Road kill rarely smells, even skunks, although it’s best to avoid the juicier specimens.

You may not like the concept of pooping in the woods, but it is preferable to in the chamois.

Dogs hate bicycles. Little dogs really hate bicycles. Big dogs only mistrust bicycles. Medium size dogs combine a hatred of bicycles with the speed and desire to catch one.

If given a choice between the ditch and a semi, choose the ditch.

The white line is not just for decoration.

Most drivers will ignore you, some will wave, still fewer will flip you off, but most often they will stare and cock their heads to the side, mouths most likely agape.

Never turn down a free meal or a free beer. Almost always turn down two free beers.

Going down a hill can be mentally more difficult than going up, if for the simple fact that you know you must at some point go back up.

Riding a bike is a bit like dating: it can bring you to the top of a mountain and the lowest valley on the same day.

You can’t avoid every rock, bump, and pothole, but try to dodge the big ones.

A casual swerve can quickly become a brush with disaster.

Climbing a challenging peak offers the same endorphin rush as a first date or a long awaited pay raise, but none last longer than the next downhill spin or generous tailwind.

Examine all screws, bolts, nuts, levers, wires, clips, ties, snaps, hooks, tires, wheels, bars, posts, and spokes daily, if not more often.

You will spend twice as much on food and repairs as you initially estimate.

Flat tires will happen.

Rain is inevitable.

Moments of despair and triumph can occur quite easily within seconds of one another.

Riding in a storm makes you feel like a tough guy for about an hour, after that it carries quickly diminishing returns.

People you meet will occasionally offer you a free T-Shirt, but they will rarely offer you a pair of underpants. Pack accordingly.

No matter how many holes, trenches, crevasses, divots, or pocks are in the road, there could always be more.

If you are not riding your bike, you should be eating or drinking something.

Campgrounds are a bike tourist’s home away from home.

Sometimes looking extremely pathetic will get you a free meal or a cheap stay, but more often exuberant confidence will achieve that goal much more successfully.

Big hills will always hurt, but sometimes they will hurt a little less.

Allow yourself twenty miles to warm up every day.

Every time you plan a big day, have a backup plan.

Never underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee.

The people you meet on the road are never more real than for the five minutes you talk to them. Make them know how much you value their existence by offering your time and conversation to their average lives.

Broken bones will heal. Broken bicycles can be repaired. Broken helmets can be replaced.

Home is where you ship your bike, when you crash.