It’s not clear what outgoing Gov. Jack Markell will do professionally when he leaves office Tuesday, but he’s got one lifelong personal goal ready to check off his list.
Beginning in June, Markell will bike across the country starting in Oregon.
It’s something the longtime cycling enthusiast has hinted he’d do for months, but plans weren’t solidified until recently.
“It’s real if, the training is definitely happening, but like one day of training is not going to be sufficient, so whether or not I’ve got the ability to keep it up – I’ve got to do it like all spring, basically until the middle of June,” Markell said.
He’ll be riding with a company that will transport his gear and arrange his hotel stays along the several thousand mile journey.
“I’m not camping and I’m not staying in church basements, which are other ways you could do these bike rides, but you know what, I’m 56-years-old.”
Long known as a cycling enthusiast, Markell helped vastly expand Delaware’s paths and trails infrastructure to make it the third most bike friendly state in the country during his tenure.
As far as job opportunities go, the soon-to-be former governor says he hasn’t had any interviews so far.
Governor-elect John Carney takes over for him Tuesday morning after his inauguration.
