Testing the Tent

Ever since I started this project I have been wanting to make sure to get as much expirience as I can. So Lara and I decided to sleep in the tent tonight.

The tent is an REI - Arete 2 ASL allseason tent

BIKE TRACKS: Living with Ed TV series

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 30 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 1.5 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 1 yr 4 wks

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2260.84 + Miles

Training while doing research (watching Movies)

So one of the things that I have had to make sure to do is train on my bike more than I usually do. Because of the bad weather I decided to get a bike trainer. (yes its kind of like training wheels but not) This little kickstand allows me to peddle to my hearts content indoors. This gets my milage up. I am getting up to 250 miles per week because I am going to push my speed at the beginning of the trip so I dont stay in the North east to get hit by storms.

With this new trainer it allows me to double task to in the picture I am watching documentaries while I'm biking. Makes sense doesn't it?

ANY recommendations on documentaries for me to watch?

BIKE TRACKS: Barnaked Ladies: Its All Been Done

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 5 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 30 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 1 yr 4 wks

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2190.84 + Miles

The Adventurer in All of Us

Imagine playing guitar hero with that guitar.

Alright so I have known that other people have biked across country. I have known that others have biked down the Americas, I have known that people have biked around the world. And each story amazes me.

I am currently trying to get in contact with anybody and everybody that has done any of these amazing trips in order to swap stories and promote each others projects. So below are a few people that have amazed me. There are plenty more but these are a few of my favorites.

Darren Alff (Bicycle Touring Pro) - www.bicycletouringpro.com (I have gathered so much information from this guy. he tours and tells you everything. he has a book also.

Mike Beauchamp (the Cross Canada Project) - www.mikebeauchamp.com/crosscanada/index.php (Mike biked across Canada and made a documentary)

Lee Hughes (The Adventure of a Life Time) - www.leehughes.co.uk (Lee is doing "The Adventure of a life time" biking, climbing, walking and paddling, check it out)

Mark Cooper - www.runwithmark.com (This guy is running from Amsterdam to Barcelona, just look at is)

BIKE TRACKS: NPR

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : Rest Day

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : ~ hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 1 yr 4 wks

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2185.84 + Miles

Is Twelve Minutes all the time I Need?

When selling a story or pitching an idea I am told to have the elevator pitch, a 1 minute description of the project that you can get out to somebody before the elevator doors open for them to get off. I feel as though I have gotten pretty good at that over my time of creating this project. Obviously 1 minute is not allot of time and to create a full story i am going to need many 1 minutes strung together.

I am currently looking for cameras to film this adventure and have come upon and been recommended cannon's 7D camera. This is a Still camera that shoots digital video 1080p 24fps(23.987) this cameras quality is amazing it looks like film, in fact many people have shot films on this camera and have been successful. The price is just right also 1800 for a functioning camera and then some more for all the other features (new lens, light, casing, compact flashes etc) the only complaints that I have heard are the sound is not an XLR plug (a big three pronged plug), there is over heating if you shoot with it for an extended period of time in the heat (which is normal among cameras) and last but not least you have to hit record every 12 minutes. Now this last one is throwing me for a loop. 12 minutes, that's not allot of time. what if I am interviewing someone and they are telling a great story and the thing stops? what if I forget to hit record again what if. I would have to look at my filming structure in a 12 minute structure. Is it worth the sacrifice for the quality and potential future things that can be done with this? Is it worth retraining my thoughts into fragments and living by that 12 minute rule? I am still undecided but i guess if I can get somebody excited to be apart of this project in 1 minute what stories could I tell in 12 minutes.



I worked at the store all day but I did ride to work fully loaded once again. I am starting to really feel comfortable with all the bags and tent. The bike is becoming an extension of me again instead of me being the motor for the bike.

