So......

It has been wild so far, I dont even remember where I wrote my last post or where in the van, or on what piece of paper it is. It has been tough crewing for this, but fun, an essay of a post and a few pictures after this is done, about 200 to go!

1,000 in!

6/21/11

In a nut shell, parker, AZ to LA Veta, CO

The boys have been riding great, pulling through the desert all night on day one was amazing, just our lights and vans, the bike and flat fast pavement all the way into Parker ARizona. My van is Andrew, JIm, Rich and myself. We took a little rest in Parker and were back on the road at 4a.m. Jim rode into the sun rise and we took a three hour pull 45 on 45 off for each rider. That took us out of California and into Arizona as we began our climb into Flagstaff through Cotton wood, Prescott and Sedona, some beautiful riding, curvy up hills and fast descents. After Flagstaff we entered into night and started our sleeping shifts, it was nice, a three hour pull into Tuba CIty AZ. THen some much needed sleep and a three hour pull throughout monument valley. With the sun the way it was no words can describe our joy and content Demeanor. After that it was just getting into the monotony of the ride for the push to the rockies. That is where we are looking at the wll of mountains in front of us and pulling into Durango.  

On the go out of Durango, had to serve a twenty five minute time penalty, but got to get a shower in and look over the bikes. We headed out to Wolf Creek pass, a grueling climb, eight miles at 7% grade, in the pitch dark, took Jim and Rich a solid two hours. But that is cycling, being cold and sore fighting for every inch and maybe feeling a little irritated looking for one more gear, then  realizing the task at hand and the beauty of the landscape. All the rider can do is put their  head down, enjoys the real scent of fresh pines and keep on pedaling.

We got some sleep and every took a turn at navigation and mug needed sleep. This has been greet so far, the land scape is everything and more than I expected.

Day Two 6/17/11

Another early morning, different time zone, and my muscles are aching. But the ocean salt soothes my nostrils as Bruce comes in and wakes me. Brian Andrew and I were up until about one prepping the bikes and vans for inspection today. We finished the night off with a few Tecates and hit the hay. After a double and triple check of bikes and vans we were ready to move out into the beach and have everything looked over. We passed with flying colors and headed back to the hotel. We all got back and took some photos for our sponsors then drank some coffee. The morning changed from a cool grey to a stereotypical California afternoon. The guys went out for a ride and Andrew and I went into town to visit the many Army Navy stores in Oceanside. For the most part today was kept busy just looking around and getting everything in order for the day of craziness that is to come tomorrow. We leave for the East Coast tomorrow, more then.

I am back, and on RAAM.

Day I 6/16/11

One the move, pale blue light greeted by the song of birds awoke me at four thirty this morning, my dog put his wet nose to my face, and his old breath gasped me to a complete state of alert. I know in his old bones he felt the expedience of my departure. My mother was all teary eyed, she rubbed them and told me it was just morning tears, she is emotional, I do not spend enough time at my folks place these days, she understands, but she shows her true emotions, and that’s one reason I love her. I haphazardly run a tooth brush across my teeth, spit down my chin and think of when I can sneak a smoke in before my flight. Or was I trying to quit this week? Roadrunner is playing in my subconscious on repeat, New England in early morning chrome blue haze highways before the hustle and bustle of the day to day. I realize I am at the airport in no time, my mother’s eyes are the most unique blue I have ever seen them, the light of day is growing to a hadean orange and settling into its virgin yellow of day. I speak in a low grogie, terrified tone, almost upset and under my breath to my mother, I will be fine, and will be back in ten days or so.
I have a hit or miss relationship with travel, at times its like a great one night stand, everything goes smooth, everyone is happy with the arrangements, wires are crossed correctely and the grand scheme of the universe falls into place, and perhaps, because all went well, you can do it again sometime. Other times its like getting drunk a little to early thinking you can keep your cool, when your spilling your drink on everyone and the bouncer has his eye one you, you get kicked out, scream to the streets in rage, fall down and end up sleeping alone on your front lawn. Today my travels are going like a night with a good shot, no chaser, and a conversation with the knock out sitting next to me at the end of the bar.
Logan is tame this early in the morning, everyone, myself included, looked to have just be drugged and walks in a sedated slump of too tired to care. My communication for the day was mostly with computers and the, hey how are you with flight attendants who are miserable their job doesn’t hold has much prestige as it used to. The machine spits my ticket, scans my brain for terrorist activity and I’m boarded.
Flying out of Logan has always been a great joy, looking at the shore line of a state I hold dearly and being able to identify, and have a story for every little nook and crany of it is a pleasure in itself, I could take of and land all day for that view, and pay the same price. Today is a little different however. Today I am leaving for my very firsrt cross country adventure. A few months back I was offered a spot and a wrench (Bike Mechanic) for a group of fine gentlemen doing the Race Across America, RAAM for short. I was floored at the chance to do something I had been working for years to do, be a wrench for a team of sorts and travel, all because of an almost indescribable love for bicycles. After a few meetings and some training and practice, Rich, Jim, Dan and Bruce are ready to go, and Brian, Andrew, Dylan and I are ready to get them from point A to B in as flawless a manor as we know how. I had a lot of time to think on this day of travel and mostly day dreamed and tried to make sense of the country swimming under me as a flew across it. A country that in an engrained way, means a lot to me, but I am so unfamiliar with. But, I guess that is what is behind the urge to get out and see the country that burns in every fiber of the youth, or at least my beat generation ideal of youth today. An urge just as engrained and submerged beneath the conscious, deep in the matters of brain and soul, a need to discover a country so large that has existed our entire lives in our back yards.

First Ride, this weekend.

I hope to get out for some nice rides this weekend, here is one that has been on my mind.



Its only Wednesday and I cant sit still thinking about this. Break in the Brooks and the new Bridgestone.

It has been a Little While, Here is what has been going on.

I have since perchased a new trailer for $35 an am super pumped on it, it has been worth every cent. As well, I have re connected with an old Bianchi build that I had done for my dad and seeign as how he never rides it, I have taken it back in to me fleet and use it as my bike when I go home. As well, I have moved in with my lovely girlfriend July, or rather she moved in with me after being over seas for a semester. She has jumped into riding everyday and I could'nt be more happy, she is quite the chic cyclist as well. Bike Gang is the same old, though with the cold the numbers have gone down a little, but in all it is a good time.

July.