The power of the bike is endless. We’ve all heard and read it before. We’ve seen it in millions of Instagram posts, blog posts, and in countless Bicycling Magazine articles. I’ve thought and believed the bicycle to be an incredibly empowering, freeing, and people connecting tool since the day my father let go of my seat and I was riding without any assistance; finding balance and momentum working seamlessly to move me forward.

The other night Pamela and I attended a Pearl Jam concert at Fenway Park – a bucket list item for both of us. As tried and true New Englanders and life long Pearl Jam fans, the concept of seeing PJ at Fenway was “pinch me” worthy, served with a healthy dose of anxiety for Pamela. The dose of anxiety was something that was always front of mind when I called in the golden ticket favor to our friend Graham.

A few years back in 2013 things were going well, all things considered. I had been hit by a car and survived. I was at mile 25.2 of the Boston Marathon, and Pamela was across the street from the second blast waiting for me to make my way to the finish. Then, in late August, during a work trip, cooking and supporting People for Bikes’ Tim Johnson’s Ride On Chicago, it happened.

Mallorca, is an amusement park for cycling enthusiast…and a crowded one at that. In recent years the semi-sleepy island off the coast of Spain (it’s a 2 hour ferry ride from Barcelona or 2hr flight from England and Amsterdam) has seen a boom in tourism, thanks to the likes of pro teams (Team Sky & Cannondale/Garmin) calling the island home in January and February to train. Why wouldn’t they spend a month or so riding, eating and bonding here. The island’s idyllic climate and vastly varying terrain allow for some amazing riding and training. The turquoise ocean views along rolling coastal roads are not in short supply.

After 11 months on the road, we were finally in punting distance of Boulder which meant two of our good friends could intercept us. With a couple of months of planning, we met up with Kevin and Charlotte in Tucson, Arizona for some riding, hiking, camping and hanging out. We all knew there was good mountain biking in the area, but we were in search of groads, fewer cars and more smiles.

When you think of Texas you are probably like me. You think it’s a very large dry state and it’s known for BBQ, large portion sizes, ranchers/cowboys, oil fields and the occasionally good sports team. Congrats, you are like me and 99% of all other Americans. BUT WAIT…

Over the course of this amazing road trip, I wanted to ensure that I’m not portraying, through social media and our blog post, life as a pile of puppies (one of Pamela’s favorite things/expressions).

When we departed on our year+ long journey Ellie (the van) was dialed. Pamela and I didn’t see much that we wanted nor needed to change. Three months into the trip I choose to make sliding bike trays. The reason was for the ease of access and additional storage it created. Thanks to our friend Dakota for pushing me to do them and our friend David for the use of his shop and tools, again.

We’ve all heard of the 7-year itch. It’s not a good thing or a bad thing. To me, It’s just a “thing” the media and society have made a thing. I’ve often wondered where the phrase came from and how it relates to people. So with a little digging (thanks Google), here is a little insight:

When you’re traveling in a van for over a year and you read about a gravel road ride/race based out of the state you grew up in…you put a flag in the ground on the date of the ride and make a point to attend. While on the ferry ride from Bellingham, Washington to Haines, Alaska, this is exactly what Pamela and I did after reading a blurb about the Franklin Land Trust D2R2 in Outside Magazine, #D2R2

From the moment you’re a little kid you get the impression or idea that you’re supposed to find a partner and start a family. This view is slowly changing but for my generation and from my perspective it is still the perceived recipe of “success” or the “All American Dream”…Thanks Norman Rockwell.

Well, I’m not afraid of seeing bears from a distance, but I am just a little afraid of running into a bear while exploring on two wheels or camping in a dense forest. It’s only natural to fear the unknown.

Last weekend Pamela and I attended a memorial service for our friends’ mother. Over the last 6 years, she fought bravely and tireless two types of cancer. During our friends’ eulogy he stated that, in the end, once she knew her son was happy and newly engaged, his mother knew it was alright to go.

As I sit and write this I’m enjoying the cuddling company of Penny Love and I’m partly watching “All Is Lost”, staring Robert Redford. Think of Castaway but with less dialog and more man and boat vs. the sea interaction with lots of CGI work

I’ve had these thoughts in my head for a while but I kept putting off writing the blog. No real reason except I got lazy or distracted like a goldfish or I choose to ride my bike or play pickle ball with Kevin…Pickle Ball?! you say….It’s like table tennis (Ping Pong) but on a life-size court. It rocks.

There’s something to be said for wanting to drive 29 hours in about two days to Vermont from Boulder, CO….Crazy. The reason for such a feat (without needing to attend an event for work) was so that Pamela and I could make it to VT to participate in the Rapha New England Prestige. I was riding on a team and Pamela was the onsite medic.

Van Life is all that it’s cracked up to be and more. I knew that buying the Sprinter (bucket-list mobile) was the right choice. When you know you know. 99.95% of the time my gut has lead me in the proper direction to or away from, people, places, things, opportunities, etc. I never had reservations about the Sprinter buildout and the overall purpose of the purchase…

A few weeks ago Pamela and I took off to Portland, OR to road trip with friends in their Sprinter, south to northern California’s town of Ferndale. The purpose….tick off a bucket list item. Riding the tour of the unknown coast. This ride has been on my radar for the last few years. Ever since my friends Greg and Holly told me about it, 6 years ago. Sadly the timing never worked out in my favor as it overlaps the Tour of California (What a race this year by the way). As a member of the Pro Leisure Tour due to my extended sabbatical from Skratch Labs, Pamela and I jumped at the opportunity to do the ride with Greg and Holly.

These are things that I just thought of out of the blue. They weren’t all told to me or read by me. The rules that I live by have been observed by me, felt by me, and acted upon by me, friends, family, and complete strangers. Rules are made to be broken once in a while (so say the good people) and I agree, when appropriate.

What does Double Happiness mean? To some, it could be the combination of seeing a rainbow and a unicorn. To others, it’s doubling down at the blackjack table and winning. For others, it could be watching a football game with friends while enjoying a beer. If you ask Wikipedia