Day 1 - Benchmark
April 1st. Restate my assumptions:
The Self desires freedom
The Self is the sum of the Body, Mind, and Spirit
The Body is free when it can overcome restriction
The Mind is free when it can overcome interruption
The Spirit is free when it can overcome challenge
I have decided the quickest way to accomplish and maintain this freedom is by living a nomadic lifestyle. It is challenging, solitary, and by definition, mobile.
The first challenge I must overcome is a dangerous mix of ignorance and hubris. I have never before taken on a challenge of this scale, nor have I used the tools required to accomplish this feat. As such, I am finding myself victim to the Dunning–Kruger effect.
My first long distance test ride was set for today. I was to bike 30 miles, stay the night in Reading, and bike back the next day. I’ve never taken all of my gear on a trip yet, but I needed the practice. And as humiliating as it is, I didn’t even make it a mile before my tire went flat. My suspicion is that a combination of the extra weight and neglected tire pressure lead to a pinch flat, but I cant say for certain because I don’t have a tire repair kit.
Last Tuesday someone stole my bike tools, including my hand pump and tire repair kit. I’ve since replaced all my tools with the exception of the hand pump and tire repair kit, which is on its way. So completely knowing I would have no way to fix my bike if it broke down I decided to embark anyways. I guess I should be grateful the Gods didn’t decide to fatally punish my hubris and pop my tires 15+ miles into the ride. So, I got that going for me, it was only a 1 mile walk of shame. It’s a fair price for that lesson I suppose.
Day 1 of being a Nomad and I have failed spectacularly to launch.
DAY 1 LESSONS LEARNED:
“One of the great disadvantages of hurry is that it takes such a long time.”
That and pay more attention to my tire pressure.