BIKE TRACKS: Billy Joel

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 5 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : ~ hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 1 yr 4 wks

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2185.84 + Miles

NYC from a Different Angle

I was able to visit my friend David Lawson this Monday who has a one man show opening this next week (Floundering about: in the age of terror). We walked from southern Manhattan to Queens which was one heck of a walk but I was able to see a side of NYC that I had not previously seen. It was great. One thing that I noticed was that even though there was many streets with out bike lanes the ones that did has very serious bike lanes with partitions between the cars and the bikes. It made me a bit more at ease when I make my way into the city on my ride.

BIKE TRACKS: Cake: Never There

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 45 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : ~ hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 1 yr 4 wks

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2148.84 + Miles

Relationships and Cross Country Adventures...Do they Mix?

Valentines day is loved by many and loathed by everybody else. I tend to enjoy it just because it is a day that I know I have scheduled to spend with the person that I love. It is extremely nice to simply spend a whole day without worrying about things that I have to do or being anywhere else. This alone time with Lara is becoming more and more important to me as I get closer to my tour, March 20th. And the effect that the tour will have on the relationship is also becoming a more and more important subject that Lara and I talk about.


The three months apart is something that is a topic that is brought up in jest and in all seriousness. Instead of just dealing with this worry when it comes Lara and myself have talked about it several times, which has strengthened not only our relationship but also has my desire and excitement for the trip.

The conversations ranged from missing each other to WHY THE HELL AM I DOING THIS! both of which have validity. By talking about these things it always brings up emotions, but to deal with the emotions while we are together and able to look at each other in the eye and feel each others energy I think is much better than when I am in the middle of Texas all by my self. Lara still says that she is going to miss me and instead of that being something that I would take as her not wanting me to go, we have communicated enough to know that she will miss me AND she is excited for me to go on my great adventure.

So standing overlooking North Adams, MA Lara and I take a photo that is now a yearly tradition of ours. And I think about how nice it is to have a full day in which I can spend uninterrupted time with someone that supports me in my bike touring and that I love.

NEW EQUIPMENT:
-Lone peak front handle bar bag
-bike trainer (Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer)

THINGS FOR YOU:
Is there ever a time when you should not communicate about something with your partner?

BIKE TRACKS: Beirut

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 45 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : ~ hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 1 yr 4 wks

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2148.84 + Miles

-11 Degree Weather and Still Biking

Biking in -11 degree weather is reserved for the special people. I happen to be one of those special people. What drove me to put on my bike shorts, my wind breaker, my gloves, face mask, leggings, wool sock, and beanie? I want to say that it is my drive and will to keep biking no matter what but I can not tell you that with out saying that I needed to go to Melrose and I didn't want to pay for the commuter rail.

Though my toes were frozen by the end and I had to use a hot pack to thaw them out I did not encounter any trouble with the trip. When it gets that cold the world stops and I felt as though I was in a ghost city where even the tumbleweeds would not roll.

LESSON LEARNED: My clip shoes are make to keep my feet dry so there is allot of air flow. to keep my feet warm I Velcroed some hand warmers to the from of my shoe. It kept it warm for about ten minutes than when the feet started the sweat the shoe would do its job and let the air flow right into my foot thus causing them to freeze. So in the future put your hand warmers inside your shoe if it fits that way you wont leave a nice jet stream for some nice air-conditioning in your shoe.

It has been some months since I have updated you on my preparation for my trip. since then I have been going full steam collecting all the necessary items to make this dream a reality. some of those things are(brands and more specifics are to come when new site is launched):

Lone peak panniers (saddle bags for to carry things) (p-500)(p-100)

Back and a Front rack

leggings

winterbike gloves

facemask

CO2 bike pump

road tires

wind jacket

MSR firefly stove

sleeping bag

WHAT I AM IN NEED OF:

small 3 season 2 person tent

handlebar bag

I have recently had my photos taken and will be showing those soon once I have narrowed them down.

