A reality???

I want to make this trip a reality as soon as possible. I was thinking of raising money for a non profit in my area, which I can stil do.
I have been thinking, money sucks!!! Truthfully, it can suck the life out of you. I would rather donate my time and talent and skills to help others. As I believe, actions speak louder than money!
I am hoping to travel across the U.S. this early May and donate my time at a non-profit in each state. From CA to FL. After all, I have many skills at hand. I am a handy man.
I am not looking for money, I am just hoping my family, friends, and others will support me as I do this. Help me Help others!!!! I am not being selfish here, I believe God wants us to help others, so that is what I am going to do. Not out of selfish gain.
Who wants to be selfish, where will that get anyone?
If anyone would like to join me at any point of my adventure, I with open arms, welcome you to join on!

My Marketing Trip to Vegas.

As you all may know I am currently unemployed. Yesterday my roommate, Sam, called me up and asked me what I was doing that night and the next day. Nothing was planned. He asked if I wanted to go to Vegas, I said, hoowwwww??? He told me there was a guy, Erik is his name, who needed some skate decks delivered up to the Play it Again sports trade show. Erik couldnt do it due to some family health issues that arose. I said huh??? Erik then called me up and told me about everything. I said I would help out as long as I had gas for the trip. I didnt expect what was to happen. I decided to do it for them.
I went to the house where the boards were at, talked to Erik and Joseph, two very good people!!! Got everything packed in my car and then I was off!
I arrived in Las Vegas at 9 PM. Met Becket, the guy who owned the company. We met at Circus Circus. He then hooked me up with a room and some cash. WOW!!!!!! I thought, The GOOD LORD IS RAINING DOWN ON ME!!!!!!! So amazing!!!! We went out on the town. Nothin crazy, I promise. Well, everything which has been happening is crazy to me these days, but I totally understand it now, better than I ever have!! Anyways...
Got to bed at 2 o clock after recording some music(something I have picked up lately).
SO this morning I was able to attend the Trade show. I thought, what a great place to present myself and tell people about what I was working on. I made my goal, to talk to at least 5 people about my adventure. I talked to six. It was so easy!!!!!! I am on my way for great things!!! I want you all to know it is not me that is doing this. It is something much greater. I will leave that up to you to decide WHO that may be!!!!
Next blog. A little about the people who have come into my life and why!!!!
Thank you all for reading!

New Ventures for Marketing

Yester day was very productive for me! I was only online for an hour! I think that really helped my productivity. The internet is great, but it can be a huge waste of time! So Conan predicted that Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook will merge in the year 3000 and the site will be call YOU TWIT FACE. I think that has already happened. Too many people are stuck on the web, forever! Thanks AL GORE!
Anyway...
I cleaned my house up yesterday, rearranged it, and organized. Made 50 bucks. I figure while I am jobless, I will work for myself. Be productive! I have been doing well so far!
I am posting Ads on craigslist, making money, and while I wait for people to call, I occupy my time with productive things. SO I got to thinking as I was rummaging through some left items of a previous tenant of my room, why don't I sell at a SWAP meet! After all, I can market myself, Meet some people and get some money for my trip.
Whats funny is stuff I have been making money on is leftover items or items I have gotten for FREE. WHole profit.
SO here is the plan for the SWAP MEET. Make some signs telling People about me, Lane Bikenson, play my guitar and sing songs about my future trip or present events such as selling stuff at the SWAP meet. This is going to be fun!
I have often been relating myself to Sawyer off the shoe LOST! I am hoarding a lot of stuff, found some girls diary. Maybe I should become a con man next. I know secrets about this girl and she doesn't even know me, oooh hahaha!!
Next Saturday is when I am going to sell at the SWAP meet. Maybe I will make it a routine. Saturday is $15 for a vendor and Sunday is $40. About 5,000 to 10,000 people on Sunday!

This is GRASSROOTS!!!!!!

Until next time...Lane Bikenson signing off!
Have a Productive day!

