As a soon to be graduate of the University of Oregon I am faced with the daunting question: What next? For many this question is answered with a groan and an ambiguous answer. I am in the same boat. Who knows what I will do, but ever since I met a good friend of mine Scott (artoftouring.blogspot.com) I have had an idea bouncing around.Scott and I went on a minor bike tour in June of 2008 and began scheming about bigger tours. I have never been one to tour, but the idea grew on me and pretty soon I was scheming full force. After college I do not know what will meet me, but I do know it will include a grandiose bike tour. How grandiose i will not disclose at this moment, but mind you, it will be grand.
Last week Scott informed me of an amazing opportunity which you can read about on this poster. I jumped at the opportunity to begin my touring career and applied. Following is my submission and the photograps that accompanied it.
Dear 42Ride,
My name is Callie Wheeler, I am soon to be a graduate of University of Oregon's Anthropology and German departments. During my time in University I had the opportunity to study in the great University town of Heidelberg Germany as well as on the Island of Kefalonia in the Ionian sea off the west coast of Greece. I never thought much about touring but I did use my bike to explore the areas I lived in (not being aware that bicycle touring was an option). In between my studies I took off on long probes into the countryside, interacting with the landscape on a level that I never had before. I was always constrained by class schedules though, and always had to return within the day or weekend. As a recent graduate I am excited for the freedom (however temporary) that life on the road will give me.
I recently participated in Bike Week at the University of Oregon and part of festival was a screening of the portland bike film "Veer." As a portland native I was touched to see the subcultures emerging in my beloved city and felt a deep connection with them, not only as fellow cyclists and activists but as Americans, something I've struggled with since my time abroad. As my appetite for travel is never quenched, this trip is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with my fellow countrymen and spread the good cheer of environmentalism and the cycling ethic.
Both of the photographs attached were taken during the first tour that I ever realized was a tour. A friend and I traveled for three days on terrible rental bikes the 220 km from Konstanz, Germany through nine border crossings and multiple mountain passes to the small mountain town of Füssen, Germany. Germany, Switzerland and Austria are very accommodating to bicycle tourists and I hope someday that priority can be a part of the way America treats cyclists.
Cycle touring will allow me to explore the world as I go, experiencing the things that are missed when a great distance is flown or driven. I want to sweat, I want to work, I want to laugh, I want to meet people, I want to explore, I want to learn, I want to ride, I want to fly, I want to climb, I want to show myself what I can do. I want to come on this Trans-american ride with 41 other awesome individuals and start the rest of my life with a celebration!
