Two days from rolling...

Amy and I are having such fun in Astoria leading up to the cross-country journey. It's been relaxing. And frankly, while I'm excited about pointing my wheels east to begin pedaling, I'm a bit anxious as well. Anxious about the logistics, my training, my nutrition, staying hydrated, combating fatigue, and slowing down enough to enjoy the journey. So, over the previous 6 days, we've had nary a thought about riding a bike, while we've had a wonderful time exploring the sites and natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest. And while we've had a pouring rain for the past 4 days, we've thoroughly enjoyed our hikes through the verdant forests while retracing some of the trail of the Corps of Discovery. In anticipation of our visit, I reread Ambrose's 'Undaunted Courage'. Other than the Lewis and Clark journals firsthand account, it's one of the best to document their incredible journey. They were hardy, courageous men (and one woman...). I salute them in their accomplishments.

As to the kickoff of the cycling journey...we have a short (30 miles) ride to the Pacific at Ft. Stevens on June 1st for the ceremonial wheel dip in the ocean. The following day we commence riding east, with a 95-mile ride to Portland, Oregon. From there, it's Portland, Maine or bust!

Thanks for following along...and please consider supporting Oasis Center. The link is below. To those that have made a gift, I, along with OC, offer you a heartfelt thank you!

https://oasiscenter.org/home/maptivists

Keep in touch, and keep an eye out for regular updates as we roll out across the mountains, plains, and prairies.

(I've included a few pictures from our hikes of previous days...hope you enjoy them)

 

Eleven days till we roll from Astoria...

 On June 1st I'll point my bike east and begin cycling across the USA. I Thought these Fun Facts would be of interest, along with a general map of the route I'm following...

Miles from start to finish: 3,803 miles
Total Feet of climbing: 157,900
Average daily mileage: 95 miles
States Crossed: 15

Here's the route...We start in Astoria Oregon, and complete the journey in Portland, Maine. There's a great big and beautiful country in between, filled with a bunch of fine folks, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it all from the seat of a bike.

And here is the link to my ride journal: https://jimsjourney2022.blogspot.com

You can access the Oasis Center donation link here:
https://oasiscenter.org/home/maptivists

My final long distance training ride prior to heading to Astoria...101 miles, easy pace...I'm ready to go!

5/9/22 post...Jim's Journey across the USA...it now feels real!

The journey journal is now live! Even with all the prior training, planning, coordinating, and fretting...it really didn't feel real until this piece was put in place, along with other logistics being accomplished this week. Tapering will begin next week, leading to some easy cruises of 40 to 50 miles at sauntering pace prior to departing for Astoria, Oregon on May 27th.

Of note, below are links to an introduction of what Oasis Center is all about...their mission, their delivery of services, and who they serve.

https://www.facebook.com/OasisCenterNashville/

https://www.instagram.com/oasiscenternashville/

https://www.facebook.com/OasisBikeWorkshop/

https://www.instagram.com/oasisbikeworks

I'll include a link to the journal in a future social media post. In the journal will be a link to the Oasis Center landing page for you to participate in my journey through your support of Oasis Center. Amy and I have primed the pump by donating $1.00 per mile that I will be cycling...to keep you from having to reach for the calculator, I'll be cycling 3850 miles, so we are honored to support Oasis Center with a gift of $3850. Please check out their sites, open your hearts to their mission, and give a gift according to your means. Getting a kid on the right track at an early age is gift that keeps on giving for a lifetime.

The link to the Oasis Center donation site is noted below.

https://oasiscenter.org/donate

Also, here's a brief mission statement for the Oasis Center. You can learn more on their websites noted above.

At Oasis, we build relationships to advance youth well-being, amplify youth voice, and inspire action toward a just community. In short, our goal is to support young people so they can transition to happy, healthy adulthood. We believe in the power of people and that our greatest impact happens when we come together and provide opportunities for our youth to feel connected, loved, valued and safe. Our programs include in-school and after-school groups, leadership opportunities, college and career counseling, and crisis services such as housing support and counseling. We serve over 3,500 youth and young adults who live in and near Nashville every year.

Bike Workshop Center:

Founded in 2009, the Oasis Bike Workshop is a year

round earn-a-bike program that empowers Nashville's young people with

alternative transportation and maintenance skills. Since its inception, over

5,000 young people have rolled out the workshop door on bikes that THEY rebuilt

and customized. 

The workshop has grown into a nationally recognized program (see CNN and our award-winning NPR story) and community effort that is now helping us to reach hundreds young people each year through schools and community centers. Through this free, volunteer-powered program, youth participate in weekly workshops in which they custom build their own bicycle from the frame up, and are trained in bicycle safety and maintenance. Upon completion of the workshop, each participant rides away with their own bicycle, as well as a new helmet, lock, lights, toolkit and a bit of grease under their fingernails as proof of their new skill set.  You will even find some of our graduates working in bike shops around town! This program empowers them as advocates for alternative transportation and skilled trades, connects them to their city and promotes safe cycling in their communities as they use their new skills to help.

This journey that was once just a dream is becoming a reality...well, at least for my trusty steed. I shipped my Allied Alfa to the Portland, OR Trek store today. I'll pick it up on the 27th when we arrive in Portland. Fortunately, I have my reliable stand-by, Litespeed Tachyon, to ride over the next few weeks as I continue to taper into the start of the journey. Fingers crossed that no mishaps occur during shipping, as I would be scrambling to replace my mount. I'm working with a top-notch bike shop here in Franklin, TN, and they have tons of experience in this sort of enterprise. So, I have a high level of confidence that'll I'll find my bike fit as a fiddle and as road worthy as the day she was shipped...but, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. 😊🤞

More to come, and thanks for your support!

https://oasiscenter.org/donate