PACKING LIST

THE LIST BELOW IS OF ITEMS I NEED TO PURCHASE YET. ANYONE WANTING TO HELP ME, PLEASE SEND ITEMS TO:

JESSE DE GROOT

567 HOOVER ST.

OCEANSIDE, CA

92054

CYCLING GEAR, EQUIPMENT AND PARTS

Bike tools and Spare Parts

Patch Kit and Tire Levers

Tire Gauge

Degreaser (Pedros)

Chain Lube (Pedros)

Spokes?(Already have three)

Brake Pads (Specifically for my Surly Long Haul Trucker)

Nuts + bolts for racks or brakes

Replacement cleats

Shop Rag(s)

Multi-tool (maybe, I already have one)

Chain tool (?) + spare links

Cassette/freewheel removal tool

Additional Repair Items

Multi-tool/pocket knife

Duct Tape and Electrical Tape (one roll each)

Zip Ties (various sizes)

Glue/Liquid Thread

Batteries(headlamps/leds)

Small Sewing kit

Seam Sealer

Rubber bands

Bicycle Accessories (mounted to bike)

Handlebar bar bag (maybe)

Rain Covers

LCD Bicycle Computer

LED Flashing light

Front Lights (two of them, identical)

Mirror (bike or helmet)

Multi-mount i.e. topeak barxtender (for headlights)

Front and rear fenders

Bungie cords or webbing

Bike lock/cable

Dog/bear pepper spray

Cycling Clothes

Cycling Jersey or synthetic t-shirt (2-3)

Cycling shorts (2)

Cycling Underwear (2-3)

Cycling gloves (2)

Cycling socks (4)

Foul Weather Cycling Clothes (Just need cooler weather clothes for now)

Long Sleeve Jersey/ Wool zip shirt

Cycling long tights / insulated windpants

Marmot Precip rain jacket and pants (medium)

Fingered Gloves (large)

Skull Cap / wool beanie (underneath helmet)

Neoprene Face Mask (winter)

Leg warmers (have arm warmers already)

Waterproof Socks (not sure?)

Waterproof rain booties(need)

Waterproof Helmet Cover (Need)

CAMPING / SURVIVAL / FIRST-AID / TOILETRIES

Camping Gear (in various stuff sacks)

LED Headlamp (may be wearing it on helmet)

Ground Tarp for underneath tent (already have footprint)

Nylon Stuff sacks (probably going to use plastic grocery bags. Saves me money!)

Butane fuel bottle (8oz at least)

Utensils (fork/knife / spoon and cooking utensils)

Coffee Mug

PVC Dry bags (may only need one or two more)

Light backpack / daypack

Bike cover (coated nylon / poly tarp)

Clothes Pins (10 each)

Mosquito Head net (buggy areas)

Survival Items (in pouch or ziplock bag)

Lighters(butane / disposable) storm matches

Compass

Whistle

Emergency Space (mylar) blanket

Toiletries (in pouch or ziplock)

Travel Towel (Sea to summit camping towel)

Washcloth

Soap / Shampoo (biodegradable, i.e. camp suds / Dr Bronners)

Deodorant (earth friendly)

Toothbrush + toothpaste + floss

Toilet paper

Skin cream (Aloe vera) for sunburn

Insect Repellent

Sunscreen

Manicure / Pedicure Set

Disposable Razor (probably just gonna gump it most of the time)

Ear Plugs

Multi-vitamin(s) if I can find one giant multi, I’ll take it!!!!!

First-Aid (have first-aid kit, more of checklist)

Band-aids (assorted sizes and shapes)

First-aid ointment

Adhesive Tape

Alcohol Wipes

Cotton Swabs

Compress / gauze pads (med / large size)

Anti-chafing balm (Saddle sores)

Anti-itch cream

Lip Balm

Foot powder

Anti-diarrheal Tabs

Zinc Tablets / Immune boosters – cold prevention

Sports Injury Cloth Bandage

Neoprene Knee / Ankle Wrap

Food Bag

50' Nylon rope (for hanging food)

Meals

Breakfast-Easy packing food. i.e. dry oatmeal

Lunch-

Dinner-

Snacks / protein bars i.e. Clif bar

Sports / Energy Drink mixes i.e. recharge

Documents / Personal Items / Gadgets

Documents (in wallet / travel pouch / handlebarbag)

