Day 8 - I'm in Love!

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge mountains, Shenandoah River.
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze.

I fell asleep at about 9:30 last night and did not wake up until 6 this morning. I got breakfast across the street and was on my bike by 7:30. It was hot early. I could tell it was going to be a grueling day of riding. It sure was pretty though.

Somewhere west of Charlottesville.

The first 15 or so miles were simple enough. Just a few hills and nothing really to speak of. My first stop was in White Hall, Virginia. There, was Wyant's General store. There were some interesting locals sitting out front. I bought a Vitamin Water and sat outside on the far end of the porch from them. As I was drinking I was trying to think of something to say to them. There was a white building across the street so, my best idea was to ask them if that building is where the city got it's name. I thought that was pretty lame and finished my drink frustrated with myself because I was too chicken to start a conversation with these people. 

I go back into the store to throw my bottle away and three gentleman were in the corner. The two old guys were sitting and one younger guy (probably around 50) was standing. One of the old guys asked me where I was from. That's all that it took for a wonderful conversation to get started. The two old guys were Dick and Goldie. Goldie didn't talk much but Dick loved telling stories. The standing man, now to my left, was Bobby "The Mouth" Graves. They called him that because he loves to do impressions of other people's voices. Also, he is quite a guitar player and singer and writer and not to mention a bit of a comedian. He was quick to mention the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

We talked about Johnny Cash and Dick has a thimble from Johnny Cash's mother. He also saw the Cadillac that was put together "One Piece at a Time." Goldie spent years in the Navy underwater in a submarine and Dick mapped countries for the Air Force before there was GPS. A man walked into the store and Dick quickly asked him how the beets were coming up. The man, who's hair was gray and skin was saggy, but still looked like he could dig a deep hole, said that the beets were looking real nice this year. Everyone was real interested and happy that the beets were doing well. Dick then told the man he had a bag of cotton socks in his truck the beet farmer could take and use in his smoker. I guess cotton smokes real well. 

I walked outside with "The Mouth" to get back to riding. As you might imagine, it is no small task to end a conversation with a man nicknamed as accurately as him. However, if Bobby hadn't stalled my departure a few minutes I would have never met another man a few decades my senior: Dick. 

This is not the same guy who I met in the store. This guy was riding by on his bike and noticed me while I was listening to Bobby. he pulled up and asked me where I was headed and I told him the route number. He commented that it was not a very safe road and that I could ride with him for a bit and he would show me a better way to get me to where I was going. Perfect. 

We go through the formalities that strangers usually go through. Turns out, Dick used to work at Case Western and he lived in Shaker Heights. He even worked with Hans Beta! From what I could tell, he has helped people raise money for a career. He mentioned that he started his own business and I immediately was very interested in him. Not only that, he is an accomplished cyclist! He rides regularly in Virginia and has done rides in the Pyrenees and Cascades. We had plenty to talk about. Also, the mountains were getting closer. 

Dick led me all the way to just short of Greenwood. From there, I took route 250 to Blue Ridge Parkway. 250 was brutal. It was now around 11AM and the sun was hot. I stopped multiple times up the hill to Blue Ridge. My feet were making one revolution about every second and a half. 

Once I was finally on Blue Ridge Parkway I took a breather at the first overlook. 

Evening out the farmer's tan...and showing off the guns...

Amazingly, once on Blue Ridge Parkway I felt much better in the climbs than when I was on route 250. I was not moving fast but I felt good and I kept a steady pace. 

Not much of a view but, that is one good looking tree.

Almost there!

Not quite!

3

thousand

200

feet!

Triple crank, schmiple crank.

I met a very nice couple at the top who were traveling from Asheville. They gave me a couple Gatorades and a nice conversation. 

It was now about 2:30. I was getting hungry and had done about 45 miles already. Even though I was at a peak, to get completely off the mountain I will have to descend to about 2,800 feet and then come back up to 3,200 once again before I fall all the way down to about 1,500. 

Not feeling like making one more somewhat large ascent today, I decided to pull off the parkway when I saw a sign for an open deli. The deli was on a bit of property with multiple cabins. Every cabin is full for Memorial Day and I've met some of the vacationers here. A question I often get is, "Where is all your stuff?"

 I also noticed there was camping close by. I got a couple hot dogs, three oatmeal creampies and a Honey Moon. Best meal I've ever had in my whole life. 

