April 30, 2008
Impromptu East Coast bike tour
Six years ago I bicycled across the country, leaving my life and job in Washington, DC and journeying to Portland, Oregon, which became my new home, over 4500 miles and three months. I just completed my first solo bike tour since then and while much shorter I felt echoes of that previous trip, a transforming experience that marked a change in my life's course. I traveled from northern New Jersey to southwest Virginia in six days, covering 590 miles.
I am stronger now both physically and emotionally than six years ago. My heart has been opened in ways I didn't know possible by the people I've met and the pursuits I've taken up since moving to Portland. Getting on a bike every morning and hitting the road is a great way to see what's at your core and to literally move on; I let my pain and sadness sweat out on to the road and evaporate into the air. I took solace in riding the perfect pace across a changing landscape, with spring's sun and rain promising new growth.
I feel asleep each night, muscles satisfied at the day's effort and my soul having sucked the marrow out of life that day. I have a wandering gene from some nomadic ancestor and a trip like this quenches those desires. Rising to the challenge of another long day in the saddle has given me the confidence to protect my dreams, no matter what external or internal obstacles I might face.
I depended on the kindness of strangers to get rides over several limited access bridges. People were curious about someone traveling long distances on a bicycle. I realized I'm no Lance Armstrong but I also didn't have team mates to draft, lead motorcycles on a closed course, a $6000 racing machine, or most of all soigneurs and personal chefs! I did have my iPhone however which was amazingly helpful. Not only could I keep in touch with family and friends in the evening through phone, email and text messages but I could pull up detailed maps of my location and find local lodging options. Then at night I could watch a YouTube video or listen to the freewheelin' Bob Dylan, I even kept an abbreviated journal on it and snapped the photos you see below. I traveled extremely light, staying in motels and eating out. I will remember moments from this trip for a long while whether it's watching an egret catch a fish in the fading light along the New Jersey shore or the wet lumber trucks blowing by, brushing me with scented spray.
I don't know what the next six years will bring for me but I hope to still be walking and pedaling the earth, living and loving.
I feel asleep each night, muscles satisfied at the day's effort and my soul having sucked the marrow out of life that day. I have a wandering gene from some nomadic ancestor and a trip like this quenches those desires. Rising to the challenge of another long day in the saddle has given me the confidence to protect my dreams, no matter what external or internal obstacles I might face.
I depended on the kindness of strangers to get rides over several limited access bridges. People were curious about someone traveling long distances on a bicycle. I realized I'm no Lance Armstrong but I also didn't have team mates to draft, lead motorcycles on a closed course, a $6000 racing machine, or most of all soigneurs and personal chefs! I did have my iPhone however which was amazingly helpful. Not only could I keep in touch with family and friends in the evening through phone, email and text messages but I could pull up detailed maps of my location and find local lodging options. Then at night I could watch a YouTube video or listen to the freewheelin' Bob Dylan, I even kept an abbreviated journal on it and snapped the photos you see below. I traveled extremely light, staying in motels and eating out. I will remember moments from this trip for a long while whether it's watching an egret catch a fish in the fading light along the New Jersey shore or the wet lumber trucks blowing by, brushing me with scented spray.
I don't know what the next six years will bring for me but I hope to still be walking and pedaling the earth, living and loving.
Click on thumbnail to view larger image
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Posted by Dave at April 30, 2008 02:13 PM
Comments
Sounds like a great trip. The light and fast concept taken to new levels.
Posted by: Gene at May 17, 2008 12:13 PM
Nice, Dave! I'll have to check out more of New Jersey's beautiful coastline.
Posted by: Meredith at May 1, 2008 06:48 PM
Looks like fun. Not a lot of gear on that bike. Bet you would have gone faster if you'd gotten that 'fro trimmed.
Drew
Posted by: Drew at April 30, 2008 08:53 PM