Bill Cook's cross-country bicycle adventure ended in Washington, D.C., this week.
The 70-year-old retired journalist's 3,248-mile recumbent bike tour ended 49 days after it started in Seattle, where he left with a supported tour organized by the Adventure Cycling Association.
“A beer would be terrific,” he told a reporter as a dismounted his recumbent on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Cook chronicled the trip in his Cycling Across the USA blog. Looking back on his tour, Cook writes:
“We've travelled 3300 miles, experienced tragedy along the way, suffered through record heat waves, and climbed hills that totalled 18 miles of vertical ascent. We've ridden in glorious cool mornings with fog in the valleys, seen spectacular scenery, and we've watched a romance blossom. I've spun my cranks about 1.5 million times. Despite some rough spots along the way, the ride for me has been a satisfying experience, demonstrating to myself that I can still do strenuous physical activities.”
The tragedy was the death of cyclist Phil Smith, just four days into the trip. Smith was struck by a car while riding at the side of the road in Washington. The case is still under investigation.
The tour blog is one of the best. Cook didn't shy away from writing about that accident, or the reactions of the 40-some riders. His day-in and day-out postings about miles, weather and hills are interspersed with interesting features.
For instance, he compares bicycle equipment of today and yesteryear, writes about three moms or dads who rode cross-country with their daughters, and reports on the roadside attractions.
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