Saturday, September 30, 2006
San Lee State Park
South of Moncure is a state park region called San Lee. Trees and landscapes here are beautiful, and the nature center in the park has a scavenger bird collection including the turkey vulture pictured.
Moncure, NC
In a small town called Moncure, I camped at a park next to a dam, and a river. Beautiful, free, relaxing. People were fishing there, but little traffic.
Apex, NC
Apex is a small, growing town just west of Raleigh on the Bicycle Route 1. I ate at a Mexican restaurant, explained global warming and the Climate Stewardship Act in Spanish to the management and workers, and three signed the petition.
Marcia Timmel's House, Host in Garner, NC
Friend of family, former St. Al's (Wash. DC) co-parishoner Marcia Timmel hosted me in this house south of Raleigh, amongst a trailer park including many latino migrant workers. Marcia is a seventh-grade teacher at the local middle school. She lives with her daughter, singer and theatre girl, Ariel.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Route from Mennonite House to North Carolina Border
Click on the link to the left to view my route from Steve and Anita's house to the border of NC and VA. I camped right north of the John Kerr Dam, and did the nature trail just south of the dam the next morning.
For my current route (I am just south of Raleigh), I will post my route soon. I will get the map tomorrow morning from the NC DOT before heading south.
For my current route (I am just south of Raleigh), I will post my route soon. I will get the map tomorrow morning from the NC DOT before heading south.
The road to Raleigh
After parting with the praying mantis, I headed straight south and wound up camping at the John Kerr Reservoir near the NC border. Before I got there, I stopped at Pino's Italian Restaurant where the Italian chef made a cheese calzone for me for three dollars--a nice discount cuz I was riding so far to Brazil. I camped out that night--a first for the trip--woke at 6:45, packed, and set out at 7:45.
From 8am to 9am, I biked the Liberty Nature Trail on the south side of the reservoir, on the low side of the dam. It tested the "mountain" aptitude of my World Traveller. When I reached the water, so far below, the water was so still, it acted like a perfect mirror of the trees and sky on the other side of the river. I heard a nearly prehistoric screech of a raptor, and as I looked under a low tree limb I could see the reflection of the great white bird flying down river over the tree tops.
After I made it back to the road, I set out to make some miles. Upon crossing into NC, I stopped at a mom and pop gas station where I entered and said to the pop, "I am biking to Brazil to pass the Climate Stewardship Act." "You are biking where?" "To Brazil. I started in DC, I am here now, and I will head through Mexico and Central Americal to South America and Brazil." "And you are doing this for what?" "To pass a bill in the Senate dealing with global warming." "Oh. What's the Act?" "It's sponsored by John McCain and Joe Lieberman, The Climate Stewardship Act, and it would cap US greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 at 2000 levels and create a market to make the reductions as cost-effective and flexible as possible." "I know what he is talking about," said the lady behind the counter. "I'll sign the petition, and can I sign it for my son? He studies this in Middle School and he talks about it all the time." "Sure."
The mom pulled up the pump outside and I told her all about it. She was thrilled. She signed the petition, and then told the folks inside to get me something to eat. I had a bottle of orange juice and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Another lady pulled up in a Prius. I told her and a young black gentleman about what I am doing. Both very impressed, both signed.
I was on my way. By 1pm, I had logged 45 miles. I asked how much further to Raleigh. "Thirty five to forty miles." Oh, dear, I thought. This will be my longest day, but I started the earliest, so perhaps I'll make it.
After 55 miles and a long hill ahead of me, my legs were giving out. I sat down by the side of the road and rehydrated and refueled. Next stop with some cheap food I am going to rest a while, I told myself. I finally got back on my steed and pedaled up the hill.
