Opinion
Former Uber driver bikes to all 50 state capitals in 1 year
A former Uber driver is visiting all 50 U.S. state capitals – on a bicycle.
Bob Barnes, 52, from Syracuse, New York, began his journey, which he’s calling the “Nice American Triple Switchback,” on Aug. 1, 2021, and is hoping to complete the journey in a single 12 months, he advised Fox Information Digital.
As of Thursday afternoon, Barnes had cycled 7,900 miles and had visited 26 capitals and Washington, D.C.
“It’s superior to be out right here and simply have all these experiences and each single little city, each state,” Barnes mentioned.
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Barnes mentioned he determined to go on the journey for a number of causes, together with bringing consciousness to blood donation and pushing himself to finish the non-public problem of biking to all 50 state capitals.
Bob Barnes, 52, from Syracuse, New York, is biking to all 50 U.S. state capitals in a single 12 months.
(Courtesy of Bob Barnes)
He mentioned he additionally wished to see what the nation is definitely like.
“I name it ‘actual actuality,’ he advised Fox. “Versus what’s on TV and the web.”
“I do take into account myself an adventurer,” he added. “I like to discover and I wish to see issues for myself.”
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He mentioned he was additionally impressed by an analogous journey he took a number of years in the past when he cycled about 5,800 miles all through the nation.
“I used to be awestruck, it was so eye-opening,” Barnes mentioned. “I wished to come back again out right here and do it once more.”
He mentioned his first journey was extra of a psychological problem, however now he’s dealing with extra bodily obstacles.
“The climate’s been difficult,” he mentioned. “The mountains have been difficult. As soon as I received to Denver, all the way in which from Denver to California was windy and chilly. However the experiences, it’s completely wonderful.”
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Although his journey is about biking to all 50 state capitals, Barnes has made certain to pay it ahead alongside the way in which.
He mentioned on Saturday he plans to donate blood for the third time since his journey began. And on Thanksgiving and Christmas, he volunteered within the cities he was visiting.
Barnes began his journey in August 2021 and up to now, has cycled 7,900 miles and visited 26 capitals.
(Courtesy of Bob Barnes)
Barnes shares about his journey day by day on his Fb web page, Bibbery Travels, the place he posts footage of each state capital and his different experiences alongside the way in which.
“I wish to preserve it very interactive,” he advised Fox. “I wish to preserve it lighthearted.”
On his “Nice American Triple Switchback” GoFundMe web page – which helps him fund his journey – Barnes says his journey “is sort of a actual actuality present in actual time.”
“My obligation is to report back to ‘you the follower’ 3 instances a day promptly displaying and speaking about what ‘we’ have seen. It’s a really lighthearted, enjoyable and interactive expertise,” Barnes wrote.
“Principally ‘we’ are touring the whole United States on a area journey and I’m the information,” he added.
Barnes’ journey is about pushing himself to finish the problem whereas additionally bringing consciousness to blood donation and to see the nation because it actually is.
(Courtesy of Bob Barnes)
Barnes advised FOX Tv Stations that he bikes 44 miles a day on common and camps in his tent in a single day at truck stops and in parks.
Barnes defined to the outlet that he plans to bike to Juneau, Alaska, after taking a ferry from Canada. He’ll bike to Honolulu, Hawaii, after flying together with his bike to the island, based on the outlet.
Barnes advised Fox Information Digital that his journey is principally similar to biking round a neighborhood.
“It’s every little thing you assume it could be in the event you get on a motorcycle and begin pedaling across the nation, that’s what it’s,” Barnes mentioned. “It’s simply fascinating. It’s like an enormous neighborhood. … It’s simply the nation is the neighborhood.”
Barnes additionally mentioned he hopes to encourage different individuals to observe their passions.
“I’d similar to to level out to individuals to observe their goals and observe their ardour,” he mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what it’s, don’t hearken to different individuals. It’s your ardour. And if that’s what’s going to make you content, discover an excuse to do it.”
Comply with extra of Barnes’ journey on his Fb web page, Bibbery Travels.
