On Friday I got back to my Mom and Dad’s house. I’m planning on leaving Wednesday to continue heading south. Between then and now, I have quite a bit of maintenance to do on my bicycle and gear. I also want to visit friends and family. Today is Sunday already! I spent the morning working on my bike and then in the afternoon we all went out for dinner at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Montezumas!
In a previous post I believe I mentioned my rear hub broke. The company mailed a new one out immediately and it was at the house before I even got back from Swains Lock. It wasn’t a huge deal as I had a couple others in my parts bin. But none as pretty and shiny.
Im im very glad they did because the Velo Orange touring hub is pretty unique. The cassette (gear cluster) can be removed without tools. The reason thats important is if you break a spoke on the rear wheel drive side it’s a whole lot easier to change. And that is where 90% of spokes break.
As much as I enjoy seeing every body I’m pretty anxious to be back on the road headed south. I can’t help but feel winter is closing in on me. I have been fortunate with the weather so far. Except for the 5 days of rain up north, It has been perfect fall weather since I left Maine almost a month ago. Autumn has always been my favorite time of year.
I wrote all the above on Sunday. Today is actually Tuesday now. My blog was down for a couple days due to an increase in traffic. I had 21,000 visitors on Sunday! It was awesome. I would like to think it was because I’m a spectacular writer and revealed the answer to the ultimate question of life and the universe. It’s not though and besides I think most everyone already knows the answer to that is 42*. No, the truth is on the trestle trail in Rhode Island I met a young couple who I thought were out for an afternoon walk. From their photography equipment I assumed they were taking pictures of the fall colors. Weeks later on Sunday morning my phone started going crazy. I had no idea what was going on. Many of the readers left comments along the lines of Kara and Nate sent me to your site. I racked my brain trying to think of who they were. Sadly our encounter was so brief I had not asked their names or even took there picture for my blog. Finally one comment said they saw me on Kara and Nates YouTube Channel. My phone was still blowing up so we had to use Dad’s phone to check out there vlogs. They are really cool people and great adventurers. The day I met them they were attempting to walk across Rhode Island in one day! That probably explains our short conversation.
(* 42 refers to the book Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy)
The serendipitous thing is several miles down the trail they found one of my cards that my brother and sister in law had made for me. I don’t leave my cards at random places. I consider that littering, so I only hand them to people. Earlier I had given one to a couple on a tandem. They had to of left it and then Kara and Nate picked it up. Then they shared it with there YouTube audience of 2.7 million! Thank you guys so much!!
My 15 minutes 36 hrs of fame are now over and I can post again. Other then visiting with family and friends working on my bike and gear there is not much to write about. Tomorrow I will be headed out. I’m looking forward to being back on my bike!
Since don’t really have any new pictures I’ll post some of my favori/es from the trip so far. 3783 miles by the way!
coffee in bed 
Coffee break 
Rough road 
The Forrest Gump lighthouse 
Cranberry fields 
’78 Off road caddilac .
Enjoy the coffee and the ride. Wave when you come close to Front Royal, VA. We’re cheering for you!!! Saw you on K&N’s youtube vlog!
Thank you so much!
Sorry to see you go but happy to know you’re happily continuing your adventure. Be safe.
I really enjoyed our visit!
Enjoy the coffee’s Matt! The Amazing Kara and Nate sent me, I think a lot of us would love to continue to following you and would love even more pics and info during your travels. You have been exposed to MILLIONS of NEW people now who know about your website. The Good Lord gave you an amazing open door with tons of new viewers watching your travels…At some point maybe further down your biking path as you get closer to your ending finish line, you should reach back out to Kara and Nate and maybe they can update us all with a video on your ending journey!! I think the fact they found your card and that whole story, that is incredible. That’s like a GOD WINK story with GOD looking out for YOU!!! Blessings to you from beautiful Colorado.
Thank you so much! It would be really awesome to see Karen and Nate down the road somewhere.
What a beautiful picture of the family! i am so glad i got to see you Matthew! We love you!
Matt, Based on the Nate and Kara meeting I too was compleled to donat a couple cups of coffee. Wishing you the best on your adventure and hoping to here more about you in the future.
Thank you so much. Welcome to my blog!
This serendipitous meeting with Kara and Nate warms my heart so much. I love that you’re making this trek. I cannot wait to see your travels unfold. You can do this. Peace and love from Asheville, NC.
Thank you.
You’re awesome dude – what an amazing adventure! Keep smiling and spreading love 🙂
It has been amazing! Thank you.
Always good to hear your doing good! Great stories, thanks👍
Yes im doing very well. Thank you. Im a bit sorry I missed you guys up in Connecticut.
Glad Kara and Nate introduced you to us! Just finished binging your entire blog, it’s now a bookmark and I’ll be checking in on you! Living vicariously though you, safe travels man!
I’m super thankful they did too. Glad to hear your enjoying the blog!
That’s just crazy. You never know who you will meet around the bend. Stay warm and safe out there.
Thank you. I will.