Oakley’s Perspective: Dreadful Thursday is Here

Oakley with his best friend Scuppers, the day before departure.

The hardest thing about leaving tomorrow on my bike ride across America is that I am going to be thinking about my friends all the time. I won’t be seeing them for three months. My mother and I decided that I will be able to call them once a week, on Wednesdays. If I were to talk on the phone every day it would be a big problem, and my mom would be mad at me all the time because I would never get off the phone. I also know it would just make me miss them more. I am also worried about having to be alone with my mother for three months.

The best thing is that this trip is going to be a really good experience. When I get home I will be able to look back and know that I did a really cool thing. I think I am going to look like a frog when I get back. I will have huge thighs (but hopefully not a potbelly). I will probably see a lot of cool and historic things. Maybe grizzly bears, elk, and bison. I know I am probably going to hate pedaling over the Rockies at first, but I will get used to it, and going down will be super fun.

I am excited. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends when I get back. I hope the mountains don’t kill me. I hope my mom and I don’t get in a fight every day. We probably will, but we will get over it. I hope we don’t get eaten by bears in Colorado. And I hope that three months doesn’t feel like three years. I will try not to think of the day we get back, but instead think of the day we are on.

Leah’s Postscript: We are flying to Astoria, Oregon, today. I am incredibly grateful for all the encouragement, support, and contributions that Oakley and I have been lucky enough to receive from friends, family, and the world of bike nerds. They are the fuel that will carry us across the country, over the mountains and through swamps of self-doubt and fatigue. I can’t thank everybody enough. Here we go.….

28 thoughts on “Oakley’s Perspective: Dreadful Thursday is Here”

  2. Have a wonderful trip! It’s going to be amazing: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enjoy! We will miss you! Can’t wait to hear all about it when y’all get back!

  4. Yahoo! Many blessings on your journey. We’ll all be excited to hear about your adventures! Have fun!!!

  5. Safe travels on your adventure. I’ll keep you both in my prayers. Looking forward to seeing all you posts.

  11. Oakley,
    I love how you spoke of both the negatives and the positives of this trip and your thoughts about it. Every experience has its pros and cons, and you are wise do you understand that. You also gave yourself good advice when saying, I will try to “think of the day we are on”. Being in the moment and fully present for this experience every day is so important! Have a wonderful adventure!

  12. Dear Oakley,

    I’m pretty sure you won’t hate the mountains. Guys like you climb like billy goats. But try to look up once in a while and notice the scenery.

    Dear Leah,

    You’re more prepared than most. Have no fear. People along the way will help you, too.

  13. I look forward to the first post. The first day will be the hardest or maybe the first week. You write well, Oakley, and I know you will bike well, too. Love you both!!!

  15. YAHoooo!! Best of travels to you both, we’ll be right there in spirit with you!
    CHEERS from Nancy, Scott and Bowie

    1. and if you happen to make it up to southern Manitoba (we are just 2 hours north of Grand Forks, you’ve got a free place to stay… we would love to hear about your travels!

  20. You are up in the sky and soon you will be biking along with the wind in your hair and your butt so sore you won’t want to sit for a week! Ahh but think of the stories and the buns of steel when you get home! Bon voyage!

  21. May you be blessed with the good weather I had when I crossed the USA on bike in 2012: 7 weeks with just one rain shower for 30 minutes one afternoon! “Memorable” is a good term for the whole endeavor.

  22. Set your mind for 100 miles a day
    I DID 1700 MILES IN 20 DAYS
    Wichita,kansas to N.Y.C
    Then 20 years later my son & I did
    958 miles from Wichita to
    KNOXVILLE IN 9.5 DAYS
    HAVE A GREAT TIME !
    YOU WILL HAVE LOTS OF MEMORIES
    .

  23. Hey Leah & Oakley – I’ve been following your blog but haven’t commented before. This is just about the coolest thing I’ve heard of – so impressed with both of you. Enjoy every minute, even the hard ones; you’ve got this. Happy trails!

  24. this is indeed fantastic. must drink water and juices. lights on at dusk and dawn. resting at night.
    will you be able to stop by a post office to pick up a General Delivery message?

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