Hello, Everyone!

This is the official launch of My Epic Road Trip blog. I’m going to write (I’m hoping) at least once a week after I hit the road on July 1st. There will be times when I can’t update that often, but in those cases I’ll try to let everyone know I won’t be writing for a while and an approximate date for the next post.

Anyway, I’ve been planning my trip and getting my ride built. The frame is a Surly Long Haul Trucker and it has a Brooks saddle. Past that I have no clue what’s on the bike. I’ve left the bike building to Kelly at West Bicycles. He’s done great! Thanks, Kelly! Go here to see pictures of my bike.

Everyone has a million questions about my trip. The FAQs so far are “where are you going to sleep,” “are you rich,” “why the heck are you riding a bike when you can drive,” and “are you packin heat?”

Answer to number one, I’m camping out every night I can. In a few minutes I’m going to buy my tent. I’m going with the REI Quarter Dome T2. It’s a two person tent. Hopefully it’s as stout as the reviewers have said it is. If not, then I’m going to have a lot of long wet nights.

Answer #2: no, in fact, I’m going to have less money than I thought I would. Sucks, don’t it? I’m going to have to do odd jobs along the way. If I can’t find work then I’ll have to find other ways of making the trip survive. Warning: shameless plug! You can help keep this trip and my dream of traveling alive by sending a check or money order to Ethan McReynolds, P.O. Box 24 Loudon, TN 37774! It’s loads of fun and super convenient! Plus, you’ll feel really bad about yourself if I have to come home early, dream shattered and wallet empty, because you couldn’t introduce me to Mr. Lincoln… or Franklin, for that matter.

Answer #3: there are several reasons why I don’t want to drive. Gas is the top reason. It’s $3.79 right now (someday we’ll all look back on this and say “and I complained about paying $3.79???”). By the end of summer it should be over four bucks a gallon. I don’t have that kind of money and even if I worked along the way I’d end up working more than traveling. Another reason is because it’s healthier. Another is that riding a bike is less sheltered than a car. On a bike I can feel the wind in my hair, the rain on my skin, the fly that flew into my mouth and splatted on got caught on the back my throat. What could be better than that? The final reason is because it’s better for the environment. If all goes according to plan this trip will last around 10,000 miles. Many of the places I want to visit most are National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier. It seemed kinda silly to go see nature, but help destroy it on the way there.

Answer #4: I don’t know! Not a very good answer, but I really don’t. One of my neighbors just told me he’d give me a gun and a carry license is easy to get, so who knows?

That’s it for now. But comeback next week when I’ll post some of the places I want to visit, more answers to FAQs, and an exciting cartoon drawn by a former student of mine predicting my assault and the theft of my bike in Mexico City! íQué rico!