Comments for reCyclingtheWorld.us http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress I'm reCycling the World Tue, 08 May 2012 14:21:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Game Over-31/Jul/2011 by Jim Gilroy http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2009/03/20/saint-paul-usa-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1961 Jim Gilroy Tue, 08 May 2012 14:21:05 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6640#comment-1961 Hi Julie & David, I’ve finally completed your amazing Recycling The World blog. It was a great treat, on several levels: 1) I’ve visited many of your locales in North, Central & South America – also in Spain, France & Germany. Unfortunately, only 1% was by bike. 2) Your narratives were delightful – almost Hemingwayesque. They painted clear and fascinating portraits, with colorful wording. They covered many interesting aspects – something for almost any reader. Even the bike repair details (which likely reminded some of “Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance”) truly grounded the whole narrative. It highlighted how vulnerable you were – and how resourcefully you always responded. You were frank in discussing feelings. You were respectful of the environment. You greatly enriched our travel knowledge. I liked the whole package. 3) Your mix of photo subjects was most entertaining. I likewise appreciate the entire travel spectrum – from flowers, to people, to architecture, to marketplaces, to landscapes, to machinery, to local events, to animals, etc. Many times you included those very helpful, “obvious” photos. They might seem ordinary at the moment – and you might not think to snap them. But if you do and show it to someone later, it so perfectly captures your experience. 4) Your photographic techniques were quite good. You framed things so very well and made good use of your lighting. Over and over, you snapped photos at the most exciting moment, filling your frame with visual serendipity. Maybe none of your pics were quite up to National Geo’s exacting standards. But they were far above amateurish and a very worthy companion to your nice narrative. 5) At the macro level, you deserve lots of credit for concocting such a grand scheme – and then actually doing it! Wow. Just on some of my 4-5 week trips, I could feel a little traveler’s fatigue. I’m sure you had your moments, too. But you paced it very well. You maintained an incredible sense of exploration and adventure for two, whole years. (That’s nudging into Marco Polo’s league.) You guys were so steady and resolute – especially fixing flats!!! If you’ve struggled returning to “normal citizen” status, I hope my enthusiastic remarks have let you spend a few glorious moments, reminiscing on your grand accomplishments. Hi Julie & David,
I’ve finally completed your amazing Recycling The World blog. It was a great treat, on several levels:
1) I’ve visited many of your locales in North, Central & South America – also in Spain, France & Germany. Unfortunately, only 1% was by bike.
2) Your narratives were delightful – almost Hemingwayesque. They painted clear and fascinating portraits, with colorful wording. They covered many interesting aspects – something for almost any reader. Even the bike repair details (which likely reminded some of “Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance”) truly grounded the whole narrative. It highlighted how vulnerable you were – and how resourcefully you always responded. You were frank in discussing feelings. You were respectful of the environment. You greatly enriched our travel knowledge. I liked the whole package.
3) Your mix of photo subjects was most entertaining. I likewise appreciate the entire travel spectrum – from flowers, to people, to architecture, to marketplaces, to landscapes, to machinery, to local events, to animals, etc. Many times you included those very helpful, “obvious” photos. They might seem ordinary at the moment – and you might not think to snap them. But if you do and show it to someone later, it so perfectly captures your experience.
4) Your photographic techniques were quite good. You framed things so very well and made good use of your lighting. Over and over, you snapped photos at the most exciting moment, filling your frame with visual serendipity. Maybe none of your pics were quite up to National Geo’s exacting standards. But they were far above amateurish and a very worthy companion to your nice narrative.
5) At the macro level, you deserve lots of credit for concocting such a grand scheme – and then actually doing it! Wow. Just on some of my 4-5 week trips, I could feel a little traveler’s fatigue. I’m sure you had your moments, too. But you paced it very well. You maintained an incredible sense of exploration and adventure for two, whole years. (That’s nudging into Marco Polo’s league.) You guys were so steady and resolute – especially fixing flats!!!
If you’ve struggled returning to “normal citizen” status, I hope my enthusiastic remarks have let you spend a few glorious moments, reminiscing on your grand accomplishments.

