Life On A B-I7

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 146

How do you get good at Pickleball? “Learn, practice, train.”

The Stoics knew this. Epictetus in his Discourses said: Don’t be satisfied with mere learning. Learn, practice, train. This is as true with philosophy as it is for athletics. Learn the right thing. Practice the right thing. Train for a lifetime to do the right thing.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 145

Thinking about the future, thinking about the past, is easy. Real thinking is to focus on what is in front of us. What you do today might be the last thing you ever do.

Momento Mori

A Latin phrase meaning “remember that you will die.” The phrase is a symbolic reminder of the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. Ancient Romans used the phrase to inspire humility, perspective, and urgency. It is intended to encouraging people to live fully, value time, and avoid wasting life.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 144

A Poem by Lal Ded

I didn’t believe in it for a moment
but I gulped down the wine of my own voice
And then I wrestled with the darkness inside me,
knocked it down, clawed at it, ripped it to shreds.

We need to examine the darkness inside ourselves. If we can’t do that honestly and describe to others what those failings are, we are not truly human. Don’t ask someone “what are your strengths?” Instead ask them, “what are your shortcomings?” The answer will reveal all you need to know about that person.

Illusory Truth Effect

Beware the “Illusory Truth Effect.” That is the tendency to believe something you have heard multiple times. This is a trick politicians use to suck us into following them. This is usually accompanied by the suggestion (again made multiple times) that they are the only one that has the answer.

Bicycling The Northern Tier

The Route

The Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) has established many classic bicycle touring routes across the United States, possibly none more scenic than the Northern Tier Route. The Southern Tier and the TransAm are the other two classic transcontinental routes. I have ridden the Southern Tier and the TransAm, the Southern in 2018 and the TransAm in 2023. It’s time to complete the trifecta.

The Northern Tier is the longest of the three routes. I plan to do it solo unless there are others that want to join. My intent is to camp and cook most of the time. From time-to-time I will be taking meals at restaurants along the way and staying in motels or hostels. My partner is planning to sag me the first few days, likely across the state of Washington. The would be the first 400 miles. After that she will meet me along the route in a couple of different places for some rest days and to enjoy some of the many sites along the route.

Starting Point

I’ll be starting the tour in Anacortes Washington on June 1st and finish in Bar Harbor Maine. This makes sense for me because I live in Central Oregon and Anacortes is a one day drive from my doorstep.

There are four major mountain passes along the route. It will be challenging. I believe nows the right time to have a go at the Northern Tier. I’ve been given the gift of cycling and I’m not getting any younger. I’m not world class, but I enjoy the experience and find it challenging and also exhilarating. I will be using the ACA’s digital map set to navigate the route.

Equipment

I ride a custom titanium road bike built by Bill Davidson in Seattle Washington. I’ll be carrying my gear in Ortlieb front and rear panniers on Nitto Campee touring racks. I have a hub generator for the front light. I would also like to use the hub generator to keep my cell phone charged, but I’m still working out the details on that. There are other options for charging, including solar. Since this route presents some road challenges, narrow shoulders in places and both truck and recreational traffic on the road, I’ll also be using look-back radar to keep me apprised of what is behind me. That is another piece of equipment to keep charged, so I may have to add a second generator to the bike. I might go with a simple handlebar mirror in lieu of radar, or I might opt for both. The rest of the equipment is what you would expect a trekking backpacker to carry.

General Plan

For the mathematicians out there, here are some calculations you might like. These are approximations only.

• Average miles per day 60 = 75 days
• Rest every 6th day = 12 days
• Three extended rests of 3 days each = 9 days
• Total days = 96 days

As I get closer to the start date these will be refined. Once on the road these are subject to change.

Personal

I typically start riding early in the morning. That gives me the most options at the end of the day for finding accommodations, or setting up camp and cooking. I like to relax after dinner, unwind, write a bit about the day and generally get ready for the next day. A late start to the day’s riding just makes all that a lot more difficult. I do not ride after dark.

