Keeping Up with Cisco

July 24, 2012.  Francisco Molina sets out on his epic journey across the country on his Bianchi Volpe.

9:30AM: Renato and I head over to Cisco's house to say goodbye.  We help him carry his bike out of the house.  It weighs a lot.  Like, a LOT.  Cisco seems pretty relaxed, although that might be from the gourd of Yerba Mate he is sipping on.  It's a good thing he's got a whole bag to take with him on the trip.

10:00AM: We've hugged Cisco and left, and are talking about how heavy that bike is.  It's mostly food, so he'll eat his way through it, but it's going to be a rough beginning.

11:00PM: Cisco calls to say goodnight, he's camping and has ridden about 60 miles.

July 25th, 2012.  I get a message from Cisco with more details from day 1.  He fell in Bay Village, shortly after leaving, and broke the seat off his bike.  A nice lady drove him to a bike shop where they gave him a free seat.  Cisco is already learning one of the best lessons of touring: people really can be relied on, and are often willing to go out of their way to help you.

Cisco gets to Bowling Green tonight.

July 26th/27th, 2012.  Cisco decides to stay in Bowling Green for an extra night.  He is staying with some friends of a friend, who are taking him to a BBQ, where he will eat "fried gator".  These touring cyclists will eat anything.

An epic storm is on the way.  It's a good thing he's choosing to take this night/day off and will have a solid shelter through the evening.

July 29th, 2012.  Talk to Cisco briefly.  He is in Indiana, very close to the boarder of Illinois and is checking into a camp ground.  I am lame and fall asleep before he gets a chance to call me back.

July 30th, 2012.  Haven't talked to Cisco at length for a few days.  He's in Illinois now, approaching a city called Odell, which is about 75 miles southwest of Chicago.  When we finally connect on the phone, Cisco is climbing a hill and the connection keeps dropping.  We'll talk more tonight.

This is day eight.  He sounds great over the phone.

Pictures will be on the way soon, once he finds a library to visit and can upload.

Keep thinking of our traveling friend, send him the good vibes!  More to come as he continues his journey.