Don't Miss Out on Your Dream

October 28, 2013

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. – Matthew Broderick, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Two weeks ago, we announced our complete 2014 tours schedule. Since then, the tours team (Arlen, Darrah, and I) has had numerous conversations with people who have confided in us that they have always wanted to do a tour.

This would be an absolute dream.

Spending two weeks pedaling along the coast sounds magical.

I need to get away and this would be a perfect way.

For 20 years I have wanted to bike across the country.

I would love to see the fall foliage from a bike seat.

One gentleman even insisted that I tell him to “quit being a chicken and sign up!” so I did, and he did!

I have started asking people about what might keep them from diving in and carving out a little time for themselves. The reasons range from wondering if they’ll have the time and energy needed to complete the trip, to them questioning their ability to travel several hundred, or several thousand miles, by bike. I understand where they’re coming from. It is far easier to come up with reasons not to do things that take us out of our daily routine.

But what if you stopped putting off what you have always wanted to do? What if you quit putting your plans on the back burner, stopped selling your true capabilities short, and resolved to make the trip that you have always wanted happen?

From my experience, taking a risks, by jumping into the unknown and seeing how far I can push myself, has offered great rewards. Right now, I am in the process of deciding whether or not I am going to accomplish a decade-long goal. It’s going to be hard, and it's going to take effort, discipline, and time. But I’m motivated by my vision: I can see myself standing on the finish line (probably in tears) knowing I worked hard to complete something I have wanted since I was twenty years old.

As you look to next year, consider putting aside all your excuses: Create the vision. Never lose sight of the vision in the preparatory steps. See yourself on the other side of your adventure, with it having been all that you imagined…most likely more!

Arlen, Darrah, and I look forward to talking with you about the vision you hope to make a reality in 2014. 

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ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team — Lydia, Darrah, and Arlen — tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to the Adventure Cycling tours department. Check out our 2014 Guided Tours today!