In the last year I have been working on an experiment in a lifestyle based on Human-powered travel. Spurred on by outside factors, I parked my Volvo XC70 and took up the challenge of making my daily commuting based on the miles pedaled with my Novara Safari, a steel framed touring cycle produced by REI.
Over the course of the year, I put in 8200 miles biked, hiked and walked. In the end I fell short of my goal of 10Kmi. But through it all, I learned a great deal about myself in the time spent behind the Handlebars. I had anticipated that I would return to driving once the beginning of 2014 began. But as time grew closer, I could not find within myself a reason to begin driving again. I had made a change in lifestyle that I anticipated would take me well into the next year..
While riding one morning along a snowy trail for my morning commute, listening to the hum of snow crunching below my tires, I made the commitment to work towards the same goal of human-powered transport with Mass Transit to major destination. The idea of keeping out of the personal car while seeking to connect with landscape, people, and my own tempo of being became more apparent. I had gone through a lifestyle change, that while thrusted upon me the past April. I felt it had the power to change me for the better as I rode each day. Each time seeking connection to the landscape which I traveled through..
Within Chinese Astrology, 2014 is know on as the Year of the Wild Horse.. My Safari, which I have deemed Bear's Quest, has taken me 8200 miles about Washington/Oregon... My challenge is to reach out farther with its twin tires keeping time... I seek to connect to the West as a fellow Thru-hiker (Ben) did this fall. To make it to the canyons, beaches and mountains which Westerners pay our homage to... Riding my steel horse bearing saddle bags as the ol' lone horseman once did...
Mountains and Rivers Without End,
Ridgewalker
