So I'm Going On A Cross-Country Bike Trip

2 weeks ago I quit my job. Insurance; New York City. As exciting as that sounds, I decided that this is the summer I will finally go out on the cross-country bicycle trip I've been day-dreaming about for years. I'll worry about finding a job when I return.

I don't know why it's so appealing to me. It's partly the feeling of independence. I can just walk out of my house, hop on my bike and ride to the Pacific Ocean? Really? It's an amazing thought. Self-sustained. Tent, sleeping bag, food and water all strapped to my bike. Sure, at some points you rely on the kindness of strangers: A lift when your bike is broken; A warm shower; A camp spot in someone's backyard. But meeting strangers is part of the adventure too.

It's also a great chance to get in shape. You mean you're not in shape, and you're planning on riding your bike across the continent? Sounds certifiable, I know. But you get into shape in the first couple of weeks I think. Nothing can truly prepare you for riding your bike 7 hours a day every day for 2 months except for ... well ... riding your bike 7 hours a day every day for 2 months. And that is what I shall do.

Besides, I'm in acceptable shape right now from my occasional riding, although I have no muscles. I'm one of those nerdy pec-less freaks who never did any organized sports as a child. My dad pushed me to do soccer; I refused. My mom pushed me to do anything - even just go out in the sun; I refused. At first it was because I was afraid of competing when I didn't even know the rules of (any) game and had no strength or muscle coordination. As it turns out, strength and muscle coordination don't improve over time while you sit indoors studying math. And now that I'm in my 20's I've rediscovered the bicycle. It's amazingly simple, and hasn't changed too much over the years. Simple human propulsion. I don't race bikes though. I would certainly lose any race I enter. I know that shouldn't stop me of course. If you have the eye of the tiger you can win anything you put my mind to. But I'm just not interested in competing. Just taking a ride on a breezy day across quiet country roads ... that was a revelation. It finally felt good to exercise. I finally wanted to exercise.

Then one day it hit me: I should ride my bike across the country. I didn't really think it was possible until a friend told me of a pair of friends of hers who rode their bikes to San Francisco from DC. I searched the internet and found blogs online of others' similar adventures. And when I read the blog of the retired 50-somethings who rode their bike across the country, I thought "If a couple of old people can do it, well then, maybe this unathletic pec-less freak can do it too." And so it goes.

I leave for my trip in 2 days. I travel with my sister, my friend, and my nephew. Our goal is to finish within 64 days. Stay tuned for our progress updates.