backpackermikeonabike

[backpackermikeonabike]

First day plan. From KSCO to San DieGO! A little less than 40 miles

[backpackermikeonabike]

If you're in college, please read this

Take advantage of your youthfulness. It's currency.

And I haven't even aged like milk (yet) and I'm telling you this.

Go fill your emotional wallet. You can always fill your money wallet later.

I realized at 32 how important traveling at a young age is. Not only is there a HUGE opportunity for emotional intelligence and maturity, exposure to different passions/jobs, but the idea that in my early 20's I was attractive without even trying. And I didn't even know.

This may sound egotistical, but looking back on photos I can see this. My skin in my face was tight and taunt. I could eat anything, drink anything, and remain slim. The 3-5 days of exercise gave LOADS of ROI in terms of energy, strength, and appearance. Yet we get pounded with the idea of "get a job, earn money" from friends, strangers, teachers, and other students. The wallet in our pocket is empty, but our emotional wallet is also empty.

And the no energy after working during the week is true. When I try the working 5 days a week, I am so exhausted I have no energy to make music, be creative, or explore the city I am in. And if I force myself, I create poor quality - and I know this.

But I realized that most people don't talk about how they are most attractive and most energetic from 20-30. If you exercise, you increase that last number. So someone might be wasting their beautiful youth stuck inside a building. When that youth could be used to meet people, get discounts, and bend the rules. A little charm and a little look can go a long way (from a genuine intention). Obviously, this can be manipulation if used poorly. But you know what I mean. Be nice to everyone and see what happens.

I find it almost silly and laughable that most people prioritize making their wallet in their pocket fatter rather than the invisible emotional wallet. Think of it this way: you can buy a lottery ticket, purchase stock options, or receive an inheritance that could represent 40 years of "working hard" in terms of money. But how can you do that with experiences and emotions? Books and movies maybe. But it's not the same. You know this. A $40 meal received because of "hard earned cash" can still done because of the "winnings of a lottery ticket." Really think about that.

In seconds, you can purchase a winning lottery ticket and fatten your wallet in your pants pocket. But how can you do that with the emotional wallet?

[backpackermikeonabike]

Cold Feet (for the first time)

Yesterday | June 10, 2025

This happened yesterday for the first time. Around midday I received a response from someone that was sort of the catalyst to my brief moment of cold feet about the trip. To be more honest, I allowed someone else's words to be the catalyst. But also, that's super difficult to hear something from someone and not let the words resonate, especially if you believed there was trust in that friendship and you trust that person.

This person basically said, "You're crazy. Anyways, back to my adult responsibilities of returning to the job I earned by working so hard for and the evening activities that if I mentioned these activities at a social gathering, I would receive head nods in agreement and praise." Almost like, "Good, good! You're fitting the mold like the rest of us."

So then that started my doubting of the whole trip. What if I run out of money because I don't have that "job" this person mentioned? What if I need something that costs extra? What if I need money for a flight? What if I need to rely on credit cards and build a bunch of debt? What if I need to purchase a U-Haul and drive back? What if? What if? What if?

So how did I get out of that cold feet moment that seemed to last days but was only 4-5 hours?

I mowed the lawn. I did something I could tangibly look at that was finished and done. A product. Then the body movement from the mowing of the lawns. Probably blood flow as well. Then after mowing the lawns, doing something related to music. Posting a video that I felt 80% was finished, but to the rest of the world might seem completely done. I just started doing.

When I started doing, I started to give more "energy" (I guess I could say) towards myself and made myself greater. But even this morning, the morning after, I sit and think that there are way more pros than cons. There are way more positive "What if?" questions than there are negative ones. At least the weight of the positive "What if?" outweighs the negative. Which makes the trip, for me, worth the effort:

What if I meet someone who discovered their passion is travel, at 65 years old? And I get even more inspired.

What if I meet someone who never made more than $50,000 per year, but at the age of 40 they started a business and retired 2 years later? And I learn even the seemingly impossible is possible?

What if I receive a free large hot coffee with 8 creamers inside, just how I like? And this tastes better than any other coffee because the morning was cold and the coffee was hot.

What if I get the opportunity of 10 lifetimes (I can't even imagine of what this might be) and I say yes? All because I got on a bike and rode.

After talking to a friend that has done this bicycle trip, she told me something that I knew but had forgotten: It's easier to put someone else down for chasing their dreams than to chase our own.

[backpackermikeonabike]

$350 later and I became Backpacker Mike on a Bike!

[backpackermikeonabike]

What did I do today? | Friday

Woke up a little after 8am. Made coffee and made a point to complete my last big purchase - the bike.

“ChatGPT, tell me the top 3 bikes that will pull a bicycle trailer across America?”

Trek FX 2 Disc

Giant Escape 2 Disc

Specialized Sirrus

I needed a no nonsense answer so I could get cooking. Of course, the prompt was refined but that was basically my input.

