bicyclefreedom.com

My name is Jacob and I like to ride my bike. But there’s more to it than that.

I believe in overcoming limitations, whether it’s your own physical ability, emotional and mental blocks, fear, or on a more macro level things like being dependent on machines and fossil fuels.

I’m not going to rant about how cars are evil and cyclists should be allowed to do whatever they want (I save that for the moron who knocked me out of the bike lane with her van while she was busy texting her friend).

I’m into overcoming limitations, finding things that are supposed to be hard, scary,  and then just going for it and doing it.

Riding a bike as a practical form of transportation is a symbol of this. Most people just consider it weird to ride a bike to work when you have the option, the infrastructure and the money to drive. You’re subverting the dominant paradigm.

And then, on top of that big social hurdle, you’re relying on your own strength to get where you want to go, and sometimes you need to use all your wits and skill just to stay alive. If you try bike touring, it’s only a matter of time before a problem comes up that will force you to get creative and work outside your comfort zone.

My road started with a 1,247 mile bike ride, alone, with only $50 in my pocket. But the same principles applied when I moved to Italy, became self-employed, had some crazy adventures that could get me in trouble if I mention them here, and overcame extreme shyness and found the woman of my dreams.

My blog is about the bicycle, but the underlying story is about freedom. I want to liberate you from your fear, your weakness, the opinions of others, the unwritten laws of society and maybe even some of the written ones if they’re unjust.

You don’t have to ride out and meet this challenge in a literal sense, but go out there and do something on your own power, by your own free will. You won’t be in this beautiful green world forever. Make it count.