exploring roads to nowhere

a post on creative cul de sacs

What do you prepare for when you leave the house on a Saturday?

Do you consider swarms of Mayflies?

Does your pack include an extra pair of socks in case you encounter an impassable bog or swamp?

Are you concerned that you have enough calories and water to get you through the day?

Zeke is both the keeper of maps and maker of maps. Zeke plans the routes.

When we go riding bikes together, we tend to prepare for most possibilities. As a bike mechanic, Zeke typically has all the tools and the spare parts we need for epic, rough back country bike rides.

Riding with Zeke means being prepared. I need to have a well packed bag. Food, fly spray, appropriate clothing, water and the like are all essential. More importantly however is having an unpacked mind.

Frequently, Zeke plots out routs using satellite maps. He uses known routes and satellite imaging to try to find ways to connect bike rides up. Sometimes they work beautifully. There are other times when a lot of bushwhacking bullshit is in order…