God had placed a corner grocery store right there at the top of the hill for me, and I parked my bike and went inside. "I'm biking from DC to Brazil to pass the Climate Stewardship Act," I told the lady behind the counter. "You are doing what?" Her face dropped, and she looked intently. I explained what I was doing, and she said, "I'll sign this even though I didn't understand a word of what you just said. Is that okay?" "Well, you know it is for a good cause." She signed it and told her teenage employee that I was biking to Brazil and she should hear me explain why. The young lady was very impressed and signed the petition.
Many others came through the store that afternoon as I sat outside under the pavilion, resting. Nearly all of them signed the petition.
One bloke, they told me, was Mr. Greenpants. He could fix any machine on a farm. He loved to talk about what he did here and there. He said that morning he was trying to chase a fox or a coyote out of the chicken coup. Yes, a fox about ye tall, he said.
Two young black boys strolled up with their fishing poles. "You like fishing?" he asked them. "Yes'r," they replied. "You been to the big pond down that way?" he asked. "Not yet," they replied. "That pond has fish'll pull you right in the water. Those fish will pull you right in the water," he repeated. The boys listened.
Mr. Greenpants talked about a time when he was sitting watching the river. Up came a cat fish swiming up the river, fliping and flopping this way and that, making his way upstream. He said the catfish's mouth was so big it could fit your head right inside its mouth. Maybe only your shoulders would stop you from slipping all the way right down this catfish's mouth.
Greenpants asked me where I was heading. "Well, I going to Atlanta, then New Orleans and then Houston." A bright look of suprise came over his face. "Aw, you fixin to go south down there?" "Yes'r." "When I was down South there once the people asked me where I was from. I said, Raleigh, North Carolina. They said, 'Oh, you're from up NORTH!'" I thought I was in the South, so I got a good kick out of that.
Greenpants said the longest he ever drove was for 24 hours straight. He drove from Oklahoma, all the way back to Wake County, NC. All night he drove the mountains, and at 5am when the sun was startin to come up he had reached the other side of the mountains. When he got home, he just went to sleep.
Another guy at the stop, Mike--"people call me 'Sanchez'", was from Pennsylvania. He used to work in Alexandria, he said. He wanted to help in any way he could. He offered to take me the rest of the way to Raleigh, throwing my bike in the back of the truck. He offered to take me out to dinner. I told him he could help me by getting me internet access. "I'll be right back. I got female friend just up the road and I'll see if she's home. Good-looking, too, she is," he said as he nudge my knee with his newspaper.
She wasn't home. He signed my petition, and bought me a powerade, red bull and a banana (anything I wanted).
After resting up and bidding farewell to all those at the store, I was on my way. It was rush hour, and soon I had a dump truck behind me that couldn't pass since the other lane was full. Someone in the other lane shouted, "Get off the road!" It was a bike route, so I paid him little heed. Soon the traffic subsided and found harmony with me again.
I reached the outskirts of Raleigh and asked for directions to the address of Marcia Timmel, where I was to stay. Nobody knew because it was a small street in a suburb on the other side of town. I told the folks at the roadside antique shop what I was doing, and they found the address in a city map book, showed me where it was--30 miles South. I knew I would not make it there that night on bike as I already logged over 70 miles, it was getting dark, and I did not even know for sure if we had identified the correct location of the address.
I continued into town and ran across the REI of Raleigh. This is the chain at which I had purchased most of my gear, and it being a cooperative is a nice place to chat with the staff about outdoor adventures.
They welcomed me in, talked about the trip and even let me update my blog there. Once they closed, I was picked up by my Raleigh host, Marcia Timmel.
From 8am to 9am, I biked the Liberty Nature Trail on the south side of the reservoir, on the low side of the dam. It tested the "mountain" aptitude of my World Traveller. When I reached the water, so far below, the water was so still, it acted like a perfect mirror of the trees and sky on the other side of the river. I heard a nearly prehistoric screech of a raptor, and as I looked under a low tree limb I could see the reflection of the great white bird flying down river over the tree tops.
