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We are those crazy people…
By Russ | September 24, 2009
Many years ago in our pre-cycling years, Laura and I did a road trip from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada in a car. It was somewhere in the Redwoods that I saw my first bike tourists huffing up the hill with bags on their bikes and sweat pouring down their faces. I saw them and felt a mixed feeling of awe and horror. Who were these people and what were they doing?
I remember when we got home I looked up “bike touring” since it was so new to me and the whole idea lit my brain afire. That is what I wanted to do - what THOSE crazy bikers were doing!
Fast forward five years - Laura and I (at the moment of this update) are IN the Redwoods, having coffee across the street from the giant Paul Bunyon and Babe. We have BECOME those crazy bikers that filled my head and heart with lofty dreams of hitting the road on a bike.
As we huff up our own hills with sweat pouring down our faces, I’d like to think that maybe in one of the cars that have passed us, was another wide-eyed couple who will think - “Wow, I’ve got to do that someday!”
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September 24th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
The Marching Lumberjacks are Humboldt State’s marching band. They are a little crazy. My friend Sarah is member. One day I wanted to see some of our local tourist attractions and I had read about the Trees of Mystery and wanted to go. I told Sarah about this wish and she said when the band drives by, they always stop and touch the blue ball. I thought nothing of this until I got there and saw a giant Paul Bunyon and Babe. A giant somewhat anatomically correct Babe. Could you just imagine 30 or 40 kids with hard helmets and suspenders jumping out of a bus and running up to Babe to “Touch the blue ball?!”
September 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I don’t know how many drivers you’ve inspired, but I know at least one person who’s passed you time and time again on the internet and thought “Wow, I’ve got to do that NOW!”
September 24th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I’d like to just get up one hill tomorrow! Well, maybe 2.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Having been one of those crazy people on loaded touring bikes less than I’d like over the past 33 years (B76), I envy them from the stuffy, bulky, confines of my car when I see them while I’m driving.
You will inspire many with your presence and your posts.
Keep up the good ride.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Life on the road can be surreal sometimes. Round a curve and see a 50 foot man with an axe or a huge fiberglass dinosaur, big ball of twine…whatever.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Jack
September 25th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Isn’t it exciting that we haven’t even discovered all our dreams and passions yet?! Five + years ago you didn’t even know this was your dream. And now!
I suspect that there are some of us who get to peek at you climbing those hills only virtually through this website just might be dreaming their own dreams.
September 25th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I have also been through this metamorphasis of seeing the crazies, then becoming one of them! Way to go!!
September 27th, 2009 at 8:47 am
So cool that your dreams are now a reality. I have had similar dreams while traveling by car. Interesting that Paul Bunyan and Babe have been adopted in the Northwest. Being from Minnesota, I always associated him with our neck of the woods. I looked PB up on Wikipedia, and it seems he did get his start here in the Great Lakes region. Maybe he decided to move west after he was kicked out of Brainerd, MN at Paul Bunyan Amusement Park a few years back?
September 27th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
passing someone touring when in a car is inspirational, but imagine being many thousands of miles away reading daily updates of such a journey (and seeing wonderful pictures too)!
March 24th, 2010 at 5:10 am
I don’t know why they don’t just walk their bike, when they are pedaling those small gears fast and going slow!
It never made sense to me.
I do understand, stepping off my bicycle.
I got a folding bicycle for the “low step-off” and I can take it inside.
I don’t pack a full set of panniers, going for the ultralightweight and lightweight backpacking gear, myself.
I realize, of course, I have become one of those bicyclists.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Ha …how funny! Last year, I rode my Surly LHT from Santa Monica, Ca to Amarillo, TX entirely on Route 66. On the day I pedaled accross the Mojave Desert I made the long winding ascent up Sitgreaves Pass. As I neared the summit, two Harley riders went zipping by. They wear wearing microphone headsets with the volume turned up to hear each other over the rumble. I clearly heard one guy say to the other, “Man, that guy is f’n nuts!” as they passed me.