Ready To Go! Mileage: 196,032 kms

I’m writing this post at 4 pm, Monday evening. Tomorrow morning, at 9 am, I fire up my bike and head out on an adventure unlike any I’ve taken before. By the time I arrive back home, I will have put at least 10,000 kms on my WideGlide. I will have seen much of the U.S. and will have met many new friends. I’m excited.

I’m also nervous. It’s a long time to be on the road alone. I will miss my family. Heather and the girls. They have been so supportive of me going on this trip, and words simply can’t express how much I appreciate them for allowing me to do this.

In preparing for my trip, I’ve read a number of blogs and books about others who have done this kind of trip. I have learned from them, and yet, have also found that I need to do things “my way.” I’m sure most of you can relate to that. I’m purposely putting very little planning into this journey. I don’t want to have to be anywhere at a certain time. I want to allow those I met along the journey to suggest roads and sights to take in. I want to have the option of doing something spontaneously. I want to simply be free on this trip.

It will be interesting to read my thoughts at the end of my trip, but as I begin, I find myself romanticizing the journey. I read of guys crossing the States in the ’60’s, riding rigids, with nothing but a sleeping bag and a jacket. They would pull over and sleep on the side of the road and then ride more the next day. I fantasize about cowboys crossing the country, sitting around campfires cooking beans and staring up at the stars.

Yes, it’s a different day and age. Most of my sleeping will be in a tent, and likely in a campground rather than the side of the road. Yes, I’ll eat a few beans and other meals sitting around a campfire. Yes, I’ll look up at the stars. Will it get tiring quickly or will I yearn for more of it?

And what about the people I meet along the journey? Some I already know a little because we’ve connected on twitter. Others I have yet to meet. I’m sure I’ll get to know them as we fill up our bikes at the same gas station, or grab a few calories at a local diner. Perhaps some will ride a few miles down the road with me. Who knows? It’s part of the adventure.

I do plan on blogging it. So, hopefully you will join me on the journey. I’m bringing a small netbook with me and will connect when I can and will update as I can. The easiest way to make sure you don’t miss any of the posts would be to subscribe either by email or RSS feed. You can find the buttons on my blog page.

Let’s ride!