After I made it back to the road, I set out to make some miles. Upon crossing into NC, I stopped at a mom and pop gas station where I entered and said to the pop, "I am biking to Brazil to pass the Climate Stewardship Act." "You are biking where?" "To Brazil. I started in DC, I am here now, and I will head through Mexico and Central Americal to South America and Brazil." "And you are doing this for what?" "To pass a bill in the Senate dealing with global warming." "Oh. What's the Act?" "It's sponsored by John McCain and Joe Lieberman, The Climate Stewardship Act, and it would cap US greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 at 2000 levels and create a market to make the reductions as cost-effective and flexible as possible." "I know what he is talking about," said the lady behind the counter. "I'll sign the petition, and can I sign it for my son? He studies this in Middle School and he talks about it all the time." "Sure."
The mom pulled up the pump outside and I told her all about it. She was thrilled. She signed the petition, and then told the folks inside to get me something to eat. I had a bottle of orange juice and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Another lady pulled up in a Prius. I told her and a young black gentleman about what I am doing. Both very impressed, both signed.
I was on my way. By 1pm, I had logged 45 miles. I asked how much further to Raleigh. "Thirty five to forty miles." Oh, dear, I thought. This will be my longest day, but I started the earliest, so perhaps I'll make it.
After 55 miles and a long hill ahead of me, my legs were giving out. I sat down by the side of the road and rehydrated and refueled. Next stop with some cheap food I am going to rest a while, I told myself. I finally got back on my steed and pedaled up the hill.
God had placed a corner grocery store right there at the top of the hill for me, and I parked my bike and went inside. "I'm biking from DC to Brazil to pass the Climate Stewardship Act," I told the lady behind the counter. "You are doing what?" Her face dropped, and she looked intently. I explained what I was doing, and she said, "I'll sign this even though I didn't understand a word of what you just said. Is that okay?" "Well, you know it is for a good cause." She signed it and told her teenage employee that I was biking to Brazil and she should hear me explain why. The young lady was very impressed and signed the petition.
Many others came through the store that afternoon as I sat outside under the pavilion, resting. Nearly all of them signed the petition.
One bloke, they told me, was Mr. Greenpants. He could fix any machine on a farm. He loved to talk about what he did here and there. He said that morning he was trying to chase a fox or a coyote out of the chicken coup. Yes, a fox about ye tall, he said.
Two young black boys strolled up with their fishing poles. "You like fishing?" he asked them. "Yes'r," they replied. "You been to the big pond down that way?" he asked. "Not yet," they replied. "That pond has fish'll pull you right in the water. Those fish will pull you right in the water," he repeated. The boys listened.
Mr. Greenpants talked about a time when he was sitting watching the river. Up came a cat fish swiming up the river, fliping and flopping this way and that, making his way upstream. He said the catfish's mouth was so big it could fit your head right inside its mouth. Maybe only your shoulders would stop you from slipping all the way right down this catfish's mouth.
Greenpants asked me where I was heading. "Well, I going to Atlanta, then New Orleans and then Houston." A bright look of suprise came over his face. "Aw, you fixin to go south down there?" "Yes'r." "When I was down South there once the people asked me where I was from. I said, Raleigh, North Carolina. They said, 'Oh, you're from up NORTH!'" I thought I was in the South, so I got a good kick out of that.
Greenpants said the longest he ever drove was for 24 hours straight. He drove from Oklahoma, all the way back to Wake County, NC. All night he drove the mountains, and at 5am when the sun was startin to come up he had reached the other side of the mountains. When he got home, he just went to sleep.
Another guy at the stop, Mike--"people call me 'Sanchez'", was from Pennsylvania. He used to work in Alexandria, he said. He wanted to help in any way he could. He offered to take me the rest of the way to Raleigh, throwing my bike in the back of the truck. He offered to take me out to dinner. I told him he could help me by getting me internet access. "I'll be right back. I got female friend just up the road and I'll see if she's home. Good-looking, too, she is," he said as he nudge my knee with his newspaper.
