I’m finishing the ride. 2700 miles is about enough on a bike for Pete Coombes, it seems.
The real reason is that I think I’ve grown up. Finally! I want to go home to Bridget. I want to set up home and family. And the more I thought about it on the road the more I realised how pointless the bike ride was. Especially on my own. Bridget and I will do South America eventually together (certainly on a motor bike and sidecar, maybe even with the kids), but now is not the time to do it solo.
When you’re consumed with love and excited by the future, you can’t wait. I want the rest of my life with Bridge to start right now. Not sure what I’ve been waiting for, to be honest.
So I’ve done most of North America.
I don’t think that’s bad for a kid from the wrong side of the spokes who’s only ever riden 150miles in two days before this trip.
If I’ve let you down, then I’m sorry. But if I’ve let you down, then you need to stop living vicariously through others and get off your arse and grab your own adventure! For example, it only takes two weeks to drive to Azerbaijan. You can fit that into your holiday plans. Allow money for bribes. Or be prepared to sell one of the kids.
I’m heading to New Zealand on Sunday and the rest of my life. I hope you enjoyed the ride so far. I did.
Pip pip
Love
Pete
Patagonia Pete 
Halleluiah!!!!!!! Congratulations
Thanks, mum! x
Sent from my iPhone
Only a Mother could respond in just two words that say so much more…
Well done for getting as far as you did, mate. Sometime you have to really shake the machine, or make it ride a couple of thousand miles, to make the penny drop….
I wish you and Bridget all the luck in the world with your future together.
Cheers, buddy. Looks like you have to pedal your arse off and move to the other side of the world to find the answer. Who knew.
Sent from my iPhone
Good for you bro and what an achievement. You are definatley ding the right thing and the real adventure starts now.
I really want the blogs to keep going. Can you not do a Donald crowhurst and send file photos and blogs of deepest s America whilst enjoying a cold one in n shore Auckland!
But I hope you realise that the hard bit starts now, none of this namby pamby cycling up big hills but starting a new life with the one you love. Now that’s the ride of a lifetime.
Love you.
Bro
Stop it, you’re getting me all misty! Very excited now. Hope Bridget is too! Bridget? Bridget?
Pete Coombes
http://www.patagoniapete.com petecoombes@mac.com Skype:pcoombes
Fantastic news mate. Hope youve found it fun (its certainly been fun reading), but i think you are definately doing the right thing. Welcome to day 1 of the rest of your life – may it be long and happy and full of love. Cant wait to come and visit š
I think what you have achieved is mind blowing, it really is. You’ve done more than most would ever have the guts to and for that I shall always take my hat off to you. I really think you’re making the right decision and what a wonderful thing to have done before the settle down.
Your blogs have been such a refreshing delight to read and still think you should get them published, at the very least keep ’em coming with your NZ exploits.
Once again, you should be proud of what you’ve done, nothing short of awe-inspiring!
When you’re settled (and we’re invited of course) Nic and I will be over (if by then we’re both in the ol’ bakin business we can swap tips!)
Safe flight mate and well done!
oh and keep on honkin’!
Eh, what, sorry?! Who excited? Me? Ooh, hold on a sec, you’re coming when?!?… .
‘Course I’m excited. Can’t wait till we’re settled in and you can all come and visit! x
PS congrats on the new job Stu.
Cheers my dear! Hope you are adjusting back to the way of life over there, i hope the two of you will continue to blog your adventures together!
Well done Pete. On the ride and the decision. Maybe one day when you’re older and er grayer you can finish the final leg to the Horn with the Grand kids in tow. I wish you and Bridget every happiness.
Love
Rob, Helen and Charlotte x
Hey Pete
Sounds like you got to the end of your journey – there was no further you had to go. Miles of road doesn’t matter when it comes down to it.
Glad you have found the best thing to focus on, it really is worth it.
Have a great time getting set up in NZ, we are all made up for you.
Cheers,
JP
but ive just this second booked tickets for the surprise visit!!!
well done mate on the trip and the decision a fantastic achievement all round
good luck in your new adventure
si vic and little el’bongo
Binnie wants me to say……well, nothing more than that she hasn’t seen your blog for a while, she’s out of touch somewhere in Catalonia, as soon as she gets back she’ll be in touch herself, I am not to pre-empt her! But I think the message you’re getting is pretty universal, isn’t it? What super friends you have! All I can do is repeat my original comments – Attaboy! Halleluiah! Congratulations!
Yeah! What a finish!
All the best mate! Hopefully I’ll see you over there sometime in the future… hopefully when I’m working for WETA.
good luck with everything!
Chris
Good work Coombes. Despite the fact that you didn’t finish the journey, you really did get there – know what I mean? Really pleased for you and the very patient Bridget and I’m sure the next stage of your adventure will be even more fulfilling. Together. Well done everyone!
Ps -As you didn’t complete the trip, this does mean sadly, that I won’t be paying any sponsorship money.
Pps – When you get to NZ make sure you don’t waste any time. Sort those World Cup tickets out quick.
Ppps – can I have my handlebar tassles back? And the piles cream? Actually, scratch that……
M
Good on you. All the best with the rest of your life…oh and kids, there’s worth it!
Congrats for getting this far. You haven’t let anyone down though I’ve got to admit I was looking forward to the undeniable entertainment of the Mexico stage (Underlay underlay). Looks like your life expectancy has just dramatically improved! Good luck to both of you in NZ. Lots of sheep to honk!
