How It Started
In spring/summer of 2024, I took my 1970 Schwinn Varsity on a trip through several national parks along the Northwest of America, up the Alcan Highway through the Canadian Rockies, and on several bikepacking trips in Alaska.
I tell people all the time that a person can tour on any bike. The one you have is probably just fine. But how you want to tour does factor in.
When I made the decision to leave home and travel the world by bicycle, I knew I would want something just a tad more comfortable than my sweet lil’ Schwinn. She’s my around-town bike. But I really wanted to get rugged and climb hills, so I needed something just a little more reliable for that specific type of riding.
I was initially set on finding a steel bike, and I had an upcoming 3-week trip to Taiwan I wanted to test it out on. I will only buy a bicycle secondhand, and I adore the bicycle co-ops in the Phoenix area. You can find all kinds of great bikes!
I was visiting Bike Saviors in Tempe when a high-end gravel bike caught my eye. It was a little 49cm dusty pink colored Specialized. Just my size. At the time I was working on the weekends at Landis Bike Shop in Phoenix. We sold many Specialized bicycles, so I knew that this particular bike sells for $2,500 brand new.
I took a closer look, checked it out, and even took it for a test ride. It was in great condition. I thought it would be a great bike to take out on the weekends for fun rides with friends. I purchased it on the spot, and took it out to Tempe Town Lake the next weekend on a fun ride with a good friend.
Dusty Carnation’s first tour
My trip to Taiwan was fast approaching, and I still hadn’t found a steel frame. I did have my little dusty pink bike, however. The frame is aluminum, with a carbon fork, so not the indestructible steel I wanted to tour with. Still, I figured I’d pack light and give it a go.
My trip around the island of Taiwan was amazing. It was thrilling, yet meditative in a way. Taiwan is such a beautiful country, and the people there are so kind. Not to mention the food is better than anything I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the world.
Cycling the island of Taiwan solidified my dream of cycling around the world. And since my little pink bike took me around just fine, I figured I may as well continue to tour with her. In fact, I’ve grown to appreciate the light weight of the bike itself, and how easy it is to maneuver. She’s not perfect, but she’s my bike.
I call my little bike Dusty Carnation, because of her color. It might seem silly to talk about my bike as if she’s a character, but when you’re traveling alone day after day, cycling for hours, taking quiet breaks to stretch and snack, and setting up camp, cooking dinner, and getting ready for the next day; your bike is with you the entire time. It’s your transportation, your support, your luggage carrier, and yes, your trusty friend. 💛
If you like this story, and want more information on bike touring, tips for travel, or stories from the road, take a look at the membership tiers on my front page and choose the one that’s right for you.
See you on the road. And please, proceed with caution… I’m on a pink bike 🌸