She wasn't home. He signed my petition, and bought me a powerade, red bull and a banana (anything I wanted).
After resting up and bidding farewell to all those at the store, I was on my way. It was rush hour, and soon I had a dump truck behind me that couldn't pass since the other lane was full. Someone in the other lane shouted, "Get off the road!" It was a bike route, so I paid him little heed. Soon the traffic subsided and found harmony with me again.
I reached the outskirts of Raleigh and asked for directions to the address of Marcia Timmel, where I was to stay. Nobody knew because it was a small street in a suburb on the other side of town. I told the folks at the roadside antique shop what I was doing, and they found the address in a city map book, showed me where it was--30 miles South. I knew I would not make it there that night on bike as I already logged over 70 miles, it was getting dark, and I did not even know for sure if we had identified the correct location of the address.
I continued into town and ran across the REI of Raleigh. This is the chain at which I had purchased most of my gear, and it being a cooperative is a nice place to chat with the staff about outdoor adventures.
They welcomed me in, talked about the trip and even let me update my blog there. Once they closed, I was picked up by my Raleigh host, Marcia Timmel.
Hosts of Richmond
These are photos of Tera and Sanford Hostetter, parents of Luke, my brother Tommy's soccer teammate. I stayed with them at their house in Richmond on Tuesday night. Thank you Tera and Sanford--I had a wonderful time, and you were more than anyone could ask for!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The Praying Mantis
So Thursday afternoon, I pulled into the southern Virginia town of Victoria, and sat down in the shade on the benches outside a flower shop. As I was rehydrating and refueling, something fell out of the tree and landed on the patio near my bike. It looked like some leaves or twigs, but they were kind of shuffling around a bit. Upon closer observation as I bent down close to get a better view, I beheld a large, beautiful green female praying mantis tangled up with her smaller, scrawnier, brown male mate. They were not mating at this point--that happened earlier that day--now, they had decided that the male had done what he needed to do, and his only remaining value was to provide nutrition to the female as she matured her now fertilized eggs. So, as the male was still living, moving, breathing, and experiencing, his lover proceded to make a holy meal out of him.
I watched closely as I witnessed this event that I surmised to be a common sight, an integral part of the Southern folklore, a motif straight out of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. But I was not destined to be passive observer. Suddenly the female praying mantis, with her live meal ex-mate clutched in her toothed forearms, began turning around. When she was facing directly at me, she looked with her beady, green alien eyes right at me. We looked at each other for a couple intimate moments, but then she began walking right towards me, meal still in hand! What was her plan? Surely, she was not coming for me next!
She layed her hooked leg on by neon green bicycling shirt (I was lying on my belly, propped up by my elbows for intimate viewing experience), and began to climb. Where was she going? On top of my head? When she got to my shoulder, we had another eye-to-eye encounter, and I begged her not to choose me next. She finally settled on my back just below my shoulders, and soon resumed her meal. Now, though my view of things happening was all but lost (I did watch her reflection in the window for a while), the sound of her chomping through her mate's exoskeleton was now louder than ever.
I wanted to find out if this was a common sight here in the South, a part of the local folklore. So I began asking everyone I saw, "Have you ever seen a praying mantis eating her mate?" Most had not, but others said yes, others elaborated that black water spiders do the same thing. I then motioned to the praying mantis still on my back munching away. "Wow! It's going on right there!" they would say. "How did it get there?" And I would tell them the story. Some would say, "Cool!"; others, "Gross!" Some watched for a while. "Oh, his head just fell off, and it's still moving!" "She's eating him up!" After I got on my way, a nice man, very knowledgeable, observed the sight and commented about the black water spider's equal habit, and he asked about my trip. He was very interested and signed the petition, along with his wife, immediately. They offered me dinner and a couple bucks for the road. He also suggested a camping site at a sandy river bed near a waterfall. Well, I accepted the three dollars, but not the meal as I had just eaten, I thanked them and I was on my way.