BIKE TRACKS: Red Hot Chilly Peppers

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 14 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 1.5 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: ~

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 2103.84Miles

Racing the Cars

Day 41 - 4/16/09

Doing quick rides are nice, but I am starting to realize that in order to feel like I have done any major riding I need to be gone for at least 3 hours. But with my schedule I only can do so much at a time, so today I did a 50 min ride to the JP ponds focusing on speed. I actually got to race some cars along a stretch of the ride. The bike path heading south on the east side of the pond runs right along the road. I wanted to see what kind of speed I had so I started racing cars. Some would hit the gas and blow by me no problem but there were a couple of cars that I was able to keep up with. I bet I hit 25 miles per hour as some point. It was fantastic and exhilarating. I can’t wait to have a camera strapped to my bike so I can take you all along for the ride.

(Picture is of the rough draft for my trip)

BIKE TRACK: Chemical Brothers (Come With Us)

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE:
$410.00 or $2750.00
DONATE HERE

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 7.57 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 50 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 66 hrs 30 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 490.14 Miles

I am the Product

Day 37 – 4/8/09
Today I got on my bike and rode out to Cambridge. This is always an interesting ride because, there are so many cars to deal with that part of the fun is trying to find different routes so you won't be on main roads. I went across the BU Bridge and followed that to Central Square where I met my friend Melissa at her work (RE/MAX). She introduced me to her boss Paul. Talking to Paul was great because it was all about marketing and business proposals, of which he knew lots about because he was the owner of the place).He asked me why I wasn’t doing this trip for a cause other than my doc (good question). It made me really have to think about it. For some reason I just feel as though it would take away from my personal experience. But is that selfish? I’m still trying to figure it out. Paul helped me think of myself as a product that I am trying to sell (a useful, smart, caring, human product). And at the same time I need to keep the human relation in my sales pitch because not having that would destroy my whole mission, right!? After chatting I got back on my bike and rode out to Porter Square and went to Sugar and Spice,(1933 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140) which has great yellow curry tofu.

On a different note (because a couple of people have been asking), I am going to start incorporating music that I am currently listening to just to give you some insight into my music life . I am looking for recommendations on music also. So here is the first “bike track”:

BIKE TRACK: Little Feat
(recommended by a gentleman who came into EUREKA)

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 10.4 miles

TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 1 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 56 hrs 10 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 407.21 Miles

Riding With Friends

Day 30 – 3/23/09

My play, “Dark Play or Stories for Boys” Ended on a very good note. Through the entire 5-week run the thing that amazed me the most was the different types of people that would come to the shows every week. We had college students, high school students, longtime theatergoers, and first time theatergoers. It was really nice being able to talk to all of them and see all there different responses to the same play. Riding on my bike to the last show I road along the Cambridge side of the Charles River. It was a nice ride. I was able to watch the city of Boston go by as I passed through Charlestown and into Chelsea. It was overall a great ride except for the huge potholes on the back roads once I was in Chelsea. They swallowed my bike, but I survived to tell the story.
After the show I road to the cast party in Watertown. I wont say much but lets just say I am glad I have gotten good at climbing hills.

On Monday I was able to go on a ride with my friend Thomas Patrick Dunn (yes he’s Irish). It was great. I fallowed his lead south of Jamaica Plain. I learned a lot about the area. Such things as…There are so many flipping hills! Something that I did notice was that I was doing pretty well on hills but when it came to flats Tom would kick my ass. I was very interested in why he was going so much faster than me on flats? I had the road bike, I have been training my ass off, Whats Up? I was looking at his gears and he continually stays on the highest set of gears. So I thought maybe because he bikes so much on that high gear it builds up his muscles in such a way that he can go fast on flat ground. I asked him about it and he said that he is always trying to get from one place to another really fast. And most of the places he tries to go are not that far away and not really up a hill. So I think that that is what it was. His muscles have adapted to short sprints where I am training my body to go long distances at a constant speed. (Oh the cool things that our bodies do.)

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 36.62 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 4hr 15min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 38 hrs 55 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 287.64 Miles

Push Yourself

Day 27 – 3/18/09




Sometime you just have to push your self. On my way back from Lowell I biked down to Bedford then took the minuteman trail all the way into Alewife T-stop. On the minuteman path a biker on a road bike passed me and I tried my best to keep up with him. Each time I found that I was falling behind I was able to keep pushing myself. It was nice to have a person that kept me focused on pushing harder (even if they didn’t know that they were helping me). I was able to keep up with the guy all the way to Lexington then he either pushed way ahead or turned off the path. I was proud.