I asked the people at the deli where the camping was and they said about 4 miles down the hill and then 2 miles after you make a left turn, or we can let you camp out right here for 20 bucks. Done deal. I washed myself off with the hose and ordered a sandwich for dinner. 

Turns out, where I decided to spend the night is in a little town named Love, Virginia up at about 2,900 feet in the Appalachians. So now, I'm laying in my tent and listening to some soft country music coming from a nearby cabin. Tonight, I'm in Love.

life=good

Day 7 - I Need to Get Some Sleep

It was very kind of the firefighters in Mineral, Virginia to allow me to spend the night. For free, nonetheless. However, after they told me I was not allowed to camp outside in the storm, they led me to a conference room in the station which is where I was to sleep for the night. There are not usually any comfortable places to lie down in a conference room. This one was no different, with hardwood floors throughout and tables and aluminum chairs. I would have rather been on the grass.

Keep in mind I did not bring a blanket or pillow. One more coincidence to add to the list is my cycling friends, Sebastian and Stephanie, had an extra sleeping bag! So, I slept in that and used my packaged up tent as a pillow. Perfect.

Something else is that, last night, I could not find my toothpaste. I searched in all my bags and could not find it. So, I wandered over to the gas station convenience store to purchase some and they only had huge tubes that came with a toothbrush. Reluctantly, I did not buy any. I borrowed Sebastian's (they were very nice people). Today, after I was done riding, I looked in my bags and found my toothpaste! Now, it would have been no great shame if I had spent a few dollars and gotten another tube of toothpaste. However, I like it when things work out like this and I also think it is important to notice it.

Anyways, I rode about 55 miles today from Mineral to Charlottesville, the home of the University of Virginia. I started at 6:30 AM and got lunch a couple miles outside of Charlottesville at around 11AM right across from Jefferson Vineyards. It was great riding. A bit foggy, with a mist in the air that kept me cool. I stopped somewhere west of Palmyra to sit down on a bench and eat a chocolate bar along the way.

My legs are tired.

After spending so many miles on country roads, I find it a bit frustrating to ride around the bigger cities, such as Charlottesville, with lots of broken glass and traffic. I wanted to find a bike shop because my handlebar grip is coming apart. The employees also might have had a good recommendation for a place to spend the night. According to my map, there are three bike shops in Charlottesville. I found my way to the first one after asking a U.S.P.S delivery woman how to get there. Turns out, they are no longer in business. I get on my netbook and get directions to another shop. Two left turns: easy enough. 

I couldn't find it. My map isn't detailed enough and I don't want to get my netbook back out. I stop and ask for directions. One lady steps right up and tells me where to go. Then, just as I'm about to ride away another lady who overheard the directions I just received asks where I'm going. I tell her, and she gives me an unsure look in regards to the directions. However, she is not sure so she does not offer anything else. I ride away. 

After a bit, I look at my map and notice that I am leaving Charlottesville. Nowhere near the bike shop. I give up. I don't need the grip anyways. it will last. Plus, I am near a bunch of hotels. I make finding a room my new goal. 

The Hampton is full with six weddings, the Red Roof Inn is 150 bucks, the Colonial is also full and the Budget Inn is 85 bucks. I head over the Budget Inn and get a room. I take a long shower and wash all my clothes. I used the room heater to dry them off. I trued my front wheel, got baked spaghetti takeout from across the street, and have been enjoying the free wifi, TV, big bed, and room all to myself. I have slept about 10 hours in the last two days and have a huge day tomorrow. Here's a look a the elevation chart.

Click to enlarge.

I'm riding from right to left and that big thing that looks like a lie on a polygraph is where I am going tomorrow. You can see Charlottesville and the next point to the left, where the "Junction of Blue Ridge Parkway and SR 56" is, is only about 30 miles away. Yikes. This is no joke. I'm getting after it bright and early tomorrow after a full night's sleep tonight.

life=good

A Slight Change of Plans

Shortly after my previous post, I rode over to the fire department to make sure I could camp there for the night. No problems. So I left all my gear at the station and walked across the street to get some food. I found Smokehouse BBQ. I ordered myself a half rack of ribs with mac and cheese and potato salad for the sides and a nice, cool orange soda to wash it all down with.

I sat in the restaurant for a while with nothing much better to do. Eventually, I decided to go back to the station and set up my tent. No problems there either. With the minimal sleep last night, the ride today, and the 3 pounds of food making it's way to my stomach, I was getting sleepy. I decided to lie down in the tent using my backpack for a pillow. It was rather comfortable. Comfortable enough for me to doze off for a bit.

