Moving Day

Well yesterday was the move out day.  The mover came first thing in the morning, we managed to get all the big stuff out and into storage in a few hours.  Their's quite a bit work that still needs to be done but we are getting close.  We should be done by this evening, with ten more days to finalize preparations before our departure. For those of you who are wondering, Azures sister and her husband we nice enough to take us in for the next week and a half before we leave.  It a beautiful day in Virginia Beach so I am headed over to the house to take a few more boxes to storage and then I'm off on a rather lengthy training ride.  Once we are finished with moving, things should settle down enough to provide me with some more time to write, until then.

Point of Clarification.

I received an email stating that I am not starting the northern most point in the United States.  This is true, Barrow, Alaska is the farthest point north.  However, Barrow is only accessible by bush plane, or dog sled in the winter. Prudhoe Bay is the farthest point north that is accessible by road.  

In other words we are starting from the farthest point north that you can drive a car or in this case ride a bike from.  I have a suggestion for the person who sent the email, you know who you are, take up a hobby, get outside and enjoy life instead of trying to nit-pick someone who is trying to do something of meaningful.

BP = safety first... Tell that to the Gulf of Mexico!

           Well, while the training and packing/moving continues, BP has struck a major blow to the ride.  The goal all along has been to start the ride with my back tire in Prudhoe Bay.  One problem, BP owns all of the land north of Deadhorse.  In other words I need their permission to ride on their property. 

            I have been trying to get in touch with them for several weeks and after being handed off from one person to another, I was given the name of their head of security.  It took roughly 20 attempts to finally get him on the phone.  Honestly, I think he realized I wasn’t going to stop calling. 

            Unfortunately, the answer was no; BP sighting safety concerns, refused to allow me on their property, I offered to sign a waver... no dice.  They funny thing is that they allow tour companies to operate in their "strictly secure work site"; he actually suggested that I ask one of the tour companies to let me put my bike on their bus, so I could have a picture taken by the water.  This journey that my wife and I are embarking on is not about a photo-op.  

            What he doesn’t know is that previous to my resignation on May 7^th, I was a salesman and very good at my job.  It was my responsibility to turn a rejection into a closed deal .  I will not stop at a no.  This is a huge, challenging, and risky endeavor, it would be a shame if I have to start only a few miles from water.

            It seems to me that right now after an oil spill that is certain to devastate the fragile eco-system of the gulf coast, BP would be looking for some positive press.  So that’s who is getting the next phone call from me, their head of public relations.  If that doesn’t work the president of BP Alaska, will be getting daily phone calls.  If I have to go to their office’s in Anchorage I will. 

If anyone has any connections with BP please HELP!!!  

I do have a few British friends maybe I could get them to give David Cameron a call.

Rain, rain, and more rain

Well, it is raining in Virginia Beach for the third straight day.  Luckily for me I was able to get a ride in before the downpour began on Sunday.  But it looks like the rain will force me indoors to the gym to train today.  I would actually like someone to do the research on rain in Virginia Beach vs. the Northwest costal region.  I can honestly say that it would not surprise me if VB was in the top 5 wettest places in the country.  

Although, indoor training may be the safer option for me.  Last Friday, while on a group ride, a bird flew out of the woods and hit me in the side of the head.  Fortunately for me, I always wear my helmet, I should have taken a picture of the bird droppings he left on my shoulder.  Looks like it startled him as badly as it did me.  

The van should be done at the decal shop today, then its back to the 4x4 store to finish up the rack and lights.

More later.

Back at It.

Well we have returned from the funeral and wedding that we were attending this weekend.  Talk about a roller coster of emotion.  After Kingers funeral we drove to Baltimore for one of our other roommates weddings.  Given the events of the week I wasn't exactly looking forward to going.  But it turned out to be the best possible thing that I could have done.  

The wedding was fantastic, I know its cliche but the phrase "the circle of life" comes to mind.  Its hard to take a step back when the people involved are so close to you.  However, it was nice to finish a terrible week with such a joyous occasion.  Leo married a girl that is way out of his league, in every way.  I am still missing King and will be for awhile but I am so happy for Leo and Kel that it makes it a bit easier.

Well all that being said, the three days I was gone was three day of no training.  So needless to say I have been dogging it the last two days.  I still have tons to do both on the fundraising and logistical side, as well as the training that I need to get in before we leave in June.  

Taking the Van to the decal shop tomorrow and then back to the 4x4 store.  After both of those shops are done with her, she will go to the carpenter that is going to install the bed and extra storage in the back.  By the time that is done we will be leaving for Alaska.  

Stay tuned I will be posting as often as possible.