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Pre Bike Tour Planning and Lead-Up
Sunday May 4
As a farewell get together, my good friends Rob and Daile picked me up at 10am and drove me to their place in the Bronx to spend the day.
We first stopped at the New York Botanical Gardens where we took some pictures and looked at the different exhibits, which included an indoor rain forest. We later went to their house to eat and hang out.
I felt really happy and fortunate to have friends who cared so much about me that they would go out of their way to devote an entire day to me. They are firmly behind my decision to bike across the U.S.
Later that day they gave me a card containing $50.00. They were not sure what supplies I needed for the bicycle trip and since I wasn't working figured I could use the money.
We all had a great time that afternoon. The next day I went into Manhattan and used the money to buy a compass and other supplies. Got home to try out the compass only to find out it isn't as easy as just pointing it. Had to read the instructions to fully understand how to use it properly. Man, I am so "green." Am I really going to bicycle across America knowing so little?
Tuesday May 6
Well, today I received the all important check... my 401k money from my former employer. What a rush because now that the money issue is settled I can set a definite departure date. I will leave New Jersey Sunday morning (May 18, 1997) to begin the most important mission of my life. I will find the true me.
It's strange because I'm acting as if it were a normal day. I feel as if I truly don't understand the magnitude of what I'm about to do. As I pack, or pretend to, I stop and stare at the mess on the floor and before I know it two hours have passed and I still haven't done anything. This is actually a good sign because that means I'm at ease. Everything that I have done well in the past had manifested itself in the same way. Things just happen naturally and when I'm ready.
Friday May 16
In the morning I decided to call my friend Eric and fill him in about my departure Sunday morning. While I was speaking to him, call waiting clicked to inform me of another call coming in. It was my ex-girlfriend of almost seven years. Back in December I had told her that it would be best not to see or speak to each other again so I was surprised to hear from her.
In the back of my mind I always thought she would hear of my trip and she would get in touch. Well, she did. I had posted info about my upcoming bike trip on my website. Apparently her brother saw it and mentioned it to her. She was calling from a pay phone in New York because she thought that being outside in public would prevent her from crying, but it didn't. She was both happy and upset that I was leaving. We spoke for about ten minutes. It was good to hear from her, but I didn't want to delve into old times. I spent the rest of the day getting organized and packing.
Saturday May 17
Originally when I had received my 401k check I had chosen today as my departure date for the bicycle trek, but I found out about a transit festival in Hoboken, New Jersey. I love old buses as my family ran a small charter bus company when I was growing up and seeing the old buses takes me back. There was no way I could miss this so I went down with camera in hand to get some nice photos.
This is also when I discovered that the camera, a metal bodied Nikon FM-2, zoom lens, flash and mini tripod were quite heavy. I am now debating whether I should take all this photo equipment or a Sony 8mm camcorder on the bike tour, which I can run off of 6 AA batteries if charging is not possible. The AA batteries will only give juice for about 30 minutes-not enough. We'll see by 4:30am which I take. Either way I spent a few hours taking some nice photos of old buses.
It's now 9pm and I'm trying to lighten the load in my bicycle panniers. Very difficult because it seems I need everything.
I will "zero out" my Specialized cyclometer's odometer in preparation for tomorrow morning's departure. So far it only reads 205 miles! That's all the training/cycling I've done on the new Cannondale T-2000 touring bike since I bought it in March!
Comments
I'm thinking of doing a cross
I'm thinking of doing a cross country trip but don't want to camp and want to go as light as possible,which means I will stay in hotels each night. Is this a good way to do it? I'm 60, and like the comforts of life after a long, hard day. Thinking of going West to East, following Transamerica route, probably northern tier. Can I find hotels 60-90 miles apart all the way? thanks
Bicycle Touring and Accommodations at Hotels
Hi Chip,
When I did my bike trip, I went from East to West. Found plenty of hotels and little motels as well as a hostel, which usually never turn away a cyclist even if they are full, which is what happened to me in PA. Although the hostel owner said he was full he found me a bed and gave me a place in the basement to store my bike. Definitely join the American Youth Hostels as it came in handy that one time and I met some wonderful people of all ages the three nights I stayed there.
There was an instance in Indiana where I was at least 20 miles or so from a campground (and I presume a motel as well) and it was starting to get late, Fortunately, the owner of an auto repair shop let me camp in his yard and saved the day. What this means for you is to plan for the eventually that you may need to continue cycling a little longer at the end of a long day to find a hotel.
Oh, this also happened to me in Pittsburgh. Same thing... I was running late and in a not so good neighborhood. Finally made my way to the outskirts of an airport where I found a Hampton Inn at $80.00.
Definitely plan out as much as you can by seeing where the hotels are on your planned route. I would imagine that places to stay could be more difficult to find in the West where there are greater distances between towns. Good luck on your bike trek!
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