Revision
“Reconsider and amend something, especially in the light of further evidence or to reflect a changed situation.” It has finally become clear to me that Freedom Tour 2020 as I envisioned and intended for it to occur is not going to happen in 2020. This is disappointing, frustrating, sad, and simply undeniable. In the midst of a once-in-a-century global pandemic, it is both unsafe and irresponsible for me to take a 72 hour train trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles to St. Louis and to then bike 3,500 miles to the Pacific Ocean. It is also kind of dumb and makes little sense at this point. Most of the gigs have cancelled. Many of the states on the route have 14 day mandatory quarantine rules for people arriving from out of state.
The Lewis & Clark bicycle route I was planning to follow is part of Adventure Cycling’s extensive network. Their website offers the following guidance: “At this time, Adventure Cycling Association discourages cyclists from embarking on long-distance bike travel along the Adventure Cycling Route Network. We believe the bicycle travel community has a responsibility to avoid endangering the health of small communities and straining limited medical resources. Moreover, shelter-in-place and quarantine orders exist at many levels of government across our network, and availability of services is inconsistent and unpredictable.”
So…that’s that. Freedom Tour 2020 as originally conceived has been postponed to 2021. However, the intention of the expedition for this year remains and I am deliberating how best to execute it in the midst of this plot twist. This is very much a work in progress, but perhaps part of the function of this blog is to be a real time expression of thought processing as it occurs? I still want to go on some long bike camping trips this year. And I still want to engage with people outside of my bubble. It occurs to me that many of those people are fairly close to home. There are many so-called red counties and conservative people in my state of California. I can load up my bike at my front door and cycle to them without getting on a plane or a train. I can camp in state parks (when they reopen) and livestream shows from there. I will of course stay safe and keep informed of best practices as recommended by the governor and health professionals and remain open and flexible. In the meantime, I’m upgrading the brakes on my bike. I have the clip-in pedals and shoes now and I’m keeping in shape with long daily rides around the city. I have an online account with Breitbart and I’m engaging in discussions online. I’m revising and I’m ready.
I’m also open to suggestions! Please e-mail freedomtour2020@gmail.com and let me know if you have any brainstorms or inspiring thoughts.
Monday Online Residency // 5.4.20 The Score / She Shoots To Kill / Eulogy / When I Make My Home / Maybe / Losing Streak / Simple Heart / 52 Pick-Up / Every Car is a Person / Young Ones / I Gotta Get You Out / Changer (Anaïs Mitchell cover) / The Heart of the Matter (Don Henley cover) / Come and Take It / Looking for Trouble / Empty in the Heartland