For awhile now I have been strongly contemplating making a life change. Not that my life was horrible, but it was simply not going where I wanted it to go. Oddly enough over a decade ago I vowed to myself that when I turned 30 I would do something extreme if my life was not on the path I wanted it to be. I left it open ended which is good considering an 18 year old really does not have much perception on the game of life. Thus I packed up minimal supplies and with a direction to ride, I set off.
I saved up some money. Quit my job. Determined to go explore and maybe, just maybe figure out something relevant. Mainly I just wanted to explore. I was restless and needed to jump off already. The crudeness of the trip was clear within a couple hundred of miles where all I could think about is how I have the totally wrong bike for a 6000+ mile journey. High strung, uncomfortable, noisey, poor gas mileage, high mileage, not proven to be reliable, poor luggage capacity and so on. It is the bike I have though and I was determined to make the trip happen regardless.
I have taken many long distance trips before but not of this magnitude. And never without a job waiting for me when I got back. A certain freedom came to mind. External forces be damned I committed to something for once. After my first pit stop in Virginia, I decided to not hesitate too long and get into the thick of things. First objective, ride the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. About 470 miles long, super scenic and with a speed limit of 45mph it should be pleasant. I had already knocked down 300+ miles that day before even getting to the parkway.
Aside from finding out the speed limit is strictly enforced, the parkway was uneventful. I camped out somewhere in the middle of the parkway and put my equipment to it's first test. I've never relied solely on a hammock system and it took some getting used to. In the end it did work well overall. Rain soon overtook the parkway for the following day and as I rode into the higher elevations it came down hard. The temperature dropped and even with rain gear, the cold wetness got in. At least traffic was minimal, one of the few reasons I appreciate foul weather. I followed one of the three wheeled cannondale things who constantly tried to gun it on the straights to get away from me despite cruising at a casual pace. There was no rush but apparently this is a behavior I soon became accustomed to on this trip.
The rain didn't stop, mostly coming in heavy spurts and letting up only for a moment. I still couldn't find a comfortable body position and after two hours my ass burned and my knees throbbed. As far as I was concerned, I was going to have to suffer. I finished the parkway and began making my way to the coast. I stopped at a rest stop off the highway to get out of the light drizzle for a bit and give my ass a rest. A young man approached me and asked if I wanted a cigarette. I politely declined. This young man was dressed in a manner that would suggest he did not have a lot going for him. I'm going to expand my horizons on this trip. After some small talk, he took serious interest in my trip (a soon to be common theme). I guess quitting your job to ride around the country is rare yet highly sought after. Hearing "I wish I could do that" never got old. His name was Matt. He lives with his cousin and they got into a fight over his cousin getting into illegal activities. Matt drives a minivan. Matt wanted to just throw his stuff into the minivan and leave his cousins. Matt did not have any dependents, no wife/girlfriend. I looked at Matt and simply said "Do it". In his 20s, there will likely never be a better time to make such a change. Even though our life situations were drastically different, the idea in Matt's head is no different than the idea that has been in my head for awhile. Before departing, Matt asked for my number. It caught me off guard. I'm rather reserved and introverted, naturally I wanted to know why. Matt told me that he doesn't have anyone that he can have a real conversation with like we just had. In the moment I was still perplexed and a bit guarded, I wished him good luck and go do what he wants now. I was still breaking myself down, the paranoid, guarded, introvert. Looking back, I wish I did trade numbers as I feel very differently now than I did before.
The pace for my trip hasn't been set yet. I didn't really know what would be best especially considering the small gas tank and horrible seating position. As it turns out, I knocked out a lot of miles in just a few days with a goal to rest for a few days, rather than creep along.
The rain was still there but now it was warming up quick. I entered southern weather. Short strong storms followed by intense heat. It actually became more efficient to not even bother putting on my rain gear as I dried off so quick. I made my way to the eastern coast of Florida for my first rest stop.
I was breaking myself down. With nearly 2000 miles done already, my body was beat and my mind was scattered with what ifs what now and so on. The bungee cords rubbed holes in my rain cover for my bag. My soaked gloves took forever to dry. My left ear plug pushed a lot of ear wax into my ear and caused a permanent ear plug. But I got to rest. The first step of boot camp was complete.
I took a few days off. Enjoyed the beach for what it is. Storms are normal so the beaches pretty much stay open as long as there isn't a direct immediate threat.
At the end of the first step I finally had a moment to really think. I really left the security of a career. I did what I wanted versus what I should. I still had a lot ahead of me but at least I knew I was starting fresh. I am not one to be enamored in this selfie nation but I want to see for myself what I was going through.
And my now trusted steed.
I finally felt something.
And my now trusted steed.
I finally felt something.