About an hour and a half later a firefighter wakes me up. Says there is a big storm system coming through and he would rather I slept inside for the night. Fair enough. Although, I would not mind braving the weather in my new tent. It would be real exciting. Some other time.

As I am packing up my tent, two other cyclists ride up to the station! Friends! They are staying the night here also! One girl and one guy who are both my age. They recently graduated from none other than Worcester Polytech: a school in the same city as the school my sister graduated from! And the girl is from Long Island which is the same place as the school where my other sister is attending! The guy is from Oakland, California and they are riding all the way across the U.S. using the same route that I am.

If I were to take this trip 100 times in my life, would I be subject to as many coincidences as I have already been subject to? I'm starting to think that the chances are pretty good that I would.

Day 6 - Mineral

Here's a picture of the new rear bag.

Breakfast stop at a Citgo in Bumpass, VA.

If you click the image to enlarge it you may notice some brown packaging tape on the seat post. This is because the diameter of the post was much smaller than the diameter of the attachments. It's holding up pretty well so far. 

Jarus had to be at work real early today so he dropped me off somewhere north of Ashland, VA at around 6 AM this morning. He saved me at least 40 miles of riding. 

It was a beautiful, leisurely paced ride all morning. In fact, it was so nice that while I was stopped at aan intersection, a pick up truck idled up next to me and the driver, who was no doubt a local farmer, yelled out, "It's a great mornin', ittn't it?" It was indeed.

I stopped and helped this little guy get across the road. 

Lake Anna. 

The ride from where I was dropped off to where I will be staying the night, in Mineral, Virginia, was about 40 miles. Mineral was founded in 1890 and has a population of 424 people. My map indicates that there are no hotels in Mineral. However, it says that there is free camping behind the volunteer fire station and a library. I stopped and asked the attendant the gas station where the fire department and library were. I'm excited to use my tent. I wonder how cold I will get tonight. 

So, I am at the library now taking advantage of the comfortable chairs, AC, and free wi-fi. I made a Google map of my trip so far. 

View Where is Joe? in a larger map

The blue lines and their distances are a little inaccurate sometimes. It gives you a general idea. I'll try to post one of these whenever I am in a free wi-fi area.

In a couple days I'm going to be cycling into some sizeable mountains. I wonder which pair of shoes I'm going to be wearing more; cycling shoes or sandles.


life=good

Day 5 - Take That, Body

The Marin is back! I picked it up around 11:45 and after a final meal and a sad goodbye with my Woodbridge family I was back on the road. I also purchased a new seat post rack and a bag to strap on it. This one is metal and will certainly not bust if a large force should ever be placed on it. I will post a picture of my updated rig soon.

It was hot today. 94 degrees. My goal today was to get to Fredericksburg, Virginia. The ride was much less interesting than the last one. I managed to get people, a couple different times, who were outside their houses to fill my water bottles. I'm going to have to start filling up that water bladder. I left around 1:30 and made it into Fredericksburg, 60 miles away, at around 7:30. It was a hot ride and I beat myself up pretty good. Take that, body. It is going to be adapting pretty quickly this week.

So, I roll into Fredericksburg and my first priority was to find somewhere to sleep for the night. I get to an intersection in the downtown area and notice a younger gentleman walking a beagle across the street. I figured he might be good for a recommendation of a hotel in town. After I asked him, he quickly responded that I could stay the night at his place and get a shower. Perfect.

As I am putting on my sandals, Jarus starts talking about how he did a long touring ride along the Pacific coast last summer using the same company that I am for the routes. We walk back to his place and I tell him all about how my trip has been going so far and he tells me about his rides and offers up some great advice. We drop my bike off at his house and then drive over to dinner at a local dive named “Happy Endings” for a muscle relaxing Blue Moon and a delicious three dollar steak wrap with fries. The conversation was great too.

Jarus lives with four roommates whom I met after dinner. Everyone is around my age and very friendly. I got to wash some clothes and took a shower about 20 minutes ago. What's more, is that Jarus works south of here in Richmond where I plan to be heading tomorrow. So, on Jarus' morning commute he will drop me off approximately 50 miles further south right at the point where I will begin heading west. Bonus.

