Guy on bike is my brother outside the U Mary Washington athletic center, where I met him. Others are scenes from Fredericksburg.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Fredericksburg
Guy on bike is my brother outside the U Mary Washington athletic center, where I met him. Others are scenes from Fredericksburg.
Photos: before leaving
David Zuk of Bike Coop giving bike a pre-sendoff tune-up!
Me with neighbors Mary Parker and Betty Scholten.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Found the Bicycle Route 1!
Today, as I headed out of Fredericksburg, I bumped into a biker who works at the bike shop in Fredericksburg, "BIKE WORKS". He said his manager bikes to Richmond and back often, and would know a good route. His printed out the directions for me, though they were from Richmond TO Fredericksburg, so all the right and left turn instructions were opposite, and the order of everything was in reverse! Needless to say, it was a challenge "following" them--but well worth it!
They also both signed the petition to pass the Climate Stewardship Act. You can, too, if you have not at www.undoit.org!
Scenic countryside back roads, horses, historic battlefields, sweet-smelling flowers and trees, low traffic and less stress! Just what I needed after two days on Route 1. I had actually found, though, the bicycle route 1, a series of back roads connecting Florida to Boston, and beyond, perhaps to Maine. It is marked intermittently, and you really need directions and preferably a map.
For tomorrow, I have just that--a map! Tonight, I am staying at the house of the parents of one of my brother's soccer teammates, Luke Hofstetter. They are wonderful, like parents away from home. They really helped me with getting maps and finding a route. Below is my route tomorrow to the Twin Lakes State Park, where I will camp out (first time this trip, I'm excited! I will get to use all the camping-specific gear I have been hauling.) Copy and paste it into your browser. Anyone know how to create an active link in a blog? Reply as a "Comment" below, please.
They also both signed the petition to pass the Climate Stewardship Act. You can, too, if you have not at www.undoit.org!
Scenic countryside back roads, horses, historic battlefields, sweet-smelling flowers and trees, low traffic and less stress! Just what I needed after two days on Route 1. I had actually found, though, the bicycle route 1, a series of back roads connecting Florida to Boston, and beyond, perhaps to Maine. It is marked intermittently, and you really need directions and preferably a map.
For tomorrow, I have just that--a map! Tonight, I am staying at the house of the parents of one of my brother's soccer teammates, Luke Hofstetter. They are wonderful, like parents away from home. They really helped me with getting maps and finding a route. Below is my route tomorrow to the Twin Lakes State Park, where I will camp out (first time this trip, I'm excited! I will get to use all the camping-specific gear I have been hauling.) Copy and paste it into your browser. Anyone know how to create an active link in a blog? Reply as a "Comment" below, please.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Bicycle Route 1
The path through DC and the Mt Vernon Trails were wonderful. after that I was mostly on Route One which was pretty trying at times.
learning how to deal with traffic on an interstate...
today I saw lots of roadkill, several raccoons. mostly the drivers respect the yield triangle I wear on my lower back. Today, my knees started hurting so I am icing them.
tonight I will research more my route here at my bro's house in Fredericksburg.
The bicycle route 1 is different from the interstate route 1 but I have yet to find a detailed map of it online. Anyone know where to find it?
learning how to deal with traffic on an interstate...
today I saw lots of roadkill, several raccoons. mostly the drivers respect the yield triangle I wear on my lower back. Today, my knees started hurting so I am icing them.
tonight I will research more my route here at my bro's house in Fredericksburg.
The bicycle route 1 is different from the interstate route 1 but I have yet to find a detailed map of it online. Anyone know where to find it?
Fredericksburg
I made it to my brothers college, University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va this afternoon, and it was great fun hanging out with his housemate/soccer buddies, his girlfriend Jackie, and her friend who is much into biking and soon touring.
Onward towards Richmond, and camping out somewhere inbetween tonight. Still Route 1 (maybe for a couple more states?). Please, if you haven't yet, go to www.undoit.org and sign the petition to encourage your congressmen and president to pass the Climate Stewardship Act!
Onward towards Richmond, and camping out somewhere inbetween tonight. Still Route 1 (maybe for a couple more states?). Please, if you haven't yet, go to www.undoit.org and sign the petition to encourage your congressmen and president to pass the Climate Stewardship Act!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
First Day, First Night
Hi all who are following my journey!
I had a wonderful sendoff with 20+ at the bike coop to send me off and about 15 riders following me through DC. Actually Juliellen Martin of the Bike Coop led the way on a beautiful path through our nation's capital to the mall. We stopped at my restaurant, Fogo de Chao, to say goodbye. One of the Southern Brazilians, Nelcir, was there, and he took down the blog so the other brazilians and restaurant workers there could follow along.
We journeyed past the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial, across the 14th St. (George Mason) Bridge and parted with a few of the riders there. Six of us continued on to Mt Vernon--my father Jerry, my brother Jimai, Dave, Joe, and Scott. We met up with my mother, MJ Park, and friend Ruth Hildenberger with 5 miles til Mt Vernon. The ride along the Potomac and through Old Town Alexandria was beautiful--blue sky with scattered clouds, 80 degree weather, lush foliage, and many other riders, bladers, walkers, and several tandems!
