Car trip

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 6:12 am

Last year I did not spend more than 30 hours in a car. Bright and early (7am) tomorrow morning I begin a 16-hour car ride to Monte Vista, CO. I hope the journey will not suck. I am bringing my bike to ride at road stops and the destination. I'm excited about so many new places to explore.

ROSEMARY · Post by **ROSEMARY** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 6:33 am

i need to look at my map to find the vista, baby, but colorado is so fucking good, especially for a bike trip.
i was born and reared for awhile in loveland, a small wheat farm community. spacious skies and beautiful landscapes. you are in for a treat. kiss the soil for me.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Fri Mar 22, 2002 3:06 am

Jack loves his bike God bless him. Happy trails and no flat tires.

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Sat Mar 30, 2002 8:59 am

Barrel riding in the rodeo ring of the Sky-Hi, I flatted after tearing through a thorny bush. Forgot most of my tools, so went to Wal-mart a town over and picked up a floor pump and patch kit; although, should have gotten a new tube because the flat had two previous patches. The bush added four.

It is strange that I had that same tube since buying my bike in 1999, and only punctured it twice. And then I went far away, leaving familiar tools and bike shop and roads behind; pierce the tube four times.

<jack chiefton> · Post by **<jack chiefton>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 5:19 am

i now have my mountain bike at my apartment jack, and thanks to your never ending commentary on biking, it's time to get back into the groove of it. So whatever happened to the idea of road tripping somewhere?

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 8:18 am

Jack C., I'm glad you're back from the Badlands. Were you at altitude? I live 500 ft. above sea level, while Monty is at 8000 feet. Yet the elevation did not noticeably affect me.

The Missourians I traveled with all complained of shortness of breath and a general lack of strength. Even a Salt Lake Citian (6000) we met there observed that the altitude hindered him slightly; although, he made the claim after two buckets of suds and many shots, between four guys. So I attribute my resilience to biking (was the only cyclist). However, most of them flew; therefore, were not given the same adjustment period as I had. Nevertheless, I rode out with my brother, and he was mildly hurting. On the other hand, the trip was for his marriage.

I'm thrilled that you are interested in the lifestyle, Jack. Bicycling is like no other love.

Would love to cross the country by bike with you, yet now I cannot set a date. There are a couple of books written by transcontinental bicyclists that I'll read first. And I should try to better understand Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Also, I'll spend time practicing outdoor skills. That's planned that for this summer, when crossing the Show Me State, using the Katy Trail.

Going to cross this land by bike many times. It's just a matter of deciding when to start.

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 3:03 pm

your posts remind me of that book. I didn't finish it (it was a Valentine's present for someone else), but I read some passages about ten times, then I'd underline something and make notes because I forget things, and I really didn't want to forget some of the things he said. Some of the descriptions of riding are so absolutely on target. I bought it as a gag gift and then found myself unable to go to sleep at night without reading it.

<Jack Chiefton> · Post by **<Jack Chiefton>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 5:07 pm

I think the highest altitude we were at was, and this is completely a random guess, 4000-7000 feet. Although they say some of the peaks in the badlands reach about 9000 feet in altitude. We scaled one of the taller peaks with our fifty pound packs on and I thought for sure one of us would slip and fall to our deaths, but we made it up. It's easier going down than up.

It was pretty wild, we camped right in the heart of the prarie and badlands. Saw a herd of buffalo, tried to mount a buffalo skull on the grill of the party van but couldn't find it when we headed out. Enjoyed many rolled spirit cigarettes, flask of whiskey, came across a group of about six honeys who were layed out on one of the trail heads after hiking a whopping 4 miles....they told us we were nuts for going over 30.

I think it's every backpackers dream to come across a group of the opposite sex while roughing it. Unfortunately, I was bearded with wild greasy hair, smelled like shit, and could only mumble a "hello" to them.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 6:32 pm

Did you tell them to keep in touch with you via Pax Acidus?

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 7:52 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by <Jack Chiefton>:
...It was pretty wild, we camped right in the heart of the prarie and badlands. Saw a herd of buffalo, tried to mount a buffalo skull on the grill of the party van but couldn't find it when we headed out. Enjoyed many rolled spirit cigarettes...it's every backpackers dream to come across a group of the opposite sex while roughing it...<hr></blockquote>
Sounds like you had a great time, Jack. Are you a woodsman? Did you cook on an open fire? I've never heard a joint called a spirit cigarette... great description. I'm smoking my spirit pipe. It's every backpackers dream to come across sex while roughing it.