Drivers License (or Photo ID)

Passport

ATM / Debit Card (write down bankers # if need to emergency cancel)

Personal / Travelers Checks

Photocopies of ID / passport

Emergency Contact Info (on business card)

Phone Calling Card

Contact List

Biz Cards (my own and from other people)

Watch

Sunglasses

Gadgets + travel items

Digital Camera + memory cards

Weather Radio

Laptop (maybe / maybe not)

Maps (in waterproof case)

Pens + sharpies + Highlighters

Selected Books

Small Padlock (when at hostels)

Binoculars

THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT OF STUFF. MOST OF IT IS SMALL OR CAN BE MADE COMPACT

50 miles...or there abouts.

I started my day with waking up. Ate breakfast, and then decided to go and get some applications. As I was out and about walking around downtown Oceanside, I decided this was too nice of a day to waste. I decided I would go for a bike ride. As I drove back to my house, it hit me. I needed clipless SPD shoes in order to train and ride correctly. I then got home got 80 dollars cash and proceeded to the Pearl Izumi factory outlet store in Del Mar. I was getting discourage as I was there because I couldnt find my size and I was not going to pay full price!! I looked up to the top shelf and low and behold, or should I say high and behold, there were the right sized shoes! They were priced at 74, but I talked the lady down to 50 dollars because the same model of shoe in a different size was 50. I think my dutchness is coming out now.
I proceeded home. Packed up my bicycle with all the pannier bags full, well almost full. Packing the bags probably added about 50 more pounds to my ride. Once I was all packed I headed up to San Clemente, which is about 23 miles north of Oceanside. In order to get to San Clemente you can take two different routes, either you take the 5 interstate, or you go on to Camp Pendleton. I decided to go on base. All I had to show was ID and they asked me where I was going. I reached San Clemente at around 5:30 PM after leaving at 3:30. When in San Clemente I bought a burrito, rode down to the Pier. I thought maybe I would catch the train back to Oceanside, but I was too late. So in turn I decided to head back on my bike. It is a whole lot different at night. I was getting cold so I stopped and put some base layer on. I proceeded to the base checkpoint, only this time it was different. I was not allowed on the base because it was nighttime. The gaurds reasoning for this was because it was too dangerous and the roads were too curvy. I laughed. I have a light, backlight, helmet, and reflective tires and gear on my bike. Too dangerous? So you want me to risk my life on the 5 interstate at night? Sounds pretty stupid to me. HA HA. This of course was only thought in my head. I did take the 5 interstate. 9 miles of interstate isn't as bad as you would think it would be on a bike.
I made it home in one piece, after about 50 miles. My butt and male parts were quite numb. I need to invest in either a new seat or padded underwear, or get both. After all, I would like to create offspring later in life.

Until next time.

P.S. I want to be more humorous, but it is not happening. Any suggestions? I guess I will have be more humorous when I write my book, "Lane Bikenson, Americas bicycling bicyclist".

Unemployed

The last post was to satisfy Julia. I pretty much met her at hair school. I just forgot how we came to hang out. Julia and Steve are also some close friends of mine who I met in AZ. They always know how to have a good time.
On to other things. As some may know, I am currently unemployed. I actually have been more productive than I ever have. Being unemployed has let me think about many things, I also have been doing quite a bit of cycling, which I need to be doing in order to get conditioned for the long haul ahead of me. I have also been spending less money, since I am not making any at the moment. I have been learning that I do not have to have money to be happy. The less amount of material possessions I own, the less stress I have. Well, at least, that is true for me.
Unemployment has helped me with many things. I am more organized, taking better care of my body, keeping my room and my house clean. More focused and motivated. One would think a person would be more lazy if they didn't have a job, not true for me. I have been staying productive. I do understand money is needed eventually, but as for now, I am happy.
I am going to stay focused on THE TRIP.

Julia

So when I went to Hair school, I met this girl named julia. I did not know her very well, but her boyrfriend Steve would stand outside our school and get every detail that would come out of it. Oh shit, Julia, remind me how we met, exactly!!!!!! You will be a vital part of this!! My Mind is blacking out some stuff!