Team Bomispir Travel Log's Journal
[Most Recent Entries]
[Calendar View]
[Friends]
Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in
Team Bomispir Travel Log's LiveJournal:
[ << Previous 20 ]
| Monday, August 19th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Why think...beacuse you can
I told myself, I would not read Adams' final thoughts till after I had finished mine... I failed. I think that man summed it up well, however, opinions are like butt holes everyones got one. Since completing the "trek", I have had plenty of time to think, digest, and relive certain moments and feelings. Yet the problem lies with finding someone who can understand what we went through; physically and mentally. The simple truth is you can't. We tortured ourselves, sometimes beyond our breaking points. But hasn't everyone? When anyone hears about what Adam and I just completed, We get one of two response (usually both). "Man , how did you do that?" or "Man I couldn't do that!". Being consistent with everyone I will respond "Sure you can, all you have to do is put your mind to it" That simple thought is one thing I would like to leave you with because it not only sums up our short trip but can sum up what you get out of life. The second thought, one I pondered more then any other was the word simplicity. When you have no distractions and an intelligent man to bounce ideas of off, you can get in a lot of quality thinking (almost a state of meditation). This thinking ranged from analyzing the past to dreaming about the future. With that came an idea of what I want out of life. I want health first and foremost, this will allow me to give everything I have in other facets of my life. Second I don't want a lot of "toys", with these comes nothing but momentary happiness and a lot of unwarranted stress. Thirdly, I want to share my abilities and my life (Whatever these are... maybe another bike trip is in order) with others, especially the ones I love. Making someone else happy, will bring you a happiness that you cannot find any other way. Last but not least my quote "I believe that their is a direct correlation between the obesity problem in America and the quality of our environment, so get off your butt and out of your SUV walk or ride to the store, work, church, or just do it while holding the hand of someone you love... and we will all be a lot happier." Last but not least if you want to find "your own Everest", I will be glad to talk to you more about our trip. Secondly find a good partner before starting, I would take One Adam over two Armstrongs any day. Thirdly, be prepared to never look at life the same! | | Sunday, August 18th, 2002 | | 10:08 pm |
A HYPERACTIVE ADVENTURE
Adam's Final Thoughts What an adventure although I must say the end was a bit anti-climatic. It's one of those adventures where looking back it's the journey not the destination was the most amazing part. I got to slow down, not that 2700 miles in 24 days is slow, but I did begin to see what else constitutes the United States. The fact that everyone else is not as lucky as I am, that conditions others live in are unthinkable and we put them there, and that everyone is taking the highway because they are in such a rush. Faster is not always better. First off, I could not have picked a better travel companion than Stephen and I still cannot believe that we did not fight once, especially with my gastrointestinal problems (Farting is funny). I'm not sure Stephen could have handled another day away from Heather but when he was on the bike the boy could ride, at times I just sat on his wheel trying to keep up. We talked a lot even if you only talk for a few hours a day that's still a lot especially after 24 days. It is nice to have someone there to listen to you because you do so much time thinking on the bike. We talked a great deal of setting up an adventure travel company taking people on bike tours such as ours where they can come find their own Everest, we certainly did. Climbing from sea-level to 7,900 ft covering 93 miles on the first day through the San Gabriel Mountains we quickly realized this trip was no walk in the park. We rode on through the Mojave desert's 120 degree heat, over the Rockies, across the Mississippi, over the Smokies and in incredible humidity ending on Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina while riding against the wind 22 out of 24 days. We averaged over 110 miles daily (17 days over 100 miles), rode 10 to 13 hour days, drank over 2 gallons of water & Gatorade a day (prefer orange & fruit punch), went through 8 States 42 tubes 5 tires 2 wheels & 1 handlebar, passed (and smelled) hundreds of roadkill (at least one armadillo/mile