Setting Sail

I’ve never been good at major personal decisions. Partly, I need to be more selfish. Facing two decisions at once (job and trip) certainly did not help my decision making faculties. Sigh. It turned out that the bikes were actually rather inexpensive. After hours upon hours of deliberation and some decisions about my job, though, I decided that I’ll probably only be in Chile once. During those days Danny’s thought process—which is SOOO different than mine—probably began to have some influence as well. To the bike shop it is! In a long afternoon, Danny and I embarked on the greatest shopping spree of my life. Friends take note. I bought all that I needed (tho only the absolute necessities) for a bike trip in one afternoon—almost entirely after the afternoon siesta too! For those of you who don’t know, I hate shopping—and I hate spending money. I had several almost panick attacks in the bike store, although really I spent very little. Considering that if I had shipped my own bike it would have been probably $300 for all the flights—this was really the most cost effective way to do it. Moreover, we winged everything.

 I went to the Zona Franca (tax free and very inexpensive stuff!) and bought a tent, sleeping pad, duffle bag, poncho, and a warm layer (that I have yet to wear! Though not from lack of cold!) in addition to the biking gear.

We threw my things into Danny’s army bag and strapped that on the back of the bike with my new duffle on top. Danny managed to finagle my backpack into a handle bar bag. We fit it all—clothes, gear, and food! As the sun began to set, we put on our headlamps (my new favorite item) and headed out of the city. We wanted to get far enough to finally be “on the way”. A few minor adjustments along the way and there we were, riding out of the city with the fading light. Cars honked and people waved. Bike tourists are a spectacle in themselves, with their bike loaded down with gear. But tourists on bikes are a whole nother category.

Before I left the owner of the bike store asked if I had done any bike touring. He laughed and shook his head when I said no. Well, it will be an adventure to say the least. But if we could turn our suitcases into panniers (the bike bags) what else is to stop us? At least I told myself as I fought off feelings of regret. I’m here now. At least when someone asks me the craziest thing I’ve ever done, I’ll have an answer.