Everyone talks about proper biking etiquette, but what really needs to be talked
about is proper driving etiquette.
Drivers pretty please pay attention and take notes. Truck drivers- listen up
this is mainly for you!
When you see a biker on the side of the road turn a little to the left, do not
point the car at the biker! There are two types of honks, however only one is
appropriate. The two beep or more short honks are encouraged. It means that you
are supporting us! The lay on the horn long beep is not necessary. I understand
those crazy bikers that swerve into the lane sometimes and you have to honk, but
it is just scary when you lay on the horn and it could cause an accident with
the biker and the ground! The rumble strips are a bikers enemy as well as a
cars. So just think if you are on the rumble strip you might as well be running
the biker over-stay off it! Semi-trucks pay close attention! When I get tired I
like to fling my arms around, mainly because I am close to going crazy. When you
drive by and see bikers that look like they are trying to fly don't get too
close- it could cause a broken wing.
Also!! When there is a hill please don't go in the left lane to get around us.
It practically gives me a heart attack because you are putting your life as well
as another's in danger. Simply slow down! I promise wherever you headed is not
that important and it can wait for me to make it up the hill. If I am taking too
long then honk to make sure I didn't fall asleep- hills take me a long time!
Well thank you for taking notes! I can't wait to share the road!
P. S. you could donate your gas money at www.pedalingforpencils.stayclassy.org
and hop on a bike! While on your bike use the Charity Mile App! It donates 10
cents to Pencils of Promise for every mile you ride!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Across America Trek is in Minnesota! 7/22/12
“Today is our first whole day in Minnesota. We rolled into the state late last night along a nice country road. The first fireflies we have seen on the trip ushered us in. We went 89 miles today. It seemed effortless, as if we floated across the ground. This surely has to do with the fact that today was the first day in two weeks under ninety degrees. All through the heat wave people praised our courage. One lady saw us riding down the road and immediately offered us ice water and freeze pops. Let me tell you, when you have been riding in the heat a purple freeze pop tastes like divine ambrosia. Yesterday we saw the new batman movie in Sioux Falls South Dakota. Everyone loved it. Afterwards we hung out in a Barnes and noble to beat the heat. Over the last few days we have been hanging out with another group of bike tourists. We rode with them for a while. There were 6 of them and 9 of us. We were quite a sight to see riding fifteen strong down the back roads of South Dakota. We met another guy named john who had been riding since New Years day 2011. He was 8000 miles into a 12000 mile bike ride. We had fun sharing food and stories. Tonight we are camping in a city park in Sherburn Minnesota. There are some big cities coming up. We plan to stay in a hostel in Chicago and take a rest day to explore the city.” – Jacob, Trip Leader We Love to Ride
7/19/12
It is amazing how the community of cyclist are so friendly compared to other
activities. I have come to recognize that majority of bikers support other
bikers. While we are cruising down a street another biker will pass and honk to
show support. Or like yesterday, a group of cyclist joined us for our 75 mile
day.
We heard about a group of cyclists that were just 10 miles ahead of us. We were
shocked when we caught up to them at a gas station in Reliance, South Dakota.
They were awesome!! Originally their group started with Leah, Ajamaria, and
Winston. They found Derick and Daniel who were riding together. They all decided
to continue across the country together. Then they found us! We aren't sure how
long we will stay together, but it was fun to ride in a giant pack of 14 people,
we took up the entire road.
It was cool to hear all their stories. Where they came from, how they met, how
long they had been riding for, or how it was their first time actually riding a
bike (like me). Talking to random people is my favorite part of the trip so far.
It is awesome to hear about people's lives and to take the time to get to know
them.
Side note: My favorite person of the week to talk to was John Rogers from JRs
Bar. We camped in the backyard of his bar in Belvedere, South Dakota. He told me
a little about his life then took a nap in a dog bed on the stage by the bar. It
was funny.
Well that is about it for now. Talk to you all soon! Please continue to donate
at www.pedalingforpencils.stayclassy.org
Also feel free to send this on to anyone you know! I love strangers so I would
love to get to know them!
It is amazing how the community of cyclist are so friendly compared to other
activities. I have come to recognize that majority of bikers support other
bikers. While we are cruising down a street another biker will pass and honk to
show support. Or like yesterday, a group of cyclist joined us for our 75 mile
day.
We heard about a group of cyclists that were just 10 miles ahead of us. We were
shocked when we caught up to them at a gas station in Reliance, South Dakota.
They were awesome!! Originally their group started with Leah, Ajamaria, and
Winston. They found Derick and Daniel who were riding together. They all decided
to continue across the country together. Then they found us! We aren't sure how
long we will stay together, but it was fun to ride in a giant pack of 14 people,
we took up the entire road.
It was cool to hear all their stories. Where they came from, how they met, how
long they had been riding for, or how it was their first time actually riding a
bike (like me). Talking to random people is my favorite part of the trip so far.
It is awesome to hear about people's lives and to take the time to get to know
them.
Side note: My favorite person of the week to talk to was John Rogers from JRs
Bar. We camped in the backyard of his bar in Belvedere, South Dakota. He told me
a little about his life then took a nap in a dog bed on the stage by the bar. It
was funny.
Well that is about it for now. Talk to you all soon! Please continue to donate
at www.pedalingforpencils.stayclassy.org
Also feel free to send this on to anyone you know! I love strangers so I would
love to get to know them!