When we got to Mt Vernon, we bid our final farewells and I continued on a much less crowded bike path along the Mt Vernon Memorial Parkway towards Route 1. Finally, I was on my own, setting out on this long adventure. The path was not as well-kept as the path to Mt Vernon, and then, eventually, the path simply ended altogether!
I jumped on the shoulder of the Parkway, and soon I found Route One. I understood from my research that the Bicycle Route One was more or less the same as the motor vehicle Route One; I confidently turned onto the road, expecting an at least manageable ride next to the motor vehicles. That notion was quickly challenged, when no sooner than after turned onto the road, I was startled when an SUV zoomed by me leaving just a couple inches clearance. I took account of the situation, but proceded forward. When the road had a sufficient shoulder, things were fine, but sometimes the shoulder would get thin or sometime disappear altogether, such as when the road squeezed under a bridge. I would bicycle on the shoulder and go as far as I could go, and when the shoulder disappeared to a guardrail, or disappeared so the road could squeeze under a bridge, I would wait for traffic to subside and then proceed forward.
Eventually, began to think I might be able to find a less busy route, and I wanted to confirm what was considered the "Bicycle Route One", part of the Potomac Historic Scenic Trail that was all supposed to be part of the East Coast Greenway I hoped to be travelling on. I called Pat Childers of Trips for Kids to see if he knew any roads parallel to Route One with less traffic, and he said he knew there were some better roads East of route one, and that he believed the Bicycle Route One is distinct from the motor vehicle Route One. He suggested calling a bike shop in Fredericksburg to get recommendations from them since he did not know those roads well. I called 1-800-FREE-411, and they found no bike shop in Fredericksburg. The understanding that the motor vehicle route one is distinct from the bicycle route one consoled me, and I resolved to continue forward and make the next left (East) in search of a parallel road. So I proceded forward and suprisingly, miraculously, a bike path appeared along the right side of the road. I thought, "Wow, here is the bicycle Route One I have been looking for!"
Well, I took the path for a half mile, and then the path ran out again and I was back to riding on the slim shoulder. I began to search for another path or route parallel to Route One, and after looking at a map at a gas station, I was convinced that Route One for motor vehicles was the same as Route One for bicycles, at least for this stretch. So I resolved to work with the traffic. Onward I went. As it got dark, I had not reached Fredericksburg, so I checked in to a cheap motel. After a good night's sleep, I am prepared to continue to Fredericksburg, have lunch with my brother, and continue down the road!
I had a wonderful sendoff with 20+ at the bike coop to send me off and about 15 riders following me through DC. Actually Juliellen Martin of the Bike Coop led the way on a beautiful path through our nation's capital to the mall. We stopped at my restaurant, Fogo de Chao, to say goodbye. One of the Southern Brazilians, Nelcir, was there, and he took down the blog so the other brazilians and restaurant workers there could follow along.
We journeyed past the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial, across the 14th St. (George Mason) Bridge and parted with a few of the riders there. Six of us continued on to Mt Vernon--my father Jerry, my brother Jimai, Dave, Joe, and Scott. We met up with my mother, MJ Park, and friend Ruth Hildenberger with 5 miles til Mt Vernon. The ride along the Potomac and through Old Town Alexandria was beautiful--blue sky with scattered clouds, 80 degree weather, lush foliage, and many other riders, bladers, walkers, and several tandems!
When we got to Mt Vernon, we bid our final farewells and I continued on a much less crowded bike path along the Mt Vernon Memorial Parkway towards Route 1. Finally, I was on my own, setting out on this long adventure. The path was not as well-kept as the path to Mt Vernon, and then, eventually, the path simply ended altogether!
I jumped on the shoulder of the Parkway, and soon I found Route One. I understood from my research that the Bicycle Route One was more or less the same as the motor vehicle Route One; I confidently turned onto the road, expecting an at least manageable ride next to the motor vehicles. That notion was quickly challenged, when no sooner than after turned onto the road, I was startled when an SUV zoomed by me leaving just a couple inches clearance. I took account of the situation, but proceded forward. When the road had a sufficient shoulder, things were fine, but sometimes the shoulder would get thin or sometime disappear altogether, such as when the road squeezed under a bridge. I would bicycle on the shoulder and go as far as I could go, and when the shoulder disappeared to a guardrail, or disappeared so the road could squeeze under a bridge, I would wait for traffic to subside and then proceed forward.
Eventually, began to think I might be able to find a less busy route, and I wanted to confirm what was considered the "Bicycle Route One", part of the Potomac Historic Scenic Trail that was all supposed to be part of the East Coast Greenway I hoped to be travelling on. I called Pat Childers of Trips for Kids to see if he knew any roads parallel to Route One with less traffic, and he said he knew there were some better roads East of route one, and that he believed the Bicycle Route One is distinct from the motor vehicle Route One. He suggested calling a bike shop in Fredericksburg to get recommendations from them since he did not know those roads well. I called 1-800-FREE-411, and they found no bike shop in Fredericksburg. The understanding that the motor vehicle route one is distinct from the bicycle route one consoled me, and I resolved to continue forward and make the next left (East) in search of a parallel road. So I proceded forward and suprisingly, miraculously, a bike path appeared along the right side of the road. I thought, "Wow, here is the bicycle Route One I have been looking for!"
