Hartford to Pittsburgh: 572 Miles Down!
Hartford to Pittsburgh—done! After 572 miles and over 39,000 feet of climbing, I rolled into Pittsburgh yesterday feeling a mix of pride, exhaustion, and awareness that this is just the beginning. With more than 3,000 miles still to go, I know the real journey lies ahead.
Pennsylvania was a beast—in every sense. The early days of a trip like this are always tough: getting into the rhythm of cycling day after day, learning your gear inside and out, dialing in weight distribution, and adjusting mentally as your body adapts in unexpected ways. Add in near-constant hills, cold rain, and the fact that I’m 12 years older than the last time I did something like this… let’s just say the recovery time isn’t what it used to be!
I ended up taking two layover days instead of one—partly due to weather, partly because my body just needed the rest. I also had a day packed with work and calls, so the break was well-timed. Still, I’m proud to say I haven’t taken a single ride between Hartford and Pittsburgh—every mile has been pedal-powered.
I definitely feel prouder seeing state signs when I cycle past them… but this will have to do this time!
That said, I had to make a tough but smart call. My original plan was to be back in Louisville by June 5 in time for the June 6 & 7 Lou City FC and Racing Louisville FC matches. But with the delays and brutal conditions, there was no way I could safely or sanely double my mileage. I was already struggling to hit 55 miles a day—adding another 40 on top of that? Not reasonable.
So, on Saturday, I cycled into Pittsburgh and then caught a 3.5-hour ride to Dayton, arriving around 9:30 PM after a Brewery stop in Columbus to watch Lou City. That leapfrogged me forward enough to catch up with my schedule and still feel healthy and human. And bonus: the weather ahead looks gorgeous.
Though I missed cycling past the Ohio welcome sign (it flew by from the car window), I’m now in the Buckeye State. I’ll catch up with some friends in Dayton for an early birthday brunch before heading south toward Cincinnati, where I plan to celebrate my 50th with a low-key dinner and a few loved ones that might drive in/up.
Here’s to sunshine, smoother roads, and many dog kisses this week. I’m so looking forward to being back in Louisville soon—reuniting with Hope, Ase, and the amazing community that keeps me going.
We have raised over $12,000 of the $50,000 goal. AMAZING! Please consider following along and/or donating if you are able!
Stay tuned—more miles and memories to come!