On August 30th, 2007 we completed our ride on the GDMBR when we completed our own 40 mile route extension and pedaled to the shore of Lake Louise.

Sadly, it is more than a month later and I’m just getting around to publishing an update saying we made it. It is amazing how crazy and hectic life can be in Chicago when you’re unemployed. (Just ask Willy, he seems to have made a career out of it.) Between the Cubs run for the post-season (and less than stellar performance therein), nice weather in Chicago, catching up with friends and family and starting work at Orbitz again I can make up plenty of excuses for the delay.

However, the honest truth is, riding the GDMBR took a lot out of me. Riding a bike from dawn until dusk towing a trailer on crazy roads which seem to exist for no reason, while all consuming, does get old after 73 days. We saw new landscapes each day and they grew progressively more beautiful the further north we went. But the routine certainly was starting to get monotonous: wake up, make oatmeal, take down camp and pack trailer, pedal… You get the picture. I’d be willing to wager neither Willy or I eat instant oatmeal for at least a year.

All that being said, I think the lack of motivation around a final post was very specific to just that, a final post. To write it here is to really acknowledge the trip is complete. While I’m really excited to get back into a normal routine and I’m tremendously proud of our accomplishment I do find it a bit sad to know the ride really is over.

It was an incredible three months of riding. I originally set out to ride the GDMBR for a variety of reasons:

• I’ve always marveled at people, like my friend James, who hike the Appalachian Trail. But I’m more of a biker than a backpacker. Bikepacking the GDMBR seemed like the perfect combination of an epic journey which could be undertaken from the (relative) comfort of a bike.
• I wanted to ride the GDMBR before it got too popular. Probably fewer than a 1,000 people have through biked the route and I wanted to count myself amongst them.
• I love the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains. What better way to see some of the most beautiful parts of our country than from behind the handlebars of a mountain bike?
• A desire to prolong going back to work after having spent the prior three months in South America.
• I enjoy physical exertion. The GDMBR seemed like it would test my endurance.

All are legitimate reasons in my mind. We definitely cycled through spectacular scenery and our slender waists speak to the exertion. However, the thing I walk away from the ride cherishing most are none of those things.

Rather, the most memorable part of the trip for me was the people. Shortly in to the trip we added the Rideabout Shout Outs tab to acknowledge people we met. For those who followed the trials and tribulations of the ride you know what we went through, especially early on. Personally, it seems like we had more than our fair share of bad luck and mechanicals when I read other’s accounts of riding the route. But it was because of those hardships we met so many generous, caring and very interesting people. While I have had trouble motivating myself to write this post I had no problem finishing up the Shout Out tab so take a look and meet some of the people we encountered.

Seeing the headlines at Google News or watching the often depressing coverage on the local TV news it becomes all to easy to focus on the negative things happening in our world. While it may sound cheezy, I think the biggest thing I take away from the trip is nothing less than a restored faith in humanity. Good people are all around us. I know it because they are the ones who made this trip possible but even more importantly made it so enjoyable. Thank you very much to everyone listed on the Shout Out page. We would not have made it without you!

Many people have told me how they enjoyed living vicariously through our updates on the site. While not everyone has the opportunity or desire to take three months and embark on a journey like Willy and I did it doesn’t mean you can’t become a chapter in someone else’s story. People all over the world are on journey’s similar to the “2007 Chilly Bike Ride”. Regular, everyday people just like you helped make our trip time and time again when they simply asked what we were up to or inquired to make sure everything was okay. Take the time to stop when you see a cyclist or hiker carrying a load. I certainly know I will. Chances are they’re just stopping to take a break. Maybe they could use a drink of water or directions. But I’m sure they are on a journey every bit as interesting as ours and even if they don’t have a website and shout out page rest assured you’ll end in the stories they share with others as they recount their travels.

I’d like to give one final Shout Out: Willy

Willy and I met 10 years ago working together at Swiss Bank. Since then we’ve trekked in Nepal and biked in Ireland to name but a few of our adventures. When we haven’t been out adventuring together we’ve been at one of our local haunts enjoying life in Chicago )and often plotting our next adventure). By the time we got to Lake Louise we were both ready for some time apart. However, I kind of think that is to be expected after 73 days of spending almost every waking moment pedaling 3,100 miles together (and sleeping moments in the same tent or hotel room). Not many people would consider embarking on a trip like this one and there are even fewer I’d consider asking to do it with me. But Willy is amongst those few and I’d ask him to do it again (although knowing what we know now I’m not sure what he’d say). Just as the people we met made the trip so memorable having a good friend like Willy along to experience it with me is a key component of what made the ride so enjoyable. Thanks Willy!

Finally, thanks to everyone who followed our journey and encouraged us along the way!  Stay tuned for at least one more post with the final stats for the trip.