In 2009 I biked across the United States. I left San Francisco with a ceremonial dip of the back wheel into the Pacific Ocean and arrived in Portsmouth NH fifty-two days and almost 4000 miles later, complete with a police escort, popping corks and the triumphant front wheel dip in the Atlantic. I rode with a group of cyclists from around the US with Europe and Asia through a company called America by Bicycle. They mapped the route, arranged hotels, hauled bags and provided support with a bike mechanic, snacks every 30 miles or so and basically provided the security of knowing that someone would come looking if you didn't show up at the end of the day. I went alone but when I left it was with friends bonded by the challenge, thousands of miles and countless stories. We rode fast - as you can without the burden of baggage and secure knowing there is a place to sleep at night. Many days exceeded 100 miles as we worked our way across the ever-changing landscape. I rode EFI - Every F*^%g Inch. I blogged that ride - my first blog. At that time I was very interested in ride statistics - average miles per hour, average heart rate, calories burned, elevation gained, miles per day and dinner - so excuse any typos of posts done in a rush. I was as interested in the physical challenge as I was the territory I biked through or the people I met along the way. Focused on making it to the Atlantic. In later years I grew to see the bike more as a vehicle to find stories and encounters and focused less on the statistics and numbers. My cross-America ride has been