The List of Random things...
July 14, 2012
As I lay in my tent at 7am after getting home from the Ice Cream Shop/Saloon at
1am I have been able to think of a few things I like and a few things I dislike.
Here we go
1. I don't like biking up mountains in the dark. I am always terrified a deer or
bear is going to hit me. Which would hurt a lot.
2. I haven't showered in 4 days, which oddly enough I enjoy very much. The way
peoples noses kind of twitch when I walk in the room is amusing.
3. I really enjoy ice cream!! I eat it almost every day. Last night we got ice
cream around midnight at the Deadwood Dicks Saloon. ( I apparently smelled so
bad that the owner kindly gave me $3 to go to the local recreation center to
shower)
4. I don't like conflict. We had a few group tiffs and they were just no fun.
However conflicts are solved and we are cruising again.
5. I like sleeping in random places. My tent is currently located on the local
bike shop owners lawn next to a gas station (which is a score because one I can
get my bike fixed and two I can use the gas station restroom!) My other favorite
places to set up camp were the parks that either said "no bikes" or "no
camping." The other random people's houses we stay at. As well as the Lowe's
parking lot. (by far the best because they opened at 6am so I got to use their
restroom and they were really confused when I walked in looking like a zombie!)
Mostly that sums up what I like and dislike. Added below is a quick list without
descriptions. Keep donating everyone! We are doing great. We just reached
$4,000!!!
Like: Subway, soap, sunglasses, bike shops, civilization, saloons, my bike
shorts, my tent, my tent buddy Kiana, the boys that copied me by getting
aviators Bryson and Alex, the people I meet, trying to use maps rather than gps,
biking thru Taco Bell asking where the bike shop is, and running to the nearest
gas station to avoid going to the bathroom in nature.
Dislikes: oatmeal, flat tires, getting two flats in one day, having to buy new
tires because they shredded, when I have gone 70 miles but still have 20 left,
my knee aches, my heavy bike, and bugs!
As I lay in my tent at 7am after getting home from the Ice Cream Shop/Saloon at
1am I have been able to think of a few things I like and a few things I dislike.
Here we go
1. I don't like biking up mountains in the dark. I am always terrified a deer or
bear is going to hit me. Which would hurt a lot.
2. I haven't showered in 4 days, which oddly enough I enjoy very much. The way
peoples noses kind of twitch when I walk in the room is amusing.
3. I really enjoy ice cream!! I eat it almost every day. Last night we got ice
cream around midnight at the Deadwood Dicks Saloon. ( I apparently smelled so
bad that the owner kindly gave me $3 to go to the local recreation center to
shower)
4. I don't like conflict. We had a few group tiffs and they were just no fun.
However conflicts are solved and we are cruising again.
5. I like sleeping in random places. My tent is currently located on the local
bike shop owners lawn next to a gas station (which is a score because one I can
get my bike fixed and two I can use the gas station restroom!) My other favorite
places to set up camp were the parks that either said "no bikes" or "no
camping." The other random people's houses we stay at. As well as the Lowe's
parking lot. (by far the best because they opened at 6am so I got to use their
restroom and they were really confused when I walked in looking like a zombie!)
Mostly that sums up what I like and dislike. Added below is a quick list without
descriptions. Keep donating everyone! We are doing great. We just reached
$4,000!!!
Like: Subway, soap, sunglasses, bike shops, civilization, saloons, my bike
shorts, my tent, my tent buddy Kiana, the boys that copied me by getting
aviators Bryson and Alex, the people I meet, trying to use maps rather than gps,
biking thru Taco Bell asking where the bike shop is, and running to the nearest
gas station to avoid going to the bathroom in nature.
Dislikes: oatmeal, flat tires, getting two flats in one day, having to buy new
tires because they shredded, when I have gone 70 miles but still have 20 left,
my knee aches, my heavy bike, and bugs!
Across America Trek Rides with Friends 7/19/12
“It is amazing how the community of cyclist are so friendly compared to other activities. I have come to recognize that majority of bikers support other bikers. While we are cruising down a street another biker will pass and honk to show support. Or like yesterday, a group of cyclist joined us for our 75 mile day.We heard about a group of cyclists that were just 10 miles ahead of us. We were shocked when we caught up to them at a gas station in Reliance, South Dakota. They were awesome!! Originally their group started with Leah, Ajamaria, and Winston. They found Derick and Daniel who were riding together. They all decided to continue across the country together. Then they found us! We aren't sure how long we will stay together, but it was fun to ride in a giant pack of 14 people, we took up the entire road. It was cool to hear all their stories. Where they came from, how they met, how long they had been riding for, or how it was their first time actually riding a bike (like me). Talking to random people is my favorite part of the trip so far. It is awesome to hear about people's lives and to take the time to get to know them.” -- Kennedy, Teen Trekker
Across America Trek Fights Some Headwinds! 7/15/12
“We are in Hill City, SD! We are right next to Mount Rushmore; we’re going to go see it tomorrow morning. Today we didn’t get very far, only about 45 miles because it was all up hill and into the wind. It was a tough day but we were all looking forward to seeing Mount Rushmore, so it was worth it.” -- Jacob, Trip Leader
The group is doing great as they pass into their fifth state of the adventure. Those muscles are certainly being tested but for this group of amazingly strong riders it shouldn’t be much of a problem. The views from the saddles on these daily rides are breathtaking!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)