We are coming down to the home stretch getting ready to head off on our next big adventure.  It is astonishing how much time we spend preparing:  riding our bikes,

arranging for dog

and property care,

paying up bills, packing, re-packing, and re-packing again!

 

I thought perhaps I would take a few moments to talk about “Why are we doing this?”  I find that we get a range of responses when we tell others about our plans. It is a sort of Rorschach test:  “Wow, that sounds amazing”, “Better you than me!”, “Why?, that sounds like a really long way!”,  “You must be crazy!”

So, I have thought a bit about why we like doing this.  First of all, I do not doubt that there will be moments that I too question our sanity for taking on this expedition.  When we are cold, hot, tired, sick…it all seems a bit much.  But there is a long list of positives:

1.  It is an amazing way to see a new place.  We get to move at a pace where one truly gets to see a country and culture up close.  We are able to see, smell & yes, feel every change in elevation & climate.  Oftentimes, we get to interact with local folks in a very different way than most tourists experience.
2. We get to travel with like-minded folk from many different countries and cultures.  Sharing the experience with other “crazy people” is a lot of fun.
3. We get really hungry and eat accordingly.  This is an obvious benefit.
4. We get up in the morning with the sole task of making it from point A to point B.  In our very complex lives, there is something very satisfying about simplifying our lives in this way.
5. Most of all, both Jim and I find that riding a bike is like meditation in motion.  For those of us who have a difficult time sitting still, being on a bike is like sitting still while moving.  You really can’t get anything else “done” so it frees one’s mind to wander at will.  Be here and now.  Smell the roses.  Feel the pain  🙂

Let me but live my life from year to year,

With forward face and unreluctant soul;

No hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;

Not mourning for the things that disappear

in the dim past, nor

holding back in fear from what the future veils;

but, with a whole and happy heart,

that pays its toll to Youth and Age

and travels on with cheer.

Henry van Dyke

I look forward to sharing the journey with you all.  Thanks for following along.  Here we go…..