It’s been 3-1/2 weeks since I completed phase one.  Herminia and I spent half that time on a delightful trip to Portugal and Spain.  Here’s a recap of phase two:

• 16 days of cycling; 1033 miles; average 65 miles/day
• Dropped another 10 pounds in body weight
• Resting heart rate has settled into the 60’s
• Energy level is great
• Flexibility is outstanding

Observations from phase two:

• The continued generosity of donors to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance continues to inspire me. I appreciate you all!
• To date, this ride has been as hard as I thought it would be. High winds have been a persistent challenge. There have been more than a few mornings when I thought about waving the white flag due to fatigue and the anticipation of yet another day’s challenge. But after assessing that I feel “good enough,” get on the bike, and begin pedaling, these thoughts evaporate. And, before I know it, I’ve logged another 60+ miles without a journey-ending injury or mechanical failure. This gives me the confidence to continue.
• I’m going to miss cycling through rural areas as I prepare for phase three. Cycling in areas of increased vehicle traffic requires a lot more focus for obvious reasons.  As such, cyclists lose some degree of independence. I treasure the feeling of serenity that comes with cycling on a rural road when there is no one else around.
• I’m convinced that flying an American flag on the back of my bike tends to suppress negative behavior from passing motorists. The number of irate motorists I’ve observed has been remarkably low (less than 5 for the entire trip thus far).

Lessons learned:

• A daily goal of 60-70 miles is about right for me.
• DoorDash isn’t something I used in the past.  I’m a new fan, especially on those days when I’m too tired to go out to dinner!
• I’ve found no optimal cycling route planning app.  I triangulate between Adventure Cycling Association maps, RideWithGPS, and Google Maps. I’ve become very skilled at making route adjustments on the fly. And I’ve started to ask AI if there is a route that requires less climbing when the elevation profile for a planned route is disconcerting.
• Speaking of climbing, I climbed over 3,400 feet on the day before I finished phase two.  This was good practice for what’s to come in phase three, especially in Maine.

Preparations for phase three:

• Shift to a minimalist mindset for the amount of stuff I carry in my panniers. Maybe I don’t need to carry a spare chain through routes that have more bike shops along the way? This is in anticipation of the climbs that are to come, especially in Maine.
• Fix the minor wobble in my back wheel. I’m guessing that the wobble developed on gravel and sand roads, which tend to impose more lateral stress on the wheels. I have the tools to true the wheel by adjusting spoke tension.  I just have to be careful not to over tension any spokes, which can result in them breaking on the road.
• Perform detailed planning for the route.

Here’s a panoramic view of one of the places we visited in Portugal, Nazaré: