Last night my bike was stolen.

Not only mine, but the bike it was locked up to: my best friend Tope’s BMX. Ya, he’s a semi-pro bmx rider, and his bike was worth even more than mine (financially speaking).

This is officially one of those “fuck the world!” kind of moments.  However, with the encouragement of Tope, I guess its better not to harbor that kind of negativity.  After all, I’m not a very sentimental person when it comes to material possessions.  Multiple travels, displacement from home to college, and my recent trip have left me with the knowledge that possessions are temporary and impermanent, which is why right now i’m trying my best to react to this assault on my transportation in the most buddhist kind of way.  Just breathe, it will be alright.

Now I can say without a doubt that our country needs change.  This economy has people pulling some of the shiestiest moves ever..stealing bikes being one of them.  I guess it all comes down to the money, its a sad thing to say, I know. But I press on recognizing this theft as more indicative of a larger system that has folks in my working class and low-income neighborhood hard pressed to get by.

I am one of the more fortunate cyclists out there now, with the opportunities that this trip has blessed me with, I have many projects in the works and have a feeling like I’ll be able to get another bike someday soon…but it sure would be nice to have all those signatures back.
This bike had meant a lot more to me than rubber, aluminum and carbon fiber..it reflected in its very frame the Americans that inspired me to continue on in my nationwide trek.  From the mom and pop bike shops that fixed my bike for free, to the camera crews that followed me from ABC, the only signature that seemed to be lacking would have been the president’s himself.

For all of my bike lovers out there: Learn from my mistake, don’t leave it out of your sight…especially in the city.

Moving forward, I have to press on to the projects I have in the works.  Yesterday I contacted producers and editors in Hollywood to try to get my documentary put together in the next two weeks for the 2009 Bicycle Film Festival.  Along with that, my agent Sven has been working in Switzerland to secure sponsors to continue the ride internationally.

Many things to look forward to, so i’m just going to keep my head up and keep the rubber side down.   Off to build my next bike- I’m goin fixed gear!

The day started off odd as Josh and I left Jennings, Louisiana today at nearly 9:00am, 2 hours late. Due to my scheduled Fox News interview that was nixed because the Israeli Prime Minister took up a lot of  time, and then they had to show off the “Best Animal Videos of 2008″.  So we took off from the Waffle House and headed off into the grey horizon.

Within 20 minutes the light rain had turned to a fairly substantial downpour, but I pushed on through to the next truck stop I could find.  Josh, who has been riding with me since Austin, was a ways back so he ended up under an overpass waiting for the rain to clear up, which it didnt.

After getting coffee I pushed forward another 10 miles through the nasty weather, now adjusting its winds against me as well as continuing to unleash the heavens in a downpour.  Next, what didn’t seem lucky at the time, my rear tire got a flat. Again, I thought, This has to be number 20 by now! Pulling into the station I fixed the flat then sat inside waiting for the weather to clear up, which it didn’t.  Two hours later I convinced two truckers named Ed and Jan to give me a ride down the road about 20 miles to the next big truck stop.

Simply put (I’ll spare the hitching stories for another time), after two more rides across spans that are impossible to cross on the I-10 I finally got to Baton Rouge and reunited with Josh, who had lucked out in his hitching expedition and was waiting for me at the Chimes Bar next to Louisiana State University.  After finishing the local brews and gumbo, we headed out to our host’s family five miles away.

Sure, the visibility was low, and the rain on the pavement made all the lights seem to blur together.  I was following right behind Josh, he had a bigger headlight and my tail-lights we’re better.  But the next thing we knew we were smashing into the side of a Jeep wrangler.  The driver, an LSU student, hadn’t seen us when he attempted to make a left turn out of a residential street.

Even though Josh hit first, he bounced off the pavement and got up without hardly a scratch.  I, on the other hand, was struck by the jeep’s front fender on my inner thigh, causing standing and walking up to be uncomfortable.

The young man who had hit us was shocked and very apologetic.  He offered to give us a ride to our hosts house, only a few blocks away from the scene of the incident.  Today he helped us out by taking us to the Bike Shop for repairs to the damaged bikes.  I went to a physical therapist who examined my leg and said I have a hematoma, but that it shouldnt deter me from riding. (Huge thanks to Gloria from GO P.T. in Baton Rouge for the treatment as well as encouragement.) 

So it looks as though this is just another bump in the road.  As for the repairs, Josh lost his GPS receiver in the chaos, and I may be having some further costs for therapy coming up, so if you’ve been thinking about contributing, now would be a much appreciated time.

While I’m currently limping around, I’m still happy that neither of us were seriously injured. Hopefully I won’t be coming into contact with another car ever again!

Day 2: 12/3
95 miles from HB-Marine Core Air Station Miramar (northeast of San Diego)
Stayed with Sgt Luke Torwal, my high school friend and teammate, who just returned from Iraq one month ago. Talking to other marines on the base about politics was interesting, as many didn’t know what was going on in the world.

