Oct 26, 7 am
I just arrived in Mazatlan, it is hot, humid, interesting, dirty,
busy, nice and intimidating. I suppose the intimidation comes from the
fact that so much is unknown here. I didn't arrive with a map, and
while I finally did manage to procure a small one of Sinaloa, I still
do not know what the roads are like, how frequent services are, or
where I am going to stay. I don't know if the highways are remote like
in baja, or are busy freeways like in parts of Canada. I do not know
which roads are advisable to follow and which towns are advisble to
avoid. I do not know how much hotter and humid it will become, but I
do know that I need to step back, relax, focus and enjoy the
challenges I am now presented with. I have my map and I have my health
and equipment order. I am here. I made it! I need to celebrate this
victory and trust myslf to manage what comes next as I have done so far.
The people here are well dressed, well groomed, and generally seem
more professional than those of baja. Already I have seen coffee being
brewed, (as opposed to the ubiquitous instant mix Nescafe used in
baja), many nice restaurants along the water front, nice
neighborhoods, art, etc. Of couse, every city is the sum of its many
parts, and i happen to be in a nicer place at the moment, and I know
that it is surrounded by miles of buildings of graffiti and crumblin
cinder block. I is surrounded by billboards and 'MiniSuper's' and
everything else youd expect. The land looks dry where it reaches the
ocean although there are palms in the draws and eucalyptus on the
cliffs. To the east the mountains are dense with a low green tangle.
On March 3rd, 2010 I arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina and ended my journey to the southernmost city in the world.
This ride is a reminder of what can be accomplished through perseverance and a little hard work. It’s a reminder of what we as people are capable of, of what the human mind, body and spirit can achieve. I hope that I can help people realize that while it may take time, and it may be harsh and lonely at times, we can make our lives how we dream them to be. I do not want to be guilty of owning a life devoid of any living. Comfort and convenience are not synonymous with happiness!
For some reason I am under the impression that I will find both myself and God somewhere along this road. Maybe I won’t find either, but I must look! I want to allow the light of introspection a pure and undiluted chance to examine my soul. I have found greater value in thoughts born in solitude than those that spring from the fray of ordinary life. I hope this trip will be the beginning to a life full of experience, beauty and understanding. I don’t ever want to forget the way the world felt when I was a child: magical and huge, full of possibility and hope. I won’t let go of that. I am an artist at heart, and this, I hope, will be my first great work.
For some reason I am under the impression that I will find both myself and God somewhere along this road. Maybe I won’t find either, but I must look! I want to allow the light of introspection a pure and undiluted chance to examine my soul. I have found greater value in thoughts born in solitude than those that spring from the fray of ordinary life. I hope this trip will be the beginning to a life full of experience, beauty and understanding. I don’t ever want to forget the way the world felt when I was a child: magical and huge, full of possibility and hope. I won’t let go of that. I am an artist at heart, and this, I hope, will be my first great work.
I am riding to raise awareness for 'Acirfa,’ a non-profit organization which provides quality bikes to the people of Zambia, giving them the means to help themselves, rather than depend on charity. A bicycle changes the life of a Zambian in ways that are difficult for Americans to imagine, allowing doctors to see more patients, parents to make a living and teachers to get to school.
To clear the air and clear your head, ride a bike once a week!
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