PROFILE:  Scott Johnson is the youngest coast to coast rider at age 17. We had one 16 year old (Robbie, here with his Dad Bob from NJ), for one week. Scott turns 18 before the trip gets to Canada, and he can't wait to celebrate there. Scott is here with his brother Max (21) and they reside in Vermont. Scott connected with us early the first week. The first week I could not remember his name, so I nicknamed him "Vladimir", as he is originally adopted from Moscow, Russia. Sometimes we still call him that. Vlad is a competitive skier, who told us he joined the trip because he wanted to get his legs in shape for skiing, plus, his brother Max already did a coast to coast. Since he was not an experienced cyclist, we have been coaching Scott along the way. He now knows the responsibility of being in a pace line (because we dropped him when he did not comply), and he knows the value of lightening your load. Over the first 4 weeks, he shed his backpack, knee brace, seat pack and any thing else not nailed down, including losing numerous water bottles. One of mine even. He joined us on our second summit of Grand Tetons, and has improved a great deal. I am always amused by watching he and Max, especially when they are tenting. They fight with each other like they are stars in a reality show. Anyway, Scott (and his brother Max) are good guys. I have enjoyed teaching Scott and watching his progress. I think he will end up being an excellent cyclist. Here are some pictures of Scott (last picture is his brother Max, on left, with Ken).

UPDATE: Unfortunately Scott had a crash, injured his hand, had to have surgey and left the tour one of the weeks I was away. I did get to see him in Lake Placid, as he and his Mom came to see Max that weekend.