FROM MIKE:

This ride was a very physically and mentally demanding adventure. The majority of the days we exceeded the 70 plus mile marker. On one day we actually biked 88 miles and surfed for an hour and a half. Physically, pulling 50 lbs of weight, it made my body hurt. If I had trained more with the trailer I would have been better off, but not too much. Mentally you cannot train for this. Something like that comes from experience on the road while biking. Everything from the weather to when you eat takes a physical and mental toll. Another day we had not eaten for 52 miles! Your mind begins to convince you that what you are doing is not a good idea and you should stop. One must overcome this mental challenge and push on. We were very limited on time and we had to be on the road marketing our sponsors.
 
For us, riding these extra long miles brought a satisfaction to the end of each day. We were doing our part for a great cause. Neither of us have a ton of money. We have our health and an idea to raise awareness for cancer research. We chose to fundraise in a very unique way and because of this we got a lot of support from sponsors in the biking and surfing community. Additionally, we received financial support for the American Cancer Society that will aid in the search for a cure for cancer.
 
Overall, I came away learning a lot about myself. In particular, I learned to appreciate; to appreciate myself; to appreciate my friends and family; to appreciate my privileges; to appreciate everything a little more than before I left on this trip. Riding on a bike you have a lot of time to think. I did plenty of that. As a result of all the thinking, I vow to continue my activism and continue making a difference however I can in this world and in my short time in it.

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FROM SCOTT:

Simply put, the trip was amazing.  This is the first bike trip I've taken without my dad, and Mike was a fantastic partner.  I was struck throughout the trip at how easily we switched off the lead to keep each other going when the other got tired.  Conversation, riding, surfing, and decisions were all easy.

I come away from this trip with one word that keeps coming to mind: Generosity.  Despite what we see too often on the news, this trip showed that people are good.  Our sponsors who donated gear, those who donated to the American Cancer Society, those who helped us along the way, those that cheered us on, and those we met and chatted with all demonstrate the goodness of humanity that's out there when you slow down long enough to see it.  Thanks to everyone.

We definitely want to do it again, and we're already working on how to make it better next time.  If you are truly interested (remember, it's tough and brutal at times), let us know and we'll be glad to work with you throughout the next year toward making this a reality for you..

For those of you who like that stats (Mark R.), here they are:

580 miles
9 days on the road, 8 days of riding
11.25 mph average over the trip
72.5 miles of riding per day (avg.)
72.5 total hours out on the road
51 hours of actual peddling
3 days of surfing

Thanks especially to Laura who put up with my obsessiveness and absence.  Thanks again to everyone and Mike!  See you next year!