Tacoma and other thoughts.

Jamie and I arrived in Washington on Thursday. We immediately rode 45 miles south to Tacoma, where we met a long-time friend, Jake Nelko. The first few miles of riding in Seattle were rather hair-raising. We were forced to ride along a major thoroughfare that was full of traffic and over zealous drivers. The route was marked as a bike-friendly one, and even though the street had bike signs all along its corridor--announcing to drivers that they were to share the space with cyclists--most of the motorists completely disregarded our right to be there. Within ten seconds of pedaling out into the traffic, I was nearly run off of the road by a large SUV (of course). Jamie was cut off by a semi-truck that didn't have the decency to give her the right of way, which of course, she had. All of this stress was exacerbated by the fact that we were both perched upon 85 pound bikes that were loaded with camping gear. Needless to say, Seattle (downtown) was not much fun. However, about 5 miles south of the city limits, the riding began to open up and the course down to Tacoma was smooth as silk. We rode along bike paths and state routes, through ever-green forests, along the Green River, and right past imposing Mt. Rainier. All at once, we had exited the stress of the city and entered into the sanguine Seattle suburbs. After two days of a sedentary existence on the Amtrak train, Jamie and me were relishing the time spent riding and sweating down to Tacoma. We rode at a pretty good clip and made the 40 miles in about 3 hours. As we rode, our balance improved, the initial stiffness in our knees gave way, and our bodies became one with our bikes. All of this, naturally, ended upon getting to Tacoma, where beer, fried food, and friends were on hand to upend our riding bliss---not that it was a problem!

While in Tacoma, Jamie and I sampled many local beers, ate excellent food, relaxed along the Puget Sound, jammed out with local rockers Michelle from the Club, and indulged by eating one too many Rainier Cherries. Tacoma itself, I have found, is nothing like Seattle. It's a blue collar port city. Downtown is dominated by massive cranes that work the docks. There are few distinguishing architectural features and the housing stock is solidly middle-class. But what the city lacks in glitz and maybe Seattle glamour, it makes up for in its accessibility, lack of pretension, and excellent food! The weather was unrelentingly hot the past few days, which I hear is rather rare for these parts. I was hoping to experience a few rainy evenings in the Northwest, but instead was cursed to wallow in my own sweat.

We spent our final day in Tacoma visiting Seattle. I have a lot to write about our experience in the city, but my time on the computer is coming to a quick end. While there, we took a quick walking tour learning about public art, ate an excellent brunch, went down to the public fish market, and in a the most random moment of our trip so far, ran into two Waynesburg friends, Tyler Amy and his wife Mary Beth!

More pictures and writings to come!

The Empire Builder

The Empire Builder: Milwaukee to Seattle.

Jeremy and I have been on trains before, so we had an idea what to expect.  Leave at 3:55pm on Tuesday and arrive at 10:25am on Thursday - easy.  The train ride was basically what we expected, except it took a lot longer.  But that being said, it was an enjoyable trip.  We followed Route 2 most of the way (which is the route we will be biking along) and it was absolutely beautiful: rolling hills, grassy plains, lime stone formations, mountains, cattle ranches and small towns.  Out of the seven states the Empire Builder took us through, it's safe to say that our favorite was Montana!  It's going to be incredible to see it again on our bicycles and really get to take in the beauty.

I think my favorite part of the train ride were the people we met along the way.  We had lower level seating, so almost everyone was much older or had a physical handicap.  I had requested lower level seating since I get motion sickness.  It was fun listening to them talk among themselves. It surprised me a bit that almost every conversation was about their families and telling stories about how things were growing up in northern Michigan or how much things have changed in the last ten years in North Dakota.

We got into Seattle at 1:30pm on Thursday, put our bikes back together and made our way south to Tacoma, WA to meet up with our long time friend, Jake.  Downtown Seattle was treacherous, but once we were outside of the city the ride was quite pleasant.  It's going to be great to hangout with Jake and see at bit of the West Coast.

