How To Move The Stars is the day by day retelling of a bicycle ride around the world. Start from the beginning to get the whole story.
My adventure was a modern day epic, a solo, self-supported bicycle ride spanning 38,000 miles across six continents. There were moments I barely survived, and times I cried tears of joy, but mostly, this is a story about the thousands of people I met along the way. I moved through their cultures, and dramatic landscapes. I ate their food and slept on their land. I was constantly arriving to the open arms of strangers who were excited to help me achieve a feat that few could imagine. I did this for years, immersing myself in the world and meeting the people who live here. The story I returned with is a snapshot of humanity, captured in a lived experience. Thank you for joining me on my journey.
Purchase Jacob’s art inspired by his bicycle tour, including the world’s most beautiful Ant Farm. www.AntLife.space
Join Jacob on a bicycle tour! He leads week-long bicycle tours in Colorado during the summer. Sign up here, www.MountainHighBicycleTours.com.
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May 25th, 2013, a barbecue with Eugene. On the final day of my parents’ visit, Eugene invited us to join him for dinner at his home with his wife and two daughters. We drank wine and ate barbecue pork kebabs in his backyard. Eugene taught me a few of the local drinking customs. He told me that empty bottles never go on the table. They were placed on the ground and called dead soldiers. When we drank cognac, the chaser was a slice of lemon coated in sugar. Perhaps his most sage wisdom was to never drink alone. But he said, “If you have to get a mirror so you can drink with a good man.” His advice for my journey was equally useful. He said to never eat more than half of my food in a sitting. This way, I’ll never run out. As the night was winding down, Eugene borrowed my guitar for a song. It began with a sad melody, soft and lonely. With his eyes closed, he started to sing in Russian. His voice was clear and moving, the lyrics delivered with heartfelt emotion, a sorrowful song of loss and mourning. I was moved even without understanding the words. When he ended, I asked what the song was about. He said, “Is the story of a skier who was sad that the ski season is over?” When the party was ending, I thank Eugene for taking me around and sharing his knowledge. I’m always passing through places without knowing anything about them, so having him along was a treat for me. Eugene shook my hand and wished me luck for the rest of my journey. My parents were happy to be guided around as well. They were especially glad to get to see me. They were nervous about me heading into Russia. Their worries weren’t distinct, just unease about what I’m doing. They could imagine Europe, but now that they don’t know what’s ahead for me, that’s scary. I understand their sentiment, but I’m undeterred. The nature of this journey is to go into the unknown, and I trust myself to handle any situation I get myself into. [Music] [Applause] [Music]