A Little Update!

Hello everyone.

Sorry for it being so long since my last update.  So here is what I have been up to recently.  Tonight I am in Selma, Alabama.  Todays ride I had a tail wind for once, which makes riding a lot easier.  Today I rode from Demopolis 49 miles.  Along the way I stopped to fix my shoe and a gentleman stopped to see if I need any help, I told him that I was ok and didn't need any help.  We got to talking and I asked if he knew where I could get a Alabama road map, since I had been having a hard time locating one.  He told me to wait where I was and he would be back in 5 minutes.  He came back and gave me a road map for both Alabama and Georgia.  I was glad that I stopped when and where I did because I can now plan my ride easier.  The ride so far has been fun, but I have had to ride a few days in the rain.  Last Saturday I was in Tallulah and when I woke up on Sunday there was 2" of rain predicted.  So I decided to stay in Tallulah for the day and ride on to Vicksburg on Monday instead.  I have enjoyed some good food as well on my ride, which is helping me keep some weight on.  I have added a few photos of me from Tallulah and a few maps of my ride this update.  Tomorrow I will either ride to Montgomery and take a day off or I will stay here in Selma and not ride.  I haven't decided yet.

So far I have ridden about 400 miles.

Hope all is well.

Jochen

Todays ride

My ride so far.

The Ride Continues!

So I decided to continue on my cross country bicycle trip.  After I got back and relaxed last year I realized just how much I wanted to go and finish it.  So I left Denver on Monday September 24 and started heading for Shreveport Louisiana.  I got to Shreveport on Wednesday after 3 days of driving, and started my ride on Thursday.  I rode from outside of Shreveport to Ruston, LA today a nice little 66 mile ride to start off.  I was told today at the campsite that I need to watch out for Red Ant hills.  I am looking forward to finishing my ride.  

 Tim and I, the day I left Denver.  He will be leaving for Antarctica again while I am riding my bike.  I will see him again in March when he gets back.  He has his on blog about his time in Antarctica and if you would like to follow him, just search for Turf in Antarctica and it should come up.  He tells me that when I finish my ride,  he and his friends will toast a few cold beers for me.

My stops from Denver driving and ride so far.

Thursday September 27 ride.

The end of my trip

I have added some more photos of my trip now that I am back home. I hope you all enjoy.

Jochen

Day 33

Hello all from Shreveport, LA. Todays ride was uneventful for being my last day riding. I rode about 67 miles today to get to my hotel for the next 2 nights. The weather was cooler and cloudy today which made for a nice ride. I got into Shreveport about 3 this afternoon, checked in my hotel and went to the UPS store to look into shipping my bike back to Colorado. They didn't have a box for me today but should have one tomorrow. Todays ride was sad for me but happy at the same time. I never thought that I would get this far, I am glad that I attempted to ride from coast to coast. I will remember this trip for a long time. I am excited to get back home and see my family again, but I am extremely excited to be able to see and hold my new granddaughter Orly. Thank you again to everyone who helped me along my way getting me here to Shreveport. I hope that next year I can try to finish off what I started and make it to the Atlantic Ocean.

Till next time, Jochen

My ending point of my ride, Shreveport, LA

Todays ride to Shreveport. LA (67 Miles)

My ride from California (1633 miles)

Day 32

Hello from Gladewater, TX. Today I rode about 57 miles. Tomorrow I will ride to Shreveport, LA. I have decided that I have ridden long enough and will be coming home. The past 1568 miles has become increasingly harder on me with each day. Finding a place to camp, take care of dinner, sleep, eat breakfast and tear down camp takes a lot of time and I am tired. I will ship my bike home from Shreveport and fly home on Saturday. Thank you all for all the support and encouragement you have given me. I look forward to putting more pictures up on the blog and telling everyone all about my trip.

Till tomorrow, Jochen

Gladewater, TX

Todays ride

Tomorrow ride to Shreveport (65 miles)

My trip so far (1568 miles)

Day 31

Hello all from Emory, TX. Todays ride was about 55 miles and the wind and weather were in my favor today. It is nice when you don't have to fight the wind while riding your bike. There was a storm that came through the area on Saturday and I saw a lot of tree damage from the storm but no damage to any homes. Tonight I am camping here in Emory but there is no bathroom to use so I need to go to the Dairy Queen here in town to use the bath room. I enjoyed my time with Antje and Don and I was glad that I could catch up with them and to get some good home cooked food again. Tomorrow I hope to make it to Gladewater, TX about 56 miles from here.

Till tomorrow, Jochen

Emory, TX

My ride today (55 miles ridden, 56 tomorrow to Gladewater)

My ride so far 1511 miles

Day 30

Hello from Princeton, TX. Tonight I am at my friends Antje and Don's house. It has been many years since I have seen them, but it is nice to catch up after all these years. I got here just in time for a birthday party where I got some good food to eat. It is nice to be able to relax for 2 days and know that I don't have anywhere I have to be. Todays ride of 42 miles was very windy. I will be glad when the wind dies and makes my ride much easier. On Tuesday I will start riding toward Emory, TX about 55 miles from here. I hope to make it to Shreveport, LA in 4-5 days of riding. It is hard to believe that I have ridden over 1400 miles since I started my trip. I was hoping to get to I-25 and I did, getting to Princeton puts me even closer to my goal of the Atlantic coast.

Till Tuesday, Jochen

Todays ride from Denton to Princeton. TX (42 miles)

An idea of my next couple days of riding (Emory 55 miles, Gladewater 56 miles, Marshall 35 miles, Shreveport. LA 41 miles)

My trip since Phoenix (1061 miles)