Darren Alff is an entrepreneur and traveler.  Like me, he has chosen the bicycle as his way of seeing the world.  In high school, Darren was an avid athlete, running daily as well as playing soccer for the school.  During this time, a movie was released that would lead him to the idea of traveling around the world someday, as well as myself.  The movie was Tom Hank’s best role yet in the hit motion picture, Forrest Gump.  In fact, after its release, Darren was often referred to as ‘Forrest’ or ‘Gump’ due to his infatuation with running.  Now Darren persists that he was never addicted to athleticism, just that running served a purpose for him.

It seems that after finishing grade school, both Darren and I showed reluctance to enter college.  So, at age seventeen, he decided to act out his movie fantasy.  Knowing he couldn’t really run across the United States, Darren decided that he would run from his home in Oregon down to Mexico along the Pacific Coast.  However, his plan didn’t work out as he hoped; deciding that he should make a practice trip, Darren ran a marathon worth for three consecutive days to see what the experience would be like.  After only three days, he couldn’t even walk.

With running out of the picture, Darren received help from an uncle in Ireland who had recently completed a bicycle tour.  He suggested that his nephew do the same since it was less demanding of the body.  Darren took his uncle’s advice.  Again mapping out a route down the California coast, the seventeen year old took his father’s twenty-year-old Schwinn mountain bike out of the garage, strapped the used panniers his uncle lent him, and headed south on his 1,000 mile journey with only $500 in the bank.

As he expected, his savings didn’t last long.  By the trip’s three month mark, he had already spent $300 of his budget.  If you equate that out, this means Darren lived on only $3 a day.  Yet, it was enough for him to complete the trip.  Darren would later complete his next four bike tours within the U.S. living on the same budget.

Since his first tour Darren has completed one trip the past ten years.  During that time he has gone to college and recently made the transition to internet marketing running a consulting website named Silver Mountain Marketing.  On the side he runs two recreational websites, 21bikes.com and bicycletouringpro.com.  The first is a collection of user-submitted pictures involving both bikes and their owners where visitors rank their appearance in one of the twenty-one categories. 

The second is a Darren’s attempt in sharing all he knows about bicycle touring.  Launched in 2007, bicycletouringpro.com is a blog oriented website describing how to get started in bicycle touring, how he manages to finance his trips, as well as many other articles containing all the little tips to make your trip one to remember.  

Darren has been reported saying that created bicycletouringpro.com to target a younger demographic.  He feels that bike touring is an activity very few people know about, even less among adolescents.  As many twenty-year-olds are going through the transition from childhood to adulthood, these journeys can be a method in which to have fun and reorganize your priorities in life.

Although we haven’t met in person yet, Darren’s life is a great model for my own.  To close this article, I would like to point out two things that Darren has said about touring.  First, for you travelers out there, remember that the “moments don’t happen on the bike”.  And second, when asked what his favorite destinations were Darren wisely said, “My favorite places are those little, random spots that I couldn’t explain how to get back to.  They’re those places when you’re in the moment and it makes you stop and think, ‘Wow…this is really cool.’”

Alastair Humphreys is an Englishman whose resume boasts the titles cyclist, adventurer, author, and motivational speaker.  An adventurer straight out of the womb, Al took on extraordinary challenges at an early age.  At 8, he completed the 26 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge; a 37.5-42 Km (23-26 mile) race of three mountain peaks with almost a mile of elevation change in only 12 hours.  At 13, he finished the National Three Peaks; a 765 Km (475 miles) race with 26 miles of elevation change that must be completed within 24 hours.  At 14, he cycled off-road across England during summer vacation. 

After high school, Alastair attended Edinburgh and Oxford Universities occasionally taking breaks to fundraise for charities.

Did you know?- Alastair Humphreys ran the London marathon dressed as a rhino.

Al trying to figure out where he is in the middle of the desert.

Yet Mr. Humphreys didn’t gain world recognition as an adventurer until his famous ‘Round the World by Bike’ expedition.  The trip would take 4 years to complete, with him passing through 5 continents, 60 countries, and biking more than 46,000 miles!  While a more detailed map of Alastair’s travel route can be seen below, it’s worthwhile pointing out that he got to see places like Turkey, Pakistan, Italy, Panama, the west coast of North America to Alaska, Russia, Japan, China, and much of central Asia. 