P
Congratulations. What a journey … you know where you want to be, that in conjunction with the bike ride is one hell of an achievement. Iām chuffed to bits for both. Sending big hugs, and looking forward to hearing about chapter 2.
and Pete’s ‘chaffed’ to bits …I thank you.
That’s cool… really cool.. All the best and next time you’re in Seattle we can do it properly.
A
Fantastic effort, Pete! Your blog has been phenomenal and I can’t believe how funny and entertaining both your posts have been but also all your friends – just how have you managed to attract so many hilariously articulate friends/family?! And completely understand the loneliness and wanting to get back to Bridget – I cut short my travelling-round-the-world stint back in 2002 as I was missing Neil so badly I wasn’t really enjoying the travelling as much as I knew I should be. Can’t believe how much mileage you covered in such a short time – I hope your knee is all recovered now as it sounds like you will be going down on one knee very soon š
Pete – nice one my friend.
Pete what can I say? Except I remember having a Friday drink convo with you where I told you so š see I’m psychic!
No but seriously, so pleased that you have made your decision, it’s been lovely making that journey with you. Benny and I wish u both all the love and happiness in the world. I have no doubt that u will have exceptionally amusing children š
On a separate note, what a great way to end the journey, now ure story has everything; adventure, humour, peril (knee) and mostly importantly romance. A true journey of the soul!
Please don’t stop writing š
Love love love
Bemma
Pete
Given the speed you were getting through your journey it was kinda clear you wanted to get somewhere else fast š
Congratulations on making a great big fat grown up decision (surely your best?) and keep blogging from NZ.
Nxxx
Peter, I think you should be proud of what you have done. You would probably have thought about it often in the future and perhaps both Bridget and you would have regretted not going. And you have all the scenes now in your memory and all your miles travelling alone, and the experience might well be helpful with any questioning family you may have. Not to mention the pleasure it has given to armchair travellers like me! All the very best wishes to you both for the future!!
Love, Giddy Aunt
Just to echo what everyone else has said – but also to point out that you have given a geography lesson to all your readers! How else would we have had such detail about Alaska, Northern BC, Vancouver Island, Puget Sound
brought so vividly to us? There were other lessons too I guess, but I’ll not mention them….
Will you draw on Charlotte Bronte’s conclusion to Jane Eyre for your ending to your blog?
All the best to you both, and love, Ba
My head’s a-spin with thoughts of writing now. But I suspect vanity and the kindness of others blind me to the truth of my talent. A blog (even the word is brutish!) can’t really be an indication of writing prowess. I have travelled a bit. On a bike. And that’s a little unusual. But I think I’ll need to keep on travelling by unusual methods to sustain a literary career! Still, people have done lesser things and achieved some level of success, so who knows.
But you’re right, I have been searching for happiness. Who doesn’t? But I never thought my happiness was linked to my independence. Jane was a different person to me in that respect. Let’s just say I’ve realised, finally, what others found out ages ago. I feel a bit of a nitwit! Thankfully Bridget seems to know a bit more about these things than I do,
Sent from my iPhone
Pete! FINALLY saw your blog after a week in darkest Catalonia.
Mum had tipped me off (she was so happy), but great to read the full version. Looks like your fantastic friends and family have said most of it already…….great decision, really happy for you and Bridget…and you went just the right way (for you) to get there. WARNING..CHEESY MOMENT…..(with thanks to Robert Frost and Granny Phillips)..
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
Hi Uncle Pete
You did an amazing job! Would any of my friends uncles do that? Uh… I don’t think so! And yay! Your finally getting married! Or did i miss the catch?
Lots of Love
Helen
Pete, I’ve been reading your blogs since you set off on your trip and what have done is amazing, think I have been reading with a slight sense of jealousy of the adventures that have been uncovered! Really chuffed you have and sounds like there are many more adventures yet to come. This is where it really starts. Good work fella!
Well done Pete, a top effort and a fantastic decision – I wish you all the very best in NZ with Bridget – really wish I had met her.
PS – don’t ever sell that bike though eh – I dream of a Rholdorff hub one day…..
Pete, What can I say my friend other than congratulations and well done.
Your blog has been compulsive reading, informative, witty, inspirational (I now have a Bear Honker, UK version suitable for small domestic rodents and fish only) and much more.
It will be missed but more importantly than that, I shall miss you……yes, yes, yes I know girly style sentiment but those brief ‘get togethers’ we’d have every 4 or 5 years meant so much.
I am very happy for you (and Bridget). All the very best for NZ.
Fantastic news Pete… You should have gotten off the mezzanine years ago!!!
Well done on your amazing journey and good luck for Sunday. Very excited for both of you x
Well, you had a great adventure, and now you start a new one! When I describe your visit to Anchorage and your plans, I usually add, “he is in love and will probably change plans”. Good decision I bet . Fun to meet you and follow your travels. If you and Bridget (and ?) want to visit Alaska, you are welcome.
Barb and Ron (well, Ron is rafting a river right now, but I’m sure he wants to be included).
Hi Barb (and Ron in absentia)
It seems most people had short expectations of my trip! I think I’ve made the right decision, at least it feels right now.
I can’t thank you enough for all your help and warmth in Alaska. I hope I can emulate your generosity down under and help some antipodean cyclists in the future.
Happy and and safe cycling to you both. And throw that ball to Charlie for me!
Pete
A little late on the uptake as a week late in seeing this post. But I guess the point is to get it, eventually! Love to you both (that sounds nice), A&J