Well, my stomach is full, I am all clean, and I am exhausted.


life=good

My Stay in Woodbridge and an Introduction to the Perfect Philospohy

Since Sunday evening I have been in Woodbridge, Virginia waiting for my bike to be repaired. Finally, at noon on Thursday it will be ready.

The bike ride fell apart (quite literally) even before it had a chance to get started. What a bummer, right? That might be if I had different expectations. Woodbridge and the family whose house I have lived with for the last five days are not what I had in mind for the week when I was riding across the Arlington Bridge last Sunday. I think that what we have in mind and expect for ourselves and what actually happens are seldom the same thing. I wonder, what good are expectations?

I have maintained, at a higher level than normal, a certain philosophy over the past few days. It is called the Perfect Philosophy. That is, when an event takes place and it is over and done with and all there is left to do is to react to it. That event is now described as perfect. Whether you were hoping or expecting that event to happen does not matter. It is always perfect. According to plan. Most importantly, the word “perfect” can never be used sarcastically.

Examples:
Traffic jam? You were hoping you'd run into some of that.
Backlash in a fishing reel? According to plan.
Hit the golf ball into the pond? That's where I was aiming.
Air conditioner in the house is broken? This warm weather is really great.
Double down on an 11 versus a 7 and the dealer gives you a 4? Perfect.

You can either react negatively and complain or whine or become depressed or, you can react positively and act as if what has transpired is perfect and what you were planning all along.

This stay in Woodbridge has been perfect. The family whose house I have lived in for the last five days have been more hospitable and giving and fun than I could have possibly imagined. I am forever grateful to them and will certainly never forget it. I'm glad the bike took a little longer than expected to be repaired.

It's also perfect that the bike will be ready soon because I am looking forward to visiting new places and meeting new people hopefully as nice as the ones I have met here. But, if they are mean that'd be perfect too.

Day 2 – The Marin and a Day in Woodbridge

My left elbow is healing nicely. 

Yesterday, Jenna drove me to the bike shop when it opened at 10AM. The bike mechanic looked over my bicycle and said there might be some frame damage and he would have to take a look at that. However, the rear derailleur was certainly busted.

Jenna and I waited a few minutes while heexamined the Marin in the back room. He was not back there more than 10 minutes. As he was walking towards me he said it was looking good.

The bike did not have much damage done to it besides the rear derailleur. The rear wheel was a little out of true and the frame was a little bent. Nothing that can't be repaired. Also, a new 10-speed Campagnolo rear derailleur was in stock at a bike shop in North Carolina that this mechanic orders from frequently. He also says that if the order is put in early enough in the day, the part typically arrives the next day. Once he receives the new derailleur he can put it on, along with a new chain, in minutes and I can be on my way.

Sounds great. However, now I have a day, at the least, to spend in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Jenna has turned out to not only be a do-gooder giving shelter to a stranded traveler. She is also extremely interesting and fun! I cannot imagine a better person to have come up to that bike shop after it was closed as I was sitting in front of it. What are the chances?!

Yesterday, Jenna and I took the metro into Washington D.C. I was right back to where I started this whole trip on Sunday. We walked around a bit and went to the Natural History Museum. Jenna just recently decided to go back to school and become a medical doctor. She is currently enrolled in a school in Chicago but home for a couple weeks on summer break. She is a well-traveled individual. She has couch surfed in Colorado, road tripped across the U.S., did the Peace Corps in Costa Rica, lived in El Salvador, traveled in Uganda and Nicaragua and Brazil, was certified to scuba dive in Tanzibar, and hopes to one day visit Vanuatu. These are only the places I could remember as there were many others. Not to mention that she's fluent in Spanish. Not bad for a person less than 30 years of age.

The museum was pretty interesting too.

So, now it is Tuesday morning and the bike shop opens in a few hours. Hopefully, I can get my wheels back today and start riding again. Woodbridge has been comfortable. Comfort is an adventurer's affliction.


life=good

Day 1 – You Can't Write This Stuff

You can barely see the dome of the Capital. 

Today was one of those days where, after some time, I suppose I will look back on it and laugh.

My mom dropped me off in front of the Washington Monument this morning. I rode down the mall to the Arlington Memorial bridge which, I crossed and then followed the Mt. Vernon trail south. The Mt. Vernon trail is a paved trail right along the Potomac River. The weather was mostly cloudy with little wind. It has been raining for the last few days in the D.C. area.