<jack chiefton> · Post by **<jack chiefton>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 10:09 pm

actually mizzou, american spirit is that yellow pouch of tobacco you can buy for 3 dollars but you have to roll them your own. You can roll about fifty to sixty cigarettes out of the pouch, so it's economical. Nah, it's illegal to start fires in the badlands. I felt like a fool for following their rules, but if we would have ran out of propane for cooking, a fire would have been made.

No McCutcheon, I didn't tell them to stay in touch that way, but now that you bring it up, that's a great way to keep in touch with someone you meet by the seat of your pants....or is it flight of your pants....or rim job of your pants?

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 10:09 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by <sarah>:
your posts remind me of that book. I didn't finish it (it was a Valentine's present for someone else), but I read some passages about ten times, then I'd underline something and make notes because I forget things, and I really didn't want to forget some of the things he said. Some of the descriptions of riding are so absolutely on target. I bought it as a gag gift and then found myself unable to go to sleep at night without reading it.<hr></blockquote>

Wow! sarah, that sounds like an incredible book. Did you underline the title and author and put those in notes? I will put them on my reading list.

Been reading Richard’s 21-st Century Bicycle Book by Richard Ballantine. He has an inspiring passage about riding a well-tuned, high-end road bike over rolling terrain. He says it’s just like flying. I’ll post the passage some day. It’s exciting.

Richard Ballantine's advocacy is as exciting as his imagery. The author proposes: “cars are banned from central areas of metropolitan regions. Each city provides free bicycles (with adjustable seats and handlebars) scattered about to be used as needed.” And he offers: “Each city has a bike with a unique and readily identifiable frame design; all bolts and screws have left hand threads.” Mr. Ballantine compares the opposite threading to the light bulbs in subway stations, which discourages stealing.

Richard’s dream, as he calls this proposal, includes maintenance of the machines: “There are repair centers throughout town, as well as special racks in which bikes in need of servicing can be left.”

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Would that be a great city? I think so.

Bicyclist Ballantine first published his dream in Richard’s Bicycle Book, 1972. In the newest edition, he reports, “free bike programs in the Netherlands, United States, and elsewhere have fizzled, because the bikes were abused or stolen.”

Then he encourages us with news of a French “scheme known as Plan Velo,” which “has been extremely successful.” Mr. Ballantine explains that "the French do not hand out bikes willy-nilly to whomever." Instead, riders have smart cards for checking out machines. “The firm operating the scheme, Adshel, does outdoor advertising. They are expanding to other countries.” I hope they come to my city.

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 10:31 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by <jack chiefton>:
[QB]actually mizzou, american spirit is that yellow pouch of tobacco/QB]<hr></blockquote>
At first, that is what I thought you were referring to. But the image of green and sparkly grass rolled into a joint is more titillating.

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 6:14 am

"that book" is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Robert Pirsig has a kick ass brain

If I had a quarter of his brain power I'd be very pleased with myself. As you can see from the vague posting, I do not.

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 9:26 am

You were referring to the book that I had mentioned. I should have deciphered that, Sarah.

Yes, that is an incredible book. Been picking it up different times since early high school. I don’t understand a quarter of it. But love the author’s first riding passage about observing people in cars. And the discussion of the car commuters with his BMW motorcycle riding friend's wife is great. Reading the passage has made me a better person.

Noticed at the local bookstore that a Zen… guide has been published. I’ll pick up that book and another copy of Zen… Loaned out my dog-eared edition, and think the loaned considered it a gift because the following day she gave me a fabulous Beatles poster. On it is green and black magic marker notes of the time and date her nephew was born. It also has the baby's height and weight. And she told me a story about the late night phone conversation with her brother-in-law; she had been unaware of sister's pregnancy. Her marriage to an African caused an estranged relationship with her family, the story told.

The poster is one of the best gifts that I have received. And if she reads and slightly understands any of the book, it is a great gift, too.

The book was a gift to me. My older brother, who just got married, gave it. Part of the gift was the story he told about acquiring it from his college’s used book sale. It had belonged to his favorite professor. And someone possessed it before him because he did not know who wrote the interesting inscription. That was a favorite thing to read and wonder about.

Don’t have a copy of the inscription, yet the girl probably recorded the poster’s data in a journal or similar tablet.

I have seen her, and we hugged and talked about bicycling and her dream of becoming a television anchorwoman (she has attractive annunciation and facial expressions). I considered asking to see the book to copy the inscription; although, I was afraid to because she may have told me it was lost or destroyed or something similarly terrible. And I enjoy believing she cherishes the work.