Should I Stay or Should I go now?

Alright, it’s come down to this. It looks like I have to cancel my trip. The group has had several cancellations and I have a short window to get a refund.

I hate having to make an adult decision but the prudent thing will be to defer this trip until next year.

My concerns are varied. 1. Will we be able to get accommodations? 2. Will restaurants be available? 3. What if I come down with the virus in some remote place and 4. What if Barb comes down with it while I’m on the road. Lots of unknowns and unpredictable situations.

I spoke with the ride coordinator and he was great. I was hoping to roll this trip forward until next year but he said this is their last year and he is retiring.

So what to do? Barb says cancel, and I should probably take her advice for a change. Man how I hate to do this (cancel, not the advice thing) after all I have put in to it physically and economically.

What to do? What to do?

I called a good friend who was an E-Room Physician and currently specializes in longevity. He said that given my age and history of heart disease it would be foolish to continue with the ride. He gave a scenario. Say 75m people are infected, 10% serious enough to be quite ill, that’s 7.5m. 10% of those require hospitalization or 750,000 and 10% of those need ventilators or 75,000. He said there are not enough beds or ventilators. Also said at my age I would probably be at the end of the list. Ok. That may be worst case, or maybe not. It’s unknown at this point.

He said I should listen to my wife ( he said this not knowing she already told me to cancel.)

This indecision’s buggin’ me (esta indecisión me molesta)- From the song’s lyrics

I was noodling around a couple of ideas and here is what I’m thinking.

I’ve done the prep work.

My friends have thrown the party,

I’ve started this damn blog.

I said I was committed and I am.

Tony Robbins says “If you are committed, there is always a way”.

I think I have a way!! Kind of…..

I have the daily schedule for the ride with mileages between stops and the daily elevations.

Could I do a pseudo-Trans America ride here in Az? We have plenty of hills and mountains and lots of roads. Maybe I simply ride the mileage over a 48 day period and call it good. I’ll do the 3030 miles come hell or high water. (Maybe)

Damn it, I’ve trained and I’m ready. Plus I have this flipping blog to keep writing for. Sadly, it won’t be as picturesque and it will challenge my writing skills to keep it interesting. What do you think? Is this a fair substitute?

I am so disappointed having to cancel a bucket list item but life throws us curve balls and we have to adjust. It could be a lot worse.

Looking on the bright side once I have done the distance I will be in great shape to take on a trip next year. I’ll be another year older but age is just a number. And it could be a sequel, Big Bad Bob

So referring back to the Clash I ask you opinion:

Should I stay or should I go now?

Adios for now from a dejected cyclist. May the roads be smooth, the wind at your back and please stay healthy!