So, there are a few things that I am excited about seeing when we bike across the country. One, I am excited to see the world. The places that we are going to pass through and maybe even stop and explore sound cool. I guess this tripis sounding better.
My mother says that we are going to walk through huge tunnels that go on for miles and miles, called Lava Tubes, at a place called Mammoth Cave. There will be other fun things as well, like Mount Rushmore. I hope we visit it because last time I was there I was 3, and I remember screaming my tiny little head off because my mom stuffed me in a stroller and didn’t let me run around and have fun. This time I she won’t be able to catch me!
I am excited about biking across the tall prairie grasses in Kansas. It sounds cool to travel through miles of grass that might be 8 feet tall. I am excited about seeing super tall trees with 6 foot wide trunks as well in Oregon. I am going to try and climb them.
BUT, there are still things that I am not excited about. For instance, I hear that dogs chase you while you bike through farm land on very long and twisty roads. My mom says we can carry pepper spray to keep them away. She says sometimes you have to get off your bike and use it as a shield from the dogs. That is terrifying to me, and I think that I should carry a baseball bat at all times to whack them.
The other thing I am not looking forward to is going over the Rocky Mountains. It will be all uphill and I am going to hate this. I will probably throw my bike off the side of a mountain.
Anyway, now I think that there is a lot to worry about and a lot to look forward to.
Going up the rockiest will be hard, but it’s all down hill after the continental divide.
Going downhill goes too fast. Going up takes really long
I do hope you are able to post photos and maybe keep the blog during the trip. I never heard of Lava Tubes. Also, I think the farm dogs will love you and your mom. Maybe you could carry dog biscuits and feed them or carry some tennis balls for them to catch.
I will post photos. I am not sure about the dogs. People keep telling me they are really mean.
Nice, oak.
Thank you. How is Naomi. Do you ever come out to Peaks?
Good luck Oakley, I hope I get a chance to meet you and maybe even ride for a bit, or maybe I can meet y’all at mammoth cave. I’ve been once, and it’s an awesome experience.
Take care,
Susan Tyree, friend of your mom.
Thank you
Siobhan, is right. The farm dogs will probably just run with you for awhile. Where I live we akso have packs of feral dogs and they are more aggressive. We carry yucca sticks.(very light weight) when we are walking, or riding horses or bikes. I’ve never had to hit a dog. Usually just having the stick with us is enough to deter them. If not waving it around has always been enough. I did have a horse I was riding get bitten once before we started carrying the sticks. If you want I can mail you a couple of the yucca sticks. They are so much lighter than a bat. Ask your mom. BTW I am her cousin but she doesnt really know me but your aunts Dana, Leslie and Taryn do. So does your uncle Daniel.
Thanks for the ideas. I am not so sure. I just hope they stay away.
The proper pump is a great foil for dogs. Just have it you can whip it off easily. Flick your wrist and use the extended pump as a lance to foil the mutt.
Uphill means downhill. Imagine 25 miles all downhill. Be careful.
Thank you
Good for you, seeing both sides of it, Oakley! In the end you will be SO glad you did this.
I hope so
subscribe.
Thanks for posting, Oakley. I have discovered that long hikes or long bike rides really help you see the world from a new and better perspective. So, you’re a lucky guy: you already see the world as a good place and it’ll only get even better with the ride you and your mom have planned. Buen Camino! (which in Spanish means, “Have a great trip!”)
Thank you.
Thank you
Hey Oakley- think of the Rockies as being like Elizabeth Street only longer. You can do it.
ugh
I really like how both you and your mom post and give different perspectives. I think you are both brave to undertake this adventure! And I think the beauty of the Rocky Mountains will win you over, especially if you see elk and bighorn sheep!
Thank you. Frederick is my fave. You are like frederick.
Oakley
A long time ago(1981) I rode my bicycle across Canada so I thought i would give you some input. First, Dogs: I honestly don’t remember a single dog giving us a hard time. As the saying goes their bark is worse than their bite. they may run beside you but almost all of them are just out to let you know that you are in their territory. Secondly the mountains: yup they are big and can be steep,but you have all summer. Think about the fact that most of the hills have transport trucks climbing them. I remember passing transports on the way up some of the steeper hills. You have gears on your bicycle for a reason, they will get you to the top before you know it and the scenery will make you forget the struggle in no time. When i look back on my bike trip across country it was one of the highlights of my life so far. You will come away from it knowing your country in a way that only a cyclist can. Driving it at 60 miles an hour insulates you from it and the people you will meet on route. Embrace and enjoy it! I am a bit jealous and wish I was doing it again.