"You didn't bring pedals?"

Despite the explicit request to bring pedals I was unable to remove the second one from my bike...

"No"

"Iohan, how are you going to be a blackburn ranger without pedals?"

San Jose Airport, California. April 13, 2015

BLACKBURN RANGER CAMP

For 2015 Blackburn Design alongside with Niner bikes, Giro, Bell WTB and SRAM is picking six people to ride across USA. Canada to Mexico via The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route or Pacific Coast Highway.

Since there are journalists & media people who will do a much better write up of the ride and the bikes, I will give you my perspective, as one of the rangers.

(if you have the time, here are all the ranger application videos, be sure to go full screen)

First was the bike. For a year now, I've toured on a loaded Surly - Troll (named Deadhorse). This will be a big change. Below is "Deadhorse" stuck in a deep crack in the ice. Do you see how it's covered by fresh snow? I didn't.

Then comes "The Endurance," I've never been big on naming things but when I saw it I immediately thought of Shackleton's South pole expedition. It's much, much lighter. After all - I will have to hike with it on my back in some sections.

The whole thing is overwhelming. First I've never had a suspension bike in my life and never ridden 29 inch wheels. I introduced myself to a whole bunch of people whose names I forgot immediately. We finally took off from the Airport to the mountains. Surprisingly, finding great trails and some gravel on the way.

There was certainly some "Do not be a hero" action, below.

Some 1500+ vertical feet later, we arrive at Ranger Camp. Since I hit the Mexico Border 3 weeks ago I have barely done a total of 50 miles. I am feeble and weak. I began making mental notes of what changes the bike needs. An easier granny gear!

Below, ranger Shayne enters the camp. He will be riding the Pacific Coast Highway and pack-rafting rivers along the way. He got inspired by a video documenting a fatbike/packraft trip along Alaska's Lost Coast.

Me and the other rangers got drafted to prepare dinner. Which turned out to be a pretty cool thing to do. Ogi and Joyce are preparing a dutch oven meal for the entire camp.

Then things get interesting. There is going to be a biathlon: biking and BB-gun target shooting.

After shooting a sniper rifle in Utah, it's a bit of a let down to be doing a BB gun now. I was hoping for a machine gun or bazooka but oh well...

To the right, Blackburn brand manager Robin explains the rules of the game. By request of the film maker everyone turned their lights on him, a combined value of 2000+ lumens. Even the statue of liberty isn't that well illuminated! (seriously, google "statue of liberty at night")

DAY 2

In the morning Brad from Niner Bikes gave us an introduction of the bikes. The Pacific coast rangers will be riding RLT 9 and the Divide rangers SIR 9 (I'm on a JET 9 since I'm nuts and will be doing the hiking trail)

Below are Ranger Claire and Amanda. They will be riding the great divide mountain bike route. Amanda is from Philadelphia and rides her bike to work few times a week (30mile, one-way!). Claire is from Chicago and rode across USA last year and loved it.

They will both be riding solo, although we may end up riding together at some point since we go at different paces (guess who will be the slowest?). After this shot, they wanted to take one for real... I was like "nope, this is the one I'm using!"

Matt O'Donnel will be riding the Pacific Coast. He is doing this as a way to recover from an injury and also hoping to create a documentary on the people he encounters on the way.

During the climb I am riding with Claire and Shayne.

"Let's do a selfie!"

What a brilliant idea! Except, we didn't look at the camera. Awkward.

Some time ago I heard of a man who cycled from Alaska to Argentina on a tandem. Alone.

That was Dominic, our Cameraman and film editor. He used to be a biologist and then decided to do the ride across the Americas and document it.

"Having the camera forces you to put yourself into situations and have conversations that you normally would avoid." He says, in one of his videos.

I got a chance to talk to John, a writer for The Radivist. It's not easy to be riding bikes for a living but there certainly are people who do it. He would often go to the front, take photos and then do it over again.

An amazing lunch at Pie Ranch followed. The kind that when you are eating desert you would point to the cow in the distance and say:
"That white cow is where the whip cream came from!" - Claire

A little less exciting to me, as I had to pick out every piece of cilantro from all the dishes (not a big fan of it!). Below, a journalist from gearjunkie.com enjoying the view.

It was that time of the day when everybody got service.

#instagramtime

This horse must have a great hair-dresser...

Then we proceeded to wreak havoc on the streets of Santa Cruz

Monterey Bay

Then it was my turn to be interviewed. Oh boy...

Going to wrap up day 2 with a relatively fuzzy picture of camp.

DAY 3

I was supposed to go surfing in the morning but I was exhausted. I never ride this fast. I stop frequently and take pictures, sit on rocks and never pedal downhill. Being part of the group was definitely tiring.

From what I heard there was quite the story with the surfing. The instructor which they got didn't have a license and the cops came. Then he took off. Nontheless, everyone had a great time.

Since I had my "thinking" glasses on, it was time for some reflection. Having ridden alone for the last year there was a certain appeal of going with a group. The great meals supplied by Blackburn, the interesting individuals you get to meet and not worrying about directions or route. But best of all was that wherever we passed we brought smiles to people's faces.

Below is a shot of an old house, showcasing my photography skills... at least I got most of the house...

"So, we can skip lunch and get to Monterey at 3pm or go have tacos"

As if Robin had to ask us, there was an overwhelming YAY for Tacos. I still havent done a proper headcount but we are about 20. 20 hungry cyclists, 20 bikes and 1 taco shop.

I must say, with great sadness, that I do not have a funny/embarasing shot of rangers Kate and Matt. They are doing the Pacific Coast Highway this fall.

John (the radivist) taking a shot of the group. I bet his photo is better than mine

Monterey, California

The Chris McNaly has been drawing professionally for 10 years. He took portrait photos of all of us so that he can do some drawings later.

Now, most diners never get 20 hungry people at the same time. One of the servers was shaking while taking orders and the other seemed very stressed out.

While waiting for milkshakes and dinner, we took a group photo.

Blackburn has been spoiling all of us with great food, snacks and amazing routes. Tonight involved a night at hotel and movie screenings.

Might sound cheesy, but it's great to know that there are companies who value the journeys which all of us will undertake. I'd like to thank Blackburn, Giro, Bell, Niner bikes, SRAM, WTB and whoever else made this program possible.

And as Amanda put it:

"Adventure is everywhere, you just have to go out and find it!"

After some beverages we went to wind down at the hot tub.

Guess who shows up? Dominic! and the best part:

Matt still needs to have the ranger interview.

After significant effort from the rest of the rangers, we managed to stop laughing. The grand finale of #blackburnrangercamp, the grand hot tub finale.

But this is not how this ends... After saying our goodbyes I got a chance to visit Matt & Kate's place and take shots of their animals.

Although my idea to have one of their chickens as camp mascot was refused, I can't help but end this with #rangercampchicken

and #seeyououtthere DUCK

Seriously, see you out there!