Old Pictures Link seemed to be busted (RIP PICASSA) so I thought I would add some links to Pics
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Friday, June 5, 2009
There And Back Again: A Bike Trip Reflection on the Way Back Home
Despite my best intentions, deep down I knew I wouldn't be able to keep blogging once I got to NY. The blog and the bike trip were incontrovertibly linked, and until this morning I hadn't gotten on a bike since May 2. Besides, although seeing friends and family was great, it didn't seem particularly news-worthy. Not by the standards of a cross-country bike trip anyway. And when it comes down to it, writing about anything other than biking would force me to face one undeniable fact that even now I have difficulty saying out loud: the bike trip is over.
Still, intimations of the adventure linger. There's the physical evidence of course, the persistent weird biker tan, the many small leg muscles that still occasionally pop to the surface (mostly when I get up off the couch too quickly). But there are other reminders too. I can't comfortably drive over 55mph. Even that seems wicked fast. I'm never in a hurry to do most things, a new development that I hope sticks. The slower pace of the biking life had a certain--I guess I would call it harmony. I felt in tune with the world around me, and with myself. Though my bushy beard and crazy hair are gone, thankfully a little of that seems to have stuck around.
But much else from the past 4 months continues to fade, and each time I go to scratch my face and find stubbly cheek instead of mussy nest, another dose of reality sets in. I know that soon the things I've forgotten about our trek will outnumber my accurate memories, replaced by romanticized fish stories and vague poetic longing. In a word, nostalgia. Not that I'll quickly forget how difficult much of the bike trip was, nor can words express how wonderful it is to be back in my Nicolina's arms. But as Seneca said, "things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember." Only a month after, there's already much about the bike trip I miss.
Last Sunday all these thoughts and feelings came flooding through my mental living room as I boarded the first of three planes that would take me back to California. Flying was not my original plan (nor even my back up), and certainly not the ideal end cap to an epic 4000+ mile journey. But reason and logic outweighed whimsy, so at 9:45am (Eastern Standard Time) I found myself seated in coach, bemoaning my pathetic resignation to the cheapest/quickest/least mysterious way home. To boot, "cheapest" was at the top of my priority list. I'd be getting to San Jose the same day, but 15 hours and two layovers later I would be tiredly wondering if it might have just been quicker to bike back.
One thing flying all day and biking all day have in common is lots of time to think. It was between Newark (layover #1) and Houston (layover #2) that I realized something: my route home through the air was roughly following the route we'd planned/improvised for the bike trip. I took some time to consider this new perspective. And as though on cue, a pre-movie commercial came on the little airplane television above my head. It began with this G.K. Chesterton quote (don't give me too much credit, I had to look it up): "A traveler sees what he sees, a tourist sees what he has come to see." I'd never really thought about it before, but until this bike trip I'd seen much of the world as a tourist. I planned trips to see things I was interested in and hoped (okay, expected) to have fun along the way. And I did, both see things I wanted to and have a great time. In fact I've taken many trips as a tourist, and I've never once been disappointed.
But biking across the country was different. Not just because of the route we were taking or how we were getting there (although I can't say enough praise for biking)--but mostly because of the way we were getting there. We were travelers, and we were traveling for no other reason than the experience of doing it. I'll never forget so many of the things I saw, but I also never could have planned to see them. Like so many great things in life, the most memorable parts of the trip were often a complete surprise, and as travelers we kept ourselves open to welcome these surprises, whenever and wherever they came.