Three boys walked up the road, and I showed them the praying mantis. It had finished its meal, as well. I told them she was my mascot. The were boggled at the immensity of my journey, and they signed the petition. By the time we parted, the praying mantis had crawled down my arm, and I let her climb onto a bright green maple tree. She will have a healthy brood, I reckon.
I watched closely as I witnessed this event that I surmised to be a common sight, an integral part of the Southern folklore, a motif straight out of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. But I was not destined to be passive observer. Suddenly the female praying mantis, with her live meal ex-mate clutched in her toothed forearms, began turning around. When she was facing directly at me, she looked with her beady, green alien eyes right at me. We looked at each other for a couple intimate moments, but then she began walking right towards me, meal still in hand! What was her plan? Surely, she was not coming for me next!
She layed her hooked leg on by neon green bicycling shirt (I was lying on my belly, propped up by my elbows for intimate viewing experience), and began to climb. Where was she going? On top of my head? When she got to my shoulder, we had another eye-to-eye encounter, and I begged her not to choose me next. She finally settled on my back just below my shoulders, and soon resumed her meal. Now, though my view of things happening was all but lost (I did watch her reflection in the window for a while), the sound of her chomping through her mate's exoskeleton was now louder than ever.
I wanted to find out if this was a common sight here in the South, a part of the local folklore. So I began asking everyone I saw, "Have you ever seen a praying mantis eating her mate?" Most had not, but others said yes, others elaborated that black water spiders do the same thing. I then motioned to the praying mantis still on my back munching away. "Wow! It's going on right there!" they would say. "How did it get there?" And I would tell them the story. Some would say, "Cool!"; others, "Gross!" Some watched for a while. "Oh, his head just fell off, and it's still moving!" "She's eating him up!" After I got on my way, a nice man, very knowledgeable, observed the sight and commented about the black water spider's equal habit, and he asked about my trip. He was very interested and signed the petition, along with his wife, immediately. They offered me dinner and a couple bucks for the road. He also suggested a camping site at a sandy river bed near a waterfall. Well, I accepted the three dollars, but not the meal as I had just eaten, I thanked them and I was on my way.
Three boys walked up the road, and I showed them the praying mantis. It had finished its meal, as well. I told them she was my mascot. The were boggled at the immensity of my journey, and they signed the petition. By the time we parted, the praying mantis had crawled down my arm, and I let her climb onto a bright green maple tree. She will have a healthy brood, I reckon.
The Mennonite Family
So the guy pulling into his driveway that Wednesday night when I hadn't reached my campsite was Mennonite Steve Graber. He was more than happy to help me out, asked me more about my trip, and told me he had two kids, 5 and 6, and a wife, and had just built and moved into this house. He said he would put me up in his camper for the night, and asked me if I had eaten dinner. His wife Anita prepared some delicious leftovers and offered a warm shower. After shower and dinner, I iced my knees, and Steve and I looked at the map of Mexico for potential routes. He also showed me some footage he caught of some prancing bucks in his backyard--this was very rural Virginia, and his backyard consisted of a large clearing surrounded by forest and a pond. Steve works in construction, and Anita had to drop the kids off to school early in the morning, so both would be gone by the time I got up. So we said goodbye that night. I woke up to a cold bottle of powerade and a bowl of sausage gravy waiting for me outside the camper with a note: Hi P.J. Hope you slept well. There's plates and micro in camper if you want to heat this up. Have a Safe trip! + God Bless Steve + Anita Graber
Well, I wrote them a thank you note saying how much I appreciated them and that they strengthen my faith in the goodness of people and that they made me feel welcome in Virginia. I gave them the blog, so I hope they are following along (Steve or Anita, please post a comment if you are!)
