.JPG)
KANE, PENNSYLVANIA. I just ate a breakfast of fifteen pancakes and six sausage links. Last night I had three large helpings of chicken and biscuits with vegetables, then helped Mags finish hers before having two helpings of apple crisp with ice cream. We found all of this food at the Methodist Church’s fall festival. The food was hearty, healthy and abundant. It was a Godsend.
South of here, in Clarion, they were having an Autumn Leaf Festival. There we met a Baptist minister who spent about an hour with me trying unsuccessfully to hunt down some fuel for our stove. While we were at it he introduced me to twenty five or thirty people.
Southwest of Clarion, in Zelienople, we met a man at a bakery who told us he did some cycling too. Moments later we were approached by two little old ladies who said they had heard we were peddling across the country. They had come over to congratulate us and shake our hands. It was sweet.
Everywhere we go we meet interesting and interested people. Our bike piques everybody’s curiosity. Some have told us stories of travels of their own, but most just want to know about our journey. Everybody has the same questions, so I suspect some of you may wonder the same things. So here they are in the order they are usually asked, and with our now well-rehearsed answers:
Where are you from and were are you going?
We started in Seattle, Washington by dipping our back tire in the Pacific Ocean. We're going to Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine to dip our front tire in the Atlantic Ocean.
How far do you go in a day?
It depends on the terrain, the wind and our moods, but we usually go between seventy and one hundred miles each day.
Where do you stay at night?
We usually camp out. We’ve stayed at city parks, state parks, national parks. Sometimes we camp at the side of back roads. Last night we camped behind the Methodist church. Other times we meet people who let us camp in their yard, or even invite us into their home. We have stayed at hotels only five or six times.
How are you getting back?
Amtrak.
How long has it taken you?
Just less than ten weeks to get to Kane, PA.
How did you find the time to do this?
We both just finished graduate school, and don’t have jobs yet.
What will you do when you get back?
Look for jobs.
Did you train for this?
No, but bikes were our main mode of transportation in Seattle. We each rode over seventy miles each week.
Are you doing this for a cause?
Not really. It has always been a dream of mine to cycle across the country. I think it is the best way to see America. Sometimes I tell people that I’m doing it to raise awareness that the bicycle can often be a better transportation choice than automobiles.
Does a tandem make it easier?
Yes and no. On flats and down hills we can go faster than a single bike, but up hills we are just as slow.
Who does the most work?
[I usually defer this answer to Mags, and she defers back to me. Nobody really knows.]
How much does it all weigh?
I don't know for sure, and would rather not find out. I'd say it's all about one hundred pounds.
Do you carry a gun? [Asked only on Indian reservations]
We carry everything we need.
If I pedaled four thousand miles, would I also look that sexy in spandex pants?
Try it and see baby!
What kind of nutritional supplement do you use?
You can read about that here.
Posted by Chad at 10:06 AM
| Comments (4)
Original Comments: Frequently Asked Questions
Original Comments: Frequently Asked Questions
I've emailed a copy of the news paper article to your other email address. It was exciting to see it. Love, Mom
Posted by shirley at October 2, 2004 12:34 PM
Posted by shirley at October 2, 2004 12:34 PM
Chad's driveway!
Remember when we were little riding in the car and dad said that " All roads lead to your driveway"? We laughed because you had such a hard time figuring how that could be. With all the roads you've covered now I bet you've figured it out. Love, Devin
Posted by devin at October 2, 2004 01:40 PM
Remember when we were little riding in the car and dad said that " All roads lead to your driveway"? We laughed because you had such a hard time figuring how that could be. With all the roads you've covered now I bet you've figured it out. Love, Devin
Posted by devin at October 2, 2004 01:40 PM
Two to three times a week when I catch up on your journey I often wish they made a bicycle built for three. You've definatly had a grand adventure. You picked a great time of year to see the mid-west and eastern states. I bet that the fall colors are beautiful. I have really enjoyed reading about your adventure and living the adventure vicariosly through you. I sure hope you find fuel soon as I'm guessing your both pretty skinny these days. You'll need some warm food and hot cho. God bless the backcountry preacher as he shares his message of alternative transportation modes.
Vincent
Posted by Vincent Genetti at October 2, 2004 10:36 AM