]]> Comment on Rigny-Ussé, France by constant marche http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2011/04/19/rigny-usse-france/comment-page-1/#comment-1302 constant marche Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:08:47 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=5805#comment-1302 Greetings from France! And congratulations for your awesome life experience. Freedom and Dream Greetings from France! And congratulations for your awesome life experience. Freedom and Dream

]]> Comment on Game Over-31/Jul/2011 by David http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2009/03/20/saint-paul-usa-2/comment-page-1/#comment-997 David Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:07:18 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6640#comment-997 I mailed the hammock back home from Cartagena, Colombia. When Julie joined me she brought along another Hennessey Hammock big enough for two people, but I inadvertently put both hammocks in the box sent home. I don't regret that mistake, because by then I realized that we didn't need to camp out. On my first world tour I carried a tent and stove and cookset the whole way, even though I rarely camped outside of North America. Why carry gear we can manage without? We did carry an emergency can of tuna or two. Cycling through towns every day we could always buy food. We did buy a tent in Calama, Chile that was necessary in the Atacama Desert, the Lake District of Argentina, and for cycling the Carretera Austral in Chilean Patagonia. The only other places we needed a tent were in Western Sahara and northern Manitoba, where towns were too far apart to find lodgings every night. Camping is a great way to save money, making it essential in North America, and we love sleeping outside. In over two years we camped a total of 63 nights: 5 nights in OK & TX, 17 in South America (+ 7 nights while trekking in Torres del Paine), 10 nights in Africa, 2 in Europe and 22 nights in Canada & MN. I also sent home the down sleeping bag from Cuenca, Ecuador. That box made it home, the one from Colombia did not. In Chile we bought two cheap and very thin bags that zip together. They are so thin that there is almost no loft, just fabric; but with two bodies in the same space we stayed warm down to freezing. We also picked up ensolite sleeping pads and cookware in Denver, where our friend Mark Hughes gave us his alcohol stove ( www.whiteboxstoves.com/ ) which worked great. I suggest not taking along non-essential equipment. It is psychologically difficult to jettison stuff that you previously decided might be necessary. You can always buy stuff along the way, and get rid of it when you no longer need it. In South America I bought a long-sleeve jersey and stretch pants for sun protection. I don't like using sunscreen, though Julie does. She spent over $600 on the stuff, and it was not always easy to find, costing up to $30 per tube. I am having trouble adjusting to all the stuff I have at home. I loved living with so few possessions. The plastic Bikebins withstood two years of abuse, and doubled as wash buckets for doing laundry. The shoulder bag carried all my valuables, and was quick to remove (looped over the underseat tool pack) every time I walked away from my bike. My camera was stolen twice, so I'm glad I did not have an expensive SLR. I found no shockproof and waterproof alternative to the Olympus, now called the Olympus Tough (which I bought new in Arusha, Tanzania). I preferred the Asus Eee PC 901 mini-laptop computer to the HP Mini that I bought in Bamako, Mali; though I was surprised to find a new mini-laptop anywhere in West Africa. The Asus computer was stolen from our hotel room in Kitale, Kenya. If I was starting out now I'd take a tablet, and the Asus tablet also looks pretty good. I wore the same lightweight wool dress pants (from Goodwill) almost every evening after showering. I had them dry-cleaned every two or three months, and after more than two years they are starting to show some wear on the pockets. The roll-up slippers were my only other footwear besides biking shoes. I tried not to walk far outside in them. We liked to find lodging with a restaurant on the premises or nearby. I mailed the hammock back home from Cartagena, Colombia. When Julie joined me she brought along another Hennessey Hammock big enough for two people, but I inadvertently put both hammocks in the box sent home. I don’t regret that mistake, because by then I realized that we didn’t need to camp out. On my first world tour I carried a tent and stove and cookset the whole way, even though I rarely camped outside of North America. Why carry gear we can manage without? We did carry an emergency can of tuna or two. Cycling through towns every day we could always buy food. We did buy a tent in Calama, Chile that was necessary in the Atacama Desert, the Lake District of Argentina, and for cycling the Carretera Austral in Chilean Patagonia. The only other places we needed a tent were in Western Sahara and northern Manitoba, where towns were too far apart to find lodgings every night. Camping is a great way to save money, making it essential in North America, and we love sleeping outside. In over two years we camped a total of 63 nights: 5 nights in OK & TX, 17 in South America (+ 7 nights while trekking in Torres del Paine), 10 nights in Africa, 2 in Europe and 22 nights in Canada & MN. I also sent home the down sleeping bag from Cuenca, Ecuador. That box made it home, the one from Colombia did not. In Chile we bought two cheap and very thin bags that zip together. They are so thin that there is almost no loft, just fabric; but with two bodies in the same space we stayed warm down to freezing. We also picked up ensolite sleeping pads and cookware in Denver, where our friend Mark Hughes gave us his alcohol stove ( http://www.whiteboxstoves.com/ ) which worked great.
I suggest not taking along non-essential equipment. It is psychologically difficult to jettison stuff that you previously decided might be necessary. You can always buy stuff along the way, and get rid of it when you no longer need it. In South America I bought a long-sleeve jersey and stretch pants for sun protection. I don’t like using sunscreen, though Julie does. She spent over $600 on the stuff, and it was not always easy to find, costing up to $30 per tube.
I am having trouble adjusting to all the stuff I have at home. I loved living with so few possessions. The plastic Bikebins withstood two years of abuse, and doubled as wash buckets for doing laundry. The shoulder bag carried all my valuables, and was quick to remove (looped over the underseat tool pack) every time I walked away from my bike. My camera was stolen twice, so I’m glad I did not have an expensive SLR. I found no shockproof and waterproof alternative to the Olympus, now called the Olympus Tough (which I bought new in Arusha, Tanzania). I preferred the Asus Eee PC 901 mini-laptop computer to the HP Mini that I bought in Bamako, Mali; though I was surprised to find a new mini-laptop anywhere in West Africa. The Asus computer was stolen from our hotel room in Kitale, Kenya. If I was starting out now I’d take a tablet, and the Asus tablet also looks pretty good. I wore the same lightweight wool dress pants (from Goodwill) almost every evening after showering. I had them dry-cleaned every two or three months, and after more than two years they are starting to show some wear on the pockets. The roll-up slippers were my only other footwear besides biking shoes. I tried not to walk far outside in them. We liked to find lodging with a restaurant on the premises or nearby.