My experience with my new bike has been fantastic. I have been able to go faster and push harder without getting tired of being on the bike. The ride is so smooth that I just never want to stop (which is good considering I am going to be going across the country).

As far as things I saw on my trip today, I got some help from some very nice women at the “Mobil On the Run” and I road by a pasture with some beautiful horses and I had some time so I stopped and petted the horses and fed them some grass. It was really nice to be interacting with animals. I don’t get allot of that in the city so to be able to pull off the side of the rode, grab some grass and have a horse eat from my hand, it really makes me feel as though humans are not the only things on this earth and we all are connected in some way. Once I hit Bedford I took a small road through some forest areas then periodically there were some high tech buildings tucked away in the back roads. I felt as though I had entered into the valley of Bio Chemical companies. I am not sure if the one I got a photo of is biochemical but this was the one that really intrigued me.

UPDATE:
I am going to be going to Hawaii (the big island) in May and will be doing many bike trips around there. I will be constantly updating the blog with photos of the beautiful island. I am currently hoping that I will be able to get a nicer camera so that I can get you all some better quality work.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 27.2 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 4 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 33 hrs 50 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 247.62 Miles

Minuteman Bike Path

Day 26 – 3/17/09

The Minuteman trail is a bike trail that runs from Arlington to Bedford. It takes bikers and walkers and skaters off of high traffic roads and puts them onto a beautiful, enjoyable pathway. I was able to finally use that path. I was heading to Lexington to get in a ride. Lara was going to pick me up there. I focused on trying to keep a higher mph and that was made easier because of the minuteman bike path. I averaged around 11 miles an hour. That is the best I have done so far.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 11.65 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 1 hr

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 29 hrs 50 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 220.42 Miles

Pi(e) & Ride

Day 25 – 3.14.09

Today was the best day on my travels so far. Not only was the weather fantastic but I have my new bike and was able to get free really good pie. Can life get any better, I submit that it can NOT! (thank you Brian Regan)

After riding my new bike from the shop to my apartment I met up with my friends Dom and we headed down town to meet up with the Mass Bike association. It was great to meet around 18 other bikers. There were people there from all different skills of biking. Some were triathlon competitors, some were commuters, some were one the bike for the first time in a long time, and then there was me, the cross-country nut. I am really excited to get to know these people. Shane was the organizer of the trip and he introduced himself to everybody and we set off on a nice relaxing trip to Summerville. It was nice and we got free pie. (I did not realize this but today is officially pi(e) day March 14th or 3.14…, So it all makes sense now). Here are some pictures that I took and there are some in the photo album on the side bar from trips past (coming soon).

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 18.49 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 2 hr 30 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 28 hrs 50 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 208.77 Miles

The Dust has Settled and There is One Bike Standing

Day 24 – 3/12/09

The battle has come to an end and the last bike still standing is non other than the Surly Long Haul Trucker. It is a fantastic ride, sturdy as an Ox and rides so very well. It is so cool that it even has 2 extra wheel spokes on spare attached to the frame. In choosing it I have done a lot of research and have talked to bike shop owners and looked on the internet and the Long Haul Trucker has everything that I need and looks so fine doing it. I am going to be picking it up tomorrow in the morning before I do my Mass Bike Pi(e) ride in the afternoon. It will be a great first ride.

On another hand…My friend Eric Gulliver whom I worked with at Emerson College has a music video on Pitch fork that I think everybody needs to see. It is a beautiful piece that expresses so much. CLICK HERE for the video.

TOTAL DISTANCE FOR DAY (TDD) : 12 miles
TOTAL TIME FOR THE DAY (TTD) : 90 min

TOTAL TIME TRAINING: 26 hrs 20 min
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED: 190.28 Miles