Today I received news that may alter my bike trip plans for the summer.
My good friend Jason who went to be with the Lord in August, 2011 will have his ashes spread out this coming August, early August. https://www.facebook.com/events/1434083296901743/ It is only scheduled for a half-hour, but this means a lot for me to attend...and my proposed bike trip would end towards the end of the month....which would be about 2700 miles, give or take. So, you can see my dilemma here.
Do I stay close to home and just do some short-term trips/adventures? That way, I may regret doing a large scale adventure.
Do I modify my trip and make it shorter? That way, I may miss out on some important places.
Do I stick with my proposed trip but go ultralight or race against time to be home by August 7th?
Do I go with another trip all together?
Dilemma, dilemma, dilemma...
I have been researching some ultralight options, but don't feel the need or feel comfortable going all out ultralight touring. There are some key things I can do to lighten my load though. I have been researching light tents for a long time and hopefully will choose one soon. Clothes are another big one...I can do without much of them.
The other thing is my itinerary. I plan, but the plans always change and get thrown out the window. However, I still deem it valuable to have some sort of plan or idea where I am heading...That being said, I have struggled to even complete a rough itinerary. Therefore, in light of the recent news, I am tempted to throw out the itinerary, and just hop on my bike and go come June 21st with only the rough route in my pocket. This will put it up in the air of where and when I sleep. I would have to do at least 60 miles a day with little or no rest days and I am not sure if I am up for that. The last thing I want is to inure myself again or kill myself or have no fun.
So, alas, I have not come up with a solution that writing usually brings about. All I am left with is a big fat dilemma...what to do? I have about 3 months to decide...
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
That Intriguing Part
A trip of this magnitude dwindles in comparison to larger trips. However, for many, including me, this is enough...for now. It is large, it is challenging and when completed, rather impressive. Therefore, I would be lying if I said I have not had fits of fear heading into this segment. I get headaches, I get dizzy, I get saddle sores, my knee aches, my Achilles aches, I get cold, I get hot, I get shattered and twisted. But I still go on...the journey remains, the odyssey continues to be plugged in. It is unwavering. It comes and goes, my excitement and fear. One minute I am so pumped up about taking a journey on two wheels through the Great Basin and into the desolate Monument Valley, but then it soon turns to fear like what the heck am I doing? It's easy to say that now because I am sitting on a couch in front of a television set in a heated house sheltered from the outside elements. On top of that, I have endless water and food at my disposal. So what is a guy to do about this, this...what shall we call it? I think is should be put plainly as wanderlust...
This begs the question why? Many people go on vacations in the summer to places like Disneyland. I have never been and the idea of Disneyland scares the hell out of me. I would much rather wander the woods for a week alone. I have about 2.5 months off in the summer currently and it is so tempting to sit back and relax, sleep in everyday, barbeque every evening while drinking iced tea, walk through the city parks, read good books, catch up on television and watch new movies, visit friends and family and eagerly await my birthday at the end of August. Why on earth would I trade this comfort for the uncomfortable, unknown, unforgiving wilderness.....?
It's easy to answer that with one word: adventure. I was born for adventure and can't stay still for long. You can't keep me caged. I have to spread my wings, stretch my legs. It's easy to answer it with that one word: adventure. But I don't tend to take the easy way out of things. I suppose I want to do this trip because it intrigues me. I want to know what is around the corner. I am curious. I am not a cat so hopefully it won't kill me. There are places I have not been to and riding a bicycle puts it all in perspective. "You mean, I just rode from my front door, kept riding and now am in Utah?" Wow. I want to be able to say that. I also suppose I want to see what I can do. I don't know whether I will complete this trip or not. There are so many unknowns. "If you think you will succeed, it's too easy." There is truth to that. When things go wrong, the real adventure begins. I don't suppose I have anything to prove. I am not setting out to prove anything unless it is to myself. I want to see if I can do it. I want to see new places, but I want to get there on my own power, my own steam...and in this case I want to do it alone. But I won't really be alone will I? There will be people, more in some places than others. I enjoy meeting people. Everyone has a unique story. Memories and experiences trump documentation I believe.