in Arkansas alone), and burned between 7,000 to 10,000 calories a day. While planning this trip I was also thinking about moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting but I wanted to make sure I knew who I was before I went to a place where everyone is trying to be something they are not just to get a part. I am looking forward to moving out west and hope that wonderful opportunities continue to fall into my lap. If not maybe I'll use my degree but I have learned a great deal about who I am and what is important in my life. I realized the importance of having and keeping those few people close to you who actually care about you and I have another one to add to my list, thanks Stephen. | | Sunday, August 11th, 2002 | | 5:17 am |
VICTORY
Day 24, Miles: 119, Lillington to Wrightsville Beach Adam and Stephen reached Wrightsville Beach and dipped their bike wheels in the Atlantic Ocean around 4:30 pm on Day 24. Wilmington Channel 3 ABC covered the final day on the local 6 o'clock news, WPTF radio in Raleigh announced their triumph on Tuesday morning and the Raleigh News & Observer is scheduled to print an interview story in the North Raleigh section of the paper this Friday, August 16th. The guys are hanging out at Oak Island taking a few days of much needed rest before they update the last few days of their travel log and sign off with some final thoughts. WE LOVE YOU ADAM AND STEPHEN - WAY TO GO!! | | Saturday, August 10th, 2002 | | 5:15 am |
| | Friday, August 9th, 2002 | | 5:14 am |
| | Thursday, August 8th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Hi Mom, Camp is Great! Love Adam & Stephen
Day 21, Miles: 40, Balsam to Asheville Is there anything greater than camp. It's like a Utopia really where you're free to be a kid forever and for two Peter Pans where else would we be more at home. We arrived at SOAR yesterday and got the grand tour of the Balsam camp from John Willson and then got fed along with one of the 8-10 year old groups. Everyone was super hospitable and we really could not have picked a better organization to ride for. This morning we ate breakfast, Adam had grits for the first time, and we continued to be kids with the campers. Both of us riled up the campers and were given time-outs. The campers are in a transition day so activities are out of the question but the energy and enthusiasm of a high adventure camp is written all over their face. We are riding to Asheville later on to stay with Stephen's aunt and uncle. Hopefully the roads will all be downhill (with our luck probably not). We can begin to smell the end and looking back it seems like just yesterday we were getting our wheels wet in the Pacific Ocean and having cameras slapped out of our hand. | | Wednesday, August 7th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
A Sad Sad Day as We Bid Farewell
Day 20, 80 miles, Knoxville to Balsam We woke up early in Knoxville and prepared for the long day. "Preparation" means shaving legs and eating spam. The trip started with a descent into Gatlinburg before the climbing began. After thirteen miles, we arrived at the North Carolina/Tn border. After a photo session and a few hugs, the boys took off on a wicked descent. We passed thirty cars at 40+mph. Some drivers weren't happy because Stephen was in the middle of the road. The two lone rangers have faced enough adversity... but now this. Just as they thought two 5,000 thousand foot climbs through the Appalachian Mountains were bad enough, it got a lot worse. No it wasn't a wreck, no broken handle bars, nor did they blow a wheel.... BRUCE LEFT. The RV, known as Mortimer took off headed north (We think he was tired of the two slobs, that would be us). After three weeks of bonding, no not like that, we sad our goodbyes; which included a few tears. As Adam kissed Zee goodbye and Stephen had some "private time" with Mortimer, Bruce was overly elated. All joking aside, the trip could not have been possible without his support. Thank You Bruce. | | Monday, August 5th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
And they just keep going
Day 18, 96 miles (almost 100), Memphis TN - Nashville TN After saying our goodbye to the King, we headed out. The day was a grueling one with many climbs and a humidity that would make a mosquito shutter. After stopping and purchasing some gifts for our families from some roadside vendors, we realized that we had had just about too much excitement for one day. We spent the night with some family - beats sleeping in the RV! | | Sunday, August 4th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
The Roadkill Count Increases
