The Wedding
Y'all I made it! I rode around 2674 miles in a month anda half, Monterey to Indy, got there with a few days to spare. After harddd pushing on the road with only a couple rest days it was honestly amazing to take a break in such a lovely place like @bottleworkshotel sleeping in a real bed, eating amazing food, having a SHOWER every day (can you imagine such luxury!?), a surprise package from @chamoisbuttr, and obviously getting to see all my family (some for the first time since being on tour).
This was the first wedding I've been to since I stopped photographing them and it was goddamn nice to be just a normal person at an event like this. No stressing about not catching focus, inconsistent lighting, or counting up how many people didn't listen to the request to put your damn phones away...you know we have to photoshop all those out, right? A perfectly lowkey ceremony, reception filled with amazing food and music, and backyard cookout the next day was just about as good of a vacation from my vacation of a life as I coulda imagined.
Congrats Maddie and Josh you two are some damn good ones and I'm damn glad I rode across the country to see y'all's special day.
Cargo East 4
What can I say about St. Louis that I haven't already said? Despite having the worst drivers I've ever encountered in this country, it is still one of my favorite places to visit. I've been through a few times now over the last couple years and it's always a delight to see my friends at @hobohubworks and @southcitystitchworks This round I was lucky enough to link up with @trailnetstl and get a tour of some new bike infrastructure improvements that the city has been making. Properly separated lanes with armadillos??? Yes please! Was a short and sweet visit before rolling out for a last lil push to Indy for the wedding I've been riding across the whole country to attend.
Huh well that's a new one...
Cargo East 3
I wonder what they sell in there. Like maybe it's just 7 REALLY BIG things.
lol
Cat did not want scritches.
Mirror selfies.
Finally visited the legendary District
We love train!
Classic Route 66.
We used to be a country.
lol and finally picked up a new shooter.
OKC
Yeah okay so Oklahoma City gets its own post from my trip east because Lordy what a damn good city. Rolling around with nearly a thousand people on a random weeknight night group ride like, HOW Y'ALL??? When this many people show up it's an obvious tell that a city is a good bike city and OKC is one that I'll have to revisit someday because there's definitely a lot left to explore here. Many many thanks to @roadsandwich (after finding me on the side of I-10 like two months ago) and @ashleydawntattoos (who drew my latest sticker design) for welcoming me into their GORGEOUS home. I gotta come back someday, maybe with a more gravely bike, and go on some proper long rides.
Halfway there!
Cargo East 2
Zoom test at Church Rock
We love trains!
- Bike looking gooood
Mirror selfie.
Tbh I just liked the way this cell tower looked with the clouds
SAURN
Fun twirly windmills at a truck stop camp spot
Mirror selfie
Met up with the good dude @rclarkelion and got to camp together at SAMS TOWN
They almost spelled it right.
One of these is not like the other
A fine sampling.
Would camp here.
Always stop for a pink wall.
- One of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen
Cargo East 1
We love train.
Mirror selfie.
Glad I wasn’t climbing that.
I set up in what I thought was an empty field next to this rest area but woke up in the morning FULLY SURROUNDED by semis.
Light feeling a bit Ansel.
Well I guess I’ll just keep riding on the highway then?
Mirror selfie.
Get yer kicks!
The gang at @flagbilerev is awesome gang.
Nice.
Beauuuutiful evening ride with new friends in Flagstaff.
We love train!
Nice.
Sea Otter
Sea Otter was a bit odd for me this year. Omnium not having a booth meant I could float around as much as I wanted, but honestly I spent the most time hanging out with the @hudskibikes crew who created the most chill zone ride by the chemically too-blue pond with plenty of tree shade, chairs to relax, cold drinks, and best vibes I’ve ever experienced at this kind of corporatey bike show. Second day of the show mom called to let me know my Oma had just passed after having surgery. It was unexpected news but not really much of a surprise as she was well into her 80’s and had lived the type of long life we should all be envious of. Having a quick cry after getting off the phone and immediately jumping back into YOO HEY TRUEMARMALADE WHAT’S UP MY DUDE was a bit of a struggle but being surrounded by all my bike friends helped keep the heavy grieving at bay. Spending nights down at the bottom of the hill camping with @oldmanmountainracks and @toutterrain and everyone who rode in for the show felt like home away from home. As usual I stayed late on Sunday to roll around scooping up all the leftover snacks and goodies that everyone left behind, rolling out from Monterey full of fuel for my upcoming ride back east.
Central Valley
I’ve heard gets a lot of hate / disparaging feedback but y’all some of my favorite people live here. Every April I come back through before Sea Otter and always always make sure to visit my homies in Bakersfield and Fresno. Such good vibes, group rides of all sorts, cargo gang rolling deep, backyard garden parties, and plenty of chill farm land to explore between the two cities.
Leaving Phoenix
Rolled out of Phoenix at the end of March and hopped on I-10 for a bit. Rest area camping is usually chill. Truck stop dumpsters almost always hit. Familiar roads through Palm Springs. Stayed with one of my favorite WS hosts in Redlands. Amazing spot in Tehachapi as well, then back down to the Central Valley to see some of my FAVORITE PEOPLE.
