I called Patty this morning and asked her to come pick me up from the KOA campground in Klamath Falls that we were in, and I bailed on the rest of the bicycle trip. Cliff and Kathy took off this morning without me. I overdid it yesterday, and I could hardly walk this morning. I am in the pickup now, just about home as Patty drives, and I feel great remorse for quitting. I hate quitting, and I hate losing, and I did both.
So, one of my life guidelines is that if you fail at accomplishing a big goal that you really want to do, make adjustments and go at it again. I have been thinking about what those might be, and have written a few that I believe will help the next trip be successful.
1. Always take a support vehicle so I don’t have to carry 70 lbs of gear on the bicycle. I know that the extreme weariness that I felt at the end of most days was because of the extra weight. With 70 lbs being the absolute maximum, there are a lot of items that make camping more enjoyable that get left behind. Also, this year, the possibility of health issues requiring a trip to the hospital was demonstrated. In previous years, bicycle breakdowns needed a vehicle to quickly get to a bicycle shop. I knew all that, but I thought it would be an extra challenge and cheaper to do it unsupported. Oh well, live and learn.
2. Keep the longest day’s riding to a maximum of 60 miles or 3,000 feet of total climbing. I do have to make some adjustments for my aging body.
3. Also, considering my age, I will schedule a rest day every three days for the first twelve days of the trip and every five days after that. Another benefit of a support vehicle is that any day I need extra rest, I can throw my bike on the rig and ride.
4. I will work much harder to get in shape for the next trip than this year.
I am sorry for all those looking forward to the bicycle stories for the next 40 days in my blog. I was looking forward to writing them. I will try to come up with something that teaches and entertains in my blogs despite the chicken lifestyle for the next 40 days. Maybe I can ride my bike to Talbot and back a few times and write about that!
Pastor Dee's Blog 
thanks for being vulnerable and real!
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You have nothing for which you should solicits, sir. I’m 77 and you have no idea of how you have inspired me to get off my sofa and get back into some sort of shape different than round!!
Good bless you and keep looking up and moving forward.
John
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For which you should apologize!!! I just love technology.
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Don’t be so hard on yourself, Kenny Rogers said, you’ve got to know when to hold em , know when to fold up , know when to walk away , and know when to run , and you don’t count your money while sitting at the table , they’ll be time enough for counting when the dealin’s done. You know your body better than anybody else and I think you did the right thing.
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Dear Pastor Dee,
I really appreciate you sharing your situation, for it encourages me to not give up when I don’t make the mark on the BHAGs of life. Making adjustments and trying again is not failing. Thank You for the reminder!
Laurie Goldman
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Even though they are annoying and disappointing, these things happen. Thanks for listing your adjustments. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to start on my big goal again, but if I do I will definitely be making some adjustments!
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Failure isn’t when you fall down, it’s when you stay down. After reading your blog, I see you are not staying down.
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Monitor and adjust. Words to live by from Madeline Hunter, famous teacher of teachers (long time ago).
Ron and I stayed at that KOA. My paternal relatives ranch just across the border.
You are a wise man!
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