I was home. Moving along a bike trail, in an area all too familiar, I couldn’t help but feel contained, like a cowboy who encountered a fence on the open range for the first time. I have gained all this experience, and do not have any one good way to use it (although in many ways, the skills I have that allowed me to create this experience, I use again and again every day).

I saw a cyclist riding with traffic from my vantage point on the trail. I can remember a time when I did that… Which leads me to an important point, from now on, the people I interact with will not know what I did (for the most part). For the last 70 days or so, everywhere I went, I was almost preceded with a message that told anyone, “I’m an interesting person; come talk to me.” Those days are gone, and that’s okay. Some piece of advice I would lend to anyone pursuing a goal they deem to be extraordinary, “Do not let the ‘success’ of your journey depend on the people you encounter on a day to day basis. You will go home empty handed more times than not.” I was fortunate enough to accomplish an easily relateable feat. Had I say, cycled from North Dokata to Texas, the “success” of the trip would not be as apparent to those I encountered. You are the only person you have to impress.

You can’t tell yourself your limits. That’s what this trip taught me. There were many times I met people that echoed a familiar cry, “I could never do that!” I can’t help but think they could, but they’ve never tried.

It’s a message that applies all too well to many aspects in life. If you put yourself out there, and you remind yourself every day that quitting is not an option, you too can live out a dream beyond your wildest imagination. Basically I did what just about everyone can do. I rode a bicycle. I just did it longer, and farther, than most care to. I’m not the fastest, and I’m not the strongest. I just had a feeling if I kept going, I’d have the time of my life.

Don’t be afraid to follow your heart. Follow your dreams. There’s this whole world out there that isn’t as set in stone as some would take it to be.

“If you’re bored, then you’re boring.” – Harvey Danger

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