As we landed in Houston and taxied to the gate, our plane crossed a bridge over Interstate 10. Now if you don't fly often, let me tell you that this is unique. Not many airports have tarmacs on which planes drive--not fly--but drive on bridges over highways. I looked out the small window down on four lanes of traffic, and the generous shoulder on the eastward side, and the huge green sign identifying the road. "We biked on that!" I shouted in my head so loud I actually looked around to see if anyone had heard me. I felt for a moment like I was watching a movie about myself, in which serendipitous moments like these are used to really drive the point home. Emotion washed over me. I suddenly remembered biking to Kent, and the practically nothing of a gas station/"convenience" store we found, and helping the clerk look for his mischievous quick kid, and Dick and Sue and their flat tire the skeleton of a schoolhouse where the four of us made camp and enjoyed some rare company on a windy March night. When I think about it, I remember we were hoping Kent would be bigger, and we were uncertain about where we should camp, and we were tired and in Texas and ready to be in Austin, finally. But my memories are not accompanied by the stress and fatigue I know I was feeling (my journal says so). In fact my smile cannot be contained. I will spend the next 4 hours, the last leg of my 4-month round-trip comparing the flight to the bike, the view from the clouds to the view from the road, poignantly realizing over and over how lucky I am, because most people have only seen all these things, this country, one way.
As we make our final descent into San Jose, I struggle to identify what I'm feeling. A host of thoughts and emotions take turns being on top. I know I'll soon settle back in to the rhythm of life as it was, and before long I'll rely more on my journal or the blog than my memory for accurate accounts of the trip. But I also know that an essence of this adventure will always be in me, and that what I've taken from this experience is no more an accomplishment than a gift. I will try to say this with as little corniness and sap as possible, but if you are reading this you need to know, that I know I could not have done this without you. As much as anything else about the bike trip, the overwhelming support and love we received came as a complete surprise. I believe anyone could do what we did, and many would do much more, if they were lucky enough to have the kind of friends and family that Joe and I have. I owe so much to so many, and in years to come I will try to repay--but for now, just this: Thank you all, for everything. I hope your part in this journey gave you even the smallest fraction of the treasures mine gave me.
Still, intimations of the adventure linger. There's the physical evidence of course, the persistent weird biker tan, the many small leg muscles that still occasionally pop to the surface (mostly when I get up off the couch too quickly). But there are other reminders too. I can't comfortably drive over 55mph. Even that seems wicked fast. I'm never in a hurry to do most things, a new development that I hope sticks. The slower pace of the biking life had a certain--I guess I would call it harmony. I felt in tune with the world around me, and with myself. Though my bushy beard and crazy hair are gone, thankfully a little of that seems to have stuck around.
But much else from the past 4 months continues to fade, and each time I go to scratch my face and find stubbly cheek instead of mussy nest, another dose of reality sets in. I know that soon the things I've forgotten about our trek will outnumber my accurate memories, replaced by romanticized fish stories and vague poetic longing. In a word, nostalgia. Not that I'll quickly forget how difficult much of the bike trip was, nor can words express how wonderful it is to be back in my Nicolina's arms. But as Seneca said, "things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember." Only a month after, there's already much about the bike trip I miss.
Last Sunday all these thoughts and feelings came flooding through my mental living room as I boarded the first of three planes that would take me back to California. Flying was not my original plan (nor even my back up), and certainly not the ideal end cap to an epic 4000+ mile journey. But reason and logic outweighed whimsy, so at 9:45am (Eastern Standard Time) I found myself seated in coach, bemoaning my pathetic resignation to the cheapest/quickest/least mysterious way home. To boot, "cheapest" was at the top of my priority list. I'd be getting to San Jose the same day, but 15 hours and two layovers later I would be tiredly wondering if it might have just been quicker to bike back.
One thing flying all day and biking all day have in common is lots of time to think. It was between Newark (layover #1) and Houston (layover #2) that I realized something: my route home through the air was roughly following the route we'd planned/improvised for the bike trip. I took some time to consider this new perspective. And as though on cue, a pre-movie commercial came on the little airplane television above my head. It began with this G.K. Chesterton quote (don't give me too much credit, I had to look it up): "A traveler sees what he sees, a tourist sees what he has come to see." I'd never really thought about it before, but until this bike trip I'd seen much of the world as a tourist. I planned trips to see things I was interested in and hoped (okay, expected) to have fun along the way. And I did, both see things I wanted to and have a great time. In fact I've taken many trips as a tourist, and I've never once been disappointed.