]]> Comment on Game Over-31/Jul/2011 by Erik http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2009/03/20/saint-paul-usa-2/comment-page-1/#comment-988 Erik Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:47:53 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6640#comment-988 I am the brother of one of your former colleagues at UPS, Mark Knutson. He informed me of your ride at the start and I have been greatly enjoying your trip and your excellent photos along they way. I commend you on the completion of such a journey, and better yet having the discipline to continue to write in detail about it until the end. I read a lot on long distance travel and exploration, and it was very enjoyable to read such a current account. A common experience among all these accounts is the end of all these long distance journeys seems bittersweet for the participants. One thing I find lacking in many of the accounts of expeditions or long distance travel is the details on gear and provisions. I have seen your gear page on the web site, but I know you jettisoned some items along the way as well. I wonder if you could provide a detailed list of the items you ended up with after gaining the wisdom of what was and was not needed. This would no doubt be an aid to future travelers. Thank you again for sharing your journey of the world with the world. Erik Knutson I am the brother of one of your former colleagues at UPS, Mark Knutson.
He informed me of your ride at the start and I have been greatly
enjoying your trip and your excellent photos along they way. I commend
you on the completion of such a journey, and better yet having the
discipline to continue to write in detail about it until the end. I
read a lot on long distance travel and exploration, and it was very
enjoyable to read such a current account. A common experience among all
these accounts is the end of all these long distance journeys seems
bittersweet for the participants.

