Hello!

I'm currently in the "slowly realizing how close this tour is" stage.

After changing my tour route twice, reconsidered the possibility countless times, and working on my budget one last time, I can finally say that I will be biking the length of the Lewis and Clark trail.

The hope is to depart on May 10th from Hartford, Illinois and arrive in Seaside, Oregon by the first week of July. Though I've toured on bicycles in the past, this will be my first solo- self supported tour. I've promised to keep this blog updated throughout my trek, not just for my sake, but for my parents and grandmother, who are somewhat convinced that I'll be picked up by some stranger, get lost, or die, never to return to the civilized world again.

Along the way I will share photos, stories and share in the hardships that I plan to face. The goal is to stealth camp as much as possible- that is, to camp out unnoticed by people around me, to experience nature in its most natural form. However, I have budgeted enough to stay at about a dozen campgrounds (because who doesn't like company from other travelers once in a while), and for about a handful of motel stays, for when the weather is too rough to stay in a tent.

Later on, I will post information about the gear that I'm bringing, my trusty steed (a 2013 Trek 520), and information about my training schedule, since there are the select few who seem to think I'm a madman for adhering to my nutrition these last few months.

But that's information for another day.

Kaz