More updates to come!!

The Beginning

From one tour to the next. My life is awash in instability. For the past two weeks, as many of you probably know, I was travelling around the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic in a beat-down Toyota Sienna minivan, touring with The Delphines. In fact, it's been so long since I've posted on this blog that I'm pretty sure I've never talked or written about how The Delphines came into fruition. And honestly, I'm not going to do that right now. All you need to know is that it started on a back porch in the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee. I was asked by a few friends to join a musical project as the drummer. I informed them that I didn't know how to play drums. They retorted by telling me that I would only need to play two. It sounded easy enough, so I agreed. From then on, we've been able to play in over eleven states from Minnesota to New York and from Tennessee to Iowa. We've had the wonderful experience of opening for the band Deerhoof in Chicago's famous Lincoln Hall and have had numerous articles written about (positively) our group. "The Delphines" as a personal experience has been one of the most unexpectedly enriching chapters of my life. I've been able to engage with and cultivate a previously unknown talent. All of this, though, will be on hold for the next three months of, as Jamie and I are set to embark on a cross-country trip that will (hopefully) enrich our marriage and bring forth beauty of both a natural and emotional kind.

Our bike trip has been in the works for nearly two years. Upon arriving in Milwaukee, I was informed by the Trinity Fellows program that I would receive a free TREK bike upon the completion of my Masters Degree. Immediately my thoughts went to a cross-country trip. Jamie and I both agreed that the trip would serve as a celebration of my graduation. There was never a question of whether it would actually happen or not, for I knew that once we had our minds set, the planning and the trip would happen. We rejected job offers and planned our future around the excursion. We both committed to saving our funds and relieving ourselves of work and school responsibilities. It is difficult to find three to four months of free-time in our society, where all of us are pressured to work and focus on a career path, but we somehow managed. There was no way we would be denied this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To traverse the Rocky Mountains and glide across the great Northern Plains, to camp under the canopy of the Eastern Woodlands and heave up switch-backs through Glacier National Park, were potential experiences too strong to ignore. 

Naturally, there is trepidation in embarking upon a trip of this size. Numerous dangers--falling hard on the road, bears, seedy characters, bugs, semi-trucks--are real. However, if we stick to our course, follow the maps, take it easy, and walk when we're tired and drink when we're thirsty, we should make it out of this experience in one piece. I reassure all of you--friends and family alike--that we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our continental crossing. Yet, there is too much beautiful landscape to behold, too many wonderful villages to visit, and too many beers to sample to focus solely on the gloom of a few potential dangers.

Each American, whether he/she realizes it or not, is called to explore, to place themselves at the mercy of North American nature--to feel the blistering sun crackle on exposed skin, to fight against the relentless wind of the Great Plains, to sweat through the oppressive humidity of the South, and to battle against the stubborn hills of the Eastern Woodlands. It's in our heritage to get out, to leave that which is comfortable and pursue that which is unknown. So "Go West" young man/woman! And be sure to instagram as you go...

Northern Tier Packing List

Our bikes

Raleigh Sojourn touring bike

Surly front rack

Back rack (stock)

Brooks saddle (B17)

2 Orbilite waterproof panniers (rear)

2 Seattle Sports Titan waterproof panniers (front)

Candy 1 clip-less pedals

Clothing: (JEREMY)

1 pair padded bike shorts

2 pairs moister wicking underpants/compression shorts

2 pairs of cycling socks (smartwool)

1 pair wool socks

1 pair spandex long pants

1 pair long pants
1 pair shorts (for non-riding days)
1 cotton tank top
3 cotton t-shirts
1 wool sweater
1 cotton long-sleeve

1 riding hat
1 hat/gloves

1 pair riding gloves

1 pair biking shoes

1 pair walking shoes

1 pair flip-flops
Eye glasses/ sunglasses to fit over glasses

Clothing: (JAMIE)

3 pairs of cycling socks (smartwool)

