I'm going to start this post with an embarassing little confession: I've named my bike. The idea came to me as I read the book Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across America, about 5 kids and their teachers doing just that; in the book, they named their bikes everything from Bud, to Skittles, to Pack Rat... which sort of started me thinking. I wanted a fun, flashy, exciting name for my bike. Instead, I ended up with Brute. It's not actually my favorite of names, but it just sort of fits... the bike is big, heavy, and built to last.
On a vastly different note, I had an article published in the local newspaper about my trip and my fundraising (as a matter of fact, some of the people reading this right now could have gotten the address from that article!!) Once the story comes up on the newspaper's website, I'll try to copy and paste it here for anyone reading this blog who's not from the Canby area.
I figured I should probably also include a map of the route we're traveling on this site, but I'm just now getting around to it. We're basically following the bold, multi-colored line shown above. I'm imagining that the hardest part of the trip will be crossing through Eastern Montana and North Dakota... flat, flat, flat, and I hear that there is always a head wind.
(You can skip this next paragraph if you already know my story, the who's, what's, why's and how's) For anyone who is new to this blog and is just diving into the story, I suggest you start with the first article, Getting Started, which should be at the bottom of this page. It tells pretty mych what we're doing and why. For those of you who want the short version... My dad and I are taking 10 weeks this summer to bike across the country; we're carrying all of our own gear, and plan on camping most nights and we hope to average 70-ish miles a day, 6 days a week. I'm also using this as a chance to help raise awareness and funds for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN; http://www.foodallergy.org/) because my cousin, Nathan, is deathly allergic to Peanuts and Treenuts. You can donate to FAAN by clicking on the button below.
Well, that tied up most of the loose ends I've had kicking around lately. Thanks for reading!!
~Seth
1 comment:
Hi Seth, I heard about your ride from a co-worker of mine who will be running the HTC relay with Chip this August. I ran it with him once a few years ago... Anyway, I've done a good bit of cycling / camping in the Michigan, New York, Vermont stretches of your ride. There's some beautiful coutry up there (I live in Columbus, OH, by the way). It can get a little hilly out there in the Adirondacks, but I'm sure you'll by up for the challenge.
I'm anxious to hear more about this trip as it progresses.
How much gear will you be carrying with you? Have you weighed your bike when it's fully loaded?
Just watch out for those raccoons when you're camping. Those little rascals can get into just about anything.
Have fun! Hope you get good weather and tailwinds!
- Andy D.
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