Well things are rolling right along! Nothing much new to report other than between training rides and house chores, I don't have time to eat, so this is keeping the weight falling off. With the busy house schedule I am getting in about 150 - 200 miles a week. NOW, that's about what I have to get in 3 days on my trip. I will be increasing this after the arbor gets built and the chores diminish. Still have 6 weeks to train before I ship the bike off to Portland, so I'm ok.
People keep asking me if I'm ready. Well, I don't think you're ever positive you are ready for this type of thing, but I am not second guessing what I am doing. Lately I have been focusing on the mental preparation of the trip. On each ride now, I try to block out the rain, the pain, the wind, the car noise, and the rude drivers who honk their horns and yell stupid things. Occasionally, a big dog breaks the concentraion and that relaxed atmosphere. I have yet to have one of these critters do me any harm, but realize the possibility does exhist. My usual method of dealing with them, if I can't out run them, is to get off the bike and walk.
With the help of my friend Kenny at Bob's Bicycle, I replaced all the cables on the bike last week along with the handlebar wrap, and break pads. Will be replacing some more parts the week before I ship PJ off to the Pacific. Been looking around for a bike shop online that sells bicycle rider parts, like legs, knees, and other sore and broken parts, but haven't been able to locate any. Also looking for medication for ADHD dogs, as I have two of them. They are cute, and ............ well, they are cute!
I have also began limiting certain foods from my diet to help with the weight. Things I have given up are possum, racoon, and pigeons, along wtih snails, slugs, and camel back crickets. As you can see, this dieting thing doesn't work much for me, so it makes more sense to eat like I have some sense, and ride a lot, etc. Life is just better that way!
" Life is a tug of war, so pray for a long rope! " mod
"Losers seek hope from others! Winners give hope to others! " mod
"Brave men should not be judged by cowards! " 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.
Blog Archive
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!
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