I am more comfortable on the road, meeting new people at campsites, in stores, at parks, on the open road than I do going to the same job, seeing the same people, doing the same thing...how uncomfortable. I long for the day it will all end. I am a bird ready for flight. One day, my legs won't let me return. The world is a beautiful place and it is begging to be seen. We remember those experiences for the rest of our lives. The pictures, the videos, the stuff we bring back...how could I forget any of this? I cannot neglect the reality of the hurt of this project, but once I return home, I will have a tale or two to tell. And this my friend, is freedom at it's finest.
"You can promise that I will come back?"
"No...but if you do, you will not be the same..."
What will I hear in Lassen?
What will I see in the Lava Beds?
What will happen in Tahoe?
What will I find in Yosemite?
How will I enter Zion?
Who will I meet in Monument Valley?
What will I smell in Four Corners?
How will I make it to Mesa Verde?
When will I come to Moab?
Will I get to the Great Salt Lake?
Who will help me through Idaho?
What will happen once I travel through Oregon?
When will I arrive home...safely?
That intrigues me.
This begs the question why? Many people go on vacations in the summer to places like Disneyland. I have never been and the idea of Disneyland scares the hell out of me. I would much rather wander the woods for a week alone. I have about 2.5 months off in the summer currently and it is so tempting to sit back and relax, sleep in everyday, barbeque every evening while drinking iced tea, walk through the city parks, read good books, catch up on television and watch new movies, visit friends and family and eagerly await my birthday at the end of August. Why on earth would I trade this comfort for the uncomfortable, unknown, unforgiving wilderness.....?
It's easy to answer that with one word: adventure. I was born for adventure and can't stay still for long. You can't keep me caged. I have to spread my wings, stretch my legs. It's easy to answer it with that one word: adventure. But I don't tend to take the easy way out of things. I suppose I want to do this trip because it intrigues me. I want to know what is around the corner. I am curious. I am not a cat so hopefully it won't kill me. There are places I have not been to and riding a bicycle puts it all in perspective. "You mean, I just rode from my front door, kept riding and now am in Utah?" Wow. I want to be able to say that. I also suppose I want to see what I can do. I don't know whether I will complete this trip or not. There are so many unknowns. "If you think you will succeed, it's too easy." There is truth to that. When things go wrong, the real adventure begins. I don't suppose I have anything to prove. I am not setting out to prove anything unless it is to myself. I want to see if I can do it. I want to see new places, but I want to get there on my own power, my own steam...and in this case I want to do it alone. But I won't really be alone will I? There will be people, more in some places than others. I enjoy meeting people. Everyone has a unique story. Memories and experiences trump documentation I believe.
I am more comfortable on the road, meeting new people at campsites, in stores, at parks, on the open road than I do going to the same job, seeing the same people, doing the same thing...how uncomfortable. I long for the day it will all end. I am a bird ready for flight. One day, my legs won't let me return. The world is a beautiful place and it is begging to be seen. We remember those experiences for the rest of our lives. The pictures, the videos, the stuff we bring back...how could I forget any of this? I cannot neglect the reality of the hurt of this project, but once I return home, I will have a tale or two to tell. And this my friend, is freedom at it's finest.
"You can promise that I will come back?"
"No...but if you do, you will not be the same..."
What will I hear in Lassen?
What will I see in the Lava Beds?
What will happen in Tahoe?
What will I find in Yosemite?
How will I enter Zion?
Who will I meet in Monument Valley?
What will I smell in Four Corners?
How will I make it to Mesa Verde?
When will I come to Moab?
Will I get to the Great Salt Lake?
Who will help me through Idaho?
What will happen once I travel through Oregon?
When will I arrive home...safely?
That intrigues me.
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