
For more background on our ride following the Keystone pipeline and Keystone XL expansion, please see our title page located HERE. Meanwhile, this blog will serve as a way for those interested to follow us and keep track of our journey -- I will update as we ride when I am able to, depending on access to internet or computers (which will likely be very limited).
Laurel and I booked our tickets to Houston a couple weeks ago, and so it looks like we are going to be starting our journey! We will reach Houston airport the night of June 23rd, and begin our ride in the morning after assembling our bikes and gear. I will be honest when I say I am very nervous about it, but excited all the same. A mixture of nerves and energy. We are hoping to stay safe and stay strong over the miles.
I have been making our route, so far as far as Steele City (Nebraska). We are hoping to stay at campgrounds when possible, but it looks like we will have to rely on quite a few motels (if we can afford it...). Of course, if you know of someone near to the pipeline route in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana or Alberta who might be willing to host us for a night -- we are pleasant guests, I promise! -- we would be very grateful. We are also always grateful for contacts in these states who might be willing to offer us aid in the case of an emergency.
In the past days, I have been dissembling and reassembling my bike, attempting to box it and pack up my gear, gluing myself to google maps, and generally feeling overwhelmed. But I will do my best!
On another note, last week I was so happy to receive a JOOS Orange portable solar charger. This was extremely generously donated to support our ride by Solar JOOS. I couldn't believe the incredible news after contacting them and receiving a response from Dan. He shipped a JOOS Orange to me, to help us charge our devices along the ride. It is so exciting to me that we will be able to utilize solar power on this trip -- I believe it sends an even more powerful message that we can move to more sustainable ways of living! Great companies really can make such a big difference, and I am so grateful to Solar JOOS. I charged it in the sunshine after unpacking it, and tested it out to charge an iPhone -- it worked beautifully and surprisingly quickly! It will be so helpful to be able to charge our devices wherever we are.
Laurel and I booked our tickets to Houston a couple weeks ago, and so it looks like we are going to be starting our journey! We will reach Houston airport the night of June 23rd, and begin our ride in the morning after assembling our bikes and gear. I will be honest when I say I am very nervous about it, but excited all the same. A mixture of nerves and energy. We are hoping to stay safe and stay strong over the miles.
I have been making our route, so far as far as Steele City (Nebraska). We are hoping to stay at campgrounds when possible, but it looks like we will have to rely on quite a few motels (if we can afford it...). Of course, if you know of someone near to the pipeline route in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana or Alberta who might be willing to host us for a night -- we are pleasant guests, I promise! -- we would be very grateful. We are also always grateful for contacts in these states who might be willing to offer us aid in the case of an emergency.
In the past days, I have been dissembling and reassembling my bike, attempting to box it and pack up my gear, gluing myself to google maps, and generally feeling overwhelmed. But I will do my best!
On another note, last week I was so happy to receive a JOOS Orange portable solar charger. This was extremely generously donated to support our ride by Solar JOOS. I couldn't believe the incredible news after contacting them and receiving a response from Dan. He shipped a JOOS Orange to me, to help us charge our devices along the ride. It is so exciting to me that we will be able to utilize solar power on this trip -- I believe it sends an even more powerful message that we can move to more sustainable ways of living! Great companies really can make such a big difference, and I am so grateful to Solar JOOS. I charged it in the sunshine after unpacking it, and tested it out to charge an iPhone -- it worked beautifully and surprisingly quickly! It will be so helpful to be able to charge our devices wherever we are.