But again Al showed that he still had a desire to give back to the world.  After visiting Africa for a year when he was eighteen to teach children, he felt inspired to officially dedicate his journey to raising funds and awareness for a charity called Hope and Homes for Children (click on the link to see ways in which you can help).  Their mission statement from their website is stated below:

To give hope to the poorest children in the world – those who are orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable – by enabling them to grow up within the love of a family and the security of a home, so that they can fulfill their potential. 

While he managed to assimilate back into normal life for a few years, Humphreys’ urge to escape the mundane grind was biting at his heels.  In 2008, he competed in the Marathon des Sables, a 150 mile race through the Sahara Desert.  Even though breaking his foot during the race, Al managed to finish as one of the top ten Brits. 

In 2009, Mr. Humphreys along with Major Phil Packer (A paralyzed veteran of the Iraq war.) rowed across the English Channel to raise £1 million for Help for Heroes (click on the link to see ways in which you can help); an organization formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.  

You may be asking yourself, “Well…what’s he going to do next?  He’s done it all already!”  Yet if you were to ask Mr. Humphreys himself that question, he would only smile and shove it aside.  For the last seven years, he along with old childhood friend, Ben Saunders, have been training to repeat one of history’s most grueling challenges.  The two men are preparing to set out on the ‘first unsupported return journey to the South Pole on foot’.  Named SOUTH, its mission is not only to show what is truly possible but to raise awareness of environmental issues.  If completed, the expedition will also rank as the longest unsupported journey in history at 1,800 miles. 

The red line outlines the proposed expedition route that will take the two

Did you know?- In order to carry all the supplies needed for the proposed 4 month trip, both Ben and Al will be dragging 440 pound (200 Kg) sleds in addition to their already heavy backpacks!

Alastair makes a living with his motivational speaking as well as income from his book sales.  Thus far, Al has written three books entitled Moods of Future Joys, Thunder and Sunshine, and Ten Lessons from the Road.  You can click on each one above to read reviews plot descriptions of each piece as well as learn about a special incentive if you order the books through his site.

And of course if you want to know anything else about the man, see some of his pictures and videos from his latest expeditions, read his inspirational blog, and more, visit Humphreys’ official website at alastairhumphreys.com.

Well there she is.  As you can see, I have not finished reconstructing the bicycle quite yet.  I am waiting on the final part I need to complete assembly; a 30^th inner chainring because the bike didn’t come with one.  When the part arrives I’ll be able to install the chainrings and pedals, then the chain, and finally the front and rear derailleur.  After the main reassembly, there are just a couple of adjustments that need to be made like the derailleur and double-checking everything is fastened securely.

rear rack

In the past two weeks I’ve managed to obtain the following items for my trip:

• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Tent accessories (tarp and special stakes)
• Rain gear
• Handlebar bag
• Laptop

Just to set the record straight now, so I don’t get a lot of questions later, I sort of attempted to paint over some of the exposed areas on my bike to prevent further rusting and to enhance its appearance a little.  I used a metallic paint applied with a small paintbrush, but it didn’t match the original red when dry. 

I want to know…Are there any good ways to repaint scratches on your bike?  Leave a comment below. 

When I started this blog I made the promise that I would show you how to live my lifestyle for yourself.  Still, I understand that the majority of my readers aren’t bicycle tourists and are just average Joes trying to make a name for themselves.  So, I decided to give you something that everyone needs; inspiration.  Not everyone will find each of my posts the answer to life’s problems, but all will find at least a snippet of motivation in what can seem like a very gray world at times. 

Since I find a lot of inspiration through movies, it’s likely I’ll be recommending many at this site.  Today’s movie is called Solo.  Released in 2009 by directors David Michod and Jen Peedom, this Australian documentary captures the tale of a man set on adventure.  Below is a synopsis of the film from sheffdocfest.com. 

