Xander, The Cycle Sherpa

As a 19 year old, I have already experienced a lifetime of adventures. My parents took me on my first camping trip at 6 weeks old. It was pouring rain but did that stop them? No, it just meant that they swaddled me, kept me dry and warm by the outdoor fire. It is that passion for the outdoors that has driven me my entire life.

I began my quest for outdoor adventure at the age of 5 as I rafted my first class 3 rapids on the Snake River in Jackson, WY. I have been on 3 10-day backpacking treks, all of which I had the awesome privilege of sharing with my mom. Those treks included the cool locations of the Grand Tetons, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and Bryce Canyon and Zion N.P in Utah.

My life has included 12 moves (and schools) in 19 years and most people might find that to be a terrible life experience. I, on the other hand, found that with every move I made new friends, found new places to explore and instead of just reading about geography and history in classroom textbooks, I got to learn about many of those places in person. I was able to add to classroom discussions with history, artifacts and first hand experiences. Those experiences led to to this trek.

I have known my entire life that I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. I excelled in science classes. On Catalina Island, I swam and studied with the very sea life I wanted to protect. However, in the real world, I love to do so many things so narrowing it down to just one field has become complicated at best. As an Eagle Scout, I learned first hand about back country survival. I do not fear the back country, being alone or emergency situations as they arise. It is in those moments, that I find the ability to calm and care for those in need. So I applied to Colorado Mtn College, got accepted and decided that I wanted to be a Forest Ranger specializing in Back Country Search and Rescue. For which I still have the desire to do.

However, my parents have taught me that you only have one life and to live it fully, passionately and embrace all that the world offers. There is always time for work, bills, responsibility and settling into to the everyday routine but for me, for now, I am taking my bike and my dog, Ella and we are going to experience all that this great nation of ours has to offer.

Join Ella and me on this journey of adventure and life on the open road. If we pass you along the way, please be sure to let us know so we can say hello or at least wave as we are passing! And if you know of somewhere we absolutely must stop to see along our route, let us know that as well. We don't want to leave any stone unturned.

Thanks for joining the ride..... Xander, The Cycle Sherpa and Ella, The Cycle Shepherd