What You Will Find Below

Keep scrolling. You will find information below about:

Each of the 11 sections on the route. These pages have been compiled from the official ACA mapping information.

My proposed itinerary. This is a suggested itinerary. Riding circumstances are variable. Weather, terrain, physical conditioning and a host of other factors could have an impact on this plan. The plan does not show rest days and will likely be modified before heading out and during the ride itself.

My personal training plan. Caveat: I’m not an expert in developing training plans but I think this is a good start. It’s a 13 week plan. Each week I will update that week’s training plan with pertinent commentary (just for fun).

Logistics

I will be posting additional information here about sight seeing, side trips, campgrounds and other accommodations as I develop those.

Follow Along

You can follow me on the journey. Once the tour begins, I will be posting here every day, Use the link “Bicycling the Northern Tier” on the Contents page to filter and view just those entries pertaining to the Northern Tier tour. (There’s a lot of other stuff here that may or may not be of interest. That is of course a matter of opinion and taste.

Bicycling The Northern Tier

Here is one of my favorite photos from my TransAm tour in 2023.

Bicycling The Northern Tier

Here is one of my favorite photos from my SouthernTier tour in 2018.

Bicycling The Northern Tier

Power on the Road

When I had the bike built back in 2018 I didn’t know much about dynamo hubs. I had a SON Deluxe added to the build but it only puts out 2.8w. That wasn’t a huge consideration for my first two tours because I was using paper maps for navigation. This is 2027 and I’ll be navigating digitally this time so keeping the phone charged is a must. The Schmidt SON Deluxe dynamo hub isn’t going to cut it.

This time around I’m probably going to go with the Schmidt SON 28. That is a high output dynamo at lower touring speeds. I will need to find a wheel builder that can put this together for me. It will be important to be able to take the headlight out of the circuit when maximum charging is needed. I’ll be charging to a power bank, not directly to the phone. That will give me more options.

Bicycling The Northern Tier

FIre!

The winter season rain and snow accumulation is significantly below normal in the U.S. This makes the likelihood of fires this summer, well, very likely. One Meteorologist in California recently said he was “scared shitless.” Based on this map from a recent Washington Post article…

It looks like this year the Northern Tier is the best choice of the three ACA trans-continental bicycle routes. The TransAm looks like it carries the most risk of wildfires enroute, Even the Southern Tier route looks like it carries with it a likelihood of fire and smoke hazard. What this means is that I will be carrying masks in my panniers. Hopefully I won’t need them. The worst case scenario is of course the need to reroute. I want to stick with the ACA route if at all possible, but if rerouting becomes necessary, I do carry the Komoot app and I won’t hesitate to ask for advice from locals along the way.

Anacortes Washington to Bar Harbor Maine

This is a rough attempt at an overall itinerary. It’s tough to plan rest days with accuracy. What is shown here is a best guess. It’s safe to say that about every seven days some rest will be needed. My experience on my last two trans-continental tours has been when resting, two days is reasonable, but more could be required depending on overall health and fitness. I’m not as young as I used to be. I was 65 years old on my first trans-con, 68 on my second, now I’m a bit older at 72. All three tours are on different routes. This tour will complete the trans-continental trifecta. Since I haven’t done this route before, it basically comes down to a guess…

Washington

Idaho

Montana

North Dakota

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Iowa

Illinois

Indiana

Ohio

Note: I’m hoping to take in a Guardians game in Cleveland.

New York

Vermont and New Hampshire

Maine

SUMMARY

Averages are per/day.

Rogue State

The real failure of America is that the richest and most powerful nation in the world — the nation that has led the world since World War II and that established the postwar international order emphasizing multilateralism, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law — is now being led by a rogue president who rejects all these values.

If you voted for that man because you thought he would be good for your 401K, because he would lower the price of gasoline, because he would end all wars around the world, or for any number of other promises he made that have all been broken, you have been duped.

