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It’s been about eight months since I have sat down and really gave some thought to a Tuesday post. It has been eight months since I quit my job, exploded a relationship, gave away bikes, put the rest of my shit into storage and set out to do some living. On July 4th, I left the comfort and security of my life in Arizona and set out on a mission to do and see as much as possible for at least one year. It may have been a national holiday, but I now refer to it as my Personal Independence Day.
Since that day, I have completed a cross country bike tour, been to Singlespeed Worlds in Japan, had a few crazy days in Kuala Lumpur and spent two incredibly powerful months riding my singlespeed in Nepal. Then, the biggest shake-up of all, I came “home” from all this travel, but not to Arizona. I decided to take a chance and relocate to the east coast trail Mecca of Asheville, NC. Mud, roots and trees have replaced sand, sun and cactus. It is the polar opposite of what this mountain biker has grown accustomed to. So far, I dig it. Every ride has been on a new trail, and there have been a lot of rides. The local riding community is nothing short of amazing and they have (mostly) welcomed me with open arms. Completely shattering all of my stereotypes and preconceived notions of the east. There does seem to be a lot more rules out here, and definitely a lot more Posted/Private Property signs than I’m used to. But the trails are legit and, most importantly, there are a TON of breweries!
I tell ya what… if you want to get seriously confused and slightly emo, try coming back from months of travel to a new house and a new town. It felt like I was still on vacation instead of actually being home. But after three weeks of only leaving the house to get beer and go for rides, I finally started to settle in. I can get around town now without Google Maps and I have established what my favorite watering holes and bike shops are. Asheville is good little town and I look forward to sharing more of this zone with the drunkcyclist nation as the trails dry up and I explore more.
They say time flies when you are having fun. Well I must be having a fucking blast because eight months of my life just vaporized. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sorry for the absence, I’ll be checking in more often. Keep it dirty…
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Pingback: Tuesdays with Dirty: How to make 8 months disappear | PEDAL CANTON
Big Mazel, Dirty!
I’ve said it before, enjoying yourself this much is against the fundamental laws of the universe & there will be a day of reckoning.
Or probably not!
Keep on keeping on.
Regrettably, I’ve only just found out that Sonya Looney has been down here, I would have enjoyed meeting her. She’s as hard-core as they come.
Welcome to the eastish coast, Dirty. You’ve staggered into Portland OR east, where the breweries are many as is the good riding. I’m in Richmond the 2nd biggest beer town in the east; we don’t have as many trails (not enough mountains unless you go an hour west) but we do have some really good road riding so it’s all good. Just not as.
Ride on!
Well played, sir! Rubber side down…
Good to have !
You can never go home, and that’s not always a bad thing. 20+ years I’ve been away from “home”, and 10 years since I’ve walked away from my “career”. No regrets.
Wow, a big congratulations on having the nerve to take that leap. Ha…in the last year I’ve taken a new full-time job, bought a house, and the better half is due with our first child in May. Not complaining, but I won’t be blowing through 8 months like you for, oh, maybe 20 years.
I’m a yankee come south, living in Durham. More of a road rider, but yes, the riding both on and off road in Asheville is fantastic.
Give a shout if you’re in Durham. We have an extra (furnished) bedroom.
Ron
I loved my visit to Ashville. I rode some trails, drank some beers, and got bit by some kind of lizard. I was living the dream!