For anyone who hasn't heard of WarmShowers, it's an online cycling community of bicycle enthusiasts, tourers, and friendly two-wheel-supportive folk. People offer lawns to camp on, beds to sleep in, kitchen space, and, as the name suggests, a warm shower to fellow cyclists. Those travelling by bicycle can get in touch by email or phone in the hopes of being hosted, getting route advice, and just about anything else. I have hosted through WarmShowers in the past and sent a few emails for trip route advice before planning this trip. If you are familiar with CouchSurfing.org, it's a similar idea though more cycling-specific. I encourage you all to check it out! At the risk of sounding like a total hippy, it's built on ideas of reciprocity, kindness, and general cyclist karma and love. Seriously though, I'm going to be using it a fair bit and will let you know how I fare.
After meeting a welcoming Peter and bringing Nancy inside to a safe storage place, I got some directions about places to wander before dark and went out walking. Also purchased a pay-as-you-go cell phone for use while travelling. I wasn't too keen on the idea of buying something that is made to be thrown away, but my Canadian phone has been less than reliable and I figure I will find some unsuspecting traveler to pass it along to when I return to the Great White North. I got back from walking around to smells of delicious spaghetti, in which delicious flavours of cilantro, jalapenos, lime, and feta could be found. Tasty, homemade, vegetarian fare was an exciting thing indeed. I spent a needed evening re-packing my panniers into cycling-mode (aka spandex on top, normal clothes on bottom...only sort of joking) and catching up on sleep.
Lucky for me, Peter was happy to join me on the first part of my ride to Slidell as he wanted to check out the Vietnamese New Year festival that was happening out that way. He works for the city planning department and is involved in bicycle advocacy work in New Orleans, and I was glad not only for the company riding out on my first day but also for his insight as to how bicycle culture in the city can grow and what he is excited about. Not only was Peter warm and generous, but I really enjoyed talking to him about ideas of city planning and cycling. Also, and I swear he did not put me up to this, check out this organization that is working hard in the area: http://bikeeasy.org/
The rest of the ride out to Slidell was nice and relaxing as I enjoyed the sunshine, lack of wind, and lack of hills. While I do love the mountains, I think this trip is going to teach me a new appreciation for flatness, especially as my legs adjust to their new required output.
 |
| Riding out of New Orleans to Slidell |
 |
| View of a historic site from the top of the largest hill on the ride, a bridge over the water. I think that by bicycle is the best way for me to enjoy such a flat region. |
 |
| Didn't get the chance to chat with anyone, but I certainly appreciated a tree at the edge of their parking lot as a good place to scarf down some food. |
In Slidell, I arrived at the Musser home. Dave, his girlfriend Kristin, and Dave's parents were all around to welcome me and I enjoyed meeting all of them and hearing about Dave and Kristin's upcoming trip. They are embarking on a giant figure-eight of the US by bicycle and putting rubber to the road in two weeks' time. I got to drool over their gear, see the written-upon maps, and could feel their budding excitement. They are taking a couple of years (or however long it takes) and this epic adventure has been many months in the making. Hopefully I can keep up on their adventures via their site, http://www.daveandkristincrossamerica.com/
 |
| Went for dinner with Dave, Kristin, and a few of their friends. Great company was complemented by tasty 'gator bites' (that's right, I took the plunge to try alligator). |
No comments:
Post a Comment