Share the Road - On the road - Day #29

You can be in the documentary this blog is based 

on! Click here to tell us your definition of health.

DAY 29

Troy, OH to Cadiz, OH

90 miles

I actually got a good night’s sleep last night! I woke up at 3:30 (before looking at the clock) thinking, “Well, if I have to get up now, I can go”. To my delight, two more hours! I’ve started doing pushups every morning to help get the blood flowing. I think this is something I’ll be adding to my regular regimen at home, too. I remember Herschel Walker saying he never did anything but pushups, pullups and situps. I still like the gym so I won’t be cancelling that anytime soon. But one thing I have found is that I really, really enjoy is working out outside; being part of an adventure -- going somewhere as opposed to being on a treadmill or a stationary bike. Yes, there are additional challenges -- but isn’t that life? Isn’t that more organic and resonant? The gym is a workout in a vacuum and so it has that appeal -- “control”. The outdoors -- anything can and does happen. You are forced to constantly adapt. I don’t remember the last time I got a flat tire in the gym or had someone back into my bike and wreck my rim. I’m not adding those things in as “good” things for the outdoors, just saying that’s part of life. The upside of breathing fresh air, seeing new things, meeting people out doing the same thing and more is immeasurable.

LATER...

We meet up with Bernie -- Gary’s contact through work that he’s never met in person. He called us yesterday to say he was in Cadiz, OH (thinking we’d be there yesterday). Since we weren’t, he met us halfway on our ride today. He rode across the country on his own a few years ago. He did it in 30 days -- being hospitalized twice; once for having open sores in his groin be infected by the dye in his uniform and once for dehydration. He doesn’t seem nearly as crazy as I thought he’d be...I’ve only just met him though.

He IS a strong rider, that’s for sure.