Welcome to Pushing Silver

  • The Short Version

    I am documenting my bicycle tour around the US. I am not famous. I am not an athlete. And I am not rich. I'm just a guy that got tired of being a slave to money and sold most of his possessions to set out on an adventure.

    In the fall of 1998, I rode from Seattle to San Francisco. Afterwards, I decided that at some point in my life, I'd ride a bicycle cross country. This trip incorporates that dream, along with many others. As I travel, I'll share my stories on this website, so check back frequently.

    I began this journey in July, 2005 with a nice tour of New England. The map of my path can be found below. I turned south to run from fall, and planned to touch Florida and turn right, using the winter to get across the southern tier of the country. but hurricane Katrina dissuaded me. Instead of quitting, instead of being in the way, I came "home." It's in quotes because I arrived at the house I grew up in just in time to see the movers load everything up and drive off. This winter, I've done what I can to rethink my gear so that I can lighten my load. I've also helped my parents unpack and settle in to their retirement home...but I don't plan to stay forever.

    In the spring of 2006, I will continue my journey, but in reverse. I'll head counter clockwise, using the spring to travel north and summer to travel west. When I reach Washington state, I'll turn left and run south with fall down the west coast, and so on back to the coast of Virginia where I am now.

    I am not an athlete, but I have ridden about 1,900 miles of the west coast, and 1,800 miles of New England. That and the other riding I've done has all been on a 1998 Giant Iguana mountain bike that now has somewhere around 8,000 miles on it. I drag a BOB trailer so I can carry enough gear to endure all types of conditions, and to have a few amenities.

    And that's the short version. To the right you'll find my journal, where you can read along and experience it all with me. The hot, the cold, the beautiful, the frustrating, the amusing, and whatever else may happen. Or, if you find my adventure boring (or crazy), feel free to check out the websites of others who have had spectacular adventures as well. Some of the ones I keep up with (in no particular order) are:

  • Tim and Cindie Travis
  • The Fat Man Walking
  • The Metal Cowboy
  • Willie Weir
  • Pete's PCT Journey
  • Riding a Segway across the US
  • The Picturesque Pilgrimage of Pythagoras Pod
    (and his donkey Mac A'Rony)
  • Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer
  • Spinning Southward
  • SoloRide
  • Crazy Women on Bikes - Honduras to San Diego
  • Stephen Perry
  • Around the US by Kayak and Bicycle

Links

Mechanical Failures

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Saturday, July 23, 2005

Somersworth, NH

So I made it to Somersworth today.  It was a 27.1 mile ride and into a headwind most of the day.  I was exhausted when I arrived and deeply upset when I realized I missed a turn by about 2 miles.  If you've ever seen the movie Stand By Me, you'll understand why that's significant.

If you walk 5 miles down the river, you have to walk 5 miles back - that could take till dark.  So while you guys are marching your candy asses halfway across the state and back, I'll be on the other side, relaxing with my thoughts.

You use your right hand or your left for that?

So a 2 mile mistake is really a 4 mile mistake, and I was tired enough that it seemed like an eternity.  Today was also somewhat hilly.  This morning, I replaced that shifter cable and was amazed to see that the bike didn't need a tune-up afterwards.  Though in the middle of the day, the front gears and chain got in a fight and the chain lost, being shoved off into the frame.  I had to pull over and convince them to play nice.

And that's about it.  The weather is great (though a little hot) and I've made it to my next house visit.  I'll be taking about 2 days off to get some more rest and to think about whether or not I'm going to continue via bike or look into a van.  If anything noteworthy happens, I'll post...otherwise I'll talk to everybody in a few days ;)

Posted by Matt Troxler at 06:10 PM |

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