Well listeners, this will be my last post before I sign off. I've enjoyed doing the blog, even if at times it was a labour of love whilst my travelling companion would snooze with the TV on about 15 mins after we had checked in to another very mediocre motel, but that's what we kind of expected. In fact, after a day in the saddle, we could've slept on broken glass. The closest comparison I can think of is the same feeling you get after a full day's skiing. Suffice to say, that although it wasn't physically hard sitting on our arse all day, the buffeting from the wind and concentration required to ride these bikes at between 70-90 mph ensured we were exhausted each night. Having said all that, I found that I missed the routine of getting up and heading off wondering what the day would bring.
San Francisco seems like a long time ago now and I'm grateful to Nutting and Massimo for making it such a memorable trip with many funny and unforgetable moments, but for me it was an opportunity to see a side of America that not many foreigners get to experiece. I also believe that by doing it on bikes we got to talk to and meet more people as opposed to doing it by car. We met so many wonderful individuals along the way and really made an effort to do and go to places that were recommended to us by various locals. That being said, I still be believe we saw the best and worst of what the States has to offer and what impression that left upon us. The main thing really is size. Now I know it's not supposed to matter, but the US doesn't do small. Everything is vast, from the country itself, the scenery, the towns, the trucks, an increasingly large number of people's waistband and of course the food portions. America is quickly eating itself into total obesity. You see it everywhere you go (particularly in Vegas) but everyone is just eating too much and the reason for this is that all fast food restaurants are now substituting quality for quantity. We have now learnt, whether it be a KFC or Taco Bell or Waffle House to always ask for a small of eveything and it will still feed 3-4 europeans, easily. They should shut down every fast food outlet for a year to get people back to cooking a meal and taking exercise. Americans live in their cars and when you experience the distances they cover you can understand why, but a drive through ATM? Seriously, you could get in your car in the morning and not have to get out of it until the evening by which you could've eaten, done your groceries, picked up some cash and rented a dvd or 2. The US is fast becoming a land of extremes between the body beautiful and the body bountiful. That being said it is still the service oriented capital of the world. Almost without exception, everyone we met was engaging, polite and positive about life. It was refreshing from some of the european 'attitude' that we so often put up with. It is a country with so much to offer, I just hope it doesn't get lost under a mountain of fat.
Was this a once in a lifetime experience? As I eluded to in an earlier post, I was very grateful to Karin for letting me do this, but having done it, I'm not sure I'd do it again. However, I would recommend anyone to do it just for the experience but do it with people you know, like and trust. Nutting and Massimo were the perfect companions. I don't remember one arguement between any of us and I'm sure there were reasons for plenty! Maybe I'll do another one with my boys when their older, but in the meantime, having handed back the keys to my Road King Classic, I am secretly quite proud of what we achieved. 3100 miles in 2 weeks and over £3,500 for our charity with more still to come hopefully. And so the adventure ends in New Orleans, a city fittingly with as much character as the city we started out from, San Francisco. As much as I love the US, I can't wait to get home and give my family a big squeeze. I have missed them far more than I thought I ever would so my imminent return can't come a moment too soon but I will leave here with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I loved it and I love the fact that it's over. Thanks again for sharing the trip with us and if anyone wants any advice about doing a similar trip it would be to do it, don't give it too much thought and take a pair of spurts with you for comfort!! As a Cowboy we met in Texas told us; "May God put one hand over my shoulder and the other one across my mouth!! Take care y'll and come back real soon you hear.....
With love and thanks to all those who helped, encouraged and commented, William, William and Massimo.
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