Epilogue
It’s Monday, August 19, and I am 34,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean on the way back home to New Jersey. The adventure that I casually mentioned to Larry last year is over. What an amazing experience it was. And what a fantastic group of people with whom to share it. Extraordinary individuals, each and every one, united in a simple and singular quest: to pedal the length of the United Kingdom.
I am grateful to all my companions on this journey. Kind, funny, interesting, talented. All bonded together in our shared quest. We all helped each other out, but I definitely received more help than I offered. From Jonathan encouraging me up the hellacious 700-foot climb out of Wells on Day 4, to Nigel offering his nutritional and fueling wisdom, to Paul and Jim lending me their wheel whenever I needed it, to the incredibly strong and generous Hannah and Charly inviting me and Larry to join them for an easy (for them) stage when Hannah was under the weather, to all the others who I shared this experience with: Jill, Gina, Bob, Neil, Al, Anna, Annie, Gail, Jo, Tama, Nix, David, Sanjay, Lisa.
There’s no better way to explore a new land than by bicycle, and no better way to do it than with a group of new friends. Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic Peak Tours support team: Dave, Jim, Russ, Swiss Tony, Stef. One evening over a whiskey in the drawing room of the beautiful Moffat Independent Hostel, Jim mentioned that his boss, Steve, the founder of Peak Tours, believes there is just one essential quality to being a successful part of the Peak Tours team: You have to “give a shit.” And they all did. No matter how big or small the issue, they swung into action to make sure all of us had the experience of a lifetime.
And then there’s Andy “Wack” Walker, MBE. I think his courage, determination, tenacity, good humor (and singing) set the tone for the entire group. Without a doubt, he was the hero for all of us. With him setting the example, there was no way I wasn’t going to finish this quest. Thank you, Andy. Thank you, Peak Tours. And to my cycling friends … hope to see you on the road again soon!
