Saturday, August 22, 2009

I made it!!! 4600km cycling from Fairbanks to Eugene, tired but ready to celebrate

You might just make out the numbers on my bike computer above - 4500km this morning.

At 5ish, after what seemed like almost a whole day of climbing or headwind (6.5 hours pedalling), from the Oregon Coast, I cruised into town along one of Eugene's waterway cycle paths with a mixture of sadness, relief and pride. I've never cycled so far in one trip before - 4600km (or less impressive sounding 2,760 miles)!!! My body could do that again....after a few day's rest from the last two epic days (153 km and 130km) but a slow train to San Francisco and a long flight home soon after will probably be welcomed by my muscles.

Random tally:
  • Hours in the saddle - 242 hours (based on guestimate of 19 km/h average, which gradually increased)
  • Cohousing visited - 8 in USA and Canada and hopefully another to come in Oakland
  • Punctures - 5
  • Tyres - 1
  • Swiss army knife - 1 - left on roadside at dinner stop in Alaska
  • Lots of wildlife - big and hairy or blubbery and small with feathers or scales
  • Coconut oil chain lube - survived 1200km on one application with 4 days and nights of drizzle and rain
  • Tangoed in San Francisco, Vancouver, Victoria, Portland and perhaps tonight in Eugene
I found a great cafe venue to end my journey in - Cosmic Pizza and Theo's - organic vegetarian pizza, drinks and internet - to recharge my body and my touch with friends and family. I will endeavour to fill in the gaps in my blog over the next few days and weeks and will have a few more to come about my last few days in the US. I have a welcome party of at least three on the 24th at the train platform to be followed by a celebratory breakfast and a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge.

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations Emma! Awesome effort indeed!!

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  2. You are an inspiration Emma. Incredible.

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  3. Yeehaaa! So glad you made it one piece (never doubted it for a moment). We're looking forward to your safe return Emma. xx

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