Today’s ride was a modest 40 miles—closer to a comfortable training loop than the back‑to‑back 90‑mile epics we’ve been stringing together. After the long days we’ve had, this one felt almost like a gift. It would be easy to let it slip by unnoticed and focus instead on the destination: Fabens, Texas. A tiny dot on Highway 10, home to a “character‑building” motel and the promise of a well‑earned steak dinner.

But that’s not why we’re out here. John and I didn’t come all this way just to check off towns on a map. We’re here to savor the in‑between moments—the quiet ones, the silly ones, the ones that sneak up on you and remind you why you said yes to this journey in the first place.

And today had plenty of those moments.

The Small Joys That Made the Day

• We finished all our laundry last night. There’s something deeply comforting about starting a day with clean clothes, especially when you’ve been living out of suitcases and hope.
• A slow, gentle morning. A 9am rollout meant breakfast without rushing, packing without panic, and two non‑morning people feeling like the world finally matched their natural rhythm.
• Our “Welcome to Texas” photo. A simple snapshot, but one that marks a milestone—another state, another chapter, another reminder of how far we’ve come.
• One early climb, then a long, easy descent with a tailwind. The kind of ride where the miles slip by quietly, and you find yourself smiling for no particular reason.
• A deliberately slow pace. Not because we had to, but because we wanted to. Because joy deserves space. Because some days are meant to be breathed in, not powered through.
• A cold brew break. A long, easy break after lunch, “porching” in the shade outside John’s motel room, sipping cold brew while the steady hum of Highway 10 provided its own kind of chaotic background music.

And yes, we’re still asking each other, “What are you doing today?” and answering—loudly, proudly—“I’m riding my bike across the country!!”

Maybe the line is getting old for the blog, but for us it’s a daily reminder of the privilege of being here. Of every person we ride for. Of every story of resilience and every battle with cancer that sits quietly in our hearts as we pedal. Of this community of generosity that keeps growing around us.

A Note on John

John continues to return to health. He’s not fully back to himself yet, but every day he’s a little stronger, a little steadier. Watching him recover while still showing up for this journey is its own kind of inspiration.