But biking across the country was different. Not just because of the route we were taking or how we were getting there (although I can't say enough praise for biking)--but mostly because of the way we were getting there. We were travelers, and we were traveling for no other reason than the experience of doing it. I'll never forget so many of the things I saw, but I also never could have planned to see them. Like so many great things in life, the most memorable parts of the trip were often a complete surprise, and as travelers we kept ourselves open to welcome these surprises, whenever and wherever they came.
As we landed in Houston and taxied to the gate, our plane crossed a bridge over Interstate 10. Now if you don't fly often, let me tell you that this is unique. Not many airports have tarmacs on which planes drive--not fly--but drive on bridges over highways. I looked out the small window down on four lanes of traffic, and the generous shoulder on the eastward side, and the huge green sign identifying the road. "We biked on that!" I shouted in my head so loud I actually looked around to see if anyone had heard me. I felt for a moment like I was watching a movie about myself, in which serendipitous moments like these are used to really drive the point home. Emotion washed over me. I suddenly remembered biking to Kent, and the practically nothing of a gas station/"convenience" store we found, and helping the clerk look for his mischievous quick kid, and Dick and Sue and their flat tire the skeleton of a schoolhouse where the four of us made camp and enjoyed some rare company on a windy March night. When I think about it, I remember we were hoping Kent would be bigger, and we were uncertain about where we should camp, and we were tired and in Texas and ready to be in Austin, finally. But my memories are not accompanied by the stress and fatigue I know I was feeling (my journal says so). In fact my smile cannot be contained. I will spend the next 4 hours, the last leg of my 4-month round-trip comparing the flight to the bike, the view from the clouds to the view from the road, poignantly realizing over and over how lucky I am, because most people have only seen all these things, this country, one way.
As we make our final descent into San Jose, I struggle to identify what I'm feeling. A host of thoughts and emotions take turns being on top. I know I'll soon settle back in to the rhythm of life as it was, and before long I'll rely more on my journal or the blog than my memory for accurate accounts of the trip. But I also know that an essence of this adventure will always be in me, and that what I've taken from this experience is no more an accomplishment than a gift. I will try to say this with as little corniness and sap as possible, but if you are reading this you need to know, that I know I could not have done this without you. As much as anything else about the bike trip, the overwhelming support and love we received came as a complete surprise. I believe anyone could do what we did, and many would do much more, if they were lucky enough to have the kind of friends and family that Joe and I have. I owe so much to so many, and in years to come I will try to repay--but for now, just this: Thank you all, for everything. I hope your part in this journey gave you even the smallest fraction of the treasures mine gave me.
Sunset
trip. Still lots of people to thank and to write about buy I will be
in Santa cruz in less than 24 hours. Many reasons while I will be
happy to be home but it's always hard to end an adventure and this one
was a doosy. I still need to do some top five lists and compile the
exact mileage but it will be from my computer and not the iPhone.
Probably the thing I'm dreading the most is looking for a job. Not
gonna be easy but I'm sure I'll find something to pay the bills. Let
me know if you have any leads.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Rocket City
I honestly could not think of the last time I was in my hometown of Rock Springs Wyoming (some pics above). Somewhere on the order of three years. It actually felt kind of good to drive thru the town and see all the new growth, including a little 9 hole disc golf course that I need to go play in the morning. Great to go for a walk in the desert, where I spent a good portion of my childhood. And amazing to hear the afternoon thunder showers roll thru town. Like a lot of the places I've visited on this trip, I am here at a great time of year. This time of year is really the best time to be in Rock Springs, the desert is in bloom, the winds haven't been too bad, and the high altitude sun hasn't been scortching. Tomorrow I am off to Idaho Falls, which will be my last scheduled stop on my whirl wind trip.
