atci90d/app/templates/introduction.html

<p>On May 15, 2018, I sat astride my bike and thought it might be a good idea to ride it from Seattle
to New York.</p>
<p>Starting today, one year later on May 15, 2019, and continuing through the 90 days I
took to finish, I'll be posting a more or less daily one-year retrospective. Each day, I'll pull
some photos, writings from my journal, and other thoughts from where I was on that day one year ago,
to try and set a comprehensive record of this crazy trip. I encourage you to follow along and track my
progress! The <a href="/map">map</a> and this page will update in real time, one year removed.</p>

<h3>Why this journey?</h3>

<p>I was asked this question many times and I gave many different answers. But essentially:</p>

<ul>
	<li>
		I had never really left home before, and Seattle has been my home for so long. 
		It was time for me to leave, due to my own restless desire for adventure and
		personal growth, but also because Seattle was rapidly changing into a city I didn't
		recognize or see myself comfortably living in. Many friends of mine had left. The
		time had come for me to leave as well.
	</li>

	<li>
		Why on a bike? I felt I needed a stronger transition between these two chapters of my
		life than just getting on an airplane. I got the idea for this after picking up a Zine
		by <a href="http://urbanadventureleague.storenvy.com/">Shawn Granton</a> out of PDX
		about Cycle Touring, and I thought to myself, "I could do that." And the second I
		thought that I <em>could</em>, I knew I'd regret <em>not</em> doing it.
	</li>

	<li>
		I thought that if I told people that I'd ride my bike across the country, and then I
		did it, people would get the idea that I am a man of my convictions.
	</li>

	<li>
		I thought it might be fun.
	</li>

	<li>
		I had never actually gotten a driver's licence, so driving wasn't an option. This
		seems to be the logical alternative?
	</li>
</ul>

<h3>Why this website?</h3>

<p>First and most important, I am making this document of my trip to thank the people who supported me
when I was at my most vulnerable. Countless friendly strangers (and one strange friend) gave me a
place to sleep, good advice, water, food, gear, and encouragement--I am in their debt. I owe so many
people so much; this is the smallest token of that gratitude. Many people who supported me are
themselves accomplished tourers who enjoy living vicariously through those they support. I unwittingly
stumbled into such a vibrant, diverse, and joyful community--I want to share this accomplishment with
them.</p>

<p>Additionally--doing this sort of thing, riding a bicycle over 3,000 miles with essentially nothing
and no clear plan is extremely out of character for me as a person. Consequently, a good portion of my
friends and acquaintances have severe doubts that any of this actually happened. So I'd like to have
some irrefutable and exhaustive proof that yes, I did in fact ride my bicycle over 3,000 miles with
essentially nothing and no clear plan.</p>

<h3>Want some more info?</h3>

<p>Check out my <a href='/faq'>FAQ</a> page for some of the details, logistics, and other minutia that
people wonder about. Take a look at <a href="https://www.adventurecycling.org/">Adventure Cycling</a>, 
a nonprofit out of Missoula, MT, devoted to helping Cycle Tourers of all stripes. The original Instagram 
that I used to roughly document my days and continued well-being (of particular interest to my mom) is 
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jo_dshl/">here</a>. Maybe have a peek at my website, <a
   href="http://jordandashel.com/">jordandashel.com</a>. Thank you for your support!</p>