In seventh grade I read this book. It was called “Travels With Charlie” by John Steinbeck. It was hard. I failed over and over again. But I read it. Of course with help from my mom. In my 23rd year I read this book again. With a heightened vocabulary, a few years of schooling, some inspiration and a real desire to read, I read it. This time successfully, with no help, and this time, I enjoyed it. I gained perspective on travel, on companionship, and tranquility. I gained respect for solitude, and a desire to write myself. This book is the inspiration for my writing and this blog. It led me to the name “Charlie” which was given to my brand new beloved road bike that covers miles with me.
About a month ago I upgraded my old Kona road bike, which of course my pup is named after, to a fancy Specialized Roubaix. This bike is beautiful! Absolutely the bike of my dreams. White to match all of the other vehicles in my family, and light as a feather. With so much personality, the bike needed a name. A name that fit its adventurous, competitive, but also relaxed nature. I thought about that Steinbeck book that reinforced the idea that destinations don’t mean much. The miles that you cover, the things you see, and the people (or bikes or dogs) you are with are what make the destinations meaningful. I thought about the name “Charlie” and it stuck. So everyone, meet Charlie. My beloved two wheeled friend who takes me miles and miles, introduces me to the world, to its people, and to the air that brushes my face.
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike”
– John F Kennedy
Travels With Charlie 