Now, let’s talk about immigration. America was founded as a pluralist nation. The strength of our economy and society has always been based on the diversity of our population. You cannot have a nation of golf-playing white people and expect that nation to thrive socially and culturally.

Now, let’s talk about war. America is engaged in a genocidal war and the American people don’t even know why we are fighting it, not to mention the fact that whatever the perceived threat, it can not be solved by bombing a nation. Many U.S. allies have declared the American and Israeli action a violation of international law and a breach of the UN Charter. In what world does it make sense to wage a war without the support of your closest allies…

Now let’s talk about democracy. Never in America’s history have we been led by a man with more authoritarian desire. Authoritarianism is something that is difficult to roll back once it becomes instantiated. We have a weakened Congress that is afraid to do its job — legislate. We have an administration that has filled its leadership rolls with people that have little to no experience in the duties that have been assigned to them. We have people in positions of leadership who outwardly confess that violence and chaos are valid leadership strategies. We are watching the dismissal of anyone in government whose job it is to provide legal guardrails. These deficiencies are hallmarks of authoritarianism, not democracy.

Let’s talk about government waste. At the same time that benefits and important programs supporting Americans are being cut, Government spending is at an all time high on things that are benefiting those in power instead of the people they are supposed to be representing.

We are in for a tough time ahead. Let’s consider the possibility of a change in leadership direction. Let’s encourage our legislators to start talking to each other. Let’s consider electing representatives that are more interested in America than they are in their own wealth or self-aggrandizement.

Let’s think critically about the future of our country when we go to the polls.

Why Am I Here?

The title might lead you to think I’m asking an existential question, I’m not. What I’m asking is “why am I here and not on Facebook?” The simple answer is I look much better in print than I do in a video feed or a photo. That’s not the only reason. I’m 72 years old. All I’ve done my whole like is write (and occasionally take photos to remind myself where I’ve been). To go after “followers” and “produce content” for consumption by strangers, all the while counting my likes and follows is not something I want to spend time doing. (You can, if you prefer, insert the word “curmudgeon” in place of any pronouns used to identify me.)

Naturally, you’re about to ask me so what is a blog if not simply an old school version of a Facebook presence. Fair question. The difference, for me at least, is I am reaping the reward that comes from writing without the pressure of having to “create.” So what good is writing without pressure? It fulfills me in a private and personal way that forcing myself to produce content can’t. Also, on occasion a friend drops in to see what I’m up to. But perhaps more important than that, I’m leaving behind a legacy. Even if it is one that is largely ignored. Some of the people closest to me don’t look at these pages, that’s okay. When I’m all done writing, or when I can’t write any longer, I’m going to have all of this printed and handed out at my memorial. (As punishment for the survivors I suppose.) I’m well over a thousand pages, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you skip reading a few here and there when you are handed all this and told your dad, partner, friend, wanted you to have this. If you’re not handed this, it’s because I decided to have it buried with me instead, or cremated with me, or composted with me, I’m not sure which path I’m going to take yet. Whether your receive this or not is largely dependent on whether or not I eventually master English grammar.

Ignore What?

President Ronald Reagan signed an executive order directing in part “no person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination.” Reagan was not the first President to sign such an order. The Reagan version narrowed the scope significantly, i.e., “no person employed by or acting on behalf of.” Reagan’s version of the assassination ban remains in effect, last amended by George W. Bush in 2008.

Unfortunately, sitting Presidents are not legally bound to obey the orders of previous administrations. Most often a new administration will rescind previous orders. President Trump hasn’t revoked it, but he has chosen to ignore it.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 143

Which is preferred, theories alone or conduct based on theories that have been tested and proven to be of value…

Conduct takes precedence over theory every day in every way.

