I really enjoy reading stories of people riding their bicycles around different places. I cannot ride around the world for various reasons, and so I will never be able to experience the various journeys myself.

I am planning on a short tour, from Astoria, Oregon, to the Bay Area in California. That's probably about the longest tour I will be able to do.

One thing about reading stories of other people's travels, is that their stories are inspiring! And get others excited about taking on the challenge of going out for a journey somewhere in the world, whether it be hiking, or bicycling, or even traveling by bus/train.

What really got me interested in bicycle touring was reading Down The Road. At first I never seriously thought that I could do bicycle touring, but I dreamed of what it would be like to get out there on the road, riding my bicycle to strange, far away places, meeting people, camping in the wilderness, jungles, on the beaches, riding over mountains, in the rain .....

Originally, my research about bicycles started with the idea of motorizing my Mongoose Switchback, with a cheap, small (49cc) gas-powered engine. Then I started reading more threads about installing electric motors on bicycles, and seriously considered installing an electric motor on my Electra Townie.

I was already looking at spending around $3,000.00 or more just to motorize my Townie. In the meantime, I continued riding my bicycle(s), reading thousands of messages on over a dozen bicycle forums, and guess what? All this time I've been getting into much better shape, able to ride just a little farther, a little longer, and a little harder ....

When I first entertained the idea of actually using a bicycle for transportation to work, running errands, shopping, I was a bit discouraged, and still drove sometimes, or rode the bus. I even took my mountain bike with me on the bus sometimes, but as time went on, I would often ride my bike home all the way after work.

I began to realized that I could get around better on my bicycle, now that I'm getting into good shape. All this time, I've been reading dozens of stories of people riding their bicycles around the world, enduring hardships, fixing their bikes way out in the middle of nowhere! Boxing their bicycles up, and shipping them to distant lands, then putting their bikes back together, and riding off into the unknown distance .....

And still I'm getting into better shape, enjoying so many real-life, way-cool stories, and finally, I realize, that hey, I don't need to drive anymore! I can actually get around on my bike, haul over $150 worth of groceries, ride to work all the way across town.

So, I'm now car free, able to ride almost 30 miles in about 4-5 hours. I rode over 430 miles last month, and will most likely ride over 500 miles this month, which is a major accomplishment for me, with multiple medical and physical complications, including several life-threatening medical issues.

And I'm still reading the stories, and now plan to actually do a bicycle tour all by myself!! Am I crazy, or is this my destiny? Can I really do this? Should I even attempt a bold feat, like riding the entire Oregon Coast, and another 300-400 miles into California?

I believe that I can make the ride! I've ordered the Surly Long Haul Trucker, and am working on setting goals now. I'm working on training, gathering the necessary gear. Next on my list of goals is to learn how to work on my bike, which seems a bit scary for me! I'm not a mechanic, but maybe, just maybe, I can do this ....

So, as for all the stories .... Keep writing your stories ... The stories are inspiring, and I believe that without the stories I've read, of people, just average people, even some people who like me, didn't know squat about bicycling, or how to fix their own bike. Didn't even know how to properly ride their bike! I may not have started dreaming about travelling myself, on a bicycle! I may not have given up driving. I just might have given up cycling altogether, and still be out of shape, depressed ....

I feel so much better now, sleeping better, eating better, and looking forward to the day that I set out to ride the Pacific Coast .... !!! Thanks to all who have written their story, and have yet to write their story!