Today Is My 26th Birthday And I Have A Gift For You!
October 14, 2009 by Darren Alff
Today is my birthday. It’s hard to believe, but I’m 26 years old.
As you may or may not know, I started traveling with my bike at age 17, immediately after graduating from high school, and since that time I’ve conducted nine long distance bicycle tours over the last nine years in various locations around the world.
Bicycle touring has made a huge impact on my life. Not only has bike touring taken me to some incredible locations around the world, but I’ve met some amazing people while on the road, learned more about the world while traveling than I ever learned in school, experienced things few people will ever experience in their entire lives, and grown as an individual far beyond what I ever thought I was capable of previously.
I realize that it is customary to receive gifts when it is your birthday, but I don’t want you to give me a thing. Instead, I’ve decided to give something to you - something that I hope will help you plan your next big adventure. My hope is that you an take the information I am giving to you today and use it so that YOU can go out and see the world, meet some amazing people, experience new things, and grow as an individual – just like I have!
My gift to you today is a long article/video series I produced in the summer of 2008 before traveling to the island of Aruba with my bicycle. The article explains in great detail how I planned the trip, found accommodations, picked out the places I wanted to see once I arrived, and a whole lot more. The technology described in the article may be a bit dated, as this content was produced over a year ago, however the concepts for planning a bicycle touring adventure are still very strong.
So, without further adieu, here is my free gift to you:
An Extensive Guide To Bike Tour Planning – An Example From My Trip To Aruba
Now, if you really want to do something for me today to help me celebrate my birthday, don’t worry about sending a check or dropping a present in the mail. Instead, I’ve listed below three easy things that you can do to make BicycleTouringPro.com better now and in the future… AND HELP YOU MAKE YOUR BICYCLE TOURING DREAMS COME TRUE.
- If you’ve enjoyed any of the free content I’ve produced for you over the past two years either here at BicycleTouringPro.com or through my free bicycle touring email series, I’d very much appreciate you leaving me a testimonial at the bottom of this page. Let me know what you’ve enjoyed the most about Bicycle Touring Pro and what, if anything, you’ve done to make your own bicycle touring dreams come true.
- Grab yourself a copy of my book, “The Bicycle Traveler’s Blueprint.” The book covers all the essentials of modern bicycle travel, so if you are planning a bike tour of your own at any point in the future, the content in this book will help you plan your trip, prepare for life on the road, and execute your own life-changing bicycle adventure.
- Go out and do something fun today! Ride your bike, take a hike, go ice skating or take a friend bowling. And while you’re out enjoying yourself, do what you can to tell someone else about the joys of bicycle travel. If you have a friend, a co-worker or a family member who might be even slightly interested in bicycle travel, take them with you today and share with them how bicycle travel can change their perspective on the world, teach them things they’ll never learn in a classroom, and allow them to come home with stories that they’ll never forget.
So, that’s it! I hope you enjoy the free trip planning content I’ve produced for you today… and thank you once again for being a part of the community here at Bicycle Touring Pro.
Now go out there and make it a great day!
PS – The photo above is me (on the left) talking with my friend Jure (on the right), whom I met and stayed with while traveling in Slovenia this past year.
Hi Darren, happy B-day!
Thanks for the promoting of Bike Travelling., You are doing a great job showing that and how it can be done, together we can get more people on a bicycle.
Cheers, Harry
ps, I might have accidentally clicked an ad every now and then
Happy birthday Darren! Thanks for sharing your passion for bicycle touring and your insights about integrating it into your lifestyle and career!
I laways enjoy your mail and tips. I started touring after retirement at age 54. 68 now and still trying to get a tour every year. I haven’t been out of the states, but it is not important to me. Good riding to you. harley
Happy Birthday Darren
I went out on my Trice today, met two other Trice riders, got a free apple and was able to use the core as a missile against a motorist you jumped a red light.
A lovely day. I hope yours is as good.
Darren’s guides and tips have been extremely beneficial for me while planning and outfitting for a bicycle trip along the U.S. Pacific coast. All of his information is pertinent and useful and also serves to keep me motivated towards achieving my goal.
Thanks, Darren for all the good work!
Norman–Meadow Vista, CA, USA
Darren, happy birthday, I want you to know that you have both inspired me and have given me something of a template as to how to pursue my goals. Everyday, without fail, no exceptions I tell people of the joy that I get from riding my bike as both transportation and for the pure joy of it. Keep up the good work man!
Darren, I found you by accident and have learned so much from you. I have my Ortlieb handlebar bag from you and lots and lots of information. I head to China next May (2010) and start my around the world saga. It is a small step and I do have to come home after so I can finish paying off my last debt. When it is paid off next year I am off an running! I may be a few decades old than you (I turn 66 in December) but I will make the dream come true and cycle the world.
Have a safe, busy, FUN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! See you on the road someday, unless you want to do China with me next year?
Linda from Alaska (cyclingboo)
Hi Darren,
You have beautifully synthesized the 4 hour work week and I wish you all the best. If you are ever in Portugal or Spain, drop us a line and save the hassle of lugging your bike over – on the house for your 26th. I would love to meet up!
Happy Riding,
Martin (http://twitter.com/CyclingRentals)
Hi, Darren! Happy birthday…thanks for all your readings about our lovely bikes.
Rio Grande do Norte , Brasil
Have a nice birthday
And have a bright day in future
Happy birthday Darren! Thank you for sharing your passion and expertise. I am riding again after more than twenty years and I just feel great! Bike touring is the next step as soon as possible and its going to be much easier because of you.
Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil.
Happy Birthday, Darren. Thanks for always sharing…and thanks for starting 21Bikes.com. I always look forward to your postings.
Wishing you contiued Enjoyment, Success and Safety in your future adventures.
Troy in GB, Wisc.
Happy birthday to you!!!!!!
Your life story has given me a great inspiration and I especially loved the photo that you’ve taken during trip.
I hope you write a book with story and a lots of photo.
Daniel from Kuri , Korea.
Hey Darren,
Happy birthday mate, I really like your site and all the good advice you have on it. I can’t believe you’ve done so much and you are only 26!
Keep up the good work.
Frank from Cuba, via London.
Hi Darren,
Happy Birthday!! It’s my birthday too! 45 though. I’ve really enjoyed all your information and one of these days I will take that bike trip. I’ve always wanted too and reading your emails and website inspires me to think that I actually can.
Best Wishes and safe travels.
Tracey
Happy Birthday !
Norm
Happy B-day, currently building my first touring bike from a pile of true temper tubing. I have founde your web site very informative. Thanks Darren.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks for the “Tech Tips & Tricks”
I appreciate that they have been tried and tested – your a great source of both information and even more importantly “Inspiration” – ride till you’re 100! – then get a younger wife and retire to a Tandem
Hai Darren
A little late……
From Holland best wishes
Thanks for the present
(Hey, i`m twice your age)
Frank