1. It's thrilling to cross state borders with those little welcome signs, especially when you do it 4x in one day.

2. It may be obvious that a chainring with 39 teeth is different than one with 34 teeth, but it's especially evident when pedaling up a 13% grade.

3. Getting pulled along in a wind tunnel with a descent of a few hundred feet can make you reach speeds almost equivalent to the downhill ride from Pinkham's Notch with a descent of 1,500 feet and a headwind.

4. Calf-tats are inevitable.

5. Those things on the road that pop bicycle tires, well they're invisible until the POP!

6. Meeting a SAG wagon along the route for a snack and water provides mini goals during a long ride.

7. Riding bike allows you to drink in the views, bask in the sun, and be enveloped in the smells of nature.