Most of us can’t begin to conceive what drives certain people to risk their lives doing extreme adventure sports. Luckily for Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley, his wife understands very well. It was she who introduced the mountaineer to the sport of kayaking. Now he is determined to set a new, unbelievable first – a solo kayak crossing from Tasmania to New Zealand via some of the most ruthless waters in the world. He’s not only leaving behind his wife, but also a young son, and a host of friends who can only marvel at the task he has set himself. As we learn from the opening scene of this nail-biting voyage, he runs into some serious trouble: the New Zealand coast guard receives a garbled message that his boat is sinking and he needs a rescue. Thanks to remarkable video diaries, both on board and back at home, we can sit back in safety and watch one man knowingly risk everything.

If you’ve liked what you’ve seen so far and have an hour to spare, click here to watch the full movie.

Trip List

• Bicycle (1984 Schwinn Mesa Runner, *picture below is another bike*)

• Panniers (bike bags to carry the majority of my items in) and handlebar bag
• Sleeping bag
• Front and rear bicycle racks
• Splash-guard fenders

• Toiletry kit
• Binoculars
• Roughly more than 5 pairs of clothing including miscellaneous weather/protective gear.
• Tent

Within the next couple of weeks I’ll be getting a laptop and a small, HD video camera that will allow me to work on the road.

When I last left you, I stated that my main focus until departure would be preparing physically and mentally.  And while I feel I am mentally ready, my training is not picking up as I would have liked.  I am only cycling an hour a day now, which is less than I hoped for at this point.  Yet, I’m not too worried because the essence of my trip will force me to travel anyways.  Besides…what else would I do?

During this process of bringing all these new pieces in, I’m also taking a lot of stuff out.  What I mean is that because I’m leaving Toledo, OH for at least five years, there are a lot of things that I need to get rid of.  In a couple of weeks I’ll be donating the majority of my clothes, apparel, and books to Goodwill, while larger items such as my Bowflex and iPod stereo are being sold to help fund my trip. 

In a couple of weeks I hope to show you my completed bicycle and maybe even post a video or two updating you on my status.  Thanks for reading and always ask yourself, “Do I dare disturb the universe?”

I would like to weigh around 165 pounds by the departure date.  I don’t want to take this number too seriously because that’s just what it is, a number.  When it comes time to leave, as long as I feel physically able, there should be no worry of sustaining any injuries on the road. 

Living in Ohio, it’s impractical to cycle outdoors in the coming winter.  Luckily, I have a stationary bike that I would like to work up to riding two hours a day, six days a week.  This will be accompanied by an hour (maximum) of strength training other parts of the body not exercised through cycling.

Planning

Answering the “5 W’s” (who, what, where, when, and why) was the first stage in planning my journey.  Beginning in September, the process was roughly completed by mid-November.  This juncture of the preparations included:

• Mapping out and research local attractions along the route.
• Establishing a rough itinerary of when I wanted to be in a certain area, how long I was going to stay there, and where I was going to able to sleep, work, and visit.
• Registering an account on multiple “hospitality sites” where people advertise possible accommodations for passing travelers. (i.e. couchsurfing.org, hospitalityclub.org, globalfreeloaders.com)  After creating sufficient content that explained what I was about to attempt, I contacted over one hundred members describing my situation and asking for assistance.
• Creating online content for the organization Firsts – Live One, as well as my personal travel plans.  This included blogs (Firsts – Live One and To Just Live), an official website (firsts-liveone.com), and a Facebook group (search: “Firsts – Live One”).
• Spreading word of the expedition through local media and social networking websites.

The next stage of preparations, which is already underway, is collecting the necessary items that will allow me travel by bicycle.  I will post a list of everything I brought with me after completing my first leg of the United States.

• Before my departure, I will post an article relating my progress towards leaving home every two weeks. 
• After leaving, I will try to post any new things daily in a journal-like format including pictures and videos.
• Every month I will either post an article about how I was able to do what I did, or motivational tidbits where people I admire explain how they did what they did and how you can take hold of your life.  As well as any books, movies, videos, and pictures I find inspiring.

If you have a suggestion on what should be on this blog, email me at firstsliveone@gmail.com.  And to close this post I leave you with a question that changed my life forever.  It was given to me my senior year of high school by a teacher whose name I sadly can’t remember.  Now I ask you that same question.

“Do I dare disturb the Universe?”- The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier