After 1708 miles and 150 hours of biking, Neil (aka my right knee -- see photo) has decided he is done with this trip, so I am heading home. It started a few days ago (I am still running on bike trip time, which means that I can't quite remember any past dates or times) when the wrong combination of downhill, gravel, pothole, clipped in on a loaded bike and a right turn caused me to wipe out. Eric and Bill slowly siphoned weight off of my bike, until today, when I was riding completely unloaded (Eric was quite the site with all of my bags on his bike, in addition to the 130 pounds he was already carrying, pictures to follow). I'm not sure if it was the pain from my knee or the shame of riding an unloaded bike, but as soon as we hit Painesville, Ohio (no joke), Neil decided he would go no further.
In the spirit of the bike trip, like a real homeless person, I just got a ride to a shower from a cop (and learned that I have no criminal record!), and am enjoying the good will of the people of Painesville.
I plan on eventually completing the final 400 miles of this trip, let me know if you want to join!
13 comments:
Hate to hear that Neil is acting up. Feel better soon.
Can't any of you see? This trip won't stop killing UNTIL YOU'RE ALL DEAD.
In the heat of the moment, I said some things about Neil (above, deleted) that I am not proud of...
*sigh*
If they only had an edit feature. *fist shake at Blogger. And Neil*
I'm here to give you and Neil TLC.Love, Mama
What!!!!???? You were in Painesville and A. my father couldn't come and pick you up? and B. nobody in the group had the wherewithal to put you on a bus back to Mentor where you could simply take a shower. Shame on Rachael for not remembering that the 3 route always goes directly to our home and that route 1 gets you to route 3.
okay, so it looks like you had already made it to Mentor, so that rules out my dad because he was riding with you guys?
I'm with Gerry... This bike trip is really taking you guys down.
Feel better Neil/Shira!
Sorry your knee did you in.
It looks ugly (probably infected).
What a trooper you are!
Hey, but what an adventure you had!
VH
I miss you, Power of Princess.
Thanks all.
@Mendon -- your dad was with us and offered to take me back to Mentor, but not moving seemed like the easiest thing at the time (and I knew someone was coming to pick me up soon).
@Kim -- in all fairness, after Neil got some serious road rash, he took me 250 miles before complaining...
Shira, the accomplishment is still mind-boggling! I hope Neil is feeling better!
Jeanmarie
Update: Neil is doing fine. The doc said something about cartilage and not using Neil for a month. To Canada in 6 weeks!
Post a Comment