I decided on last years 2000 mile bicycle trip from Canada to Mexico on the Pacific coast that I wasn’t going to do anymore long bicycle trips. I came to that conclusion because it had gotten so hard for me to do, that it was to much work, it wasn’t fun anymore, and I was just to old. But I have decided that I am going to do another trip. My health is better, I have more energy, and my head is thinking better.

This is going to be a trip to Utah one way and back home another way. I will plan the route so that we go through many of the parks in Utah such as Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon. The trip will be without a support vehicle, we will carry everything we need on our bikes in front and rear panniers, waterproof saddlebags. I can carry about 70 lbs on my bike with two 15 pound bags in the front and two 20 pounders in the back. The reason is that having a vehicle more than doubles the cost of the trip with gas and extra fees at campgrounds. The first long distance trip that I did with John Smith across the northern tier of the United States that ended in Portland, Maine in 2014, was unsupported, and it was one of my favorite trips that I have done.

An unsupported trip certainly adds an additional level of risk if there are breakdowns and other problems that would be much easier solved with a vehicle. But that extra level of risk also adds to the adventure and excitement.

I will be 75 years old, and my brother Cliff who is going with me is 74 years old, but Kathy, Cliff’s wife, who is also going with us is less than 70 years old, so she can ride ahead and get help if we run into a problem.

If anyone is getting bored with life and wants an adventure, you are welcome to come along, especially if you are a young dude or dudette who could help take care of us old guys!