BRO QUEST 2009

Putting 3700 miles on a bike definitely does weird things to you. Both Stuart and I named our bikes before our trips, and they've grown into their personalities. I've definitely bonded with Mr. Belvedere, and I have put my life in his hands every day of this trip. I know how he handles, know his quirks, and I've grown attached to him. I plan on keeping him in good condition and getting a lot more use out of him after Broquest.

Constant need of repair

When I started the tour, my bike was practically brand new. I had put maybe 200 miles on him, and my leather saddle was as hard as a rock. I had never biked more than 45 miles at once and was unsure of how I would last on Broquest. After 2 weeks of riding, I was fully comfortable with biking extended distances and grew into the role of 'touring cyclist.' After a while, my sunburns became tan, my saddle broke in, my panniers became scratched up and dirty, my thighs and calves became huge, and I adapted. One of the subtlest complements from other tourers is when they touch our saddles to see how they have softened (kind of gross). It's a badge of honor.

Mr. Belvedere at the beginning of the tour

Now at the end of the trip, Mr. Belvedere has become cantankerous, and it seems like our bike problems are a reflection of the end of the journey. I know that it's normal wear and tear - most bikes never see that much mileage in their lifetimes, let alone in under 2 months. In the last week or so, I've started to have a slew of problems with him. I wore out my rear tire due to my brakes being engaged. I had 2 puncture flats from random debris on the road. I've been battling with my rear racks and panniers after they decided to dig into my rear wheel. I've had constant issues from my brakes overengaging and disengaging due to weather. It's been incredibly
frustrating that neither us nor seasoned bike mechanics can fix them outright.

Adjusting Mr. Belvedere next to some bikers

At the same time, it's something we realize is almost entirely out of our control. It's part and parcel of the journey. It's just circumstance that everything seems to be failing at the same time. Stuart and I have had an incredible time together, and we've grown attached to this lifestyle, meeting new people, and experiencing America from the freedom of our bike saddles.

On our way into Guelph, ON, Stuart and I ate lunch outside of a grocery store. We met a guy who lived in an off-the-grid collective and did a lot of eco-friendly projects. He was excited about what we were doing and happy for our experiences. He asked about what we planned on doing after our tour. I said something along the lines of getting back to reality, finding a job, and starting a career once I finished Broquest. He told us, "this is reality, you're returning to the nightmare."

Feral kittens offer us hope