Atlantic Ocean: Day 58, Mile 3480

A generous blend of willingness and desire to tell the story about an adventure across America by bicycle saw this beautiful trip through its 58 days. The constant hum of rubber tires drew a line across America bringing forth stories fueled by the power of self will and a responsibility to respectfully address the great beauty that America presented me every day, in each face of the passersby, in the glory of changing landscapes. There was no escape - by bicycle, you are part of it all and I am indebted to the community which unravelled before me over the course of 3480 miles from California to Delaware. I am blessed to have crossed paths with you all. If you believe in your dreams, they will come true.

Home: Day56, Mile3360: Alexandria, VA

This morning saw the sunrise over Washington DC as I pedaled through the night fueled by a thirst to get home and an adrenaline waterfall 3,360 miles across America. I made it home to Washington DC where I pause to collect myself and begin coming to terms with the incredible adventure which began in San Francisco California 2 months ago. Here the bike and I are pictured with front tire in the Cheasapeake Bay watershed of the Atlantic Ocean.

Bike Broke: Day 55: Harper's Ferry, WV

Two symmetric breaks below the seat post have developed on either side of the bike frame here. The ironic thing is that this Titanium frame cracked at the ‘bomb proof’ decals. This event brought a rush of emotions as I imagined our trip come to an end. But it is not broken yet! I am going to press on for the last 60 miles. At least now we can say, ‘George Makrinos broke a titanium frame’.

Final Stage : 360 Miles Home

The Great Allegheny Passage and Cumberland and Ohio (C&O) Canal trails will offer almost 360 miles of uninterupted bicycle passage from Pittsburgh PA to Alexandria VA. Ahead for me is one last week of travel and one tenth of the overall bicycle across America mileage.

Welcome : Day 43, 2464mi. Crown Point, IN.

As it began to get dark on the first day in Indiana, I was approached by a fellow rider who noticed my gear and asked where I was riding. I replied, ‘Across America’, adding ‘Can you point me in the direction of a campground?’ He answered, ‘Yeah, my backyard – come on’. I followed him home where his wife Rose had dinner and cold beers waiting. We shared stories of the West and our love for the outdoors. After a shower and sleep on their couch, Brad joined me for the first 10 miles this morning. This is Indiana, America.

With Family : Day 41, 2394mi. Chicago, IL.

This weekend, I toured North to Chicago for an awesome weekend with family. Here I found myself in the midst of four generations: grandma Makrinos (pictured), my aunt, cousin and daughter. This was the first time I was referred to as ‘Uncle George’. Cousin Nico (pictured pointing East) rode almost 50 miles with me; meeting on arrival in the Western suburbs and guiding us toward Lake Michigan and out of the metropolitan region to my next state, Indiana.

Bike Jacked : Day 40, 2300mi. Dixon, IL.

Thanks to Bill Peterson for sharing the following cartoon to illustrate that rising fuel prices, a growing awareness of environmental issues and the popularity for the recreational sport has fueled a rise in demand for bicycles around the world. It is Day 42 on the road and the bike and I have survived hijack free of the crazed SUVs.

Pleasant Suprises : Day 37, 2082mi. Oskaloosa, IA.

Prior to this experience, my understanding of our great country had been largely unknown because I had heard of places such as 'Iowa' from a distance. To roam by bike through Oskaloosa is to absorb the rain, be blown by its wind and slowly transformed by the soul of our country. The tremendous effort invested teaches me that as I strive to be better, everything around me becomes better too. I look forward to many pleasant suprises in Iowa.

Two New Tires : Day 35, 1982mi. Adel, IA.

Soon we will cross the 2000th mile and by that mark you will have raised a dollar per mile since the start in San Francisco. Thank you!
I will share the following story : Jeremy Thaxton saw the photo of my flat tire 8 miles from the Wyoming border and sent 'Don't worry about the tire, I'll take care of it'. It took me back to an experience a few months prior when I met an Iranian couple who were cycling around the world for peace. The husband had a flat that I replaced with the words 'What goes around comes around' aware that the future would conspire to help me too.

Rest and Reflect : Day 29, 1592mi. Gothenburg, NE

The Pony Express Inn's owner, Eric offered a second night 'on the house'. I said, 'it is a good day'. He replied, 'we all try'. Following some talk about ourselves and the town, I returned to my room and to the book 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. To paraphrase this morning's reading I can say this trip has taught me something important: that there is a language in the world that everyone understands. A language that I use throughout the time I am bicycling across America. It is the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired. Paulo adds, 'when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it'. I have accepted a day of rest and reflection in Gothenburg, 183 miles into Nebraska on day 30 and mile 1590.

