After a great 72 hours of funraising - the journey continues. I'm still under my goal but have been convinced to keep riding. What convinced me? An incredible amount of individual donations along with the two sponsorships mentioned below - BGI and The Hub. That and the prospects of continued donations of course. Obviously, at this point I'd like to thank then the many folks who have clearly expressed their desire to see this ride until completion. Without your generosity, this would not be possible. My debt to society increases.
It's funny, I was speaking with my good friend Shauna when it hit me - this stop in Danville has been just as much a part of the journey as the Appalachians. Yeah, so I sweat more on the mountains and I was probably even more thirsty. But mentally, this has been just as much a challenge as Hayters Gap or that 27 mile incline called the Blue Ridge Parkway. Comfortable living, slim outlook for raising enough cash, cheap flights back to New York, vacation in Northern Michigan if I didn't continue - the challenges add up, each in their own way scratching at the vision of the Pacific, the vision that has brought me thus far. What seemed to be a daily occurrence, the outlook for the journey waxed and waned when confronted by these challenges. But no. Not anymore. Because of consistent encouragement from friends like Rob, Jonathan, Brian, Sarah, Shauna, my brother Will, Dan, Mark, the list goes on. Because of encouragement, whether in word or deed, this Pacific vision stands the victor. (Can you tell I'm excited?)
Tomorrow I hit it again hard, riding on. I'll come into the Hub around 8:30am, grab my last free cup of coffee (maybe not my last) and pedal onward. I'm excited for the next portion of the trip - Kansas nears where I'll be joined by Grace and Ashley for some mileage. But first, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. Whoa son, don't get ahead of yourself.
Hear you me - injuries aside - this ride will come to completion on the coast of California (Pacific skinny dipping. Who's in?)
Hersh's Politics is for Power is a Serious Indictment of Political Hobbyism
-
Eitan Hersh is a political science professor. Like me, he is surrounded by
people who follow and talk politics incessantly.
Yet also, like me, he became d...
8 comments:
dude, totaly stoked to see you commit to finishing. plus, your new photo at the page heading looks alot like the one from 'into the wild' - some guy sitting in front of a bus!? don't eat the berries.
ditto above. & i don't encourage it. (fear of mamabear)
as my pop says, keep on keepin' on.
hehe, yeah, it was my attempt at the into the wild pose. Speaking of mamabear... did I post that I saw a bear back in Virginia? I was riding, coming up to a dog in the street, when all of a sudden, a skinny but big black bear walked across the street on all fours about 50 yards before me. It paused midway, looked at the dog and I, and, as I stealthy reached for my camera, carried on its way across the street. Crazy. I tried to twitter it, but had no service. Next time.
nate confronted with a bear... you want to twitter? typical. glad you're "on the road again."
No, you don't understand. I have already decided. I WILL wrestle a bear if it comes to it. No lie. Dead serious.
You are a sweetheart, Nate! It was great to see you! Take care!
Shauna
Hey Christopher McCandless, of the biking world, way to commit!
I'm in.
-eq
Post a Comment