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Archive for May, 2016

Websites like this are visually active and realizing it’s been five years since any photos of the adventurers, it’s time to update things and introduce another vital part of the team. This is Sallie. She’s responsible for the idea of the Northern Tier and she (sort of) patiently waited for me to clear my calendar, finally retire, and wait for the opportunity to do a another long journey.

We are most often asked about how long this will take. Without the pressures of deadlines, return dates, or other concerns of time, we are most often heard saying “three or four months. Sallie’s current version is, “We guarantee we will be done by winter in the Northeast.” Looking at the weather in these photos, you may understand the need.

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Sallie relaxing on a neighbor’s boat. The picture of tranquility as she contemplates what’s ahead.

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This is the two of us. I traded in my office pallor and have been out in the sun pretty regularly in the last two months. Florida very much agrees with me. Cyclists have strange tan lines and you can see a trace of a line on my right ankle, however the dead-fish white is gone from my “office feet” and creeping in is a bit of color Sallie refers to as “Florida Feet”.

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This is Sallie’s husband Bob. He’s going to hold down Command Central for us. His duties include taking care of dogs, two houses, mail, bills, etc. while fielding daily calls from Sallie, and of course golfing, fishing, and other distractions. I think it’s a little unfair for him. We have the journey, he has the necessary details. It’s clear we could not do what we do without Bob’s dedication to the task.

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Here’s some folks from the neighborhood. We could not turn down the offer of a sunset launch on this fine boat. Also supporting us in so many ways are a large cast of friends, family, former colleagues, cyclists, and other assorted folks. We’ll try our best to keep you entertained.

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We leave in six days.  Two boxes of gear have been shipped, along with Sallie’s bike.  We’ve once again placed our faith in Fed Ex. 

As things go right now, my life may settle down once we get on the road and the touring routine sets in. I retired in April and promply moved to Florida executing a plan I settled on five years ago during our last tour.

The transition has been eventful.  I have a house I am trying to settle into here, organizing a new residence, meeting new friends, and trying to get used to the various ways in which my life is now affected by not having Monday-thru-Friday calendar.  Please don’t think I’m compaining though.  This has been pure joy.  Daily walks on the beach have helped center me and I’ve always enjoyed learning curves. In the meantime, Sallie and I have kept up with our training, gone on several multi-day rides, and we tackle the first of several hundred miles of mountains soon. 

Please follow along.

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