Guatemalan Coat of Arms

Guatemalan Coat of Arms

The Merciless Pepper of Quetzlzacatenango, also known as the Guatemalan Insanity Pepper, "Grown deep in the jungle primeval by the inmates of a Guatemalan insane asylum." Does not actually exist. My uncle is currently visiting the glorious nation of Guatemala and is even in Quetzaltenango, the home of this enigmatic pepper. I hope he can shed some light on the origin of this myth that has been perpetuated by the Simpsons. The Ride hopes to pass through Guatemala on the second leg of the Cairo, IL - Cairo, Egypt trek. The hottest peppers in the world are actually from India.

Sudanese Walk 1500 Miles to Israel

The ride salutes these Sudanese refuges who walked 1,500 miles to freedom. No bike=walk. These Christan men lost most of their families to religious persecution by Muslims in the South Sudan, eventually finding a refuge in Israel after walking 1,500 miles. The conflict in South Sudan has claimed almost two million people, and the conflict in Darfur (western Sudan) has taken near a million lives. In both cases Arab militias from the north of the country have attacked non-Arab Christan and Animist communities. This tragic story is just one example of many conflicts around the world that are characteristic of the 'Clash of Civilizations' that is taking place. Sadly most of the West is either in denial or is simply unaware that there is a worldwide conflict between two civilization that is taking place all over the world. Israel welcomes the Sudanese refuges who make it, sadly many are killed on their way here.

Freedom Fishing

No line, no hooks? No problem. Here is an excellent example of people using what they got to get by. Usually the fish sit in an empty log waiting for a meal, or in this case it seems, a box that has been left at the bottom of the river. They wait for their prey with their mouths open, all thats left to do is insert a fist. These boys sure are country bumpkin it!

Dealing with Dogs While Riding Bikes

Omaha: Resident Hound of The Bend

Riding cross country means dealing with dogs. Usually farm houses are a bit off the road, and by the time the dogs see us we are right in front of the house with a decent chance for outrunning them. Its hard with all the weight you have on a bike. Even if you can hit near 30 mph, so can most dogs. We had some great chases on the last ride, one of which got a bit crazy. We had one mean dog get out in the road before we could get past. Conlin spotted an irrigation pond that we used to bypass the dog. The dog almost crossed the pond to get to us. Since then a friend has given me a doggy dazer that emits high frequency noises dogs do not like. The noises do not harm the dog but are supposed to deter them. Some bikers have said it is a bit hit and miss in its effectiveness. Here is a great article dealing with the issue.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/dealingwithdogs

In short he claims the best thing he has found is pepper spray. This may sound cruel, but believe me out on the road there are some dogs that would love to have you for lunch. Dogs are not used to bikes and can give quite a chase, sometimes even attacking. Pepper spray does not cause any permanent damage only 30 minutes of discomfort. Of course the real problem is aiming correctly. I guess I will get me some and start practicing. Oh if all dogs couldn't be like old Omaha.

2008 Freedom Ride: A Tour de' Steger Ride Against Terrorism and Urban Planning

The 2008 Freedom Ride marked a big change in our riding philosophy. We rode 240 miles from Setger to Ste. Marie The Bend through the remnants of hurricane Gustav. The rain was relentless, but Conlin was able to construct an ingenious roadside shelter with one of our greatest tools in the war against the elements, the tarp.

Instead of taking Illinois highway 49 the whole way, semis and all, we stuck to the back roads. We didn't have to deal with any semis, but we must have had at least 100 dogs chase us. This is a picture after the ride at the Bend Park overlook on the Embrass River (Jasper County Illinois). We enjoyed the ride, a bit of a slower pace than the 2007 ride in which we rode 210 miles in 29 hours through frigid conditions. We took three days, partly because of the rain, and found that the back roads provide a much more relaxing ride (except maybe for the dogs). Plans for the 2009 ride are still up in the air, we may take on the eastern section of Shawnee National Forest, or we may do a more local bike route that begins in Steger. Really this blog is dedicated to tracking the 2010 Ride for Alternative Energy from Chicago to really wherever. We have some plans to head south to Louisiana, but Lord knows where we may end up.