“No Boundaries” Bike Tour 2001
Two years ago at the annual Banff Film festival, an extreme sports
presentation, imagination started its engine in my head. A cam-corder
novice style video documentary played on the screen. Three guys
decided to take a trip from San Diego to New York on bicycle. They
met fast food cashiers, truckers, Calvin Klein security guards and
pro basketball players. All of these people showed a longing in
their eyes and talked of big dreams they had and the person they
thought they could be. At that moment in the show I saw myself outside
of me. I saw a guy unsure of his future. He is in college doing
what he thinks is right. He's into lots of activities and has a
job but life's stimulation is suffocating. The fire in his powerful
heart is dwindling. Let's see? This visual display he is concentrating
on oxygenates his coals. Now for some kindling.
Kris leans over to me and says, “You ready to go?”
I knew exactly what he meant.
Since then I got a job as a river guide, took a road trip through
California for a month to just get away, got a few odd jobs to buy
the gear for the tour and by then it was rafting season again. Guiding
made me enough money to get the bike and the components I wanted
and pro deals for all the other stuff I had to get. As we looked
at our gear the need for a bike trailer quickly became evident.
Kris's job as manager at the local bike shop gave him constant exposure
to new models on the market. The designs that trailer companies
had, however, did not cater to the load we intended packing. So
six months ago with the help of our friend Dana we designed and
TIG welded a lightweight, aluminum trailer. Conflicting schedules,
unordered materials, lack of the right tools and of course, the
changing of the season stretched our departure date giving us five
months of anticipation and a chance to marinate in the situation.
So the plan for spring of 2001 is “just to see where the
road takes us”. Explore, discover, search, endure, imagine
and find that one thing, that thing that ignites us. Hiking, rock
climbing, snowboarding and, of course, biking will fill our agenda
for the next year and about 10,000 miles. And I must give a thousand
“thank you's” to Mary Jane for her support and belief
in us and the support from Earl and Tina @ Paradise Creek Bicycles.
Last but not least, our parents. Your help is immeasurably appreciated.
|
 |
 |