I need to thank some sponsors. Wild Bill, who is a friend of Brian's and who I have met on a couple of occasions and our good friends Bill and Heather have been the amazing sponsores of the last week or so. Heather was instrumental in talking us into the trip, as she went East to West a number of years ago and let Brian and I watch the movie her friends made of the trip. Thanks Heather!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
westward ho
great time catching up with long lost friends. I've also made up for
the lack of disc golf on the bike trip by playing at least 18 holes
everday for the past week. I'm now back in Wyoming (state capital in
pic) and heading towards the place if my birth. Will be in Rock
Springs sometime today.
Monday, May 25, 2009
The flat land
I had never been to Bloomington IL before and boy is it flat. Had a
great time catching up with an old friend from high school and today I
hope to actually make some good progress west. Got some disc golf in
yesterday which was nice but the Midwest is already hit and humid and
again an again I realize we made a good choice in the time of year we
biked. Don't think I could have handled the heat.
Thanks to Corin, and the Willets (can't wait to see how ollie has
grown) for sponsoring the last few days.
Looking forward to seeing folks in Colorado and Wyoming but I'm
getting close to being ready to be home.
great time catching up with an old friend from high school and today I
hope to actually make some good progress west. Got some disc golf in
yesterday which was nice but the Midwest is already hit and humid and
again an again I realize we made a good choice in the time of year we
biked. Don't think I could have handled the heat.
Thanks to Corin, and the Willets (can't wait to see how ollie has
grown) for sponsoring the last few days.
Looking forward to seeing folks in Colorado and Wyoming but I'm
getting close to being ready to be home.
joe
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Chicago
Old Baldy Club in Saratoga WY. Audra and her husband Jason have a nice
place about 3 miles north of wrigley field. Was great to catch up and
now I'm off to Bloomington IL.
The pic is of the Chicago skyline from their deck but I'm not sure how
it turned out.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Another state
Well I added another state to my travels. My aunt had a retirement
party in Minnesota, so I went up with my sister and niece to partake.
It was a quick trip but very fun and I got to talk to my aunts second
grade class about the bike trip. I explained the route using a giant
map and showed them a few pictures. No one fell asleep so that was
good and it was fun. Now I'm back in Wisconsin for one more night. Off
to Chicago tomorrow and then Bloomington IL, then finally west to
Denver. Spent more time in wisconsin then I had planned but it's been
great to be with my sister's family. My sister took some pics of me
and the second graders so I'll post those when she sends them to me.
The ones below are of the Madison bratfest which we hit on the way
home today.
Big thanks to some TNT alum. Josie, Kalyne, and Jay. It is safe to say
that brian and I would have never done this trip if it wasn't for Team
in Training. It got us in shape, filled our heads with crazy ideas
about athletic endevours and surrounded us with amazing supportive
friends. Can't wait to be part of the Team again.
party in Minnesota, so I went up with my sister and niece to partake.
It was a quick trip but very fun and I got to talk to my aunts second
grade class about the bike trip. I explained the route using a giant
map and showed them a few pictures. No one fell asleep so that was
good and it was fun. Now I'm back in Wisconsin for one more night. Off
to Chicago tomorrow and then Bloomington IL, then finally west to
Denver. Spent more time in wisconsin then I had planned but it's been
great to be with my sister's family. My sister took some pics of me
and the second graders so I'll post those when she sends them to me.
The ones below are of the Madison bratfest which we hit on the way
home today.
Big thanks to some TNT alum. Josie, Kalyne, and Jay. It is safe to say
that brian and I would have never done this trip if it wasn't for Team
in Training. It got us in shape, filled our heads with crazy ideas
about athletic endevours and surrounded us with amazing supportive
friends. Can't wait to be part of the Team again.
joe
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
On the road with four wheels.
Yes the van has spinners and track lighting and a bed that Paco would
fit on very nicely, me however I sleep on the floor and it's not bad.