As Hamlet said:

”There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

Philosophy (theories) alone will not lead to a good life. Only action taken based on sound philosophy can bring us fulfillment.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 142

When something is told to you, don’t allow yourself to embellish that news with your own thoughts and opinions. It’s news and that’s all it is until it has been verified. The wise man verifies carefully. In other words, he uses an enquiring mind to examine the news from all possible angles before determining what is fact and what is fiction. Even then, the door to clearer understanding is never closed.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 141

“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough.”

It’s not about “settling.” It’s about not getting overwhelmed by idealism. Don’t look at the world through the lens of where you want the world to be, look at the world as it is and ask, what is it I should be doing to effect change?

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 140

Abraham Lincoln was humble, self-educated and well spoken. He was deliberate, fair, open-minded and purposeful. He did all that while following a career as a politician.

It doesn’t matter if you live in the snake pit of D.C., the materialist zoo of Wall Street or you grew up in a small closed minded community, you have a choice.

You can still live well. Others have managed to do it.

What? (Continued)

Besides the love of my life and my daughters, there are few people that care more for me than my camping buddy. Honestly, he can be hammered out of his mind but when it’s time to call it, he makes sure I get into my trailer instead of walking over a cliff. He even turns on the heat in the trailer for me because he knows the digital control panel is too complicated for me… Just so there is no confusion on this topic, that is a true friend.

This post may contain some slight exaggeration, but on balance, it is basically accurate.

What?

Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of this mind, I remember writing about this topic: Why write? Just so there is no confusion, I don’t do this for you. I don’t even know who “you” is. It certainly isn’t the love of my life. (Occasionally I will read something I have written to her, when she’s half awake.) It’s not my cat. He can’t read. I tried to teach him to read so I would have a following, but that was a hopeless endeavor. It’s not my good friend that goes camping with me. As pathological as he is, I can’t even get him to read this stuff. It’s 2:40 in the morning. That should tell you everything you need to know. I do this for me. That’s it. There is no other possible explanation.

So what am I saying?

Nothing really. My vain hope is that doing this will prevent my brain from turning to Jello. I think it has already started (turning to Jello) maybe that’s why no one reads this… They don’t want to feel obligated to commit me. Still and all, I can go camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I can get 25 miles off road on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon above Glen Canyon Damn. How many people can say that? Damn few. Even our most respected leaders that pride themselves on knowing all and being able to do anything, have not had this experience. I consider myself blessed. So you play golf and you own golf courses all over the world… Good for you. All golf courses are pretty much the same, especially if your caddy will retrieve all of your shanks and put them back in the fairway for you. (I suppose that’s another story.) Getting back to the matter at hand, it’s now 3:10 in the morning and I probably need to try and get some sleep. Thank you for not reading this.

Blogs

What is the purpose of a blog anyway?

That’s a question with many answers. For me, a blog gives me a reason to write every day. What is the good of that you say? I don’t have a good answer. I find it fulfilling, although I’ll be the first to admit I don’t really know what that means. I think it might be a tool to help stave off the more debilitating side effects of aging, dementia in particular, but I realize there is no scientific evidence to back up that claim. Still, I’m hopeful. There is also a small part of me that wants to leave something behind. I’m not an artist or a musician, so those artifacts are beyond my ability. I worked as a software developer, but everything I built during my career has already been replaced and I’m only 7 years post-retirement. All I really have left is writing. The funny thing is no one reads this. I get it. In the age of Instagram, Facebook, Substack and god help us, X, who has time for the thoughts of one single person writing a daily blog? Perfectly understandable. A still small voice inside me says that I have something to contribute to this world, even if no one is listening. Maybe that’s the real lesson here. Do what we need to do and not worry about our influence. Many people today are more worried about their influence than they are about their contribution. Let’s turn that around. Influence be damned. Make a contribution.

Not Too Bad

My life good (better than not too bad). I have a beautiful and loving companion. I have a cat. I have friends that probably shouldn’t love me, but they do. I have beautiful daughters and two x-wives that don’t hate me (as far as I know). I am reasonably healthy for a man of my years. Enough good health to allow me to pursue that activities that I love. Who could ask for anything more?

