We're getting close. On Monday I'll be heading off on Bike Trip. I think the only real expectation that I have is that all my expectations are going to be shattered. I realize that that's such a cliche but it's quite apt. I mean, I've never undertaken anything close to the magnitude of this adventure. My biking acumen is low, my physical fitness level questionable, and my finances in flux. A day that I may plan to be easy and relaxing could end up being a complete disaster replete with drenching downpours, popped tires, and skinned knees. I don't know what I will see or who I will meet. I don't know if my body will rebel or if my psyche can handle the monotony of cycling. But I am sure that I will emerge with a story to share.

It was only a few years ago that I publically expressed my distaste for bikes and bike travel. What an inefficient mode of transportation, I thought. And the folks who bike are so involved in their care and become obsessed with builds and repairs and additions. It seemed like such a colossal waste of time, this biking thing. But upon seeing the splendid photographs of my buddies' bike tour last summer, I realized that there are so many things to see in the world that can be best accessed by bike and that a nice bike tour would allow me to better understand the world and its inhabitants. So when the call came out for Bike Trip 2014, I jumped at the chance. Of course, I didn't have a bike or requisite supplies or thick quads and calves but I knew that I had to participate or I would regret it for quite some time. And now here we are.

Here's a brief rundown of the itinerary in bulleted form (with dates when applicable):

6/2: Embark solo from Grand Haven, MI to Detroit, MI

6/6: Leave with Nate from Detroit, MI to Buffalo, NY via Ontario

6/10: Solo from Buffalo, NY to New York, NY

6/18: Airplane from JFK to Marrakech, Morocco

6/23: Take off with Patrick and Alex from Marrakech, heading north.

6/?: Meet with Brian in Spain

7/8: Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, Spain

July/August: Andorra, southern France, Switzerland, Austria, southern Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia

After 8/10: Arrive in Russia

August: Train from Moscow, Russia to Irkutsk, Russia and a ride around Lake Baikal

Late August: Train from Irkutsk, Russia to Ulan Bator, Mongolia and a ride around the Gobi Desert

After 9/2: Arrive in China

After 9/17: Fly back to the United States

There's a lot going on there and a good amount still up in the air. Some things will go as planned. Other stuff will fall apart completely. I'm scared and psyched, which is a pretty interesting combination.

One final thing: A few months ago, a buddy of mine asked me what I hoped to accomplish through this trip. I want to prove that anybody can decide to seek out the most in life, whenever they feel. Most people, upon hearing about Bike Trip, say something about how they wish they could do something like that and how I need to embrace my youth because it's allowing me to explore the world like they've always wanted to. I want to show the people who want to explore and travel that right now, today, is the perfect time to go off and see the world. Waiting for the opportune time to arrive doesn't always work. I had this chance, quit my job, put off my student loans, eschewed an active social life in exchange for lonely weekends in the saddle, and didn't wait for tomorrow. That's what I want to show people. If you want to do something, get up and do it. Don't wait.

This post was written while listening to Nick Drake's "Bryter Layter." Check it out.