Question: How do you get across the water?

Answer: Our research and development team has designed a paddle wheel system complete with a back-up 50 foot snorkel for those long sea voyages, and U-Haul has just come out with a PeaceBike Amphibious Vehicle for carrying our water and food. Ok. Ok. Now for the true and less thrilling answer... We are flying over most bodies of water but will also be taking ferries and boats. And, no, we will not be riding around in circles on the deck of the boat until we come into port.

Question: What has been your favorite place so far?

Answer: On this one I have to give the everybody wins answer and that is 
that wherever I have met friendly, and kind people I have had a wonderful time. Going on a trip like this reminds me that there are so many people out there just waiting for an excuse to get excited, to give, and to encourage. I thank those hundreds of people who have supported me with their smiles and generosity along the way.

Question: What if you pop a tire?

I have an extra tire on the back of my bike under my sleeping bag and I also have some extra tubes. Unless you really shred your tire most of the time you only need to patch your tube.  I carry a patch kit with lots of patches and I also have a bike pump and these long rubber strips that go inside the tires called tire-liners.   The tire liners have been doing a good job stopping those sharp thorns and wires from puncturing my tubes.  But, even with all this, I still get a flat tire every once in a while.  I started calling them ¨fiesta tires¨ so instead getting discouraged by the flat the popping or wheezing sound would mean it was time for a mini-fiesta!

Question: Where do you sleep?

I have a wonderful inflatable mattress and sleeping bag that have become my bed and bedding. I have a REI Clipper tent that is big enough for me and my packs which I often sleep in when I am staying in campgrounds. I have also stayed in people's yards, in church yards, in people's homes, and in the wild. In cities I will stay in hostels or find someone that I know and stay with them. I will also stay in school yards.

Did you have to wear heavy boots when you went into the jungle in Ecuador?

Good question! Yes, we did have to wear boots in the jungle when we went into the Shuar village of Kayamentza, Ecuador. We wore regular mud boots that we borrowed from Missionary Rick, who flew us into this town. The boots went up almost to our knees. I found it interesting that almost all the indigenous people wear these boots as well, even the kids. I spoke to one Shuar man named Miguel and he told me that his grandfather did not wear boots years ago but that the boots protect from insects so now he likes to wear them. The boots protect everyone from little blood sucking flies that live in the low grasses and fly along the jungle floor. I learned that these bugs attack as soon as you take your boots off. I visited a family for about 3 minutes without my boots and came running back with exactly 12 bites on my ankles. The boots also protect your feet from lots of mud (even in the dry season), and allow you to walk through streams.

To learn more about the PeaceBikers jungle experience with the Shuar people click here.