Floridian: My Dream: Life cycle

My Dream: Life cycle

Somewhere in America, Brad White is pedaling his way cross country. His goal seems to be perpetual motion. He left June 2. When he gets back in six months, he may simply start over again.

By Interview by KEVIN GERMAN

Somewhere in America, Brad White is pedaling his way cross country. His goal seems to be perpetual motion. He left June 2. When he gets back in six months, he may simply start over again.

I'm 47 years old. If I don't do it now, I may never do it.

I estimate it's about 6,000 miles from St. Petersburg to Washington state. I'll be going along south with a detour through Kansas and back down south over to California and up to Washington. When I get there, I have some family in British Columbia I'm going to visit. But only for a couple days, because then it's a U-turn and about 7,000 miles diagonally across the United States and back.

I've been a cyclist for about 30 years. Racing and touring. I gave up my driver's license a year or so ago. I didn't lose it, though, I was just never driving. I cycled to work and back every day for the past 18 years until I quit my job last month.

Five months ago, I sold my house in Gulfport. I (wanted) to go to Europe or take this trip. I decided to finally to go on the cycling trip. It's been 10 years in planning and anyone who knows me, knows I've been talking about it. It's something I've had a dream for.

I remember my grandfather taught me how to cycle by pushing me down a hill. I blame him and thank him for that. Cycling gets in your blood. It's in mine and in my bones.

I should be gone for six months total. I have to ride at least six days a week, averaging 75 to 80 miles a day. I'll be packing a tent, a sleeping bag, all the camping gear that any camper would take. I also have spare tires and tubes. In all, I'll be towing 75 to 80 pounds behind me in my trailer.

I'm going to take a lot of photographs and see the sights. I'll be camping in parks mostly, but when they aren't around, the side of the road will have to do. There will be times when I'll miss a hot shower, that's for sure. But there will be plenty of rain to wash me off.

For luck, I christened my wheels in the bay. It's something that all cyclists do. They christen their wheels in the beginning in some body of water and then they do the same when they get to their destination. Most dip the back wheel at the beginning and the front at the end, but I did both for extra luck.

I've got no wife, no kids, I'm single. This will be my accomplishment. A trip of a lifetime. Once the accomplishment is done, I might do it again. I figure I'll end up doing this for the rest of my life.

I was riding through town the other day, like I usually do, and everything seemed different to me. The buildings, you know? I've never quite looked at them this way before. I'm a free man now, and I'm going to live my dream.

- My Dream is a feature in which people discuss their goals and aspirations. It appears on Saturdays in Floridian.