B the Bike

Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ve made a few changes over the weekend, which will indirectly impact my cycling.

1. I listed my television on Craigslist for sale. Less TV = More Health = Better Cycling (it took far too long for me to learn that equation).
2. I’ve completed the paperwork to list my house on the market. Positive Movement Towards My Big Picture Goals = Improved Mental Health = Better Cycling.
3. I’ve freed myself to be totally unguarded with the woman I Love.

Considering the quality equations above it is really no surprise that I was on the math team. I wish I could make words sing like I do engineering specs!

So now I wait. Will I be able to sleep knowing that Christmas comes tomorrow? At 6pm on Tuesday I’ll be receiving the original SequoiaFast from Tri City Bicycles. I’m brimming with anticipation.

Today I experienced my first true feeling of doubt about my ability to make the trip. The doubt I felt was miniscule, but it is important I identify its first appearance here in my training narrative. I anticipate doubt will become more present the more I train and push my body. Everyone knows that courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite the presence of fear. I hope I am courageous in my cycling journey.

So to ensure success I need some very important things to happen:

1. I must choose a theme song (something totally kick ass)
2. I must give the journey a name (like Rambo:First Blood only not totally lame)
3. I need to shut up and get on the damn bike. (Tomorrow)

I had a vegetarian day today. Any suggestions for themes are welcome.

My brother Aaron and his wife Jen have generously donated a trainer to my cross state cycling effort. Cycling outside during the New Hampshire winter sucks as you can well imagine. While unboxing the device that will make my legs strong I felt like a child at Christmas.

Unfortunately this triumph of technology that will assist in my overall success will have to wait until Tuesday. Much to my dismay the bicycle shop needs until Tuesday to complete my tune up. My bike guy, Mark, is awesome. I’ve told him what I am doing and he is going to provide me with some additional mechanics training before my journey begins.

So the trainer sits in my living room. It is taunting me. “Don’t you wish your bike were here?” it asks.

“Yes damn it, don’t ask stupid questions.” I reply.

To keep moving in the right direction I took about a 2 mile hike today. I moved quickly to raise my heart rate and to enhance my overall cardiovascular fitness. Despite the cold and limited available time I had a wonderful hike. I was blessed with a special message while at the summit.

I’ll be biding my time until Tuesday.

In 2006/07 I hatched a plan to bicycle across the state of New Hampshire. I wanted to ride from the intersection of Rte. 3 and the Canadian border to Prescott Park in Portsmouth. I wanted to touch Canada and the Atlantic Ocean in one journey.

Unfortunately the timing for my ride wasn’t right. 2007 offered workaholic Brian too much to do and too little time to do it in. While I didn’t have the opportunity to properly prepare for a cross state ride I did put a plan in motion that was destined to become a reality.

I found Brian in 2007.

I finally embraced my thoughts about the person I want to be. I am a man of dreams and passion. I want to live hard. I made changes to become the man that I am. I left the workaholic life to never go back. I left a relationship that wasn’t right for me.

As the sun set on 2007 I opened the best part of myself to the world. Despite my fear I sought out the woman that has been with me since we first met over a decade ago. That openness has created a light within me that glows in the darkest night. There will be much more to come about her in the future.

It was at the end of 2007 I decided to resurrect my cross state bicycle journey. I want this bicycle trip. I will enjoy seeing NH by the strength of my own legs and the fuel of my own determination. Double A Ron and Jenny D thank you and I love you for your continued support and of course the trainer.

While I may be taking this trip alone there are a few people helping to make my voyage possible and one person who will be in my soul with each pedal. In subsequent entries I’ll talk more about the people helping me along the way.

Am I afraid of failure? No, because I’ve already found what I’m looking for – Brian Adna Shaw. Hello all, it is good to be here.