So let's recap the last few days. I actually wrote a post while in
Vermont but it got lost in cyper land(it's also forbidden to produce
milk. Anyone? Anyone?) anywho, the van and I headed up to Vermont to
visit Burlington and some ole friends. It was good to go back to
Burlington but boy did I forget a lot after five years. Thanks to
everyone in B town for being flexible with my drop ins. Then the van
and I headed to Wisconsin. Where we are currently. At my sisters and
my mom is also here. Tomorrow starts syttende mai, celebration of
norwegion independance, and stoughton wi has the biggest festivities
outside of Norway. I'll be here until Monday and then either heading
back to new York to pick up brian or heading towards Santa cruz.
Thanks to the Hottest Studben staff, michelle o'neil, and Serena &
jeff for sponsoring the wild days of purchasing a van, driving to
Vermont, and to wisconsin.
Some may be wondering if we've ridden our bikes at all? Well, not sure
about brian but I pulled ole blue out of the van in Burlington and
took him for a spin. A little on the squeaky side and he needs some
derailer adjustment but it was good to ride.
fit on very nicely, me however I sleep on the floor and it's not bad.
So let's recap the last few days. I actually wrote a post while in
Vermont but it got lost in cyper land(it's also forbidden to produce
milk. Anyone? Anyone?) anywho, the van and I headed up to Vermont to
visit Burlington and some ole friends. It was good to go back to
Burlington but boy did I forget a lot after five years. Thanks to
everyone in B town for being flexible with my drop ins. Then the van
and I headed to Wisconsin. Where we are currently. At my sisters and
my mom is also here. Tomorrow starts syttende mai, celebration of
norwegion independance, and stoughton wi has the biggest festivities
outside of Norway. I'll be here until Monday and then either heading
back to new York to pick up brian or heading towards Santa cruz.
Thanks to the Hottest Studben staff, michelle o'neil, and Serena &
jeff for sponsoring the wild days of purchasing a van, driving to
Vermont, and to wisconsin.
Some may be wondering if we've ridden our bikes at all? Well, not sure
about brian but I pulled ole blue out of the van in Burlington and
took him for a spin. A little on the squeaky side and he needs some
derailer adjustment but it was good to ride.
joe
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Finally our day into NYC
Ok. So before I tell you about our new wheels, I'll tell you about
NYC. We woke up on Friday morning only 9 or so miles from staten
island but research had shown us that we couldn't get over the outer
bridge by bike. We were offered a couple of rides but really felt that
if we had the time we should try to bike it. Well the same research
told us there was only one bridge you could take a bike on and that
was the Bayonne bridge, of course it was the furthest away and we had
to cross 3 other MAJOR bridges to get there. So the day started slowly
because we wanted to let morning traffic die down and because we got
stuck in a bagel shop talking to some great folks. We didn't get but
two miles down the road when brian got a flat. Only his second flat
since el paso, I think. The day was drizzling but brian made quick
with the change and we hit some back roads to get to our first bridge.
A bike lane! The first bridge had a freaking bike lane. Well maybe
this won't be so bad. In Perth amboy we stop at a bike shop to ask for
advice and this is where we got one of the ride offers. They didn't
have much advice on making it to Bayonne but we had a good time in
their shop, jerry and stan's bike shop. So we got out the iPhone and
picked a route. Again we had to pass by bridges in order to find the
one with a ped walkway. Thru industrial land with big trucks and at
one point a garbage truck ballet of sorts we made it to the second and
third bridges. Identical bridges that have been around forever and I
don't think they even remember that they are supposed to have
walkways. For the most part the walkways were full of trash or dirt
and walking was challenging. The first bridge we had fun with but as
we hit the bottom it began to pour and the fun was no longer. Finally
we hit the other side with only one more bridge to go but we are
soaked and cold so we stop at the first thing we see, burger king,
NICE. We eat and try to warm up but it really dosent work, and it's
getting late so we head out. We get of the curb and Brian gives a "no
way". That's right kids flat number two. The bike gods did not want us
to finish our ride. He patched up a tube and we took cover as another
down pour came thru. Finally we our on to our last bridge and New
York. The last hurddle was two flights of stairs but they led to a
perfect ped pathway, that we illegally rode instead of walked and as
we crested the bridge we stopped to take our last border crossing pic.
