I've decided, I want the world...or at least the U.S.

Next summer, next May 18 the date of my birth, I will be 23 and hopping on my bad (as in good) bicycle and riding across the country.  

Wicked awesome.

I plan to do this with one other person as we travel from coast to coast over the course of 2 months.  We will be camping along the way, and I will be taking photographs.

I've been motivated to have an adventure of grand scale after reading Give Me the World by Leila Hadley a few years ago about her trip around the world aboard a schooner.  And then I met the bicycle.  We flew free of charge through NYC, creaking over the bridges and the one time I even carried him over the Path turnstile to New Jersey.  Hoboken was uncharted territory, and we explored this together.  

But like all first loves, we eventually out grew each other.  The Boy Named Sue, the name I donned him for his girlish color but boyish physique,  could no longer match my ambition. I wanted hour after hour long bike rides. He was happier shuffling around the block.  Refusing to shift gears,  slow and plodding, I was happy to take my leave... although I did gaze longingly after the Craigslister who threw him into the back of her trunk. Good bye Sue, a tear.

And then came bicycle #2.  He was up for the challenge, but maybe a little too up for it.  A bro - bicycle.  Eyelets for panniers in the back AND front, pumped for massive migration at any time...thick tires to take on road, dirt paths, and anything else that came his way...  Was this for me?  I wondered.  I've never been an ''athletic'' type and I couldn't imagine me, a little lady steering such a beefy machine.  It took some time, but his better qualities began to emerge.  He came with spokes, he was sturdy, reliable, not the flashiest thing ever but he had charming little shifters and a cute little frame that no lady -cyclist could resist.  

So the US is next for Bicycle and me.  I don't expect to "find myself" or "realize some great truth" I just want to ride.  Wish me luck!

-- Inigo, my dear friend from high school, has come back to life and is blogging (whoa) about his first teaching gig in Spain. Happy to see you're back on the interwebs Inigo.

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