Riding Alone?

A lot of people, ok, mainly my mother..... but still, many others, have been voicing their concern for me on this trip. The main concern people seem to have is that I will be doing this journey "alone."

Maybe I am too trusting in people. Contrary to what I have said to my closest friends, I do believe that, deep deep down, most people are inherently good...Maybe, this is naive.

I'm not sure what my mother and others are envisioning happening to me on this trip that another person cycling in front of or behind me would keep me safe from.

I guess I am a 26 year old still living in possession of an 18 year olds state of mind, thinking that I am untouchable. How could anyone bother a person on a charitable tour such as this one? That is my thought.

Or maybe, I am just willing to take whatever risk people keep cautioning me against.

Will I fall of my bike at some point? Probably...This has happened when I have cycled alone, with one other person, and when I have been in a group of 10,000 people on the Organized Seattle to Portland tour.

Will I come across some shady characters? Probably....This happens without cause or warning in Portland...again, when I am alone or with people.

Will I get lost? I am sure of it. I have the navigational ability of an old flip phone that isn't smart enough to possess a GPS. Luckily I will have a smart phone with a GPS....

Will I meet good people? Definitely.
Will I keep my word and go on this tour, dangerous or not? Yes.
Will I have many stories to keep you entertained with along the way? I certainly hope so.

To address everyone  and especially everyone who thinks I should not go alone:
At the risk of sounding the cheesiest I have ever sounded in my life, I say to you this: If there is one thing I am not on this trip...It is alone. So many people have reached out to me already and the tour has not even begun. Many of you have said you will follow me on the blog. I have the 4th and 5th grades at Carter Elementary School in Palm desert checking in with me weekly. SO  many friends and family members are helping me along the way, letting me stay with them, many of them more than once...Many more of you have shown your support through donations, incredible comments, and amazing sponsorships. Thank you everyone. You have already made the trip a success and I haven't yet pedaled a mile. I can only imagine what is to come.