NYC, D.C. and Freedom

The ride through Mass,. Rhode Island (AKA Mass. Basement), and Conn. sucked. I mean it was really, really horrible. The east coast (except for Maine) really sucks for bicycle touring. Almost getting hit by dump trucks traveling 2x the speed limit on residential roads that have no shoulder is not that much fun. In fact, it kind of sucks. Especially in oppressive heat.

NYC was awesome. Stayed in Brooklyn, which was lots of fun. That part of the city has some cool old buildings. I am sure other parts of the city do as well, I just didn't go anywhere else, aside from Manhattan. Got to see some old friends from Alaska and Nashville. Riding through the mean streets of Manhattan was awesome. Dangerous as hell, I almost got plowed into by morons driving SUV's twice in one day, but man was it a hell of a lot of fun. You really have to be on your game to mix with traffic in the city. Central Park is pretty sweet. The day I left Public Enemy was playing a free show. I should have gone, but the line was ridiculously long, it was raining, and I was nervous about leaving the bike. I think I would like to live in NYC for about four months. I have doubts I will ever end up there, but four months would be sweet. After that I think I would go a little nutty.

DC kind of sucks. I am glad I am here, to the degree that I am seeing a good friend who I have not seen for 6 years or so, but this city is kind of ridiculous. The Smithsonian is cool. Air and Space is just as cool as I remember it, and the National Gallery is decent even though I don't really like art. Riding through the streets is not nearly as fun as NYC, but feels at least as dangerous.

I am free, which is both awesome and frightening. I have no responsibilities (except for my cell phone bill), no plans that involve anybody but me, I don't owe anybody anything, and I am not exactly sure what I want to do. While I was on the bike it was easier to be free, I felt compelled to wake up, stretch, eat, and ride. That was all, but it felt like a lot. I had a goal, to make miles. Now I am just bumming around till I sort out exactly what I want to do, which is yet to be determined. I am totally free to decide that. Everything I own (well, for the most part) fits on my bicycle. I can go anywhere I want (provided I can get work) and do anything I want, I am just not sure what that is. The bike trip is over, and now I have to sort myself out.

I will continue to post stuff about what is going on with me here, even though the bike trip is done. I will miss life on the road, but look forward to having a home break again. Pray for surf and grow a moustache.