The Only Thing that Makes Sense Anymore

Throughout my fears and anxieties about this upcoming tour, I have now realized that I must do it. What is left for me here anyhow? I now have someone accompanying me for much of the trip, be it a blessing or a curse. Life has taken me by the horns. Bicycle touring is beckoning. My fears about this have now dilapidated. I must do this trip, I have to do this trip. I will do this trip.

Lately I have noticed how life is getting to the blah level. What I mean is that life is just going by and nothing is really happening. I am of course talking about my own life. Your life might be great. I don't know what the future holds. I only know that I am not experiencing the joy I ought to. By way of work, my job is un-fulfilling and I need a change. Whether that change will come now or later, I don't know. I am unappreciated and at times feel unwelcome. I am not treated very well and all I do is try to do my best job I can do. Also, I am treated like a child, at work and at home. Someone once said, "Go where you are celebrated, not just tolerated." That is well said I believe. But it's hard. It's not that easy. Friends of mine are diminishing. They get married and lose interest in your friendship. It sucks, but that's life I suppose. Life, life, life. I need a break from life. I need a break from this fury, this noise, this rush, this here and now.

This is why I need to go on this bicycle tour. When I go alone, people ask if I get lonely and that is one reason they choose not to go on such adventures. Well, to be honest, I often feel more alone at home in my normal life than I do on tour. Yes, that may sound odd, but you truly won't understand this concept until you embark on your own tour.

I am un-fulfilled in my job, in my life, in my living situation...my dreams, and yes I do have dreams and passions and desires...my dreams are not seeing the light of day...at least not yet. I have been patient. When I look around me, I feel as though I am the one not living. I look at my family. My parents travel the world and seem joyful in their lives, and my siblings are seemingly living their dreams. My brother is a mountain guide and my sister is married to a pastor and is in ministry with a family. I have none of that...and it's not even on the horizon. What is the Lord playing at? I have ideas and thoughts and dreams...but who will help me? I can't do it alone. It is scary. I am a dreamer. I need a business partner who can provide practical tips. Good help is hard to come by...so are good friends. We are called to live in community, but no matter how hard I try, being a part of 2 groups and 3 or 4 ministries throughout the year, I don't feel like I'm in community...I still feel alone. Am I doing something wrong? What's the deal? Lord, please send me someone...

The only thing that makes sense anymore is packing up my bicycle and start pedaling and camping and pedaling some more until I reach Monument Valley and beyond...The only heartache is the deadline. I do wish to be back August 7th in honor of my close friend who "went Home" a few years ago. One of these days I will hop in the saddle without a deadline...Iceland, Alaska, Argentina, New Zealand...who knows...

Bicycle touring is the only thing that makes sense anymore...

Zero to Travel: Epic Bike Rides Podcasts!

Adventure Cycle Touring Guide http://zerototravel.com/podcast/adventure-cycle-touring-guide/

Riding 16,000 Miles Blind http://zerototravel.com/podcast/16000-miles-blind/

Rob Greenfield On How to Travel Moneyless, Wandering with Purpose and Simple Living http://zerototravel.com/podcast/rob-greenfield-free-travel/

No Pants. No Money. No Bike. No Problem! Epic Bike Rides with George Mahood http://zerototravel.com/podcast/epic-bike-rides-george-mahood/

Solo Adventure Cycling Around the World: Epic Bike Rides with Shirine Taylor http://zerototravel.com/podcast/solo-adventure-cycling-shirine-taylor-zero-to-travel-podcast/

Personal & Meaningful Journeys By Bicycle: Epic Bike Rides with Tom Allen http://zerototravel.com/podcast/epic-bike-rides-tom-allen-zero-to-travel-podcast/

How to Become a Professional Adventurer & Inspirational Tales From Two Wheels: Epic Bike Rides with Leon McCarron http://zerototravel.com/podcast/epic-bike-rides-leon-mccarron-zero-to-travel-podcast/

How to Have an Adventure on Any Budget: Epic Bike Rides with Alastair Humphreys http://zerototravel.com/podcast/how-to-have-an-adventure-on-any-budget-epic-bike-rides-with-alastair-humphreys/

How to Live Your Nomad Dream: One Family's Epic Bike Ride http://zerototravel.com/podcast/how-to-live-your-nomad-dream-family-cycle-touring-travel-podcast/

How to Design Your Bike Trip & the Future of Adventure Cycling: Epic Bike Rides with Casey Greene http://zerototravel.com/podcast/how-to-design-your-bike-trip-the-future-of-adventure-cycle-touring-epic-bike-rides-with-casey-greene-zero-to-travel-podcast/

The Route 2015 - Deserts & Canyons

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zoHXzBDE6Blw.kngmiqArBSKY&usp=sharing

Here is a link to my route. I finally figured out how to do this with google! Enjoy!

A Companion to Beat the Odds

With less than a month until I am due to depart, I get an unexpected opportunity for a companion to join me. The dots are not quite connected yet so it is not completely set in stone but as of now, he will join me for the majority of my journey. He is an older gentleman from Cheyenne, WY. I must admit at first I had mixed feelings. I usually attempt tours solo but the more I talked with him I realized this might not be all that bad. Good companionship is hard to come by and this may present some unexpected blessings, especially during the rough stretches and when things go wrong because they always do. He has a friend in Bend and La Pine and our tentative plan is for him to fly into Bend and visit his friends there and south in La Pine and meet up with me a few days later south from there. He hopes to make it with me to Moab and return home from there.

My itinerary is set and printed. Thank goodness this is but an itinerary and not a schedule. Plans change and routes get disturbed. I will leave June 14th and ride like the wind south to Lake Tahoe after meeting up with my new friend and we will cycle through Nevada making that my 30th state visited! We will make our way through Monument Valley and Four Corners. I am so stoked for this route! After that it is on towards Moab and Arches where my newly acquired friend will depart for home and I will make my way towards Salt Lake City, Idaho and Eastern and Central Oregon...finally arriving home on August 7th. That is my goal because I wish to be a part of scattering my good friend's ashes at a place where we bonded. He passed away a few years ago and on his birthday, August 7th, Lord-willing I will be a part of this. I miss him so...

I am eager to get back on the road and forget about my troubles at work, at home, finding a place to live, worrying about whether I should stay with my job or not...just get away from it all. That is all I ask. Into the wilderness I will embark. I am struggling in life right now...and when I am on the road I find peace. Some ask me if I get lonely and to be honest, I am more alone in my real life than when I hit the road alone... Not many will understand that, but it is true. I am surrounded by a forest, but I am a lone tree that stands unsupported. If I didn't have my bike and tent, I don't know what I would make of this life. Yea, the God above loves me as His child even though I blow it time and time again but that never changes the fact of His love.

Therefore, I will ride and camp and camp and ride and see the sights and visit my 30th state and make a new friend and the perfect circles will keep rolling...