Jodee

I rediscovered biking in 2009 after a long break where I did plenty of other things: running, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, (not to mention career, more education, house renovations, family) ...  I have been an avid cyclist since I was quite young - jumping on my bike and going off places. A bicycle has always been synonymous with independence to me.  I didn't get a drivers license until I felt that I had to, and have gone long stretches without owning a car.  2009 was a turning point in rediscovering the joy of cycling, after finally buying a real high-end bicycle.  I will be forever grateful to Husam at ATA cycles in Concord for helping push me into the purchase of a beautiful carbon fiber racing machine that he custom fit to me to maximize my cycling performance.  Now I just needed to match my abilities to the bike! Four years of disciplined periodization training and I was fitter (and over 40) than I'd ever been in my life. But the combination of training and work and some life events took their toll, and so I've been trying to recover from overtraining and burnout for almost two years.  

This trip is about recovery, taking it easy on the bike, getting back to my cycling roots, and having an adventure. I thank my sister Heather for helping me on all of these fronts, and for her enthusiasm to do this. 

Heather

So it started something like this…

                Jodee:  I’m thinking of touring across the United States on a bicycle.

                Heather:  Can I go?

I know, not nearly as exciting as you might think when discussing such a monumental task or journey or vacation (I haven’t decided which it is yet, I’ll let you know).  Jodee is the bicycle/running/walking/jumping/everything enthusiast.  I am the one looking at my 25+ year old bike thinking, wow, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.  That said, I’ve wanted to do SOMETHING extraordinary for years now.  Maybe hike the Appalachian Trail or take a trip around the world.  Not just to say I did it, but to do something different, something about me and the people I meet and travel with, something to experience instead of just happen. 

I’m excited.  I have no idea what to expect.  I think that might be the best part.