Reep's Bike Adventure of Epicness (BAE) (has ended)

[reepicheep]

I'm still alive.

[jacob]

Did you start yet or are we still testing tarps? No MREs, huh?

[Kriegsspiel]

I was always the freak who loved MREs. They are delish.

[reepicheep]

I started yesterday. Slept in a house last night by random chance.

[reepicheep]

Still alive.

[vexed87]

Keep it up reepicheep, enjoying this thread

[reepicheep]

Still alive. Hills suck.

Spent yesterday camping with some teenagers I met randomly in a field. I may or may not have facilitated their purchase of vodka and cigarettes. I became everyone's life coach for the evening and they dubbed me "cool".


Email to my parents and husband:
Hi team,

I made it to xxxx around 1 pm today. I'm spending the night here with Vanessa (she says hi) even though I've only done 20 miles today... I'm just physically wasted and just polished off the biggest lunch of my life. In the last three days I've done approx. 105 km, probably over 8-10 hrs total, most of it uphill (or it sure feels that way).

Last night Justin, a 16 year old boy, drank about 7 beers in the course of an hour, told me that two people with ectasy were joining us, then promptly fell asleep on the ground with his coat over his head.

Nobody with ectasy showed up. After his friends tried unsuccessfully to wake him, I helped them carry/drag him into a tent and shove him into a sleeping bag. He woke up in the middle of this, somewhat facilitating our attempt to prevent him from freezing to death.

This morning the farmer whose field we were camping in showed up and threatened to call the polizei if we didn't leave. I directed him to speak with my young German friends and finished my breakfast while he and Justin worked out their differences very loudly. The farmer totally ignored me. Then I packed up and left.

Tomorrow I think I will head across xxxx to xxxxx, and from there to xxxxx, where there is apparently a very good bike path west.

This has so far been a truly incredible experience--both humbling and challenging. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks, particularly as I get into flatter country.

[Gilberto de Piento]

Sounds like fun! A true adventure.

The pedaling will get easier as you get stronger.

[reepicheep]

Did 50 miles today, mostly flat and gently hilly terrain. Beautiful country.

Today was my first day of true vacation, as in I was scheduled to be at work but wasn't at work. It felt different than the other days during the weekend. I was more relaxed, like I've finally left the office behind.

Why can't every day feel like today? Other than a contract keeping me in my job for a few years, it doesn't seem impossible to be a full time bike traveler for very little. I could last for years couchsurfing, camping, and eating for a few dollars a day.

[jacob]

This guy has been doing that for 13 years and going
http://www.downtheroad.org/

[GreenBike]

Here´s another Hero, don't know if still operating ...

http://www.bikechina.com/heinzstucke1z.html

[reepicheep]

Still alive.

Hills suck less.

[reepicheep]

Took a day off. Went to a museum.

Happy 70th.

[reepicheep]

Still alive!

Use sunscreen!

[jacob]

Drink water!

[reepicheep]

I am basically a fountain now, Jacob.

Who now wears sunscreen (in my defense, I'm fairly dark skinned and haven't burned in years.... but also have spent most of the last 5 years inside).

[reepicheep]

Turns out flat places are their own special kind of hell.

Never thought I'd miss hills.

[Gilberto de Piento]

Sounds like things are tough out on the road. Is it windy or muddy or something else? Hang in there!

[Chad]

Yeah, it doesn't sound easy, but I'm looking forward to hearing about it!

[reepicheep]

Still alive!