Got in a little riding before ole man winter came back. Got in 85 miles over the past weekend, but back in the gym to keep the fat monster away. Definately need the bike time, but concentrating time on mapping trip, campgrounds, getting equipment lined up and trying to elimnate all unnecesary stuff to cut weight. I really had no idea how much was involved in making this type of journey when I first got the idea. I'm not sure if I had realized what it entailed, I would have ever started. I guess I thought I'd just ride the bike, get in shape a bit and take off cross country. Never thought of all the camping gear ( lightweight ) , knowledge needed to work on the bike, mapping, communication while on bike, dangers, etc, etc, etc. Not sure I have a firm grasp of it all yet, but I am sure about half way home from Portland, I will be much smarter about traveling by bicycle.
Charlotte's dad passed away this week, so that has been a bit rough.
As my luck would have it, our governor and legislature is considering moving the starting date for school next fall up a week. Not that I care a whole lot about that except it takes a week out of the time I have to make the 4000 mile trip. I had a week built in to allow for bad weather, bad days, and maybe a relaxation day. I now will need to do one of two things. I will need to ride 60 straight days without a break, or increase my daily milage, or both.
" Faith is believing that something will happen. Hope is that it will be good. Love is understanding when it isn't." mod
"When we face our greatest enemy, we will recognize self." mod
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Been there and done that!
Mod's bicycle trip 2010 from Portland, Oregon to Parkersburg, West Virginia
PERSPECTIVE
When I think of the men, women, and children who suffer from disease and hunger throughout the world I realize the smallness of my endeavor. When I think of the men and women who serve in our military defending our freedom and spending months in foreign lands, I realize a 4000 mile bike journey is fairly insignificant. When I think of the elderly who spend the brief time they have left being lonely, and the animals who suffer at the hands of humans I am reminded that my journey is not very important.
What do you think of mod making this trip?
My top 10 cycling pet peeves.
- 10. Any bicycle sold by Wal Mart. There isn't enough good metal in one to make a pie pan!
- 9. People who throw glass bottles out of car windows.
- 8. Any cyclist who feels the type of riding they do is the only type of cycling. I think it's great to see anyone on a bike.
- 7. Bicycle shops that charge to put air in your tires.
- 6. People throwing things from cars at cyclists. Really stupid!
- 5. People who yell out the window when passing a cyclist. They must not realize that all we hear is a squeal. Kinda funny actually!
- 4. Kids and young adults who ride through yards, weave wrecklessly through traffic and stop signs, and in front of cars, causing people to view cycling in a negative way.
- 3. Cyclists who ride in the road to prove a point. A little common sense goes a long way! I'm not going to argue with a red neck driving a 6000 pound truck with a dog in the back bigger than my bike! The goal is to ride, have fun, and get home alive! I do think we live in an area that needs to be more aware of cycling and hopefully people who ride often and correctly can have an impact on the way we are viewed by automobile drivers.
- 2. People who know they have dogs that chase bicycles and do nothing. Wonder if they would like them to be pepper sprayed. Of course not!! If its your dog or my legs, I'm choosing my legs!
- 1. People who don't turn on headlights when it isn't daylight. Maybe they think they are saving gas, too lazy to turn, push, or pull the switch, or maybe they think they are hiding in the dark.. Dumb and dangerous habit!!
PAVEMENT SURFING
Been there and done that!
Awesome! Really proud of you Mod!
ReplyDeleteBecky
Your doing great planning your trip. It will be so interesting!
ReplyDelete