Bygone Bicyclist

Today’s ride made me think a lot about Thomas Stevens. I often think of him while riding Penny, for obvious reasons. The ‘Arizona Canal Bike Trail’ was resurfaced in the last three days, and riding on it reminds me a lot of country roads, wagon trails or horse paths, that he must have rode countless miles on as he crossed the US in ‘84. Riding Penny leads to obvious strange occurrences always, but today was a bit out of the ordinary (oh the pun!). Wishing I had brought my camera (which is quite the hassle when riding Penny) when seeing nothing but a flannel shirt and a pair of shoes propped against a tree, not 30 meters later do I find a man swimming in the canal. Hammock naps along the canal path? Also a first. Then there was the strange fellow on 15th Avenue who literally ran after me screaming a plea for my allowance of him riding Penny. Blackmail and payment won’t get you atop her, sorry good sir. Oh, it’s your birthday? Sorry twice then.

I’ve been chased by pedestrians before for multiple reasons, but never have I been followed so long, bribed and begged to ride Penny. Training for future long distance is quite an eye opener on this beast. Today I rode halfway up Camelback Mountain; yikes. It gets to slow going when the grade starts getting strong, but I’ve been wanting to start training on some hills (both up and down). A rear brake seems a necessity for anything of distance, so the engineering on that has started (or at least the brainstorming. Certain muscles get worked climbing with this dated machine that aren’t even grazed on a safety cycle; it’s actually quite invigorating.

Something somehow more ridiculous than a penny farthing alone.

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As you can probably tell, I’ve been hard at work on my webpage. Here it is! The new design; hopefully it lasts. I’m working on some final touches (and getting the dated posts added). Soon I will have a gallery for my photos which will include the ability to purchase prints and goodies of them – rejoice!

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The obvious for someone who has a life changing experience is to continue on forward in that direction. My month mostly out of the saddle has finally transformed the prior two months into a magical experience no amount of words, videos or stills can explain. It’s something that can’t even be experienced for some – it’s just different for each person. It becomes painfully apparent as I clean the mess I made before leaving, preparing to sell things that I had planned to sell even before that trip that I need direction. That direction has shown face however just recently. I acquired a new toy, which happens to heavily influence my future and desires. Every moment spent with her makes me yearn for the next chance. Perhaps it’s the sensation of sailing above everyone. Perhaps it’s the joy in every passerby’s face. Perhaps it’s none of that and nothing at all – I may never know. What I do know is my future goal.

Sell my clothes, I’m off to Heaven. Naysayers will be naysayers.

Better words never spoken than those straight from the first to accomplish such a feat, Thomas Stevens. “‘The impracticable scheme of a visionary,’ was the most charitable verdict one could reasonably have expected. The first essential element of success, however, is to have sufficient
confidence in one’s self to brave the criticisms – to say nothing of the witticisms – of a sceptical public.” As I sift through my goods to find things of worth (and rubbish to make waste of), I start dreaming. A dream is what starts it all. I don’t know when, but the day’s gonna come. Around the world you say? Yes. Around the world. On that crazy thing? You’ll kill yourself! As well, on this ‘crazy thing’. I have no plans of dying, however. I expect plenty criticism. That said, I’m hopeful for much encouragement as well. This webpage will be taking a new form soon, and hopefully I can get my things in order otherwise. I plan to offer my pictures (both ones already existing and those I will take from now on) as printable purchases to the public to help fund such a trek. Hopefully between what I’ve mustered from purging the tangibles I no longer need and selling prints / photos I can fund my trip. Stay tuned for more. I assure you it won’t be a boring journey.

Since returning home life has been a whirlwind of nonsense. Short lived projects here and there, much needed rest and relaxation and the occasional joy ride have filled my time (but I must admit I’ve been a bit lazy since returning). As noted, this page hasn’t been updated in over 2 months, which is about 5 eternities in internet years. I’ll get back on the bandwagon, as soon as I stop hating the design of this page (and finally get it updated in a fashion that pleases me). All this said, I have been busy despite my laziness and even have something to show! Soon here I will be rewriting my whole page, trip and doing a recap on the entire summer (something I feel terribly ill over not having done). Until then, please enjoy this video I made of my trip with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.