Hey, hey, hey! Halfway across the USA!
Courtesy photo Julian Redman of Coeur d’Alene stands atop the infamous Donner Pass above Donner Lake in northeast California on May 25. The cross-country trekker departed from San Francisco on May 21 and has traveled about 1,300 miles so far on his penny-farthing bike.
Courtesy photo Coeur d’Alene adventurer Julian Redman stops May 27 to snap a photo on the railroad tracks outside of Lovelock, Nev. Redman reported that he is about two weeks ahead of schedule on his bike ride across the U.S., which he is loving despite an aching knee and sore right foot.
Through mountains, storms and aching limbs, Julian Redman is pressing onward.
The 28-year-old Coeur d'Alene adventurer reported he is moving right along and, as of Thursday morning, he and his penny-farthing replica bicycle were about halfway across the USA in Sidney, Neb.
"Things have been going pretty well!" Redman said in an email update. "I've been going much faster than expected — I'm at least two weeks ahead of schedule thus far. That, along with having the worst of the mountains behind me, has me feeling pretty optimistic."
Redman said although he is having some discomfort in his knee and foot from hopping on and off the bike, the trip has been the experience he was seeking.
"I've met some great people, seen some amazing sights and proven to myself that I can complete most anything I put my mind to, regardless of how grueling or ridiculous it may be," he said.
A history buff, Redman is following the path of British adventurer Thomas Stevens, who rode a penny-farthing from San Francisco to Boston in 1884. Redman's goal is to adhere as closely as he can to the original route.
He has traveled about 1,300 miles across California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. He's ridden across salt flats, visited a forgotten cemetery, had an unfortunate run-in with a goose, camped in a ghost town and appeared in the Pine Bluffs Post newspaper in Wyoming. He's at the midway point with more adventure unfolding every day.
Even though this began as the re-creation of a historic journey, Redman said his trip has fulfilled another purpose: It has refreshed his faith in humanity.
"It's really easy to get caught up with the bad things happening in this world and how it must feel like we're surrounded by evil, corruption and hate. I can tell you though, this trip has shown me the exact opposite — 99 percent of the people out there are good, honest people that are willing to spring to someone's aid if only given the chance," he said. "I've had people stop and give me food and water. I've had strangers invite me into their home and give me dinner and shelter for a night. People have bought beer for me in bars, people I've never heard of from places I've never been have found me online and offered me encouragement, places to stay and advice for the road ahead.
"This is the real America to me — strangers helping others in need with no regard or care to political affiliation, race, religion or any other way we try to separate ourselves," he said. "Just people helping people."
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See more updates and follow Redman's journey at www.offofyourrocker.com/in-for-a-penny-farthing.