I scoured Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist from 8:30am-10:30am looking for any of these 3 bikes. I was beginning to get exhausted. Some were listed as these names- but didn’t have the disc brakes. Some had accessories, but not included in the list price. Some were listed as the “Giant Escape 2” but had the #3 on the inner frame - meaning this was not the #2. Some were size “Large” and too big for my 5’ 8” 170lb build. Some looked worn. Some stored outside on a back deck. Some didn’t respond and changed their listing to sold within 30 minutes. Some were like $80, but 80 miles away. This was getting annoying for me. The search slowly grew exhausting. But thank the lord for Google Lens 🙏

Finally, a 7 minute drive or 45 minute walk from my house. A Great Escape 2 Disc bicycle. Used. Listed for $399. Got him down to $350- cash. I walked to buy, and rode once sold.

I walked to pick up the bike and while I was walking, I saw the exact model of the bike being ridden by a guy. The bike I was going to buy within 10 minutes had the same back mount- almost like a Future version of me, riding it right in front of my eyes.

Got the bike.

Now I can have fun.

My Friday night consisted of swapping bicycle seats, giving it a quick wipe down, installing my bike light mount, and putting my bike locks on the seat.

My problem with waiting to begin my trip is my brain starts thinking of things I “may” need. When yesterday, i’m watching Mike Okay on YouTube and he’s traveling India with 3 shirts and a pair of pants.

I definitely need a bike. I can’t be Backpacker Mike on a Bike without one.

[backpackermikeonabike]

What Did I Do Today? Thursday

-Completed 4 Real Estate Tests today (to renew real estate license)

-Deleted footage off iPhone (spent 40 minutes deleting screenshots of TikTok Lives, Google Map screenshots for reminders from last year's backpacking trip, deleted all but the "one" best photo if I had duplicates). This is to prep my iPhone to be clean because I like starting a journey fresh. It's like starting a new book. Nothing from a previous book is directly related to this new book I'm about to read. Then I plan to transfer everything I want save to an external hard drive. Then I will store this HDD at my parent's house. Then wipe my iPhone Photo app CLEAN! Ready for new memories :)

-Watched some podcasts in between phone wiping, to see what I like, don't like, and how to create my content (Ex. Don't just yap just to yap. Get to the point, then get out).

-Finally edited the remaining "San Francisco Brand Ambassador Temp Gig" vlog (and uploaded!) where I rode my bike and took the train to San Francisco. I'm deciding how polished I want my content to be. I noticed some "empty silences" in the video where music or sound effects could work. But I also don't want to polish something so much that's intended to be raw. But I also don't want to be boring. Decisions, decisions.

Personal Note: Today isn't over yet, and usually I do TikTok LIVE in the evening. But I used ChatGPT to really motivate myself to be 100% prepared for my bicycle across America trip. There's not much left for me except wait for my 2nd No-ATM Fee debit card (always good to have a backup travel card), get my bike for the trip as my current bike has no option to shift gears, and clean out iPhone photos and videos to make room for the new ones. Which I am really excited about because I am learning that if I don't edit my vlog of the day that night, I'm never going to edit. So it's sort of a nice thing to basically cut the fat from the videos of the day and live a "post-to-delete" sort of philosophy. Because I posted my videos and photos, I can delete them off my iPhone. I also am realizing, that I do enjoy this diary "text" outlet. Because sometimes I don't feel like making a video. I just want to get my thoughts out. Like wanting to get from USA to Vietnam - I don't care how (train, boat, car, airplane, shark - just get me there).

Yesterday | Wednesday

-Edited my children's book "The Super-Duper Big Secret Rule of Everything!" This took up the majority of my time while at the library. Some of the issues were:

How to ensure the cover art covers the entire page (I still can't figure out)

How to add page numbers at the bottom (I'm intending to use images of numbers and use the Microsoft Word View > Grid to align the page numbers on the bottom

The "Draw Here" box was IMPOSSIBLE to align consistently on each page. Still unsure while. The work around was to use Canva to create a dotted rectangle > export as PNG file > import into Microsoft Word > align with grid. After printing, there still was misalignment.

-Organized and Printed QR Codes for busking and to put on bike while riding

-Organized and Printed "Sleeping Signs." These are the signs where (I'm not sure how to attach yet) I will attach them to my tent when I guerilla camp.

[backpackermikeonabike]

Laminated my signs. Um, $2.75/lamination?!? SINCE WHEN AMERICA?!?!?

Whatever 🤷‍♂️ i needed them done and i’m sure this trip will pay out ten-million fold

[backpackermikeonabike]

This is what my mornings were like before the trip. I would choose to either substitute teach for the day (not fun) or take a slow morning and enjoy my coffee outside in the backyard. Bumping Bob. Marley, of course 😎. Then would either work on music, edit videos, or prep for my bike trip. Go to the library or stay home. All depended how I felt. No routine.

