Just like Lewis said to Clark on their cross-country trip: "You can do it, buddy!" Our friend Ryan Curtiss is riding across the country on a bike, hauling his gear in a B.O.B. trailer. He left Norfolk, Va., on Aug. 8 and had his first "rest" day yesterday after blowing out a sidewall in Kentucky at mile 15. He then hoofed it 6 miles to go tire shopping at a Wal-Mart and didn't find what he needed, so he took the rest of the day off and got a kevlar Conti at a bike shop today. He is spending tonight at a church with a sign out front that says "Bicycles Welcome" in Sebree, Ky., and expects to cross the Illinois border tomorrow. His goal is to make it to Portland, Ore., before Oct. 7, so he has time to jump in a car and drive to Moab, Utah, to compete in 24 Hours of Moab Oct. 14-15. He reports that his muscles are "staying tense" all the time but he's not ready to resort to a massage. We'll post updates about his adventure as they come in.

-- Meredith, Aug. 21