Well, I wrote them a thank you note saying how much I appreciated them and that they strengthen my faith in the goodness of people and that they made me feel welcome in Virginia. I gave them the blog, so I hope they are following along (Steve or Anita, please post a comment if you are!)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Richmond to Burkeville
Leaving the beautiful James River riverside drives and elegant houses, I ventured West on Genito Road, (604), Bike Route 1 South. A two-lane road, as are most of the roads making up the bike route, Genito lead me across a reservoir and into rural central Virginia. While during these miles, I was primarily focused on getting used to the new handlebar arrangement, the scenery consisted of forest and fields, small houses and dogs sounding the alarm of a passerby riding something that looks like a rolling ox; I saw cows and horses, occasionally goats, once an alpaca, and another bison. I enjoy mooing at the cows, talking to the horses, baaing at the goats, and challenging the bison from the safety of the other side of the fence.
My goal was to reach Twin Lakes State Park that night to camp out, a 73-mile total ride for the day. By nightfall, I had reached 63 miles, and the driveway of a brand new countryside home. More to follow...
My goal was to reach Twin Lakes State Park that night to camp out, a 73-mile total ride for the day. By nightfall, I had reached 63 miles, and the driveway of a brand new countryside home. More to follow...
The adventure continues...
So, leaving Richmond, I stopped at a bicycle shop to look into the possibility of adding aerobars to the handlebars, so I could lean further forward, achieving greater power, comfort and aerodynamics. More often, I was leaning on my handlebars rather than pulling towards them; the latter gives more power and less strain on the back. I solved the problem by rotating my handle bars so they arc away from me rather than toward me. This gave me the needed distance from my body to pull rather than lean.
My average speed is now up to 12.1 mph, and average distance per day is at 60 miles. These two figures are steadily increasing: Yesterday, I did 78 miles to Raleigh, the most I have ever biked in my life in one day! The day before was 67 miles to Buggs Island, VA, the day before that was 63 to Burkeville, VA.
With the new handlebar grip, I have noticed my average speed increase from about 11.9 to up to 12.2--and that is average for the whole trip, so a significant increase. So far in my trip I have biked 360 miles, perhaps 3.6% of the distance to my destination!
Today is my rest day for the week--I have biked 6 days so far, so the seventh is a rest day. My legs need it. They are noticeably thicker and stronger. These first two weeks are really training weeks--I have never biked such long distances and never with any loads. The rhythm of the trip works out nicely with the first month and a half in the US giving me time to get stronger and work out any kinks with my methods and gear before I head into Mexico, where I probably will have a harder time finding gear, and will need to have a better command of my route, and focus on local goings-on.
My average speed is now up to 12.1 mph, and average distance per day is at 60 miles. These two figures are steadily increasing: Yesterday, I did 78 miles to Raleigh, the most I have ever biked in my life in one day! The day before was 67 miles to Buggs Island, VA, the day before that was 63 to Burkeville, VA.
With the new handlebar grip, I have noticed my average speed increase from about 11.9 to up to 12.2--and that is average for the whole trip, so a significant increase. So far in my trip I have biked 360 miles, perhaps 3.6% of the distance to my destination!
Today is my rest day for the week--I have biked 6 days so far, so the seventh is a rest day. My legs need it. They are noticeably thicker and stronger. These first two weeks are really training weeks--I have never biked such long distances and never with any loads. The rhythm of the trip works out nicely with the first month and a half in the US giving me time to get stronger and work out any kinks with my methods and gear before I head into Mexico, where I probably will have a harder time finding gear, and will need to have a better command of my route, and focus on local goings-on.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Okay, lots to share...
So...I am now in Raleigh, NC! It has been a while since I had access to the internet (Richmond, two and a half days ago). Now I will take you through the last three days since I did not actually write about my stay in Richmond.
