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Jennifer Hurst's avatar

You are at least marginally insane. I love the use of “snail” as a verb. You’re a good writer. Tense story from what was mostly a slog. Keep doing crazy things, but please also be careful. Those are incompatible and both are important.

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Dillon Carr's avatar

Thanks Jennifer! The margins of life are more fun. :)

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Michael Jarosick's avatar

Hey Dillon. I am catching up to your posts, so my comments apply to parts 1 and 2. You are a skilled raconteur and I look forward to part 3! In my mountaineering days (when I was a much younger man) I sought and found similar adventures. A great American mountaineer named Willi Unsoeld had a great quote that I emulated. "Adventure begins when things start to go wrong." You are definitely finding adventure. I have great respect for you and Jace for taking on such a challenge.

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Dillon Carr's avatar

I remember you saying this on a ride a while ago and think of it often on adventures.

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Dillon Carr's avatar

And I’ve never been called a raconteur, but I’ll take it! Thanks. Part 3 dropping Wednesday.

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Nate Stahlke's avatar

Man! What a journey you guys were on. Loved reading part two. You guys are beasts! Excited for part three to drop!

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David Burkett's avatar

Wow. That's so intense to read about that I feel pretty numb. It's just too much to handle!

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MARC D CARR's avatar

Wow what a good story and so well written. Your use of words gives mom and I very vivid pictures in our mind of of your nightmarish tale!

I sat here and wondered if some bikers had knocked on my door at one in the morning would I have helped them out? I told Linda yes I probably would have but then she said yeah but they could potentially hurt you as if it were like a scam or a setup. I don't know I still think I'd help out some bikers that are stranded.

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Dillon Carr's avatar

I thought about the same thing. I really don’t know how I’d handle that situation. But if I wasn’t going to help, I’d at least apologetically act like I wanted to, because I’m too much of a people pleaser.

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Nelson Shogren's avatar

Sounds like pure torture, but lessons learned the hard way are the easiest teachers. There are various ways to max out on a good dinner and hot shower after a hard day’s effort, but you and Jace may have exceeded the limits of the basic requirements to earn those. Good writing about hard riding!

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Dillon Carr's avatar

Definitely learned some things on this trip.

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Jace's avatar

Well written!! It definitely could have been a "easier" ride, but looking back, it could have also been 10 times worse!! Etc : flat tire at 1 am, Bear Attack, murder...

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Dillon Carr's avatar

Haha! Our bar is pretty low if the only thing that could’ve gone worse is if we’d been murdered

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Dillon Carr's avatar

Nevertheless, I agree. Could have been worse. No regrets here.

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Jace's avatar

Or if we murdered....

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Dave Palmer's avatar

Wow! Quite a adventure! Me and two friends did this trip last year but we took 6 days and enjoyed the entire ride. The rain between Hancock and Harper's Ferry wasn't even too bad, though we were muddy messes when we got to the hotel In HF. Minor edit suggestion, Confluence is in PA and on the GAP trail, are you sure you didn't stop for dinner in Hancock?

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Dillon Carr's avatar

Great catch, Dave. You’re right! I’m not sure how I got Lucky Dog Café stuck in my head. Buddy Lou’s in Hancock is where we stopped for beer and fried chicken sandwiches. Highly recommended by the way.

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Ryan ODell's avatar

Again, reminding me of my ill fated bike trip to Tequammenon Falls. Loved your writing style and could totally empathize with all aspects of your situation. 😂

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