I rode along this path for about 8 miles until I noticed the bumps on the path felt harder. I looked at my rear tire and it was flat. My first flat tire ever. I had no idea what to do. I had barely gotten my helmet off when two cyclists stopped and asked if I had everything I needed. I told them I thought I did. They were concerned with that response and I told them I had never gotten a flat tire and had no idea how to fix one. One of the kind gentleman proceeded to do it for me. Explaining the steps along the way. They continued to ask questions about why a cyclist who has never changed a flat tire was carrying so much gear and seeming to be going on a long bike ride. I shared with them my intentions and they gave me a half-hearted good luck. I think they may have doubted my abilities.

Once the tire was off we identified that the tire and tube had a hole in them. Therefore, the tire would have to be replaced also. Not more than a mile back was a bike shop where I could get a tire. So, after they left I went back to the bike shop and now had to replace a tire on my own. Thanks to the lesson I had just receive this was fairly easy. Fantastic! I'm back in business!

I cruised along for quite a bit. I should correct myself and say that the Mt. Vernon trail is mostly paved. There are some boardwalks on it for when the path goes over water. I had ridden nearly 20 miles and was feeling good. Then a gentleman passed me on his bike. Up for the challenge I tried to keep up. The path had twists and turns and was wet. In an effort to chase down this rider, I was cranking it down a small hill on the path. This particular section of the path was covered by trees and was therefore still very wet from the previous days' rain. At the bottom of the hill, the path became a boardwalk and turned slightly to the right and went back up a hill. Where the pavement became wood, I was going right around 18 mph.

I think you all know what happens next. I went down. I went down hard on my side. The tires slipped on the moist wood. I have a gash on my elbow but otherwise I'm fine. I look at my bike. The chain is off. The handlebar bag is a little saggy. The tires are full. Everything seems alright. Then I notice my seat post bag is on the other side of the path and no longer attached to my bike. I look at the piece of plastic that the bag snaps into and it is broken in half.

Decision time. I look in my seat post bag. Deodorant, sunblock, lotion, moist wipes: I don't need these things. I go through the bag and pick out the stuff I think I will need or will be hard to replace and jam my backpack and handlebar bag full. I take the rest of the stuff and the seat post bag itself and throw them in the garbage. Now it's just a handlebar bag and a backpack and me.

The bag and everything in it that I had to ditch.

I finally reach Mt. Vernon. From there I went through Fort Belvoir. While riding through Fort Belvoir, I was climbing a hill and my chain snapped in two pieces. Thank goodness I decided to keep my extra chain! Not more than 5 minutes later a young gentleman pulls up and asks me if I need any assistance. I told him of my predicament and that I might be alright. I get the new chain on the bike but it is too long. I need to remove some links. There is a special tool for removing links which I decided at the very last second not to bring on the trip. My new friend Steve said he will drive me to the store to find this tool.

There is a Wal-Mart type store on the base. They carry chain rivet extractors but have none in stock. Hthen offers to drive me to the Dick's sporting goods in Woodbridge about 10 miles away and was where I was headed anyways. Dick's has the tool and I get the new chain on. I rode around the parking lot a little and everything seemed fine. I thanked Steve and he went on his way.

I did not even make it out of the parking lot. In my test ride I did not change any gears. After Steve had left, I had to change gears and that is when my rear derailleur broke. It must have happened in the crash. I am becoming stressed.

I carry the bike (the rear wheel won't spin because I can't dislodge the chain from the folded up rear derailleur) over to Dick's and go inside to talk to their bike specialist. He says they don't really do repairs and that I should take it to a bike shop about 2.5 miles down the road. I have no choice. I get the chain out so the rear wheel can spin and start walking. I'm not sure how far it was, but it was certainly more than 2.5 miles. More like 4 miles. I get to the bike shop at 5:15 PM. They closed at 4 PM and open tomorrow at 10 AM. That's not so bad, now I just need to find a hotel.

I sat down in front of the closed shop and get out my netbook. The nearest hotel is back where I came from 4 miles away! Just as I am deciding whether to sleep outside this bike shop for the night, a young woman parks in front and walks up also to realize they are closed. Seeing a bloodied, grease covered, guy with a broken bike and a backpack with a tent in it, she was curious as to what I was doing. I told her what I have now told you and could not help but feel sorry for me.

She said her friend has a pickup and that they can give me a ride to a hotel for the night. She also says that her parents live right around the corner from the bike shop and that I might be able to sleep there tonight if they didn't mind. She calls them and tells them my sorry story and after a small interrogation and a lot of trust in their daughter they say it would be fine if I spent the night.

