[To read the full post click here] View Day 1 in a larger map Well, it actually happened. After all the time spent dreaming and pretending, I'm now on a bike heading in one direction with no intention of turning round. And, indeed, nothing to turn back for. In the USA, I am in that category of 'no fixed address' - that's a though I'm still coming to terms with. ![]() I started relatively early, but not perhaps as early as I should have. Opting to hang out with some great people in Brooklyn on Saturday night was definitely the right choice though - it managed to de-stress me so much that I was able to at least make the most of the 3 hours I had to sleep. So, after minimal shut-eye and more last minute packing and apartment cleaning, I managed to get out my front door by 9am. It took me seemingly forever to get through Manhattan and up the west side to the George Washington Bridge - a leviathon of a structure, proudly spanning the Hudson at the very north tip of the island. ![]() Then I hit NJ - my first time in the state. Unfortunately by this stage I was beginning to realise that I was moving much slower than I'd been expecting, and Sloatsburg NY, my destination, was seeming further than ever. My traffic control abilities were feeling saturated after the city, so it was relief when I finally made it into a more rural part of Jersey. Veggie burger, bananas and peanut butter sent me back on my way. But I was definitely concerned about reaching Sloatsburg before nightfall, so filming and photography became a casualty of my haste. Luckily this shouldn't happen often, because rarely will I have a set destination like I did yesterday. But I was very, very thankful to have a warm, friendly house to be staying in, and the DeMaggio family are certainly that. Having only met one member, my cousin's girlfriend, I couldn't have expected such a warm reception as that which I received. But they welcomed me in, fed me, and made me cosy for the night. That leaves me still here today, and I've decided to take either half a day or a full day off to reorganise and shed a few pounds on the bike. It really is too heavy. Having to completely empty my apartment of all my belongings probably contributed to this because many things probably migrated to the bike when they have no need to be there, but it's time to lose some of the excess weight or I'll never get anywhere fast. The main highlight of yesterday was definitely the people. So many friends folks came up to talk to me about my trip, and were really interested in following it online. There were too many to list here, but to everyone I met, thanks for making my journey feel worthwhile, I loved every conversation. And to the woman on Delancey St. who slowed down, pulled up along side and then gave me the fingers, thank you also, it gave me a good chuckle. And the final message I guess should go to the lucky recipient of the book bag which fell off my bike (containing all my reading material for the trip) - may Dashiell Hammett enrich your life as much as he did mine. I'll update again when I know where I'm going, but for now suffice to say I've made it out of the city and am on my way. Farewell, New York. It's been wild. Don't forget to check out the rest of the photos of this day by visiting the Photos section of the site here
10 Comments
oisin
5/17/2010 08:14:40 am
Hi Leon,finally made it to Paul and Chris,s house its lovely!So glad to hear you have arrived safely!Sorry you lost your books though! Can you replace them? Are you going to stay another evening? Hope so to give you time to offload some gear! Will you send another box home? Ill pay!can you skype us to-night? talk later.xxxxxx
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Eva Knoet
5/17/2010 08:48:05 am
Congrats on your departure!! It's inspiring to see you've started on this amazing adventure! I hope you have a fab time on the road and enjoy every second of it. :)
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Ruth
5/17/2010 08:02:02 pm
Yeah!! We are all behind you Leon, even more during the steepest slopes! See you in Bolivia! :)
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Janaina
5/18/2010 04:26:52 am
Congrats! Will be following your adventure from sunny (not so sunny right now... the fall is ending and winter will be here any minute)Brazil. Soooo jealous! Hopefully I will use your trip and an inspiration for to motivate me to jump on somethig like this!
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Euan
5/18/2010 11:45:42 am
Fantastic, have an amazing trip. Will be keeping an eye on your progress!
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Patsy
5/18/2010 03:13:51 pm
We are in your picture entering New York State. All the best on the trip and hope to see your film in the Banff Mountain Film Festival when it comes here!
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Steven
5/19/2010 08:55:47 am
I passed you on the GW Bridge on Sunday. I then found your web page through Google. It sounds like an amazing trip. It has also been one of my dreams to bike across the US - I will be following your journey from my desk at work. I can't wait to see the documentary when you are done. You are living the dream. Keep spinning :)
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pip chapelard
5/20/2010 05:08:47 pm
Hi Leon
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Dee
5/23/2010 01:19:07 pm
Great news Leon, glad to see you've got the pedals turning, keep the cadence up! Sorry you lost your books but I guess you can pick up one book at a time from now on. Following you. dee
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