1 pair wool socks

2 pairs padded bike shorts

4 pairs of moisture wicking underpants 

2 sports bras

1 regular bra

2 moisture wicking t-shirts

1 cotton t-shirt
1 cotton tank top

1 pair long pants

1 pair under-armor long pants

1 pair of shorts (for non-riding days)

1 sweatshirt (wool mix)

1 long sleeve shirt

1 pair shoes for walking

1 pair flip-flops

1 pair biking shoes (Giro)

1 rain jacket

1 bandana

1 hat/thin scarf/gloves

1 pair riding gloves

Eye glasses/prescription sunglasses

Hygiene/Personal Care (both)

Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss

Tweezers/toe nail clipper

Ear plugs

Sunscreen/bug spray

First aid kit
Tick remover

Ibuprofen/acetaminophen

Deodorant (TOMS)

Camp suds (multi-purpose use)

Towel (Packtowl Ultralite)

Hygine/Personal Care (Jeremy)

Inhaler (and extra prescription)
Gold bond body powder

Mouth guard

Polysporin for eyes

Hygine/Personal Care (Jamie)

Razor

Diva Cup (not going to fool around with tampons/pads)

Hu Ha ride glide (anti-chaffing cream for women)
Hair putty/head band
Nail polish (for no reason other than I bite my finger nails...)

Equipment (Both or Shared)

Sleeping bag

Sleeping pad (Therm-A-Rest NeoAir)

Thin micro-fiber blanket (Jamie)
Mini pillow (Jamie)

Headlamp

2 Bungee cords (each)

2 water bottles (each)

1 camel pack (2L - each)
Handle bar bag (Jamie)

Lights: front/rear

Bike mirror

Tools - pedal wrench, chain breaker, spoke tool, tire irons
Flat kit

De-greaser/chain lube/grease for general use

Multi-tool (bike specific)

Multi-tool (not bike specific)
2 bike tubes (each)
Duct tape/scissors/sewing kit

Butane cooker/pots

Matches

Eating utensils

Plastic mug

Android smart phone/ waterproof case

Two person tent (Coleman)

Tarp

Rain poncho
Cloth grocery bag
Compass
Maps (through Adventure Cycling)

Other

Camera

Journal

Writing utensils/drawing stuff

Deck of cards/dice

Stamps/envelopes

Books
Light weight chalkboard/chalk

Two weeks of Rock-n-Roll

Summer: it's finally here

Ah yes, summer, it is officially here! It's been a rather cool spring in Milwaukee, however it is only our second spring living here and we were told last year was freakishly warm. So maybe this year was normal? We'll see what next year brings.

Being on tour with The Delphines has given me a taste of summer. Being in the heat of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and now Kentucky has spend up the feeling of summer. To my surprise, these states have full gardens in bloom, AND are able to fill CASE baskets with bell peppers, summer squash, green beans and cabbage! It won't be until mid July that Wisconsin growers will have this produce.

I've always lived in a northern state, so on this east coast tour it has been fun to see the differences in weather, food, history and culture. Plus it has gotten me, and Jeremy, even more excited about our cross country bike tour! There are so many new things we will see and people we will meet.  Can't wait!

5 days and counting!

Last minute prep.

Our cross country voyage is in 17 days and I feel like it's a scramble to get everything ready. Normally 17 days would be enough time, but we.will be on tour with The Delphines for 13 of those days.  Ack!

What we still need to do:
- practice with clipless pedals
- install front rack (Jamie)
- pack front and back panniers
- learn how to us smartphone (you'll be happy to know I am posting this from it now. It works!)
- ride bike fully loaded at least once
- finalize things for our car

So there are still things to do, but we are on our way!  The next 4 months are going to be amazing!

The Delphines are on Tour!

May bike mileage

Jamie: 387.5 miles
Jeremy: 530 miles (give or take)

We aren't going to be much biking for the first part of June, but I think it might be nice to give our legs a little rest before we head our on our trip.