Ruby Two Birds

Since you’ve found your way here, you probably already know that Ben and Delaney are leaving Julian, CA sometime January 2012 for a roughly seven month circumnavigation (probably also roughly) of the continental US. There’s also potential for a dalliance with Canada and its sweet, sweet syrup. If you didn’t already know that… SURPRISE! (Also, it’s a little weird that you’re on our website.)

Questions you may have:

Are you crazy/Oh my God!?

“Oh my God” is not a question. And no, not really. People do long rides like this all the time. To be sure, these people are mostly German, and there’s a chance that we lack the Teutonic fortitude to really see this through, but we’re fairly confident. A couple years ago Ben rode up in Alaska and then from Victoria, BC to San Francisco, and he likes sitting on the couch as much as anyone. Most of Delaney’s riding experience is on the road from the Camp Stevens’ parking lot to the dining hall, which was fairly bumpy before the recent repaving. So she has that going for her. She also purports to be extremely motivated by the prospect of being “super buff” when she gets back. I guess watch out if you had a leg wrestling match scheduled with her any time after August? Don’t worry, we’ll be starting slow… on a downhill.

So, do you take backpacks?

Yeah, but you don’t wear them while riding. That would be really uncomfortable. There are racks on the bikes and we’ll be able to carry everything we need in two panniers (pronounced Pan-ee-ears–oddly, not a French word) per bike, and a smallish backpack strapped to the back rack. Having the backpack makes it easy to check things out on foot–the cheeks need a break every once in awhile. We have a post forthcoming about absolutely everything we’re bringing, so if you’re dying to read a detailed comparison of all currently available lightweight sleeping systems for couples and the reasoning behind each pair of socks, get excited!

Are you going to visit your Aunt Laurie in Texas?

Maybe. Seven months is a long time. We might get tired of smelling roadkill somewhere around New Mexico and never make it. Our itinerary is open-ended, because that’s what seems most enjoyable–and also sane–for a trip this long. We’d love to see everyone we know along the way, and we’ll try to, but we’re just not able to commit to being in any particular place at a particular time. What we’re hoping is you’ll keep checking our blog, and then when we ask if anyone knows somewhere we can shower in Arkansas, you might be able to help us out.

So, where all are you going?

Right now, the plan is to ride east from Julian, north along the East Coast, with maybe a “oh hey, what’s up Canada,” before heading back west through the Continental Divide/Rockey Mountain area, and south back to Julian. All extremely ambitious plans subject to change.

What’s going to be on the website?

So much. The map to the right will always have our current location (at the end of the day) marked, as well as our previous stops. We’ll be uploading pictures as we take them, and the website will always show the nine most recent pictures with links to the rest in that little widget, also to the right. We’ll be updating the blog as much as we can from the iPhone. Length, quality, and frequency of posts all TBD. Ben does have plans to use this trip as an opportunity to do more writing, so there will probably be a fair amount of content. Additionally, Ben, and potentially Delaney will be trying to draw/paint at least a little something every day. We won’t clog the blog up with that, but if you want to see artistic renderings of the scenery and stuff, check the Art page.

Can we send you things?

Yes! You’re too kind. Periodically, if we know we’ll be riding through somewhere with a Post Office (we’ll try to give at least a week of lead time), we’ll let you know via the blog. If you have something to send, you can mail it to the Post Office addressed to us but C/O General Delivery and we’ll be able to pick it up. Comment on the blog or email so we’ll know to stop. Also, if we can’t eat it, or it weighs more than a pound, maybe save it for us until we get back?

Why Ruby Two Birds?

Ruby Two Birds was the title of a drawing Ben did when he was four. Thoughtfully preserved by his loving mother, it now graces the header of this site. There’s just something poignant about that crazy bird monster flailing away at nothing in particular.  Also, there’s two of us, so that makes sense. (Do not use this creative process as a model.) Lastly, it sounds similar to “Ruby Tuesday,” a song that has something to say about journeys.

“Ruby Tuesday” – The Rolling Stones

Whoops, your playlist won't work without Jetpack!

Cheers,

Ben and Delaney