This first blog is simply a test to see if the thing actually works. After going back and forth for months on whether to start a blog, where to start one, and how to start one, it took exactly 2 minutes and 12 seconds to start this one. So I don't exactly trust it. So this first blog will be short. I don't want to waste a lot of effort in case I forgot to put in some important piece of information in setting it up.
The countdown is here. We are 9 days away from dipping our backwheels in the Pacific and starting the 3,789 or so mile journey to Washington DC. Though there are a million things to still do, we feel as though the boys are as prepared as they are going to be. Here are our prayers. Mine are for my knees to make it through the three sets of mountains. Solomon's are for his i-pod stories to last the same amount of time. Djina's are the kids don't lose weight and their electrolytes stay balanced. Yonah doesn't pray.
About Us
- Matt Biers-Ariel
- Matt Biers-Ariel has been teaching in public schools, private schools, and non-formal education since 1983. He is the author of six books. His latest, "Lighting of a Fire," is a novel that takes place in high school.
4 comments:
My dear Biers-Ariel Family, I am so excited for you guys and proudly tell all who will listen of your endeavor. My prayers are with all of you, including Yonah. I imagine that every mile you log will likely be a first in the annals of family cross-country treking. We will be here to welcome you on this side of the continent in August. Love the photo. Can you publish more frequently? A week seems like an awfully long time to wait for news in this day and age. Maybe one of the phone services will donate a blackberry or equivalent.
Love,
The Silver-Lewis family
I will be there to see you off! What a fantastic journey you are embarking on. And our whole family looks forward to reading updates as you cross the country.
Hey Matt, Djina, Yonah and Solomon-
We're so excited for you guys...and jealous! It brings back so many memories of some of our clan's extended rides! Take it from a family who's done it -- there'll be highs and lows...but, in the end, it will be worth it, and will pay so many dividends. Laugh together, curse the wind together...and don't forget to draft when you can!
Matt and Djina -- we hope the two boys realize how lucky they are to have a set of parents like you. You have given them, as well as yourselves, a wonderful opportunity.
Yonah and Solomon -- we hope your parents realize how lucky they are to have two boys like you. You have given them, as well as yourselves, a wonderful opportunity.
Semi-solicited advice to keep in mind, compiled from many long days and long miles:
Once you push off, try to forget the ultimate goal of reaching Washington. The only fun way is to concnetrate on each mile, lose yourselves in the present moment. But it's OK to daydream and meditate while you ride!
Find lonely roads where you can ride 4 abreast....those were always our favorite moments! We didn't have a rearview mirror attached to our bikes or helmets...but that would've been useful...
Games, songs, poems really help pass the miles. Especially made up ones. Oh, and laughter helps. Nothing makes kids happier than making their parents the target of their jokes and teasing!
Getting up with the sun is always difficult for young kids (and sometimes adults) -- but worth it...the light is so great that time of day, and it's usually pretty calm. The early morning hours were always our favorite. We often got into the routine of delaying breakfast till later in the morning, just because we enjoyed making the most of those ideal bikeable hours.
When the wind is at your back, ride, ride, ride, ride....
Choco-Malts and/or cold watermelon -- wonders for rejuvenation!
Reading aloud together....
Cooking over an open flame...
Mid-afternoon breaks in small towns with swimming pools or lakes
Mid-afternoon breaks in dark, cool taverns. Give the kids a break and let them at least take a few sips of a cold brew before you finish one off!
Best campsites that bikers tend to forget -- cemeteries, town parks, on the lawns of friendly folks
Best, best wishes from all the Moss clan...and be safe.
Luv, David, Colleen, Hart, Evan, Starr and Wynne
amazing.
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