There’s definitely more news to come, and possibly a few ‘doin’s a brewin’!

PRESS RECEIVED as of January 28, 2009

January 28, 2009
Climate Justice Now “Biking for Obama” article by Ariana de Leña

January 22, 2009
Oprah and Friends:  Dr. Robin Smith

January 21, 2009
ABC News 20/20
The (Long) Road to the Inauguration

Los Angeles Times
“Celebrating, working, struggling on the big day” article by Peter H. King

Star News, Wilmington N.C.,
“Inspired by Obama, cyclist riding from L.A. to D.C.” article by David Reynolds

BikePortland.org “Blumenauer lends a hand to Obama bikers” Blog Post by Jonathan Maus (Editor)

January 20, 2009

El Universo (Ecuador)
Multitudes se encuentran en Washington con fe en un cambio

Univision
“A la asunción en bicicleta: Ryan Bowen atravesó EU para ver a Obama”

La Mañana Neuquén (Colombia)
“Desde Los Angeles, en bicicleta”

The Peninsula, Qatar
“Biker for Obama braves winter tour across continent” Source DPA

January 19, 2009
Les Quotidiennes (Switzerland)
“Il pédale 5000 km pour assister à la cérémonie d’investiture de Barack Obama”

El Pais (Uruguay)
Una imagen renovada para la Casa Blanca

La Prensa (Honduras)
“La esperanza comienza hoy”

El Deber (Bolivia)
Obama asume cargado de desafíos en EEUU

Samanyolu Haber (Turkey)
“Obama’yı için 5 bin kilometre pedal”

Zaman (Turkey)
“Obama yemin ediyor, ABD’de yeni dönem”

The Oregonian (Newspaper)  “Mixing a little public good with the inauguration’s excess”

article by Charles Pope

20minutes.fr
“Il «roule» pour Obama” article by Laura Desjardins

The Earth Times
Biker for Obama braves winter tour across continent – Feature

eYugoslavia.com, Serbia
“Biker for Obama braves winter tour across continent” article By Vasilije Gallak

January 18, 2009
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
“Cycling cross-country for Obama” article by Olivia Hampton

Los Angeles Times
“‘Hurting and hoping’ across the land” Article by Peter King

BikeRadar.com
“Cyclist completes Obama-inspired cross-country trek” by AFP

January 13
Huffington Post
“One Cyclist’s Inauguration Journey a Wonderful Sign of the Times“ article Graham Hill

January 7
Lake City Reporter (Lake City, FL)
“Mayor gives adventurer key to city” Article by Jeff M. Hardison

AFP:  Cyclists prepare for Obama inauguration

January 5, 2009

Public Radio International: Phone Interview on “The Takeaway”

December 23, 2008

National Public Radio: Phone Interview on “Talk of the Nation” with Neil Conan
Who’s Coming To Washington For The Inauguration?

Superill.net
Biking for Obama: This is ILL!

January 5, 2009
WBUR.org Boston’s NPR News Source
Interview on “Here and Now”

December 25, 2008
Boston Globe
“Inauguration-bound on 2 wheels and a lot of hope” Obama inspires 4,000-mile trek.  Article by Peter H. King

December 22, 2008
Public Radio International: “Inauguration or bust: From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. by bike”

Phone Interview on “The Takeaway”

December 21, 2008
Fox Cable News Phone Interview on “Fox and Friends”

December 13, 2008
Los Angeles Times Article by Peter King “Headed to the inauguration on two wheels, a hope and a prayer”

December 2, 2008
NBC 4 Los Angeles News Feature Biking for Obama

Maybe its because I’ve been “on-the-go” for two months now, but my intuition tells me that slowing down is not going to be easy.  In fact, it might not even have to happen at all.  In the interviews and conversations I had in the days leading up to the inauguration everyone seemed to pop the question, “What are you going to do next?”  Well, since I’m all the way on the opposite coast, the easy answer- “I’m goin to Disneyland!”- didnt really work.

So what do I do from here on out?

I’ve crossed an entire continent on my bicycle; received international media attention for what I’ve done, met countless amazing individuals along my journey; been welcomed into DC by Congressmen; got the hottest ticket of 2009 (a SEATED one at that!). It would seem like everything I could have dreamed came true.  I must say that this entire endeavor–accidents, frustrations, and pain aside– was quite possibly the most positive thing I have ever been involved in.  To cap it off, I was able to sit with everyday people involved in the campaign way up near the front of the crowd.  (I could see Obama’s shoulder for most of his speech-the media tower obstructed the rest of him).

My frenzied travel schedule made it difficult to maintain the level of lucidity that I had intended to provide with this blog.  Now that I have had a few days of rest, and haven’t ridden much in over a week—this NYC winter is proving to be a little too bitter for my SoCal style—I actually have some time to really think about what went on these past two months, and let you in on the experience as well.

While the future is uncertain at the moment I’ll let you in on a couple developments in my, as well as my team members here at Biking for Obama.

On Sunday Josh and Albert and me all met with Sven Melkers, of Helmers and Melkers an entertainment and sports media agency.  He’s interested in promoting our gang in Europe, and seeing where the bicycle touring can take us.  I’m pretty excited about the prospect, and while I’m not getting my hopes up too high, I have strong feelings that something advantageous can work out for all of us.

As for an update on where we’re at today: We are sleeping in an editing studio. Literally. Josh Apter of  the Manhattan Edit Workshop , has set us up in order to start the post production process of our documentary. I really couldn’t have asked for a better situation (well maybe having showers, but I don’t stink so much now that I’m not cycling 6 hours a day).  Josh is an awesome guy, he heard about my story in early January and sent a cinematographer to film my last week in Virginia.

Anyway, I’ll be keeping everyone more updated with details on future projects as this week progresses.  Gotta get back to work!

We rode 130 miles here from Pensacola, FL breaking my previous record of 120. Gonzo and Josh and Eric, from Orlando, rode with me today and will also be trying to match todays mark (a personal best for everyone!).  Wish us all luck, and support, its not gonna be easy.

Here’s a couple fav’s from yesterday’s and today’s ride in Florida.

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.