As I take a break from packing for a weeklong biking/camping trip, I’m thinking:
have I’ve trained enough? no
have I’ve gathered everything I’ll need? probably not
will my old Honda Odyssey will run faithfully for our little crew making the trip? probably ok with its recent repairs and checks; and
will we have fun and adapt as necessary to support one another? yes, almost certainly
We set out tomorrow morning for Alliance, Neb., for the beginning of the Bike Ride Across Nebraska with a plan to split the miles each day between us. I’m hoping to ride about 200 miles over the week and am really looking forward to rolling through the state’s distinctive and beautiful Sandhills. I’m taking a small sketchbook, watercolors and pens with me and plan to revive regular postings here inspired by my trip. And I’ll be riding my trusty commuter, Sage, a machine that reminds me about some of the reasons I ride, including seeing the ride itself as a creative act. Austin Kleon just wrote about that idea here.
Send good wishes if you’re so inclined and I’ll be happily pedaling along.
My trusty commuter bike, Sage, rests in front of several of my prairie-inspired paintings at the studio.