Well, I took the path for a half mile, and then the path ran out again and I was back to riding on the slim shoulder. I began to search for another path or route parallel to Route One, and after looking at a map at a gas station, I was convinced that Route One for motor vehicles was the same as Route One for bicycles, at least for this stretch. So I resolved to work with the traffic. Onward I went. As it got dark, I had not reached Fredericksburg, so I checked in to a cheap motel. After a good night's sleep, I am prepared to continue to Fredericksburg, have lunch with my brother, and continue down the road!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Wonderful Party, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Thanks to Artmosphere: Dyrell and Andaiye and their wonderful staff. The communal nature of the place and its central location in Mount Rainier made it a wonderful place to meet!
Thank all who came from the bottom of my heart. You all were a tremendous inspiration to me and I will keep you with me throughout my entire journey.
Much love,
PJ
Thank all who came from the bottom of my heart. You all were a tremendous inspiration to me and I will keep you with me throughout my entire journey.
Much love,
PJ
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Party Tonight!
Tonight we are having a Going-Away Party for me, doubling as a fundraiser for the Climate Stewardship Act, for the Mount Rainier Bike Coop (20% of food and beverage sales will go to the Coop) and for raising money to purchase carbon offsets!
Included in the party will be a petition drive, food, drinks, dancing and Brazilian Music!
6:30pm to 9:30pm Artmosphere Cafe, 3311 RI Ave, Mt Rainier, MD 20712-1604
www.artmospherecafe.com
Hope to see you there!
Send-off ride is Sunday morning!
9:30am leaving from Mt Rainier Bike Coop, www.tfkmetrodc.org/mrbc.htm
3409 RI Ave. Mt Rainier, MD, 20712 At Mt Rainier Bus Terminal, behind library.
Bike through DC past monuments to the Mt Vernon Trail. Ride trail to the Mt Vernon Estate! 8 miles to Mt Vernon Trail. 15 miles on the trail. Take metro back from Arlington if you don't want to bike back home. Beautiful ride!
pauljosephpark@gmail.com 240-899-8423
PJ Park
Included in the party will be a petition drive, food, drinks, dancing and Brazilian Music!
6:30pm to 9:30pm Artmosphere Cafe, 3311 RI Ave, Mt Rainier, MD 20712-1604
www.artmospherecafe.com
Hope to see you there!
Send-off ride is Sunday morning!
9:30am leaving from Mt Rainier Bike Coop, www.tfkmetrodc.org/mrbc.htm
3409 RI Ave. Mt Rainier, MD, 20712 At Mt Rainier Bus Terminal, behind library.
Bike through DC past monuments to the Mt Vernon Trail. Ride trail to the Mt Vernon Estate! 8 miles to Mt Vernon Trail. 15 miles on the trail. Take metro back from Arlington if you don't want to bike back home. Beautiful ride!
pauljosephpark@gmail.com 240-899-8423
PJ Park
Monday, September 11, 2006
Bike Route to Brazil
My route to northeastern Brazil will follow the approximate path shown in the map.
This is me on the bike I will take, in front of my house. My panniers will be mounted in the next picture.
I have decided to have a few different ways people can contribute to my campaign to do something about global warming:
1. Sign the petition at www.undoit.org.
2. Sponsor me for $1/mile. Goal $10,000 for 10,000 miles. Money will go to purchasing "carbon offsets", rigorously guaranteed tons of carbon (or methane, or other greenhouse gas, equivalent) prevented from entering the atmosphere, or sequestered. See http://www.fightglobalwarming.org/page.cfm?tagID=270 for more info.
3. Give a donation to an organization working on global warming, such as Chesapeake Climate Action Network (www.chesapeakeclimate.org) or Environmental Defense (www.undoit.org).
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Website to sign petition and donate
Please sign the petition to pass the Senate bill, McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act at www.undoit.org. This is our best chance to pass a meaningful, nationwide law to reduce our nation's contribution to global warming. The Act would set a national cap on greenhouse gas emissions and use the market to achieve the most cost-effective reductions in emissions in various sectors, including power production and transportation.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Buying equipment
I will go to REI tomorrow morning to pick up a tent, sleeping bag, mat, multi-fuel stove, water filter, biking shoes, tent footprint, nalgene bottle, etc.
Someone else is interested in going...we are working out the details...If you are interested in coming, please send an email to me at pauljosephpark@gmail.com. You will need to get a bike and camping gear. You do not have to come along for the whole trip. Perhaps you just want to join me for a segment of the trip. I will be going through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas...Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guyana, and Brazil...ending in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
Someone else is interested in going...we are working out the details...If you are interested in coming, please send an email to me at pauljosephpark@gmail.com. You will need to get a bike and camping gear. You do not have to come along for the whole trip. Perhaps you just want to join me for a segment of the trip. I will be going through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas...Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guyana, and Brazil...ending in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
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