When my brother was in high school (and I in junior high) he strapped a sleeping bag on his bike and rode about 70 miles from home to a state park, slept under a picnic table, and rode home the next day. I was so intrigued with that idea. I would have never believed one could do that!

Then, in high school, my buddy's little brother, who was in junior high, joined a group called "The Cyclemates" (this was the late 60s - remember cyclamates?) who rode their bikes from Mercer Island, Washington to New York. Again, I was intrigued - very intrigued!

In college I bought a 10 speed and the idea of touring crept back into my consciousness. My poverty made it especially attractive. I sewed some homemade panniers for the back, strapped my sleeping bag between the drops, and off I went. That was about 35 years ago. I've been touring off and on ever since. (It's much better to have the money to afford a good bike, good panniers, a good tent, a good sleeping bag, a stove, mess kit, etc. But I don't think I'm having any more fun than I did those first few times!)