My Route, More or Less (Red line, but starting in NY)

My Route, More or Less (Red line, but starting in NY)
NY NJ PA MD VA KY IL MO KS CO UT NV CA

Make a Difference

I'm pedaling for many reasons, the most important of which is to raise awareness and funds for Pedals For Progress. P4P is a non-profit that collects used bicycles and sewing machines in the US and donates them to poor people overseas. P4P combines my love of bicycling with my growing concern for those deprived of life's most basic necessities - sparked by a visit to the slums of Kibera in June '09 (pictures). P4P improves mobility and economic options for destitute people, opening pathways to greater dignity and opportunity.

Please make a donation, if you can (please write "TSQ2USQ" in the '...honor of' field). Remember, a bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. :)

My Game Plan

I'm following portions or all of three routes mapped out by the Adventure Cycling Association: the Atlantic, TransAm, & Western Express. I'll cycle through thirteen states: NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, KY, IL, MO, KS, CO, UT, NV & CA! I'm leaving on 4/17/10, and expect to return to New Jersey by mid June - back to my family, friends, & neighbors. I plan on cycling 5 - 6 hours per day, 6 days/week, usually starting in the early AM. My laptop and phone will allow me to work remotely most days, but I won't pass up opportunities to smell the roses along the way!


Friday, July 30, 2010

Day 28

Today's Route: GPS Details. Larned, KS --> Pueblo?! 330 miles (250 via Toyota).





The flats just wouldn't stop today. I'd already used both my spare tubes, and as the day progressed it became increasingly clear my patches were failing. It started w/ a tire that had gone flat overnight. I brought Slime Skab patches with me, an easy to use, peal and stick patch. I always found it to be a drag using the patches that require glue tubes. The only problem w/ the Skabs is they *do not work*. Sorry I had to figure this out in the middle of Kansas, with no on route or near route bike shop for 250 miles. Some asshole is making a mint selling this garbage. Bubble gum might work better. The amount of hassle he's causing bikers is monumental.

Shortly before leaving Ness City I decided I would keep heading West until my bike literally wouldn't roll. I was pleased with my sense of purpose and determination. I figured I could just hitch hike if necessary. People are very friendly 'round here. You can't call a cab, and many other services (bike shops) are in short supply. It's remote, and people have to rely upon one another. This was evident last night when I was fixing my flat - two drivers stopped and offered me a ride.

I fixed my tubes more than five times throughout the day, including before leaving my motel, at a truck garage before lunch, in Ness City after lunch, and a few miles outside the Lane County line, where I finally gave up the ghost - out of tubes & out of patches with one flat tire. Not that being out of patches mattered much; they only held for an hour or so.

So I hitch hiked for the first time in my life. I was incredibly lucky. On a very lightly traveled road, within 20 seconds of my having turned round to wait for an oncoming car, a Toyota crested the hill to the east. I stuck my finger out - my thumb of course! The driver - also named Steve - pulled over and asked where I was going. Pueblo, I told him. He was going there too. What luck! Thank you Steve. You're a good man. I hope you're enjoying time with your family!

Please donate to Pedals for Progress: https://payments.auctionpay.com/ver3/?id=w043522
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