AN UPDATE: An explanation, an apology, an extension of gratitude, and a new listing in the marketplace.

Last Thursday, the 25th, was the day I was suppose to set off for Seattle. I had my panniers all packed and mounted to the racks on my bike, my tent rolled up bungee corded to the rear rack, my clothes bundled and on the front. I was ready to roll.

I wasn't expecting how heavy the bike would be. I wasn't expecting how hard it was to handle. I'm travelling across the country, which is taxing in it's own right, but then I'm also doing it by bike?

"I'm not ready."

That's the hardest truth I have ever had to admit to myself. I'm not ready for an adventure of this magnitude. I took everything off my bike and unpacked, while thinking "what do I do now?".

In those moments I felt embarrassed, naive, and disingenuine. I've told so many people that I was going on this grand adventure, spent time planning routes and money on gear, when I couldn't even get out of Chicago. Then I calmed down. I'm still all here. I'm alive. I'm okay.

Disappointed, but also very humbled, I'm sitting with a blank map in front of me. The destination hasn't changed, but maybe the means to get there can. My new plan is to take the Empire Builder Amtrak in two weeks. I'll still be able to see very beautiful parts of the country, as well as save myself from a lot of days of pain. In the future, I'd love to attempt this trip again, but with a group of people and less gear this time.

For sale in the marketplace is the bike I built up for the journey west. It's a 62cm Surly Long Haul Trucker, and it's amazing. It'd serve me well in Seattle, but there are always more bikes to be had. If anyone's interested, or might know someone who is, please drop me a line.

Thank you for supporting me and motivating me. I'm grateful for the all consideration and care that has been shown to me, and will take it with me on the next step of the journey ahead.

Alex James

Original text:

You might've seen my posts on the board lately. They're the slightly obnoxious ones trying to sell bike parts, a bike, and a frameset. If you've read them, I thank you for checking them out. Also, thanks Dave Grossman for spreading the word to others. If you haven't read them and were super annoyed by them, I'm genuinely sorry. My intention was to never spam the board or bother other users, just to get the word out. I also want to thank Gene and Cassie for mentioning me in their previous email newsletter. That was very unexpected but very appreciated. 

The urgency and excitement from my postings come from a very small but crucial detail that I've mentioned in all of them; I am moving to Seattle BY BIKE next Thursday, September 25th. I built up a Surly LHT that I got from a really cool dude named Phil in Logan Square earlier this summer. Brandon over at Iron Cycles in Wicker Park has been awesome at fitting me and servicing my bike, I highly recommend him and the work his shop does. The decision to move by bike came out of adventure; I've never had a "big move" before, opting to stay in Chicago for college and never venturing more than 200 miles away from home for an appreciable amount of time. Also, I'm young and stupid, which greatly helps. 

Thanks for reading this, and ride safe everyone! 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on September 19, 2014 at 4:54am

Best of luck to you, Alex, and I hope you might think of posting on the Chainlink about your ride/move as you head west.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 19, 2014 at 5:06am

Good luck with your move. It would be interesting to hear about your adventures on the journey if you're willing to share.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 19, 2014 at 6:01am
Hey Alex,
I've seen your posts and I didn't find them to be annoying, a bother, or obnoxious. Those types of things never happen here on The Chainlink !
Anyways, good luck on your move/ride west. Your journey will be an adventure and a challenge. Good luck to you,
ride safe, and yes, try to update us on your travels on this thread if you can. See you down the road !
Permalink Reply by Tricolor on September 19, 2014 at 6:34am

You're going to hit snow crossing the mountains this late in the year.  Watch yourself out there.

Permalink Reply by Alex James on September 19, 2014 at 11:55am

Thank you Lisa, Anne, Tom, and Tri for the words of encouragement and safety. I considered the idea of blogging the adventure, but that just isn't me. An album on imgur I could do though. 

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on September 19, 2014 at 12:43pm

Ride what you can.  Take the Oregon Trail's South Pass http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pass_%28Wyoming%29 , because the higher passes will be closed by snow.  And bail onto Amtrak if you have to.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on September 19, 2014 at 1:17pm

Alex, I wasn't thinking of a blog.  I don't know how people do it!  But occasionally check in here with "I am safe, I had an amazing/horrible/beautiful/whatever ride in wherever" would be a welcome addition to the Chainlink.  Maybe even give us a couple of photos.  Old person that I am, I have no idea what imgur is!

Be safe and happy!

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 19, 2014 at 3:21pm
Lisa, the mature, old coot that I am thinks that Imgur is like a photo, picture, current popular, story book place. Yes, Alex do pictures. Example of Imgur.
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Permalink Reply by Brittany B on September 19, 2014 at 3:21pm

Sounds like a great way to start adventuring, best of luck!

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on September 19, 2014 at 4:54pm

Happy trails to you. "Do it while you still can!" is the best advice I was given when I was young and full of prepared gusto.

Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on September 19, 2014 at 5:26pm

Congrats on your move and how you're doing it! I've been riding for the past year, started in Colombia and now I'm in the Chilean Patagonia..10500 miles (lots of detours and side trips) later and 1200 miles to go to Tierra de Fuego (tip of South America). I've barely camped, just been riding between towns and staying in cheap hotels or family homes (like budget b&bs). In the States, I guess that would be either motels or one of the many online home stay websites (couch surfing, etc). One non-bike related tip I'd give you, when distances in between towns are long, is to have plenty of food with you. Water of course, but you'll get the feel for how much depending on climbs and temperature.  Make a bunch of sandwiches, wrap them in saran wrap,  boil eggs (if you can), or whatever you can figure out in the way of caloric intake. Make sure you have all the waterproof gear and layers for all the possible temps. Looks like you'll have a nice vessel to do your trek with, so good luck! Other than that, just wing it and enjoy!

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