So yeah, I am pretty excited about things right now. The refueling outage at the plant has finished and I just worked my last 12 hour day.
- I have saved up enough overtime money for my new ride.
- I am moving forward with my Adventure Monkey plans.
- Thanksgiving is right around the corner!
I am going back to my four ten hour day schedule with Fridays off. That means Friday rides are back on! I say that with a huge smile. I can’t explain enough the feeling a long bicycle ride gives me (but i’ll try).
On the surface it is purely physical. Then it transfers into a positive mental state of mind. The combination of a multiple hours of cycling while taking in the natural beauty all around me is physically, mentally and spiritually cleansing. I get a “mind rinse” and experience an intimacy with the creator while cycling in the country.
I encourage everyone to get on a bicycle and medicate themselves through pedaling. The world’s problems would disappear if everyone cycled. Is that taking it too far or is cycling the cure we are all looking for? You decide, but I do know that cycling is recession proof and unaffected by the Middle East oil drama. It also brings people together – it is the magic bullet.
If you are ready to change your life, get a bike and go for it! Get off your couch and go Feed Your Adventure Monkey!
My new ride.
After much thought and research, I am still going with the Salsa Fargo. There is nothing out there quite like it. It is a touring mountain bike. I can load it up, ride across the country, ride the low maintenance gravel roads and ride single track trails all on this bike. When I initially started searching for something capable of how I ride (gravel, some single track and across North America in two years) I was not finding anything. Touring rigs would not be too fun in trails or low maintenance roads. Mountain bikes would not be ideal for a 4,000 mile tour. It was like the Salsa Cycle team read my mind and invented the Fargo. I have read many reviews from actual owners. I can’t find anyone unhappy with their Fargo.
The question now comes down to components. Being that I finally learned how to change a flat tire this year, I am by no means knowledgeable about bike components. After discussion with Gnat, I am going to go with the Fargo Complete. I will change the saddle right off the bat. I think I am going to go with a Brooks leather saddle. Hard core touring cyclists swear by their comfort. That has been my only major pain – my sit bones.
I will also need to build some wheels to handle a fully loaded touring rig. I am looking at sealed hubs, maybe Phil Wood. I am toying with the idea of a dynohub to run a light when I travel across the country. Anyway, the new Fargo will be here soon enough and I will have pictures galore. It has been 20 years since I bought my last bike!
Adventure Monkey plans are taking shape.
The Adventure Monkey is more than just a blog, or at least it is in my head. I tasted entrepreneurship running my portrait/wedding studio and I miss it. Running a small business was both the hardest and most satisfying work I have ever been a part of.
I see the Adventure Monkey inspiring others to live the life they have always dreamed of living. How? This blog, inspirational prints and products, bicycle touring, inspirational clothing, classes and workshops and whatever else finds life within the Adventure Monkey walls. Sometimes we need help to get off the couch, turn off the TV and go do something adventurous, even life changing. All great journeys start with one small step. All great bicycle tours start with one revolution of the pedals. Before you know it you’ve made it 4,000 miles (or more). If a print hanging in your house inspires you to do that thing you’ve always wanted to do, the Adventure Monkey has been a success.
Many of us get to a point in life and realize the dreams and aspirations have been forgotten. The journey has led in a different direction than we had initially intended. Instead of being actively involved in the direction of our lives, we allowed the circumstances, obstacles, and perceived needs steer us off course. Sometimes taking a different path is a good thing and leads to great discoveries and opportunities. Other times it leads to a path of mundane, mind-numbing living. Many of us are there right now.
We only live once. That’s it. It could all be over tomorrow. What would we leave behind? Shouldn’t we live this short life to it’s fullest? Isn’t it OK to take calculated risks in life? Isn’t it a good thing to have fun, to laugh, to cry, to love, to lose, to fail, to succeed, to live with purpose? I don’t think that’s too much to ask. The most successful people in this world have failed many times. Being successful has more to do with how we handle failure than anything else. My conclusion is the more I fail, the closer I am to my great success.
So what’s up with the Adventure Monkey? Here’s a few of the latest changes:
- E & J Photojournalism is going away and the Adventure Monkey is taking over
- Adventure Monkey logos are replacing the lovely E&J logos
- Domain change from eandjphotos.com to theadventuremonkey.com. Change your bookmarks.
- Twitter username: If you are following erbenja, that is being replaced by feedyourmonkey
- Facebook page: E&J Photojournalism page is being replaced by the Adventure Monkey fan page on Facbook. I will be able to show pictures and link to this blog easier.
- Etsy Adventure Monkey store is open. I am selling prints and cards HERE. I hope to offer Adventure Monkey clothing and gifts soon.
- I have been researching social networking and marketing extensively
Yes, I would like the Adventure Monkey to make money, but I don’t want that to become the main focus. If I can inspire others to make a positive change in their lives and in the world, that is worth more than money.
Dream on, ride hard and Feed Your Monkey!
Thanks for reading,
Eric
P.S. I am planning on some cycling time this weekend, so pictures will once again liberally decorate the walls of this blog.
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