So what does a guy do when his home in Pescadero, Mexico gets hit by category 3, 125+ MPH hurricane Odile on Sept. 14, 2014, and soon after a fire completely destroys his house, his vehicle and everything he owns? He outfits a Surly Long Haul Trucker and sets out on an indefinite World bike tour to parts unknown.
Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to take a big time bike tour but never had the time. Every time I saw a biker on the road I always beeped, waved and drooled at the idea of being on the road on a bike. Wanderlust has always been my middle name. It's in my genes man!
A while back I briefly met a young man named Cary Gray riding down Baja, Mexico on a big unicycle. Cary once had the World Record for distance on a uni, over 10,000 miles and counting. Cary and others like him are my inspiration.
My life has been full of out of the ordinary things like my last full time job that I had before retirement which was a performing escape artist which I did for a living for over 13 years. Always been an outside of the box kinda guy so a big long bike tour is in order. Not that I consider a bike tour outside the box but the 9 to 5 cubicle lovers sure do!
Now I have done extensive travels in the past. The most recent was a 90 day round the world trip in 2012. I bought a ticket to Amsterdam and made every day up as I from there on. Went to 13 countries from Amsterdam to Hong Kong in those 90 days some mornings waking up and saying to myself where am I going today.
Bike touring is very different though from these past travels of mine. I recently read a bikers travel blog and found a line which defines one of the greatest pleasures of touring on a bike. The line was,”It’s not the Great Wall of China, it’s not the Eiffel Tower it’s the people." You slow d-o-w-n on a bike and smell those roses. Most people never even SEE the rose let alone smell them.
Been staying with family and training (somewhat) getting ready to hit the road. I have a Surly LHT which seems to be the "gold standard" for touring and am outfitting it for a long term (years) tour. Pretty soon it will be time to hit the road and I have the biggest goosebumps of my life.
So here's to all of you out there doing it everyday. Looking forward to the adventure, wisdom, pleasures and sometimes pain that comes with big time bike touring. Can’t wait to see you guys out there on the road. Keep on pedaling.
For those of you I will kindly ask to host me I am a non smoker, a casual drinker, and a real foodie. I will eat anything. I am clean, neat, organized and know how to pick up after myself.
Please check out my Facebook page, Michael A. Patrick and my Facebook travel page, Michael Escapes.
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelEscapes
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Escapes/1523567314563062?ref=hl

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I will be beginning a round the world bike tour during the summer of 2015. I have had dreams of an extended bike tour since I was a child. Life is short and it's time to get going. Have traveled quite a bit in my years but this time it is different. This time I will be touring on a bicycle nice and slow to meet and get to know locals and other world travelers alike.

Interests

Surfing (even though I'm not very good at it), bodyboard, fishing , spearfishing, bicycle touring and traveling. Traveling is more than seeing the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, or the Angkor Wat.......it's the people. Exploring other cultures and distant lands.

• cooking
• tv
• traveling
• blogging
• cycling
• fishing
• surfing
• boxing

Music, Movies, and Books

Really like old movies mostly and shows about travel and food. I am a hopeless foodie. Anthony Bourdin watch out....I'm after your job. Haven't watched tv the last 3 years (didn't have a tv in my home) except in hotel rooms.
Music interest tends to lead towards 60's and 70's rock and roll. I enjoy the standards as I usually have music playing all day long while at home.
Not much of a fiction type reader. Usually enjoy reading about travel and food and the adventures of other people. I'm the type who hears or sees something and immediately has to go online and read how and why this or that is.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Before I quit working I worked for over 13 years as a professional Escape Artist. Got bored with the 9 to 5 stuff. One day I saw an escape artist on tv decided I wanted to do that so I practiced for a year and eventually made my living escaping for many years.

Teach, Learn, Share

It's not about the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, or the Taj Mahal. It's the people. That's why my current journey is going to be on a bike. I want slow down and meet the people and see EVERYTHING!

What I Can Share with Hosts

My experiences traveling, escaping, cooking and living. I have had a very different and somewhat amazing journey through life.
I have several references on Warmshowers.org which seems to be more bicycle touring oriented. I am listed there as Michael A. Patrick.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Chile, China, France, Guam, India, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Portugal, Scotland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guam, Mexico, Netherlands, United States