Bikes and Time
Here we are. Three short weeks away from taking off and still lists and lists of undone tasks litter my house, desk, work, and dreams. No matter how simple the task, it seems that it must needs complicate itself according to those inscrutable principles known as Murphy’s laws. Did he ever develop any bike-trip specific theories? I’d probably just as soon not know. Wheels take longer than promised to be made and are weaker than the ones I ordered. Seats and seat posts are stolen. Finding seat posts requires multiple trips to different bike shops and then somehow I choose one that’s too long. Taking a bike on a plane as extra luggage costs as much as buying a cheap domestic ticket. The visa company gives us sixty instead of ninety day visas. Brakes don’t. Web sites fail to cooperate. And we haven’t even started yet!
But, I have a bike. I have a ticket. I have a visa. I’m going to China. I can’t wait to dispense with the worrying, the scurrying, the errand running and sand blast all of those lists out of my head with a healthy dose of Chinese road dust. My previous bike trip in China offered a similar planning experience. Everything is extremely hectic until you leave, and then you’re out on the road and the only thing you have to worry about is the burning in your legs and the numbness in other places. Give me numbness over visa woes any day. Well, almost any day.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:52 am
You needed a comment Jim, I didn’t want to leave you out. Bike hard!!!
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:21 am
Jim and friends,
What an incredible experience you are embarking on! I look forward to following your adventures.
Safe and fun travels!
September 5th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Jim, have a fun trip and ride hard. I miss you already. love - your mamma
September 6th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Jimmy,
Best of luck man, I heard you had a going away party the other weekend, I wish I could have been there. I look forward to hearing all the stories you will have to share. It takes an incredible amount of courage to do what you are all about to embark on. If you do make it to Germany, please let me know, I’d love to host all you guys for a nice meal!
September 7th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Okay, so I guess I didn’t know that you had a mission and everything for this trip! That is awesome! I am very excited for you and I wish you the best of skill, safety, fun, and communication with the foreigners! I am definitely eager to hear stories!
September 7th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Wasn’t there some mystic who decreed atop a mountain, “Go forth to be amongst my sons and daughters, and bike like it’s nobody’s business!” It was something like that. Regardless, everyone else seems to make a life out of misinterpreting the Bible, so I simply follow their hallowed steps. So this is it! I thought you were just messing around with me when you mentioned this many months ago, and now I see you have a real web-site, your biking tights in hand, and a crew to tackle the ride with…a community of sorts. I won’t lie, I’m jealous, and would love to be there riding with you…..perhaps the next trip, from Mexico to Chile!
September 9th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Happy birthday dear Jimmy. What a way to begin your 26th year. The stories you can tell and share with others….Hope you are well and have found your panniers… Good luck and have fun. love you,
September 9th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Happy Birthday Jim. Hope the whole day today was an easy ride with the wind at your back and now you can enjoy some cake. Jo is on the phone to your Mom right now. Good luck - have fun. We will be watching the blog
September 9th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Happy birthday Jim. I am a teaching friend of your mom’s. What an amazing trip you are headed on. Without a bike I understand. What a bummer. Keep spreading good will around the world. Goodness knows this country needs some good will. Jo Newhall
September 10th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Through your exploits I will live vicariously. I want to be listed as your biggest fan before your mother thinks of it. Happy birthday.
October 14th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I am enjoying checking on your trip. I am insanely jealous (until I look at the hotel rooms, the rain, the mountains…) World peace will truly come one person at a time - thank you for doing this wonderful trek and for sharing it with us.
Imagine……
Cassie
February 27th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Very interesting.
Keep on the road
October 5th, 2010 at 3:01 am
i have lots of mountain bike accidents so i am done biking right now`”‘
March 29th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
I’ve loved reading this blog - what at amazing journey.
So often these travel blogs just stop, but I’m so glad this blog keeps living.
Keep up the peddling!