The sun wasn’t even up, but the stakes were high. At 5:30 AM, while the rest of the world was doing sensible things like sleeping, Jeff and I were huddled over a bike like amateur surgeons.
The goal? To become “morning people” just long enough to fix a broken spoke from yesterday’s chaos. Armed with caffeine and a lot of optimism, Jeff went to work. Thanks to all the good vibes you sent our way, the surgery was a success! Jeff got his wheel back, and I got a front-row seat to a masterclass in bike maintenance (which mostly involved me nodding and trying to look helpful).
A Gourmet Start
To celebrate our mechanical victory, we indulged in a five-star hotel breakfast. And by “five-star,” I mean:
Instant Oatmeal: A classic.
A “Bagel”: Or at least, a circular bread product that shared a passing resemblance to one.
Honestly? It tasted less like the celebratory meal of victory than we’d hoped for, but that didn’t kill our buzz.
“Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’!”
With two fully functioning bikes and weather so perfect it felt scripted, we rolled out of Welton in high spirits. I’m not saying we officially broke into a synchronized rendition of the opening number from Oklahoma!… but I’m not denying it, either.
The vibes were so good that Jeff shouted “Best Day Ever.” It’s become our unofficial mantra with the Cycle of Life Adventures group. We had one of those “pinch-me” moments where we realized how lucky we are. Our “job” right now is just to wake up and ride across America.
The Conversation:
“What are you doing today?”
“Oh, just biking across the entire country. You?”
The Big Empty
As we pushed East, the mountains began to pull a disappearing act. The lush fields faded, replaced by the staggering vastness of the desert. It’s a strange transition—going from “scenic vistas” to… well… nothing. But there’s a secret beauty in that emptiness. It’s quiet, raw, and makes you feel very small in a very big world.
Will Ride for Shakes?
As the desert heat started to crank up, we hit a legendary milestone: Dateland. Naturally, we had to try the locally famous Date Shakes. They were cold, creamy, and exactly what we needed in the moment. However, let’s be real: while they were delicious, I’m not sure I’d recommend biking hundreds of miles through a literal desert just for a refill. Once was plenty!
All in all? Sunburned, tired, and happy. Best Day Ever!
