Biketravellers.com

Congratulations to Mark Beaumont for finishing yet another interesting trip. He climbed Denali (mt McKinley), then cycled most of the way to Argentina, climbed Mt Aconcagua (another one of the “7summits”), and continued to Ushuaia, the most Southern point in the Americas. This had not been done before and he even raised money for charity on this well-publicized trip. Good for him.

I just read some news pages and noted several people’s critiques, already during and now also after his trip. About how his trip was sponsored, what kind of person he is, about publicity. I left a comment on one of the Bike news sites and will copy that here and expand a bit as I think it might be interesting for other BikeTravellers:

We met Mark in Guatemala and had a nice dinner together (photo here). By that time we were already more than a year on our way and now he is finished, we are still in Venezuela

Yes, there are more people cycling the Americas (actually many are in contact regularly for tips, help etc), but every trip is different. Different route, different motivations, different people, different journey. All the critics should maybe try it before they complain about anyone? I promise it will change your outlook on life and view of others. See http://OnTheRoad.biketravellers.com for a regular updated collection of cycling stories or open your own blog here on http://Biketravellers.com.

It is so easy to complain and judge without even meeting a person or doing anything yourself. And yes, there will also be critique from others who have actually done something themself, because they feel the need to show that their way is the only right way. I know from experience that this is true for any physical or mental endeavour, whether it is a cycling trip or climbing the 7 summits.
Just let it go, enjoy your own short life while you can and get out there, whether on a bike, walking or whatever. If you do it for yourself? Great. If you can help somebody else at the same time? Great. If you do or write anything interesting, I’ll find you on Twitter and get inspired by you and will defend you from the naysayers. And if you rase one penny for charity? Good for you. If you don’t? No worries.

Cycling in Alaska

The only thing I agree with is that James Bowthorpe did not get enough attention, but you cannot blame Mark for that, that’s a bit silly. How many complainers did Tweet/notify/ their favourite newspaper/website about James? Would take less time than bitching on a news site about somebody else.

Anyway, congratulations to Mark for doing what he did. I had the same plan 10 years ago. I did climb both mountains (twice), but did not cycle between them until now. His journey was different than mine would have been and that’s great.

Mark is a nice guy in person. You should try to meet up with him (or anybody you attack as a person) for Pizza and a beer. At least you would know a person for a bit and can judge him/her afterwards if you feel the need, but what’s the point? Leading by example is not the best way to influence people, it is the only way. (correction: Einstein’s quote was actually: Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means“)

Happy riding, cheers from Chavez country
Harry

http://WorldOnaBike.com
http://Biketravellers.com

Ok, you have made the selection and chose your 2-3 shirts for the road. But why those ones? Because they make you look cool/young/sexy or all of the above? Because they are (not) cotton and lightweight?

As a BikeTraveller you need to combine functionality as much as possible, so you can minimize the stuff you are carrying. So what better way to be dressed and get attention from potential hosts than get a specialized BikeTravellers t-shirt!

They are not just pretty (you can still customize them and choose the colour, size, fabric, quality), but will also help you, as the message is clear:

- “Will Stop/Talks for Pasta” will tell others that the beter have a big portion ready if they want you to talk about your adventures!

- “Make Miles not War”, “1500 MPG (and that’s just for my stove)” & Reall? (gas prices went up again?) will tell everybody, how you think & feel about SUV’s and other gas guzzlers!. Spread the word and help yourself start some good conversations and likely get invited to stay for dinner

In this little flash panel below, you can see a sample of our new BikeTravellers T-shirts. They are not just beautiful (you can still choose the size, colour and type of T-shirt etc), but they will also help you on the road! Check them out:

Get or customize your Biketravellers T-shirts here!.

Show your love for The Bike!The designs above can be printed on T-shirts in many colours, sizes and models, as well as on mugs, stickers, baby-gear, bags and much more!

Choose your design and get the gear to show the world that you care about her! By buying here you will also support the BikeTravellers website, so you do two good things at once

You Might Be A Cyclist If….
By Joe ‘Metal Cowboy’ Kurmaskie 2008
(Soon to be a one a day calendar – Winter 2009)

This just came in from the metal cowboy. I met him recently and did a mini interview, which will be posted here soon. For now, check out the list below and do not forget to check out the BikeTravellers.com bookstore, which has his books listed.