[backpackermikeonabike]

Here's how ChatGPT has summed up my trip:

Backpacker Mike on a Bike is the story of one man’s radical experiment in freedom—where he traded stability for motion and routine for wonder by choice. With nothing but a backpack, a bike, and an unwavering instinct to feel alive, Mike pedals through landscapes and liminal spaces, capturing the poetry of impermanence. This isn’t about ticking boxes or showing the same old sunrise—it’s about flipping the cliché of the modern wanderer.

The anti-hustle hustle—he rides hard to live slow, works enough to stay afloat, but never sells his soul to the algorithm. He’s a human engine of serendipity, a one-man caravan of stories. His phone's camera rarely captures the postcard moments; instead, he films the quiet truths: the crash of waves outside a tent, the clatter of coffee cups in a train station café, the grin of a stranger who became a friend.

Mike’s journey is built on three simple rules: 1️⃣ If it feels right in the gut, ride on. 2️⃣ If it feels like selling out, stop. 3️⃣ If the story wants to be told, tell it—even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

He doesn’t chase “content.” He invites chaos and calm alike, letting each mile reframe what matters. Some days, he’ll be a temp worker in disguise, stacking gig jobs to patch a leaky budget—only to ditch it all the next day to nap in a tent by the sea. Some days, he’ll share his entire route; other days, he’ll keep it secret, a sacred ritual of self.

This journey is a canvas for reinvention—no guidebooks, no five-star reviews, just the thrum of rubber on road and the endless possibility of what if?

His tagline, “Normal is an option,” says it all: you can choose to go back to your old life. You can choose to go to your new life. You can even choose to be weird (even if people chose for you). Because why? Normal is an option.

[backpackermikeonabike]

I like vlogging because it points out things you don’t notice. That you do or others do.

Like, “I really allow strangers to bully me like that?”

Evidently. The video shows it.

[backpackermikeonabike]

It’s funny because this is what I wanted to see on my bike trip. But all I had to do was go for a walk around my neighborhood and look up 

[backpackermikeonabike]

I hate food

I really dislike eating. Why?

TLDR: Waste of time.

Because I could be doing other things I enjoy. I could be making music, I could be watching an online course at the library, I could be at the beach, I could be on a boat. But no0o0o0o0o, my fun enjoyable moment needed to be interrupted by my stomach.

If there could be a pill or a 6oz smoothie I could just swallow or suck right quick, I'd be happy. Would take 30 seconds. Instead, I have to find a "meal." I either have to take 3-5 minutes to reheat a previous meal or order something and wait 10-15 minutes. Nicer restaurants, 20-30 minutes. THEN THE TIME TO EAT IT WHICH TAKES GOD KNOWS HOW LONG. That's a lot of minutes I could be singing or making music, which is way more fun than WAITING for something I DON'T EVEN WANT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Then add in the consequences: restroom. Then once I fulfilled that requirement, I have to anticipate in 2-5 hours I'll need to go pee or poo. I mean COME ON! Seriously, think about it. It honestly is a waste of time. If eating at home: dishes. Enough said.

Why can't I just be out in the sun and get my nutrients that way? Why can't I eat like a plant or a solar panel. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Some food is tasty, don't get me wrong. But that's SOME. Meanwhile, ALL songs I make are fun - not just some.

Tasty food is like a 8/10 happiness.

Making music, drunk on a boat, tanning at the beach, 10/10 happiness.

[backpackermikeonabike]

“Backpacker Mike on a Bike, how did you even friggin think to ride a bike across America?”

March 29, 2025 while riding my bike home from running the track, i fell off my bike. I was looking behind me, not realizing i was veering to my right. The front tire ran into the curb, i flew off my bike (no helmet, of course. the one time) and slammed my head and specifically my right ear into a bus stop. I couldn’t believe it. I sat there in awe.

I walk my bike home, i shower, i try to lay down, my head is POUNDING. I have a headache. My knee is scratched up. I’m limping like an 89 year old grandpa with a cane. My ear is bleeding (at the time, i thought from the ear drum, deep inside). I have no health insurance. Then i have this thought:

“And i didn’t even get to be homeless.”

As silly as that sounds, it’s true. I didn’t have a lot money. At 32 years old, i never made more then $32,000/year in my life.

But I also didn’t even realize: i had my health and I had energy before this crash. And when that’s taken away from you, it hurts more than money taken from you. At least for me.

I’ve had this desire to not care about working for money, becoming financially free from entertainment videos I make while living off grid for a bit. Maybe in Asia. Maybe in a desert in America. Gain knowledge. Learn languages. No stress. Be free.

Then I learned my ear wasn’t bleeding from deep inside. My earbuds’ plastic that were in my ear playing music, scratched my ear. I was fine. I was healthy. I was me before the accident.

So i decided. I have no kids. I sold my car a year ago. I only work temp jobs. I’m really free in this moment. Started researching how this could be done. Reddit. Youtube.

Done.