Day 3: 12/4
From Miramar to ocean beaches it was only supposed to be 25 miles, but I got lost coming into the city and rode 3 hours in a circle before turning to the nearest T-mobile and upgrading to a Blackberry with GPS.
That night I watched the sunset with some self proclaimed hobo’s who had a lot to teach me about traveling and the environment. (Did anyone else know about the island of trash the size of Texas in between Hawaii and the San Diego?!)
Later that evening I stayed with a helicopter mechanic named David. He treated me real well, feeding me fresh fish he had speared the day before and we had a lively discussion with his girlfriend about christianity and sexuality and the recent california amendment 8 decision. 

Day 4: 12/5
Leaving Ocean Beaches off the pier was beautiful. Riding 50 miles uphill through the coastal range was tough.

I was helped halfway up in Lakeside by a local Submarina owner named Josh.  He sent me on my way with a delicious sub sandwich, and also spoke to me about the difficulties he and other small businesses faced in this current economy.  After our encounter i pushed further up through the hills, but obviously wasnt shifting properly as my chain busted mid way.  Walking into a local bar for some help proved to be the most uncomfortable interaction of the first week.  I’d rather not jump to conclusions about the race-issue.. and i’m sure they dont see too many folks strolling through in spandex pants, so i’ll give the folks up there the benefit of the doubt.  After finding no help there I rolled downhill and was taught how my 28-tools-in-one-tool works by a couple of mountain bikers in a Hummer from San Diego.

 That night we pitched a tent on the reservation in Alpine, CA then headed over to the Casino for the buffet.  The sunset and sunrise from 3500 feet up was beautiful.

Day 5: 12/6
Alpine/Pine Valley to El Centro
As difficult as the climb uphill was, I was expecting a great descent.  However, waiting until dusk to descend into the gorge and riding a 6% downgrade wasnt as fun as it could have been.  I was actually the most fearful the whole ride down, as I wasnt used to riding the interstate.  That night we camped out in El Centro, which looked like a ghost town when we pulled out in the morning. 

Day 6: 12/7

El Centro- Litchfield Park, Arizona
Stayed with Juana and John Mcdonald. A very nice couple with a beautiful home in the suburbs west of Phoenix.  That evening I met a fellow cyclist named Matt who gave me pannier bags and a handlebar bag as well.  Much thanks to the folks at bikeforums.net who put us in contact with my needs. 

Before saying farewell to my support vehicle and traveling companions Jasmine and Albert, I unpacked everything i thought i didnt need including the computer, my ipod and a whole lot of other odd things that had ended up in my bag.  The bike still weighs over 60 lbs, which is not looking like its gonna be the same ride.

Day 7: 12/8
Litchfield Park-Peoria (North Phoenix)

After meeting with my massage therapist friend Wendy and going to Sports Chalet for cold weather gear, a solo tent and a 20 degree mummy bag.  Parting ways with Wendy, I soaked in the brilliant Phoenix desert sunset.  The sky was even better naturally without all the LA smog I’m used to adding to the colors.

My next stop took me to the house of Alan Havir, a bike coach and great cook amongst his many other talents.  I couldnt possibly express how great their family treated with me, as I was encouraged and reenergized to take on this task.  Many thanks to the Havirs for their consistent inspiration.

…

Reflecting on Week 1 seems like a blur.  I must also mention the chance interactions I’ve had that given me the inspiration to know i’m on the right path.  One instance was bumping into my high school friend Nina at the transit station in San Diego.  I was on my way to Ocean Beach, she was heading to the Chargers game.  I remember that one of the first insights in the Celestine Prophecy was that there are no coincidences.  Everything happens for a reason.  I cant wait to see who else I’ll meet on this journey…

My thoughts on the trip…

• Riding with a pack is definitely easier.  Every time i slowed up and got behind the pack it was impossible to catch up. Having a group there to motivate, as well as draft off of paid off big time.
• Mechanical failures suck! Having the bike break down is not only frustrating but it can be dangerous. Whether it was chains slipping off or my loose crank arm (at least i had brought my 2 lb ratchet with me) it is not the business to be dealing with crap like that while you’re riding.  An example of the danger part: While riding through Camp Pendleton in a pack of 6 one riders chain slipping caused me to slow down and wobble, causing the rider behind me to clip my rear wheel.. causing them to crash.. and me to look back.. forgetting i was clipped in to the pedals.. and fell over.  At least none of us were seriously hurt.. just some humble pie this time!
• Going over 100 miles is hard.. really.. really hard.  I just about wanted to call it quits at about 80, but slowed down the pace and kept pushing with my coach Tony’s encouragement.
• My knees got pretty sore.. I’m wondering what the best preventative means i can take is to make sure this doesn’t become a repetitive  problem.