You might be a cyclist if…

• You own more tights than a children’s theater performing Peter Pan.
• Your wallet is clear, made of plastic and sports the designer label Ziplok.
• You’ve road tested a perfectly good relationship by bringing home a tandem. (Ah, baby you’re always saying we need to spice things up.)
• You know that pain is just fear leaving your body, before it returns through your hamstrings.
• When styling professionals ask what product gets your hair to do that, you answer, “Helmet.”
• You’ve served cocktails in waterbottles. (Drink up, friends. This cheap vodka I’m pouring eats through charity ride plastic pretty fast.)
• Your spouse doesn’t complain about the snoring since being kicked awake by the sleep pedaling.
• You yell into crowds exiting ballgames, shopping centers and concerts to “hold their line.” They yell back that they’ve got something for you to hold.
• You’ve pedaled home balancing a case of bottled beer, two bags of tortilla chips, three avocados and a hostess snack pie on your handlebars.
• You own a killer set of “Arnold” quads and a pair of angel hair pasta thin arms. That ten year old boy called again. He wants his biceps back.
• You don’t care that your biker’s tan is so jarring that parents grab up their children when you enter the public pool.
• When your baby’s first word was “bike,” a light dimmed a little in your non-riding spouse’s eyes.
• You ring that bell for legitimate safety reasons, but the joy it brings seeing morning dog walkers seize up and scatter like quail is a nice fringe benefit.
• You wanted to name your children Serrotta and Shimano, but compromised on the more traditional Trek and Breezer.
• You’ve heard the words “Just a friendly ride, no one gets dropped” while rapidly falling back in the pack.
• You’ve said the words “Just a friendly ride, no one gets dropped” while watching someone else rapidly fall back in the pack.
• You know every traffic light sequence in the tri-county area for stop free pedaling.
• Either it’s a Brooks saddle or I will stand and pedal the whole way, thank you.

• You have eaten pasta directly out of your front bag, while pedaling.
• You believe there’s a holy grail code of gear ratios to achieve effort free pedaling.
• You swear Da Vinci’s lost notebook contains said holy grail combination code with detailed drawings… but the automotive wing of the Vatican has been keeping it from the world these many years.
• You’ve considered what can still be accomplished in life while a broken collarbone heals.
• You’ve misplaced an hour of your life cursing, sweating and twisting a wrench, unaware that one of the pedals threads the opposite way. This is why bike shops were invented.
• Your loved ones have assigned a separate hamper for your dirty bike clothes, and placed a hazmat label on it.
• You’ve lost the company of your loved ones because you did not invest in a separate hamper for your dirty bike clothes with a hazmat label on it.
• You turn the air vents of your car to blow directly in your face, and imagine you’re on a bike ride      You’ve been involved in dealmaking with a higher power to get through a climb you know will last longer than a political campaign.
• Due to the plethora of bells, computers, gadgets and lights, there’s no room left on your handlebars… for your hands.
• You can ID five brands and sixteen flavors of protein bars in a blind taste test, but on most long rides you would eat wet shoe leather, properly salted and containing a balance of electrolydes, of course.
• You’ve entertained quitting your job and moving back in with your folks to free up more time for riding. Pride and self esteem got nothing on shaved seconds and endorphins.
• When approaching a rider from behind, you’ve thought, “I will attack until your lungs cease to function properly, you collapse in the gutter and call out for your grandma’s quilted afghan.” Then offered a respectful nod as you blurred by.
• You’ve laughed, coasted by and cackled over your shoulder, “You Call That A Dog?”
• You’ve pedaled like hell, cried out in vain for a merciful god, and thought, “Now That’s What I Call A Dog!” (or a rogue bear within the city limits)
• You’ve fallen asleep by counting sheep standing beside mile markers.
• It’s a close call as to who owns more wool, you or the sheep.
• You throw your arms up and fist pump, Tour de France finishline style, every time you beat the dark yellowish light.
• You lift your butt off the car seat as you go over potholes, railroad tracks and speed bumps.
• You’ve contemplated grabbing seat posts, nudging longtime friends into ditches and macing their eyes with energy drinks to top the hill first.
• You can’t pull a ninja anymore because the click of your shoes always gives you away.
• You’ve used your water bottle as drink holder, portable shower, squirt gun, doggy deterent and digging implement… on the same ride.
• You spend most of the winter dressed like a Cirque Du Soleil performer and you don’t even speak French.
• You’ve washed off that chain ring grease “tattoo” on your calf so often that you went ahead and got a real one there.
• You keep on the look out for a custom made bike designed by the top-secret test tube off spring of Eddy Merck and Sasha White’s DNA.
• You believe the rumor of a bike that was forged in a bell tower outside Rome using titanium blessed by the Pope and baptized with Lance’s sweat.
• Like war vets carrying shrapnel under their skin, your souveniurs are pebbles and gravel housed around your elbows and knees.
• Only you know your afternoon commute is actually a second by second reenactment of Le Mond’s come from behind victory of 1985.
• You think you may have contracted a rare blood disorder… no, it’s just that you’ve turned into a late afternoon headwind.
• You live in fear that someone will sponsor a twelve step program for cycling addicts and you’ll be the first one wrestled to the ground.
• You learned a long time ago that it doesn’t matter how light or fast, just get on that bike.

www.metalcowboy.com – blow out book sale through 2008. Email Joe for details.