Epilogue

Things went smoothly in El Paso. I picked up a bike box from Crazy Cat Cyclery. I brought over my cooking gas, large canister of Deep Woods OFF, and remaining energy bars. When I told the mechanic that I had brought a bag full of goodies, he thought it was weed. I stopped at the Rib Hut and enjoyed the Pork Baby Back Rib Platter along with a few Dos Equis. The bike break-down went smoothly, and the hotel offered me a ride to the airport the next morning. I nervously checked the American Airlines online baggage checker as my bike was loaded onto the first plane, and then deplaned and reloaded in Dallas Ft Worth. Upon touchdown at LaGuardia I watched from my seat as the baggage handlers removed my bike from the conveyer and put it onto the wagon. The Uber home was smooth, and I was back at work the next day.


I spent the flights home working on my stats and editing my reports. One of my stats was ‘favorite parts of the trip’ and another was ‘best stories’. For both I was coming up short. The tour was largely athletic. I hadn't been excited about crossing Louisiana or Texas, although I did enjoy the western most part of the tour. Upon my return, I told a friend that once I had gotten to the good part, it was time to come home. Yesterday’s leaked Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe v. Wade really upset me, and I’m starting to question whether I want to spend time and money in red states. Anyone who tours knows that it’s not cheap. All of those gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, and RV parks add up. Which political candidates and policies are these businesses supporting? I pass endless miles of cattle grazing, forestry, and mining (oil & gas wells) - industries that I don’t support. Every single use cup in Texas was styrofoam. How many Border Patrol Agents did I pass? I admit that I’m and obsessive, and that I want the quadruple crown of American cross-country cycling tours. Most people do the Southern Tier because it's the easiest. This segment largely left me with an empty feeling. I’m now thinking that, after I finish the GDMBR and part three of the Southern Tier, I’m gonna call it quits for travel in red states. 
 

Shuttle to the Airport

El Paso Baggage Area

LaGuardia Tarmac

Back in New York City


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Location: El Paso, TX, USA

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