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Welcome to Shifting Gears. The purpose of this site is to post updates from the road on my upcoming bike trip. The ambitious ride aims to cover all of the lower 48 states, spending at least one night in each.
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Nailed It
Do you ever have a day when things actually happen the way you want them to? I’m not talking about unexpected nice surprises. I’m...
Jon Scott
May 9, 20222 min read
Transition Day
As I implemented my new strategy today, there was no riding and, sadly, no good pictures either. But I’m going to take the “off” day to...
Jon Scott
May 7, 20224 min read
Sanity Check
I’m actually a day behind as I write this. I got all screwed up when my original Roll Tide post didn’t get saved. I even had some good...
Jon Scott
May 6, 20225 min read
Roll Tide (Take 2)
First of all, Melonie your comment made search furiously to see if my lost post from yesterday was somehow saved somewhere. No luck....
Jon Scott
May 5, 20223 min read
Nada
I wrote this evening’s post and it didn’t save. I’ll be back tomorrow with a double dose.
Jon Scott
May 4, 20221 min read
Murphy Strikes Back
I knew I should not have written yesterday’s post. I wanted people to know that it’s not always misery and problems. Turns out yesterday...
Jon Scott
May 3, 20223 min read
Natchez Trace
For two weeks now, you’ve been forced to read about all the various complaints a cyclist could have. Dogs, wind, rain, hills, traffic,...
Jon Scott
May 2, 20223 min read
R&R
Today‘s day off was planned and very timely. I‘m at 982 miles to-date with just under 41,000’ of elevation gain. Like many things I do,...
Jon Scott
May 1, 20222 min read
Nashville
One of my favorite places to be. Unfortunately, I don’t get here often and more often than not in recent years it’s been for funerals. My...
Jon Scott
Apr 30, 20222 min read
A Struggle
As lousy as the hotel was last night, I didn’t want to leave this morning. I was not feeling it. My legs were tired and sore, and it felt...
Jon Scott
Apr 29, 20222 min read
TERROR!
We have all done things in our lives, either by choice or by circumstance, that have made us feel like we were walking the high-wire...
Jon Scott
Apr 28, 20223 min read
Dull Day
Today was a long, dull day that started in the cold Ozarks and ended in the pancake flat fields of SE Missouri near the Mississippi...
Jon Scott
Apr 27, 20222 min read
Ozarks
Hills. Then more hills. Top it off with a few more hills. I had 1st gear climbs today, with several grades greater than 10%. I also hit...
Jon Scott
Apr 26, 20222 min read
Back At It
After the much-needed rest day, I was back in the saddle today. Without being too graphic, I’m sure everyone reading this has had...
Jon Scott
Apr 25, 20222 min read
On the 7th Day, I Rested
Unplanned rest day to avoid some rain and to rest and recuperate. I hope to make up for it when I get to the East Coast.
Jon Scott
Apr 24, 20221 min read
People Day
Today’s ride was the first time since the start - 500 miles ago - that I saw someone else on a bike. Let me back up for a second, the day...
Jon Scott
Apr 23, 20222 min read
4-Bagger
Lots to sift through today. Today is the only day on this entire trip when I will ride through 4 states in one day (unless I go to the...
Jon Scott
Apr 22, 20222 min read
More Observations
There are a few of these I missed yesterday and I didn’t want the moment to pass. In Oklahoma, the word “electric” is actually a...
Jon Scott
Apr 21, 20221 min read
Observation Day
97.5 miles up and down hills in the rain. Lots of time to think. Here are some of those thoughts: Why is Broken Arrow, OK so far from...
Jon Scott
Apr 20, 20221 min read
Day 2
A good day of riding with a nice little tailwind for the first half of the ride. Two days in, and I’m already starting to notice some...
Jon Scott
Apr 20, 20221 min read
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