Editor’s note: Jack Bethel is embarking on an approximate 8,000 mile journey through Canada and down the East Coast. He has agreed to share his adventures through a series of blogs to J&P Cycles. This is his first, an introduction. Meet Guest Blogger Jack Bethel.
Hello, I’m Jack. I am a 23 year old college student from Colorado. In my free time I work as a bartender and manage a small cycling shop. I have been infatuated with all things two wheeled from a very young age, and bought my first motorcycle at 19 (the 2001 BMW F650gs that I will be riding on this trip).
I originally began touring on my bike to save money. When gas prices are high, a motorcycle is a lifesaver. Over time I realized that whenever I had a long distance to travel, not only was it frequently less expensive to ride, but far more enjoyable as well. So, I bid farewell to stress of airplanes and the monotony of cars, and took the scenic route instead. It takes longer to get where you’re going on a bike, but for me, life is about the journey as much as it is the destination.
These days, my travels have shifted more in the direction of adventure seeking. When I ride, I look for dirt roads or four wheel drive trails that I can take instead of asphalt, and where I can go to be as far away from people as possible. I spend just about every night in my tent, and rarely frequent established campgrounds (why would I pay for a piece of dirt to pitch my tent on? I mean seriously, that’s just illogical).
I grew up in rural Western Colorado, and spent as much time in the wilderness as I could. Backpacking, mountain biking, white water rafting, and skiing all taught me skills that I bring to my motorcycling. It is an incredible way to combine various pursuits and goals, and see the world.
I look forward to sharing this experience with the world, and I hope that in following my adventure, my readers might be inspired to take one of their own!
Enjoy the journey!
