Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - an adventure worthy of closing out 2009

So, to start this off, you should first know that I love riding, and I really love riding, but I'm not really a bike enthusiast, I just simply can't afford to get into the sport. See I ride a POS wal-mart schwinn varsity that I only paid 100 for new. I've had it for about a year and a half now, and its the perfect beginners bike, hands down. Perfect, because you can train easily on its 25+ lb frame, and because I now know how to fix anything on my bike, because at 1500 miles, every oem part has passed away, save for the frame and fork.
Alright, second detail to note: as of this past September, I have been without a car, and have been riding Jamie (my schwinn) all about South Florida as my sole source of transportation.

Third important fact: evicted on Dec. 1st, 2009
So, I did what any other 21 year old kid would do when he finds himself homeless:

I packed a bag, bought a crappy schwinn rear rack, threw some stuff in a backpack, and rode to the beach. Then I rode north, and kept riding I guess until I found myself here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10156046&l=0bcccd375c&id=892365273

I had a blast, it was an incredible adventure. No, I didnt bring any money, no, I didnt really bring food, no, I didnt have places to sleep, yes, that all made it so much better.

so the stats areeee:
-600 miles
-7 days-120mi max in one day
-60mi min in one day
-80mi avg

some facts:

-went by myself
-used self timer on my phone's camera
-brought 20 bucks, spent instantaneously on food/tubes
-Lost 5 pounds
-did not train at all
-got 8 flats
-was almost murdered in Georgia
-four loko was a bad choice
-beautiful weather all the way up, temp never dropped below 55 at night.
-developed temporary tendonitis in my knees (raising my seat solved the issue, duh)
-met awesome random people
-I gathered plenty of material to write about, which is fortunate for my aspirations as a corny writer (eng major).

I wish others would take the initiative to deviate from the routine, for just one week at least, and abscond into the uncharted territories of life.

some more pics:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10273158&l=62175ac4bd&id=892365273

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10139233&l=0222a50b9f&id=892365273

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10084808&l=cb5d4a4a3c&id=892365273

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10159971&l=13b617f7ca&id=892365273

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10148931&l=dc90ae9256&id=892365273

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10079130&l=040920b505&id=892365273

Congrats! Sounds like quite an adventure. So what's next?

I admire your courage and self reliance.

This topic might be a better fit in the touring forum.

My kids are all 20 to 23 years old. I know how tough life is right now, I'm glad they are not on their own.

Michael

thanks for the encouragement, I guess cali or canada is next