It's just a ride...

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Ever since I first saw Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper riding their blinged out hogs across America going completely against the social grain of the time I’ve dreamed of giving it all up packing a bike and taking off with no plan to lands unknown. With the direction the world seems to be headed both in social and natural terms regardless of ancient prophecies I see right now as an opportunity that might not come again. I’ve worked and played hard for the last 15+ years and though fun at times life has also thrown me plenty of blows. There is nothing more Miami can offer me and I’ve longed to leave it along with most of our past for a while. Patagonia has been on my mind since I first heard of it and now with the Chilean government moving to build numerous hydro damns which will change the place forever if not now never. After watching the above dropped doc. “180 degrees south” and learning about North Face original founder’s natural preserve project I’ve been wanting to go down there and get my hands dirty for a worthy cause. I’m originally from Brazil though I’ve spent three quarters of my life in the U.S. so I’m not sure what awaits me in my country of origin other than change, though change is what I’m after. So returning home to Brazil and hopefully scoring a long term volunteer position in the soon to be Patagonia national park are the ultimate goals of the trip. Seeing the west and it’s many state and national parks along with the Americas and the personal changes, people I’ll meet and new insight that comes with such a journey are just a bonus.

I’ve closed off the Miami door for good so there is no going back, the only way to move in life is forward. I quit my dream job earlier this year and sold off and gave away everything I worked for other than half a pallet with a few personal belongings and the KLR and gear on it. Something I’ve dreamed of achieving for a long time! It’s easy to complicate your life yet so hard to simplify it. “ the things you own end up owning you”. I’m frankly not sure if the funds I’m leaving Miami with will get me to my final destination but I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to get to where I’m going. I’ll be guerrilla camping, couch surfing and using the tent space resources here as much as I possibly can and hopefully picking up odd jobs along the way. As Sterling so eloquently put it “Shall it be bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?”

The plan is pretty simple or at least as simple as they always appear to be on paper; Say my good byes to Ocala state park. Ride through a portion of the Blue Ridge and enjoy a bit of the Appalachians. Head west through Kentucky and bare through the Midwest. Seeing as many state and national parks in the western U.S as possible. Eventually making my way to the continents end while checking out as much of the rich natural and indigenous history of the Americas. The southern portion of the trip is completely up in the air as are routes, the Darien and so forth. I’ve never been much of a planner and enjoy the uncertainty of not knowing where I’ll sleep or what I’ll see on any given day. I travel with a compass, a map and a good naturally given sense of direction and adventure. I’m not on a race to cover given miles or conquer wild off-road routes with demanding obstacles or legendary water crossings. I have no set arrival date and will take as much time to complete this journey as it deems necessary. My only adversary shall be mother nature and her temperament. I won’t bore folks with meal pics as I’m mostly vegan. There will be very few bike pics other than the prep ones already posted and the occasional dirt nap. Finally I’m more comfortable behind the lens than in front of it so my mug won’t be around much.

The following states in the west will be my home for the next few months. Colorado, Utah, California, Arizona and New Mexico. South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon are on the list but due to my much delayed departure and weather conditions this late in the year I’ll play them by ear. My most western destination is the Red wood forests of northern Cali. My southern most destination is Rio Grande Do sul, Brazil and finally Patagonia Chile.

I’d like to thank my supportive family who without this trip would be impossible. Finally the kind folks in this site who opened my eyes to the reality of travel simply by sharing their own adventures.

Some progress is better than no progress at least so it goes. Another day of dis assembly and again i'm surprised at how easily everything is coming apart. Nothing has fought me and other than a dead blow i've used nothing but what's in my kit. Bearings are as shiny as they should be and nothing is corroded or worn. Picked up some "green grease" waterproof junk at the parts store and lubed every orifice within sight. My plug was on the lean side of brown so i threw another shim on the needle. Also went ahead and pulled the right cover off and wasn't surprised by all the silicone on the oil screen, seems the norm. Picked up some metal today so next time sparks will fly.