Sometimes I Cry

I’m not sure why. I don’t know if it is physiological or emotional or something else. I’m not even sure if it is a problem or a good thing. (I’m hoping it’s not a problem.) It’s been occurring almost once a day. It’s often brought on by music but not always. I think music stimulates this response because our thoughts alone are not able to move us quite as easily as music can. Music engages more senses than thought does. There could be other reasons. Let’s get weird for a second, not “bank truck at a funeral parade” weird, but truly weird: Perhaps I have finally succeeded in slowing my life down enough that I am starting to feel things I should have been feeling all along. I think as humans we are supposed to feel, but we have trained ourselves not to for all sorts of reasons. I think we are becoming a society that only thinks what we are told to think. In a way we have lost the skill required to feel what is inside of us. Of course there could be other explanations. Perhaps I am reaching the end of my life and this is my body telling me to pay attention while I still can. Perhaps I am rewiring my brain to be more aware of myself and what is happening around me. I have no idea really. I don’t find it unpleasant. The only reason I can give is that it just is. I don’t want it to stop. I want to appreciate it.

Yoga Plus

Yoga was first practiced in the Indus Valley some 4,000 years ago. Approximately 2,000 years before it was adopted in India and China. Archeological digs in the Indus Valley reveal a different form of yoga than is commonly practiced today. Statues of people practicing yoga reveal a sitting posture with focus on breathing — what today we call Breath Work. Vinyasa Yoga, or the practice of flow and movement yoga did not become prevalent until yoga practice moved east from the Indus Valley. Of course, this is a very simple explanation of the evolution of yoga. The history of yoga is a fascinating subject in itself. One I have barely tapped. I do know that I would like to lean more about Breath Work. From what I have read it has amazing healing power and can be very beneficial for overall health (as can Vinyasa Yoga).

I am currently reading the book “Breath,” by James Nestor. Nestor spent ten years researching this topic and it is an inspiring work. I’m planning to incorporate Breath Work along with meditation as soon as I complete a bit more research. I would like to find a teacher. I recently went to a Qi Gong class at my local Senior Center and was pleasantly surprised by the experience. Qi Gong is a gentle form of Vinyasa Yoga. I think the practice of Meditation, Breath Work and Qi Gong) can be very beneficial. I’m excited to try all three.

Manifestation

My writing tends to be pretty personal. Not what you would call non-fiction. That’s how I roll. There is a danger however; I need to be cautious not to fall into the “Manifestation” trap.

Manifestation can be compared to wishful thinking. For some, “imagining” an outcome you would like, means you can obtain it by persistent thought alone. That’s not how the world works. You can’t will the universe to give you what you want simply by concentrating your thoughts on your desires. I wish it were that simple.

In order to manifest any change in your life, you need a plan. A process to accompany that desire. I can’t simply write wonderful thoughts. My study of the Stoic masters and my occasional rants here about desirable attributes are not enough to effect change. I have to take substantive steps to achieve those things.

This is how I plan to achieve those things I write about, the ones that I find valuable. I’m going to meditate. I’m going to focus on my physical well being. I think these are the two things I can do on a regular basis to avoid simply “wishing” for change in my life. The first I commit to doing daily. The practice I plan to follow is wholly my own. The focus will be on asking myself how did yesterday go and what should today look like. I’ll also be critiquing my actions and looking for ways to improve how I am living. The second thing I commit to doing daily is exercise. I think exercise leads to more than good health. Besides making the body strong, I think it makes the mind strong. Both of those things bring the confidence to make the changes that are desired. To support those practices, I am also going to continue reading and writing. I like lists, so here is my list to help me “manifest” my self-improvement goals.

1. Meditate for Understanding
2. Exercise for Health
3. Read for Knowledge
4. Write for Joy and Peace