Eve of our departure

Tomorrow morning we start traveling obscenely early, around 6:30. Many people have been asking "how do you feel?" and "are you excited?". The simple answer to this question is, Yes. But that does not fully describe our feelings.

"In long-range planning for a trip, I think that there is a private conviction that it won't happen. As the day approached, my warm bed and comfortable house grew increasingly desirable and my dear wife incalculably precious." -- John Steinbeck, Travels with Charlie

It hasn't really sunk in for me that we are leaving tomorrow. I don't believe that it will until Sunday when we start assembling our bikes which we shipped via UPS to a friend in WA, or maybe Monday when we start riding, or Wednesday when we gasp for breath while struggling up a mile vertical climb.

While we were preparing to leave on our trip, our friends and community members have shown great support in our undertaking. Many people have gone out of their way to help us, by shipping bikes, by raising and donating money for Livestrong, and offering us places to stay along our journey. Innumerable other people have come out and showed their support by wishing us luck and by showing interest in our undertaking. We appreciate the generosity and care that our friends have shown us and our cause, as of tonight we have raised $975 in the fight against cancer, and every dollar counts. If you wish to donate visit http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots/cycleusaforhope.

We have been excited about this trip for the last two years. On our tour we will see many beautiful places, enjoy many beautiful days, and hopefully meet many amazing people. Having said that, with the good days come the bad. We will be biking in all weather; perfect days, sweltering heat, cold rain, and everything in between. Our trip will be physically strenuous and rewarding. It will have its highs and its lows. Undoubtedly there will be days where we would rather be home with our climate control, packaged food, easily available entertainment, familiar family and friends. We could easily decide not to go, but if we didn't take the risk, of challenging ourselves and depriving ourselves, we would always regret missing this opportunity. We are excited to experience America (and parts of Canada) in our own way, slowly and on two wheels. We look forward to the unfamiliar views stretching on the far horizons, the random acquaintances, and the unexpected. Hopefully through this site you will be able to accompany us on our journey.

--Patrick Henneghan