"Beware of Trees" and Other Words of Advice, Wisdom, Support, and Encouragement

"Beware of trees--yesterday, a biker was killed in Washington when a tree fell on him."

"Remember--10-12% of everyone you meet is a psychopath, sociopath--I'm just saying it's okay to carry a piece."

"The best defense against bears...peanut butter. Before you go to sleep, slather yourself in peanut butter."

"You'll regret your decision."

"You're going alone? You're crazy, you know that, right?"

These are but a small sample of the responses I received when telling people my plan...to bike across the country to San Francisco in 50 days.

Inevitably, they all led to the same question--why?

I have my own battery of answers...

"Because I can."

"Because I want to take some time to discover and pursue other passions."

"Because I want to go on an adventure."

"Because it's always been something I wanted to do, and my window to do it is shrinking."

I could probably list out my answers all day, after all, God knows I've been asked the question more times than I can count. And as many times as I've been asked, I doubt anyone has asked why I've decided to make this change more than myself.

I suppose the best answer I have for why I'm about to embark on what many consider to be a perilous journey is provided by Albert Einstein,

"Few are those who see with their own eyes, and feel with their own hearts."

For all his expertise in the fields of science, mathematics, and theory, Mr. Einstein's insights into life, love and compassion are oftentimes overlooked--and it may be because my brain is attuned to a sociological way of thinking, but it was always those insights that resonated with me most.

So there you have it--the core of my reasoning for going on this trip--to see with my own eyes, feel with my own heart, and have a little fun along the way.