Collin and Smash Ride Bikes Across America

The weather and I have developed a new relationship on this trip. We’ve gotten much closer – maybe too close. I’m fully aware that I sound like a hippie writing blog posts about such things, but spending nearly all 24 hours of the day outside has opened my eyes to the full power of the sun, the wind, and nearly all forms of precipitation.

Since the prevailing winds aren’t in our favor, we’ve had words and long wrestling matches. I hate to admit that each time the wind’s come out on top. Me and the sun, however, are good buddies. I never knew how much I could miss the warming beams of the sunshine, or been so happy for them to return. It’s been an unusually cold winter for the south, and it’s impeded our progress in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Rain, sleet, and snow have been a mix of irritating, painful, and magical, depending on the situation. A recent tent collapse under the weight of snow, however, produced a brief “Shit - we could die out here” moment.

Even though we’re at the mercy of whatever mother nature throws at us, we have all sorts of fancy, high-tech gear does a pretty good job keeping us warm and dry. Sure, we have to be deliberate and methodical about our systems or risk being unpleasantly cold, sun burnt, wind chapped or soaked, but we’re well equipped.

You know who were really badass? Eskimos.

-Collin