Memoirous

So as I mentioned in my last post in 2013 a friend moved away and I was left trying to figure out if I would continue long-distance cycle touring. Pursuing it alone. A test trip was a ride I planned from Grand Rapids to Chicago the third week in April 2014. It didn’t start very auspiciously. I forgot to pack my front wheel in the box, so that when unpacking at the Grand Rapids bus station I got a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. A phone call to emergency UPS the forgotten wheel, costing as much as the gas saved if I’d just driven there and back. Then the day I was to leave there was a lot of rain. I really wanted to postpone. I did delay until noon. That night I stealth camped by Lake Michigan and the wind was ferocious. The next day on the Blue Star Highway working my way down the coast it was cold. I remember trying to swing my leg over the top bar and being unable to straddle it. I simply had too many layers on. I was off itinerary and stayed that second night in a woo...

January 2018, and I’m dreaming of my next cycle long-distance tour. I have to—it’s negative 7 below zero outside. It’s necessary to have something to look forward to. But as a way of introduction here is a list of some of my past tours. 5 years old: rode my bike with training wheels across the highway. The pedal fell off and had to walk it home. Got home after dark, but never fessed up about what I’d done. Middle school: a bunch of us took on our bikes—after a carbo-load breakfast where I ate a whole loaf of bread for French toast. After a few miles I got a stomach ache and had to turn back. Not sure where we were going actually. Still in middle school: after helping my sister deliver the Sunday newspaper (starting out in darkness) we decided to ride our bikes to Xenia (Ohio). I got as far as Spring Valley on my banana seat bike before the miles or hunger sent me back home. I remember we made it as far as a ski hill? in Spring Valley—does anyone know anything abou...

Day 1, Camping at Graves Island Provincial Park Thursday June 15, 2017, 52 miles (84 km) - Total so far: 52 miles (84 km) Yesterday was uneventful, as it should be when flying. Had to change planes and do passport control in Toronto. In 30 minutes! Because plane was late leaving Chicago. Nevertheless, my bike and I landed in Halifax, hallelujah. Next I assembled the bike in record time and caught 2 buses to make it to my Warmshowers host. Steve was great. I stayed up until 11 talking with he and his girlfriend. Just leaving the States is helping me feel better and at peace. Of course, it hasn't started raining yet. Today Steve helped me get some supplies (cookies, etc) and showed me the way to the bank. Once that was done he dropped me off at the trailhead and I was off, about 10 a.m. I rode until lunch at White Sails Bakery. After that there was a bit of rain pitter patter, but the trail was very good. There was a patch about 2 miles before Hubbard where I hope there will be...

So I left Jan. 31. I’d packed my bike and checked it in as oversized luggage. Plus 2 other boxes containing my panniers and stuff=about 30 pounds, plus the bike and other gear=50 pounds. Here is my itinerary, or in other words, what may be possible. If you know anyone in Key West that might be able to host me—shoot me a Facebook message . https://www.facebook.com/jane.hertenstein and follow me also at my Crazy guy on a Bike trip diary: http://tinyurl.com/nn482l5 Southwest Airlines Flight 1202 9:40 AM Arrive Jacksonville JAX 1:00 PM Day 1, Saturday, Jan. 31 Warm Shower Host 34 miles Day 2, Sunday, Feb. 1 Saint Augustine, fl 32084 55 miles Matanzas State Forest Primitive Camp. Day 3, Monday, Feb. 2 New Smyrna Warm Shower Host 65 miles Day 4, Tuesday, Feb. 3 Titusville Warm Shower Host 32 miles Day 5, Wednesday, Feb. 4 St. Sebastian Inlet State Park, $28. 61 miles Day 6, Thursday, Feb. 5 Jonathan Dickinson S...

What, may you ask, am I doing riding in Florida? It is similar to the question my mother asked when she found out I’d ridden across the highway. It sounds like the punchline to a joke—because I wanted to get to the other side. Because I needed to see what was there. It’s what kept me riding way past exhaustion, sometimes into dusk, trying to get home before catching it from my parents. I am 56 years old. Why do I do this? Because bicycling saved my life. I was a solitary child. I can’t tell you why to this either. I simply had a very hard time making friends. And, I can tell you, there were quite a few people I wouldn’t be friends with even if they asked me. I found most people my age disappointing. They didn’t read, or if they did, not the same books as me. I read a lot. When I wasn’t cycling I could be found reading books by the bushel. Again, a solitary activity. If I couldn’t make friends, then I’d at least make peace with myself. Find comfort and solace in my own ...

Because we don’t know the future (think: recent debt ceiling, sequestration, even the 2008 market crash) I’ve always thought that it is better just to go for it now. Easy enough to write. Time and money are detracting factors. Even still, I’ve tried to take advantage of my good health and high energy level. That’s why this past April a friend and I hopped on Megabus with our bikes, boxed and in the bay beneath, and de-bused in Nashville in order to ride the Natchez Trace. A few weeks earlier sequestration put a pinch on our plans. Bathrooms along the route would not be open or every other would be open. No matter—all systems were go. I’m so glad. Because we never know the future. There was no way I’d guess then that my riding partner of 10 years would make a sudden move to Minneapolis. (Her husband’s desire to devote himself full-time to getting his Bachelor’s degree necessitated this.) The last few days of this autumn season have felt raw and rainy. Today, though there is...