Day 17, 145 miles, Conway AR to Memphis TN The days have become very very very long with the humidity, the stench of the roadkill and the conversations are "goin' south". Arkansas may be able to produce presidents but they sure can't pave their roads. We really have not been doing the best job attracting media or sending out information on donations but we love this type of stuff and we have learned what is needed for our next BIG CHARITY ADVENTURE so stay tuned. We got up really early but because my spoke came out of my wheel. Stephen was patient while I searched the White Pages to find the owner of the local bike shop owner, Wayne Hall of Conway Bike Shop. Wayne came to his store at 9am on Sunday (his store was closed) and changed my cog set, where all the gears are in the back, and put it on another wheel I had. Wayne got us on the road at 9:30am and we rode against the wind yet again. We went through town after run down town with so many stores that had been shut down. It is so strange to see this part of the country and it makes for interesting conversation for Stephen and I. We really appreciate where we come from and what opportunities we have been given. Send us your best energy and prayers for our last week. Adam & Stephen | | Saturday, August 3rd, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Just a walk in the park boys
Day 16, 123 miles: Alma AR - Conway AR Waking up with a tad bit of soreness, the two young straping lads set back out on their "grand adventure". After a miserable encounter with humidity and some good old Arkansas heat... it dawned on them what was making them so miserable. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE ARKANSAS DMV TO CLEAN UP THE ROAD KILL. After losing count of dead Armadillos @ 1,695,769, Adam & Stephen decided to call it a day. | | Friday, August 2nd, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
If you think 200 miles is a good idea THINK AGAIN
Day 15, 180 miles, Pink to Alma, AR Up early and on the road by 7am and had a good amount of luck. I decided to be a superstar and try to go all out for 56 miles (what he'll have to ride for a half ironman). We are both seeing an incredible improvement in our bodies and mentally we are just so much tougher. After riding 90 miles we stopped in Eufaula at a lake for lunch but it was just too hot to go swimming. We grabbed a nap and got back on the road by 3 in the heat which was still in the 110's plus humidity. Stephen and I each drank close to 3 gallons of water a piece, what are we, camels. The roads really were horrible, not as bad as New Mexico but we got some bumpy stuff and Stephen will agree that I was not too happy. We could say I was driving the grumpy bus. I have to remember to pace myself, no more tests, RELAX & ENJOY. Stayed at a RV park, took showers, ate pasta & slept. | | Thursday, August 1st, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Relaxing and Loft
Day 14, 40 miles: Oklahmoma City to Pink After waking up and having a relaxing breakfast, we headed to the bike store for some simple repairs. We found simple repairs to be quite costly but hey that's life in the fast lane. After enjoying some teeny booper respect at the local mall, we relaxed while watching Austin Powers which had a cameo appearance by Adam's favorite actor - Stephen missed the movie for a nap. Getting on the road around 5:00 pm we headed east, however, a wrong turn took us south. We ended up lost, tired, and hungry in Pink, OK. To the rescue came the Miller family and their amazing snow cones - the only food available in Pink at that hour! | | Wednesday, July 31st, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
God bless Family
Day 13, 145 miles: Pampa OK city So here we are, actually writing a journal entry the day it happened. We had quite a long day: waking up around 7:00 am. We took of for a day that we hoped would cover 200 miles. We only made it 3/4 of the way when we decided that we could come back out and start from there tomorrow. We know what is about to follow is of little interest to you, but man it is great for us. It is the first time we have been in a house in over 2 weeks. We are staying with family here in OK city (they shall remain anonymous, to protect their true identities), allowing us to shower, shave (yes our legs), and sleep with out hearing each other snore. So we are all in very high spirits, yet we are also ready to get on with the trip... just not tonight. We think we can make NC by the 11 of August... wish us luck. Adam & Stephen | | Tuesday, July 30th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
The Panhandle... there ain't much to it
