Unprepared: an Introduction

Here we go, first blog post ever! Woohoo

Two years ago, while living in Leavenworth as a rafting guide, two cyclists decided to Couch Surf at my house. For those of you not in the know, couch-surfing is a travel website where one can seek out hosts across the world and stay in their homes for free. Two such travelers who were recent Harvard grads decided to cycle from Seattle to Boston and stayed at my house. Their adventure piqued my interest to say the least, however, I was not in the financial position to go on such an epic. Plus, I was still working on applying to med schools, an arduous process if ever there was one.

Years later, after being accepted to the University of Colorado, with three months ahead of me before I start medical school, I find myself in the position starting a similar journey. I will be cycing from Anacortes, WA to New York, NY. 4,000 miles. I figure at a conservative average of 60 miles per day it will take me approximately 66 days to make it there (not factoring rest days). Luckily, I have about 100 days to do it. Seems doable... right?

To answer your questions, no, I'm not a cyclist; yes, i'm in over my head; yes, I will be alone. As far as sleeping goes I will be tent camping most nights, in yards mostly. I plan on utilizing the website WarmShowers to find lodging hosts. It is a similar site to CouchSurfing but exclusively for cyclists. Or so I've read. Indeed most, if not all my information concerning this trip has come from other blogs, books, and secondhand knowlege of touring experiences.

So I gave my notice at Skagit Valley hospital where I worked. My final day would be April 1st (I'm almost positive most people still think it's some sort of April Fools prank). Leaving Skagit will be difficult because it was truly the best job I have ever had. It has been my coworkers that made it so special. With a tentative April 4th departure date I have had about a month of preparation time. Time to train! (Cue Eye of the Tiger montage music)

This is a pic of me and Miss Mette Rouseau, a friend from Young Life. With two weeks until D-Day (Departure Day) we went on the longest bike trip I've ever been on (by far) and clocked in 40 miles. Good prep day. It was all hills and rained off and on pretty much the whole way. Took us 6 hours with few breaks to manage it. It was amazing.

Several weeks later, me and Alistair Wressnigg, another CNA from Skagit, went from Lake Stevens to my house.