Of course our day wasn't yet done as we had to bike half way across
staten island but at that point it didn't matter, we were done.
More to come on the 5 Burroughs and our new van.
NYC. We woke up on Friday morning only 9 or so miles from staten
island but research had shown us that we couldn't get over the outer
bridge by bike. We were offered a couple of rides but really felt that
if we had the time we should try to bike it. Well the same research
told us there was only one bridge you could take a bike on and that
was the Bayonne bridge, of course it was the furthest away and we had
to cross 3 other MAJOR bridges to get there. So the day started slowly
because we wanted to let morning traffic die down and because we got
stuck in a bagel shop talking to some great folks. We didn't get but
two miles down the road when brian got a flat. Only his second flat
since el paso, I think. The day was drizzling but brian made quick
with the change and we hit some back roads to get to our first bridge.
A bike lane! The first bridge had a freaking bike lane. Well maybe
this won't be so bad. In Perth amboy we stop at a bike shop to ask for
advice and this is where we got one of the ride offers. They didn't
have much advice on making it to Bayonne but we had a good time in
their shop, jerry and stan's bike shop. So we got out the iPhone and
picked a route. Again we had to pass by bridges in order to find the
one with a ped walkway. Thru industrial land with big trucks and at
one point a garbage truck ballet of sorts we made it to the second and
third bridges. Identical bridges that have been around forever and I
don't think they even remember that they are supposed to have
walkways. For the most part the walkways were full of trash or dirt
and walking was challenging. The first bridge we had fun with but as
we hit the bottom it began to pour and the fun was no longer. Finally
we hit the other side with only one more bridge to go but we are
soaked and cold so we stop at the first thing we see, burger king,
NICE. We eat and try to warm up but it really dosent work, and it's
getting late so we head out. We get of the curb and Brian gives a "no
way". That's right kids flat number two. The bike gods did not want us
to finish our ride. He patched up a tube and we took cover as another
down pour came thru. Finally we our on to our last bridge and New
York. The last hurddle was two flights of stairs but they led to a
perfect ped pathway, that we illegally rode instead of walked and as
we crested the bridge we stopped to take our last border crossing pic.
Of course our day wasn't yet done as we had to bike half way across
staten island but at that point it didn't matter, we were done.
More to come on the 5 Burroughs and our new van.
joe
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Lots of fun with picture pages
Still working on putting comments on all the pics but I thought I would throw them up anyway. These are only mine so far... so keep checking back for more pics and I promise some stories about our last couple of rides in and around NYC will be coming in the next couple of days.
joe
 |
| Austin to NYC |
joe
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lazy days
Pics and posts on our day into NYC and our ride in the five Burroughs
are coming. And though it won't be nearly as exciting we plan on
keeping the blog going until we get back to the Cruz.
Big thanks to Hillary Finnegan for sponsoring our days in NYC and to
Feldman for sponsoring our first lazy day.
I'm working on my travel plans, more than likely by train. Let me know
if you are up for hosting a stinky, hairy guy. Though the head might
get shaved today.
are coming. And though it won't be nearly as exciting we plan on
keeping the blog going until we get back to the Cruz.
Big thanks to Hillary Finnegan for sponsoring our days in NYC and to
Feldman for sponsoring our first lazy day.
I'm working on my travel plans, more than likely by train. Let me know
if you are up for hosting a stinky, hairy guy. Though the head might
get shaved today.
joe
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
What a day!
Well, there is not enough time right now to tell you about our
"amazing" ride into New York today but let's start by just saying it
was the perfect capstone to our trip.
More details to come but first some sleep needs to happen as we were
up till one am burning wood.
A happy may day and thanks to the fabu Woodside for sponsoring today.
Night from NYC!
"amazing" ride into New York today but let's start by just saying it
was the perfect capstone to our trip.
More details to come but first some sleep needs to happen as we were
up till one am burning wood.
A happy may day and thanks to the fabu Woodside for sponsoring today.
Night from NYC!
joe
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