Her friend, Phil, arrives and takes us (her name is Jenna) and my bike back to her parents' house. They let me shower and clean my wounds. Jenna, Phil, and I went out for a mexican dinner and then rented a movie. I am now typing this from their guest bedroom.

Tomorrow I will get the news on the condition of my bike. I'm sure there is a lot to learn from today. I am just too worn out to figure it out now.


life still = good

Packing it Up

After an amazing week in Portland filled with bike rides, disc golf, slug hunting, river swimming, river drinking, ping pong, chatting with strangers, and trail hiking among waterfalls; I feel I am now prepared for this bike ride.

This week I went on two rides: one 40 miles and the other 50 miles. It was less riding than I planned on doing. However, my bike really came together well and it is running ever so smoothly. It is completely silent: just how I like it. I was so pleased with it I wrote a little poem about my Marin during one of the rides.

There's nothing else for which I'm carin'

Than to be riding my sweet Marin

I am leaving tomorrow for Washington D.C. My mother is driving me down and we will spend the night in a hotel. Then Sunday morning my mom is dropping me off and I finally start pedaling!

I have everything packed up and ready to go. It is all listed here. No doubt that this list will change over the course of the ride.

What I'm bringing:

In the seat post bag (9 lb):
1 pair of fleece gloves
2 pairs of socks
1 stick of deodorant
1 tube of toothpaste
1 fingernail clipper
1 rain jacket
12 maps
2 extra shoe cleats
1 extra bicycle chain
2 extra tire tubes
1 tire/tube patch kit
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 bottle of moisturizing lotion
1 flathead screwdriver
1 pair of Teva sandles
1 bottle of sunblock
1 can of bug spray
1 packet of moist wipes
1 bike lock
1 set of hex keys
1 chain link tool
Some dental floss
1 water filter
1 spoke wrench
1 tire pump
1 roll of electric tape
1 bottle of lube
1 bottle of leather softener (for new leather saddle I am still breaking in)

In the handlebar bag (5 lb):
8 pairs of contacts
1 pair of eyeglasses
1 stick of chapstick
1 digital camera
1 USB cord
1 Swiss Army knife
1 compass
Some high calorie chocolate peanut butter bars
1 toothbrush
1 cellphone
1 cellphone charger
1 bottle of contact solution
1 contact holder
1 miner's light

In the CamelBak  (16 lb with 2 liter water bladder filled) or on my body (165 lb):
1 pair of shorts
2 pairs of underwear
1 pair of sunglasses
1 pair of riding gloves
1 netbook
1 netbook charger
1 book - Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
1 wool sweater
Some AA batteries
3 jerseys
1 tent
1 UV water purifier
1 two liter water bladder
1 chamois cloth

On the frame:
2 24 oz water bottles

 Who's jealous?

 

 

2 months. That's all I'm bringing.

Perfect.

life=good

Let me know if I'm forgetting anything!

15 more days!

Unfortunately, I have only gone on one short bike ride since New Jersey, which is why I have not posted. However, do not mistake a lack of posts for a lack of enthusiasm. I have been busy preparing for my trip in other ways. 


Yesterday was my last day of work. I quit my job so I could go on this bike ride. The last couple weeks were busier than usual wrapping up all my IT duties. 


I have also been thinking about the supplies I will need to bring on my bike trip. After looking at the route and maps, it is apparent that I will not be sleeping in a bed every night. Most nights will be in a hotel, motel, or hostel. However, there are some uncivilized stretches of road where I might not be able to find one of those places. For those nights, I will carry a small one-person tent to sleep in. 


Also, there are some stretches, particularly in Nevada and Utah, where not only are there no hotels, but there are no services of any kind. This includes water, bathrooms, shelter, and food. In Nevada, there are two such consecutive stretches. The first of which is 78 miles long and the second is 84. Realizing this, I thought it would be smart for me to purchase a water purifier. 


I think I am as prepared as I can be in regards to my supplies. 


Here is the timeline from now until I leave:
May 8 and 9: Cut all my hair off, enjoy my weekend
May 10 - 16: Visiting my uncle and aunt and cousins in Portland!!!
May 17 - 21: Do some overnight bike rides with all my gear.
May 22: My mom and I will drive down to the Washington D.C. area. 
May 23: Start riding!


I will post again once I am back from Portland. I am so excited!




life=good