I’m not sure why I get like this, but for my entire life as a project nears completion, I start asking myself that question “what’s next?”. There is no way that my human powered pacific ocean crossing project PedalTheOcean is anywhere even close to nearing completion, but I would honestly say that like any big project, just getting to the start line is 90% of the work. And after three years of planning, building, testing, mistakes, failures, training and learning, I am feeling very close to the finish line right now with my departure day a bit more than 5 months away.
Most of the work on WiTHiN is complete, most of the packing is done and I have two more sea trials planned for Feb and April. Other than that, I am focusing on my training, organizing a good PR campaign, looking for more sponsors, doing more speaking, and trying to raise some money for the charity Kimberlees’ Bikes for Kids.
And, as mentioned previously, I’m thinking about some possible future challenges. Right now, here are my primary goals:
2. Write and publish a book (I’ll start this during my ocean crossing)
3. Get my speaking career up to the next level (I’m booked about once per month now and my goal is once per week)
4. Travel more with Helen (we love our mini-adventures: bike trips, hiking trips, marathons, traveling to speaking engagements, etc.)
And as far as my future “Adventures of Greg” plans go, here is a sort of “MASTER TO DO” list that has been formulating in my mind over the past few years. I’ve just finished etching it in the stone of a new web site header. Check it out and please let me know your thoughts:
http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/blog
Obviously, there are some pretty ambitious goals there, and I’m in no hurry to cross them off the list. This is definitely a long term list of future objectives. I find that this exercise forces me to contemplate the big picture, and how my goals fit together thematically, and how they support a solid mission statement. I think it’s important for everyone to stop and do some big picture thinking every once in a while.
“If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?”
And when you decide what you want, I think the next step is to tell someone. Better yet, tell everyone. This process makes you somewhat accountable, and forces you to think through your objective. You will also benefit from the fresh perspective and input from others.
I remember reading once that Tony Robbins was suggesting this approach to a group he was speaking to. One man stood up and told the entire audience that he was going to win the lottery. A year later, he did.
Oh, and please become a fan of the new Pedal The Ocean Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pedal-The-Ocean/272363159176#
I would also like to urge you to consider donating $50 to buy a deserving kid a new bike. Sponsor a mile for $50 and every mile that I pedal WiTHiN across the Pacific ocean, Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids charity will donate one bicycle to a deserving child who can’t afford one.
If I make it to Hawaii I will have travelled 3000 miles and with your help, that will mean 3000 bikes for 3000 kids!
You can donate by PayPal or cc here:
http://www.pedaltheocean.com/charity.php
Rob on January 21, 2010
Hi Greg,
I cant believe you expect succes in this venture with just two sea trials !! You need months of on seas training before an attempt like this.Ask any ocean rower how many months of on sea training they do before an ocean crossing.Money and meticuloes planning is not enough ,you need experiance on the sea to get your body used to the rigors of what the ocean is going to throw at you.
I wish you luck you are going to need it………
Rob
greg on January 21, 2010
Hi Rob! Thanks for the encouraging words and vote of confidence! You obviously don’t know many ocean rowers:-)
Alex on January 21, 2010
Sounds like an excellent plan, I can’t wait for the Icecap HP-Snowmobile. I fear you wont be the first across the Sahara though, 20 odd years ago as I was heading to Tamanrasset in a 25 year old Citroen 2CV I bumped into a Japanese cyclist on his way across unsupported.
We camped together that night and shared food and he drank gallons of my water, and he told me that it was his third Sahara ride. Having ridden the Nullabor four times, he fancied a change.
Still think you should go for a HPB attempt at the North-West Passage.
greg on January 21, 2010
Alex: I lOVE the North West passage idea!!!
25hz on January 21, 2010
Future goals? I can think of one or two . . .
1. 1 hour streamliner record
2. 6 hour streamliner record
3. 12 hour streamliner record (easy testing at things like Sebring, Calvin’s & Nat 24hr, etc)
4. 1 hour stock record (using your spiffy new NoCom)
5. 6 hour stock record
6. 12 hour stock record
The bonus with these goals, and perhaps the same reason they are not “challenging” enough for you, is the machinery is built – you just need to train. There may not be enough “in at the deep end” work to do on them aside from just training.
Another aspect of these is they could double up with your goal #4 in that Helen, being a competitor herself, might be interested in some of the same receumbent racing and records in the women’s class, and as there is a racing series all across the north central U.S. each year (from Apr to Oct) there would be some travelling involved too 🙂
Nick Hein on January 21, 2010
Greg,
I’m still here for you when you decide to go for the 24-hour HPV sky record. And the enclosed drivetrain for the icebike as well. I’ll do anything I can to help.
Nick
Blaine Penny on January 21, 2010
Greg – I am a dreamer and schemer myself and there is nothing more I love than to read about others who are doing cool things and thinking BIG. Obviously you fall in this category.
I initially thought you may have missed the ‘toughest ski race on the planet’, but crossing the Greenland Icecap definitely covers that. I’ll plant the seed: I have always wanted to do a ski marathon in Greenland, but would settle for an expedition if you are interested in teaming up. I am in the process of starting my own charity, MitoCanada, (for those suffering from Mitochondrial Disease), which will be incorporated in Feb., and will be looking for fun activities to raise awareness and funds in the future. You have your plate pretty full right now, but if you wanted to pick a year for that one, I’d be up for it.
I enjoy following the blog and best of luck with things.
Blaine
Blake Springer on January 21, 2010
Greg.
You have no idea how you have changed my life.
In 1989 I was just a geeky teen-age kid who thought he knew everything.
But, then I met you.
You sent me on a journey that has lasted decades. I have watched you evolve. When I need inspiration — when I need hope — when I need courage I think of you.
Many years have passed since we have met face-to-face…But, I still need you.
Keep reaching. Continue to evolve.
Peace, love and happiness,
Blake Springer
greg on January 21, 2010
Blake buddy! You have NO IDEA how much I appreciate your comment!!. You made my day. Thanks.
Bryon Howard on January 22, 2010
Really exciting plan Greg.
So happy to see it evolving and coming together the last 3 or 4 years I’ve know you.
I’m anticipating the excitement … as you check “Done” to each of those adventures.
David Webb on January 22, 2010
Hi Greg,
a thought on powering of Within. I know that you have two drive legs but as a belt, suspenders and piece of string man, and a kong distance cruising sailor, I always like a backup for my backup. Would it be possible to install a hatch in your aft cabin that you could stand/ kneel in and then have a oarlock fitted to the stern just above the sternpost so that you could scull her with a sculling oar about 12 feet long?? This would give you motive power if the worst case scenario occured with the drive leg. If memory serves me correctly I believe that St Patrick sculled from Scotland to Ireland by this method many centuries ago.
All the best with your challenging project.
David
greg on January 22, 2010
David: Not a bad idea. I will take one paddle with me, but it’s not a very efficient way of moving WiTHiN – we had to use the paddle when the DL broke in Comox.
My backup for the backup is a spare set of gears, shafts, bearings. If one DL broke, I could insert the spare and then overhaul the broken unit and replace any broken parts with my spare parts. If all 3 back-ups were to fail, I would have to bail and get a tow by the safety boat – expedition done.