About Enthusiasm: Day 26: Cheyenne, WY

The word comes from ancient Greek 'en-theos' meaning 'in spirit' or 'to be possessed by Gods'. With enthusiasm I find that I am not taking this trip alone. I position myself between the wind, people and spirit of places so that they may breathe and see me through this great ride East. Caren, who first shared with me this lesson about enthusiasm, also shared with me three wonderful days in Colorado. During this time, the bike rested as we drove to Denver. This was my first break and my body needed it. Utah had delivered a strong punch to my left knee and to encourage healing, we dipped in hot springs and shared a humor only close friends in Colorado can. I thank enthusiasm for the gift of life.

In Denver, I resumed pedaling again, steering North toward where I find myself now in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Next : Nebraska bound.

Colorado Storm : Day 21 : Dolores, CO

Have you heard about the storm that blew in this Memorial weekend? If you were anywhere between the Utah flash floods, Colorado snowfall and Kansas tornados chances are that you did.

Riding yesterday from Blanding UT to Dolores CO covered 85 miles in over 11 cold hours. It was the trip's first snow storm and I was looking forward to a meal and shower. At one moment, a bank's thermometer read 40 degrees. I was wearing everything I owned while trying to get the body in rhythm to hold a comfortable tempterature, without sweating too hard. You want to put out just enough work to carry the load. I could feel my body digesting breakfast and my gatorade bottle almost froze. The bags, tent and gear were wrapped in waterproof covers and were dry by the time we got to town. Map 3 of Adventure Cycling - Western Express route is
done. Colorado is beautiful. A resident called it 'Spiritual Overload'.

This is the body that does the work.
This is the mind that says it can.
This is the tool that makes travel.
Life of the body mind and tool at hand.

1050 miles in : Day 18 : Hanksville, Utah

The roads in Southern Utah have me passing through more then 50 million years of Earth history. Today a lonesome piece of Colorado plateau, Routes 12 and 24 East, will drop from 9,600' elevation outide of Escalante to the Colorado River (Lake Powell at 3,800') through an ever changing kaleidoscope of a thousand colors. According to the Adventure Cycling Association http://www.adventurecycling.org/, 'Utah may not be the most cuturally diverse state in the U.S., but it does boast a broader diversity of fantastic landscapes than most, if not all, other states.'

This morning the bike and I crossed our first thousand miles.

746 miles in : Day 13 : Cedar City, UT

We are heading East at a steady average speed of 11 mph. A body sore, road lonely, and motivation simple : finding a beautiful story teller. Let's call it 28 years old and restless. Amazing is the technology available to paint the news : Blogspot, Youtube, Garmin GPS, Picassa web photos. Imagination is the last ingredient to weave these forums together so that others too may Bicycle Across America. It's pretty quiet out here but you are with me.

550 miles in : Day 11 : Ely, Nevada

I have been blessed to come close to beautiful people and places in the last 11 days. The stories are hard to tell in prose and my broken English rhetoric. Perhaps this blog says more through photo/map/video. Through these, I cannot emphasise a more appropriate way to see one's country and its people then by the power of self will. This is not a bicycle challenge. Life is no race; it is a calling, and mine now is to tell the story of my brothers and sisters in a chapter of my life I name 'Bicycle Across America'. I will answer this with a deep reading of the valley air, drink from mountain stream, and wave to passersby who share with me the fortunes of our home. I am riding home.

A merchant goes on a long land and sea journey for the sake of those at home.

Every Section of Road : Rumi
Move about. Take trips. Travel as a pawn goes one slow move at a time to redeem the wide-ranging nobility of the queen. [George] traveled, and everything came to him. A man goes to live in the country because his friend lives there, taking his whole family with him. By day, under the scorching sun; by night, learning to plot the stars. Every section of road seems amazing because of the one they go to see. Bitter, complaining people sound dear. Thorns have charm. A narrow room goes vast. This sticks turn to plump figs. Straps cut a load carrier's back. Smoke blackens the ironsmith's face. A shopkeeper sits on his bench in a torture of boredom. Pain gets lived through, because somewhere nearby there's a friend. A merchant goes on a long land-and-sea journey for the sake of those at home.