I have decided to stop my trip early and return home. Tuesday's crash has had a bit more of an affect on me than I initially thought. I didn't sleep much on Tuesday night because the crash played over and over again in my mind. Between that and the resulting soreness, the thought of cycling the rest of the trip is no longer appealing to me. So I spent all day yesterday thinking about it and I decided that it would be best to return home. The only reason I tour on bike is for fun and when it stops being fun then I have to re-evaluate. I think a little time away from the bike will bring back my enthusiasm for the sport.

I will spend one more day in Fargo and then will fly home on Friday. Part of me is sad that I won't be continuing on, but a bigger part of me is looking forward to going home and seeing my family. Up until the crash, this was, for me, an amazing trip filled with beautiful scenery, challenging climbs, and countless interesting towns. I have fond memories of so many interesting conversations with people we met along the way. Sometimes things don't work out the way that you hoped.