FROM THE SADDLE
5
TACKLING THE 50 50 50 CENTURIES
STATES
Giving a thumbs-up in Alaska
DAYS
Riding through the red dust of Arizona
Celebrating 60 years with a ride to remember
I
By Cindi Rauch
If I were to point the finger at anyone, it would have to be Dean Karnazes. In 2006, when he was 44, he ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. I thought it was amazing. Never mind that he had a class-A motor home and an entourage that included a masseuse and a nutritionist — I wanted to do something similar. I planned. I routed. I stayed in decent physical shape ... just in case. Well, guess what? This year, I act8 American Bicyclist
ed on my inspiration. In May, when I turned 60 years old, I embarked on an epic ride: 50 Centuries in 50 States in 50 Days. All along the way people asked me what had motivated me to plan such a trip, what reason could there possibly be to physically tax a body that was poised to enter the world of Social Security benefits and senior discounts? I’m not sure I have a good answer to that question.
I can tell you that I longed to stretch myself to the point where I honestly did not know if I could succeed. I wanted to leave a legacy for friends and family that shouts: “You can do anything! Put your heart, your resources and your energy into something and watch the marvelous thing it becomes!” Perhaps it seems a silly quest when I have friends who are doing noble things like adopting Ethio-