I stayed with Sanford and Tera Hostetter, the parents of one of my brother's soccer teammates at UMary Wash. Thank you so much to the Hostetters! I could not have asked for more--a hug at the door, a large spaghetti dinner with wine right as I walked in the door, a night of "find bicycle Route 1 from Richmond to North Carolina"--an exercise in which Sanford and Tera clearly succeeded--using Sanford's outdoorsman atlas, the Virgina Bicycling Federation (VBF) website, road maps, Google Earth, and Mapquest. Some people play scrabble for family night entertainment; the Hostetter's played "Map This Bike Route" that Tuesday night. I was offered a wonderful bed, internet access, a digital camera cord, a phone charger, a large breakfast, and snacks for the road. Moreover, the Hostetters are just wonderful people to be around.
From Richmond, the Hostetter's directions out of town were impeccable, leading directly to the VBF member-recommended route. For your info, Sanford, the Heugonot Bridge leading across the James River DOES ALLOW bicycles, and has a sidewalk for runners and bikers.
After crossing the Heugonot Bridge, I turned onto Riverside Drive--a gorgeous route along the James. The wonderful weather didn't hurt, either. It was almost a continuous riverside park on the right, and envious homes on the left--novel, unique architechture in obviously prime real estate. Made me think about whether I want to commit to saving up for such a home, or whether I would prefer to live a more simple lifestyle. My current projection points to the latter; however, just witnessing these homes is sort of a vicarious experience satisfying all its own.
More later...gotta go...
I stayed with Sanford and Tera Hostetter, the parents of one of my brother's soccer teammates at UMary Wash. Thank you so much to the Hostetters! I could not have asked for more--a hug at the door, a large spaghetti dinner with wine right as I walked in the door, a night of "find bicycle Route 1 from Richmond to North Carolina"--an exercise in which Sanford and Tera clearly succeeded--using Sanford's outdoorsman atlas, the Virgina Bicycling Federation (VBF) website, road maps, Google Earth, and Mapquest. Some people play scrabble for family night entertainment; the Hostetter's played "Map This Bike Route" that Tuesday night. I was offered a wonderful bed, internet access, a digital camera cord, a phone charger, a large breakfast, and snacks for the road. Moreover, the Hostetters are just wonderful people to be around.
From Richmond, the Hostetter's directions out of town were impeccable, leading directly to the VBF member-recommended route. For your info, Sanford, the Heugonot Bridge leading across the James River DOES ALLOW bicycles, and has a sidewalk for runners and bikers.
After crossing the Heugonot Bridge, I turned onto Riverside Drive--a gorgeous route along the James. The wonderful weather didn't hurt, either. It was almost a continuous riverside park on the right, and envious homes on the left--novel, unique architechture in obviously prime real estate. Made me think about whether I want to commit to saving up for such a home, or whether I would prefer to live a more simple lifestyle. My current projection points to the latter; however, just witnessing these homes is sort of a vicarious experience satisfying all its own.
More later...gotta go...
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Ride to Richmond
Scenes from the Virginia countryside--old houses, new houses, scenes from a civil war battlefield.
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.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Process of Preparing
I am planning to leave to Brazil from Washington, DC on bicycle on September 16th, 2006. I have already purchased a Koga Miyata World Traveller bicycle after much research and debate. I heard about this bike from a webpage of a couple on a bicycle tour around the world: Down the Road. The bike is very solid and well-equipped. I am very confident it will carry me to where I am going and farther.
Now I am working on setting up a relationship with an organization working on fighting global warming--perhaps environmental defense. I may have it that all contributions to my trip go towards a fund to purchase as large a block of carbon credits as money will buy. This means that all money raised for the trip will go to removing heat-trapping gases from the atmosphere, or sequestering methane emissions from cow manure before they escape. See Native Energy for more info on buying blocks of carbon.
Now I am working on setting up a relationship with an organization working on fighting global warming--perhaps environmental defense. I may have it that all contributions to my trip go towards a fund to purchase as large a block of carbon credits as money will buy. This means that all money raised for the trip will go to removing heat-trapping gases from the atmosphere, or sequestering methane emissions from cow manure before they escape. See Native Energy for more info on buying blocks of carbon.
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