Day 12, 125 miles: The Ranch - Pampa After getting an early start (Early being relative... 10:00am). We left for OK. We never made it to OK, instead we wended up in a quaint little Texas town (If quaint describes Texas), called Pampa. The day was a typical 125 mile "easy" ride. Only a few flats and some great conversations, that at times left us a little frustrated. | | Monday, July 29th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Nowhere to Nowhere
Day 11, 130 mile, Ranch - Ranch After waking up in the middle of Nowhere, we left for the middle of nowhere. We started out in high spirits trying to cover 200 miles in one day... didn't happen. It took us 6 hours to cover just 60 miles. THe wind was well pass the "Stiff flag" reading, at times almost knocking us off our bikes. Needless to say, Adam and Stephen spent a lot of time yelling, and screaming certain "words"... we will leave it at that. After hanging out in the K-Mart parking lot (Sorry Sam we took our business elsewhere), we set out headed east again. This time the wind was with us allowing us to salvage the day. We slept next to Betsy and friends (Cows). The Texas night was incredible, allowing us to get some much needed rest. | | Sunday, July 28th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
There are 4 simple directions North, South, East and West
Day 10: 121 miles Santa Fe - BFK After getting a late start due to our night in Santa Fe (Once again ask in person or via email for a further update), we left on I-25 NORTH. At this point a little "discussion" took place about which direction was North Carolina. We ended up riding into the wind, up hill, and NORTH (We have now decided to call it East Carolina, just to keep things simple). After tempers settled down, we regained composure and made some serious progress. The ride was capped of by an experience that really cannot be captured through words. We were about ready to pull over and stop when we saw one of those signs warning trucks about a steep downhill grade. Well what ended up happening was a 50 mile per hour plus descent from 6,000 or so feet, down into the "GREAT PLAINS"... enough said. | | Saturday, July 27th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Santa Fe
Day 9: 69 miles, Albuquerque NM - Santa Fe NM We spent most of the morning, cleaning our bikes, cooking, and preparing the website. Around 3:00 pm we left on I-25 heading North for Santa Fe. It was a pretty uneventful trip until the 7 mile climb up to Santa Fe (made really enjoyable by the head wind). After setting up camp in the Walmart parking lot, We decided it was time to be normal.. so we headed out for a night on the town. For further details contact us via email. | | Friday, July 26th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Yea More Flat Tires
Day 8, 135 miles: Gallup NM - Albuquerque NM What a day. We climbed to the top of the Continental Divide shortly after leaving Gallup (7,450 feet). We then had a tail wind and a long ride down hill. We were feeling good and chewing up some asphalt, when we were once again struck with a bit of bad luck. We had 4 flats in the span of 25 miles. The last two occurring at the same time, with only one tube. Adam got it and took of too the top of the seven mile climb into Albuquerque, leaving Stephen to hike it. He was picked up after about a mile and met Adam at the top for some much needed rest and a bottle of wine. (We ate Papa John's... dinner of champions) | | Thursday, July 25th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Flat Tire Day
Day 7, 130 miles: Winslow AZ - Gallup New Mexico Today was a day we hope to forget. We never got in the groove do to heat, 4 flats, and bad water from a gas station. All we really accomplished was testing our mental toughness, which proved to be stronger then we expected. This day was comparable to a walk in hell. We made it outside of Gallup after riding the last 4 miles on a gravel section of I-40. Once again we slept at Walmart after destroying the Golden Corral buffet. We had a good time taping a "history of the trip", a must see for anyone who is ready for a laugh. | | Wednesday, July 24th, 2002 | | 8:00 pm |
Route 66
Day 6, Miles 121: Rest Area - Seligman AZ After getting about 3 hours of sleep do to truckers constantly reeving their engines we took of for Route 66 and Seligman AZ. Most of the day we spent on a road full of history, that carried us through open range. After reciting the entire dialog of Top Gun, we visited with some cows... who I don't think appreciated our company as much as we appreciated theres. We slept in a KOA where we had our first real shower, washed our clothes (with a machine), wrote some letters, and drank a beer. |
[ << Previous 20 ]
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
bomispir's journal