When I left Anacortes, Washington, my ultimate destination was Key West.

But 1,742 miles into the ride, there was another destination that meant just as much.

Bristol, South Dakota.

Population: about 250.

My hometown.

I knew a few people were planning to meet me when I arrived. What I didn’t know was that Bristol had something a little bigger in mind.

Here’s a short excerpt from Chapter 4 of It’s Just Riding: Just Pete from Sea to Key.

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As our convoy turned onto Main Street, I caught sight of the crowd.

There they were. At least seventy-five people lined the sidewalks. In a town of 250, that’s like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Friends and familiar faces were everywhere. People I’d known my entire life. People who’d followed the ride from day one. Others who simply wanted to welcome me home. They were cheering, waving signs, and shouting my name.

I wasn’t prepared for the scale of it.

My eyes welled up instantly, and I could barely see the pavement in front of me. I pedaled slowly through the crowd, overwhelmed by the support and kindness of the people who had come out to welcome me home.

Even the residents of Sun Dial Manor, one of the charities I’d been riding for, were lined up in lawn chairs, smiling, waving, and holding handmade signs: “Jeff Rocks.” “We Love Jeff.” “You Made It!”

In that beautiful, overwhelming moment, I wasn’t just a tired guy on a bike anymore.

I was home.

It was the most magnificent homecoming I could ever have imagined. I’ll never forget it. Not ever.

They say there’s no place like home. After 1,742 miles of mountains, headwinds, blistering heat, deep doubt, and stubborn hope, I was finally there.

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Of all the miles I rode between Anacortes and Key West, those few blocks down Main Street in Bristol are among the ones I remember most.

It’s Just Riding arrives September 1.