One thing I find lacking in many of the accounts of expeditions or long
distance travel is the details on gear and provisions. I have seen your
gear page on the web site, but I know you jettisoned some items along
the way as well. I wonder if you could provide a detailed list of the
items you ended up with after gaining the wisdom of what was and was not
needed. This would no doubt be an aid to future travelers.

Thank you again for sharing your journey of the world with the world.

Erik Knutson

]]> Comment on Game Over-31/Jul/2011 by rocketchip http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2009/03/20/saint-paul-usa-2/comment-page-1/#comment-976 rocketchip Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:51:46 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6640#comment-976 Welcome back, David and Julie! So...what's next? Chip Welcome back, David and Julie!

So…what’s next?

Chip

]]> Comment on Luck, USA by David http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2011/07/22/luck-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-962 David Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:46:11 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6560#comment-962 Thanks Mike. As I recall, your parents were in the background of the finish line photo that the Associated Press sent to newspapers across the country and overseas. I doubt you'll read about us in the Australian papers this time around. Thanks Mike. As I recall, your parents were in the background of the finish line photo that the Associated Press sent to newspapers across the country and overseas. I doubt you’ll read about us in the Australian papers this time around.

]]> Comment on Luck, USA by MikeMajor http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2011/07/22/luck-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-961 MikeMajor Sat, 23 Jul 2011 07:44:00 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6560#comment-961 Enjoy your final couple of days on the ride. I've enjoyed following your travels. Wish I could be in Amery to welcome you home. I remember all of the excitement when you came home the last time around. Congrats on your accomplishment! Enjoy your final couple of days on the ride. I’ve enjoyed following your travels. Wish I could be in Amery to welcome you home. I remember all of the excitement when you came home the last time around. Congrats on your accomplishment!

]]> Comment on Grand Rapids, USA by David http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2011/07/17/grand-rapids-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-960 David Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:33:56 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6521#comment-960 Your comment makes no sense, Chip; since I cut and pasted my wording. Satisfied? Your comment makes no sense, Chip; since I cut and pasted my wording. Satisfied?

]]> Comment on Duluth, USA by David http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2011/07/19/duluth-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-959 David Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:30:13 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6543#comment-959 I have already described this trip as my second low-altitude orbit of the planet, without even knowing the similarities to the Space Shuttle program. I know that the views from space must be "out of this world", but don't think it can match our more "down to Earth" experiences. I have already described this trip as my second low-altitude orbit of the planet, without even knowing the similarities to the Space Shuttle program. I know that the views from space must be “out of this world”, but don’t think it can match our more “down to Earth” experiences.

]]> Comment on Duluth, USA by jschanon http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/2011/07/19/duluth-usa/comment-page-1/#comment-958 jschanon Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:46:38 +0000 http://recyclingtheworld.us/wordpress/?p=6543#comment-958 David and Julie, I just want to say how fabulous the last two years of your adventure has been for the armchair traveler following you. Your pics and posts, as well as the interactive map have taken many of us right along with you, making us all a little more aware of places we have never even heard of, making the world a much smaller and more intimate place for us to enjoy. Can't wait to see you both "cruz" into Amery tomorrow. Thanks again for all your sharing. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand. See you in Amery tomorrow. :) David and Julie,
I just want to say how fabulous the last two years of your adventure has been for the armchair traveler following you. Your pics and posts, as well as the interactive map have taken many of us right along with you, making us all a little more aware of places we have never even heard of, making the world a much smaller and more intimate place for us to enjoy. Can’t wait to see you both “cruz” into Amery tomorrow. Thanks again for all your sharing. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand. See you in Amery tomorrow. :)

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