Bill Whitacre and Chris White Have to Leave

These two leave our group today as our accumulated delays mean they have to skidaddle to get home on time.

I will miss both of them.

When you travel with a group of guys for seven weeks you will inevitably reveal something of yourself that is not obvious to everyone else. You cannot hide your demons and you cannot help but show your strengths. We have ridden, eaten, slept, laughed together and experienced highs and lows that would have wrecked a weaker group.

Bill Whitacre is a consummate leader who has always sought to find the common ground whenever we have had disagreements. He has a smile and a dead pan sense of humour that will disarm the most contentious situation and break the ice with any stranger. He has handled all the money and, now he’s gone, we will spend like drunken sailors. Bill professes to be a careful and conservative guy but is ready to do ANYTHING new if it will increase the epic factor on an already epic trip. Bill always thinks these potatoes are “really really good”. Bill is not a good mechanic.

Chris White is the youngest member of this group but has always shown the most mature and interesting ways to think about any new issue or opportunity. He has been ready to help anyone with anything and I am particularly grateful for his time spent riding sweep and helping me get out of a very threatening day in deep sand in Bolivia. He spent almost a week riding on a totally destroyed rear shock with not a single word of complaint. Chris is frank and smart and charming. Chris will make a great father to his soon to be born child.

Safe travels Chris and Bill. See you both again soon.