Out Of The Wild: An Alaskan's Adventure To Find America

My name is John. I was born and raised in Alaska. I have been hearing how the American Dream is no longer possible for my generation; how the pursuit of a college education will leave my peers and me in crippling debt; and America is no longer the beacon of hope it once was. Too many of my generation believe what they are hearing. I am not going to surrender to such news.

I believe what made America great in the past can make it great again. I know many small business owners that are living their American Dream right now. I have heard these people talk about their dreams. They work harder than anyone I know every minute of every day. These are dreamers that act on their dreams. I want to chase my dream in the same way. My personal motto is, “Risk much, forgive much, and gain much”. I want to pursue a career in film. I want to chase my dream too.

I need to see more of this country to better understand my homeland. I want to meet the people who make this country work. Upon graduation from high school I am riding my bicycle 6,000 miles from Kodiak, Alaska to Key West, Florida to find my America. I am not going on this tour just to ride my bike. My plan is to document the people I meet that have put their dreams to work. I will interview them in their environment and interview the people they serve.

Using my bicycle, a tent, and a camera I will tell this story in a documentary I call “Finding My America”. I will begin in my hometown of Kodiak, Alaska on May 22, 2012. I am partnering with small businesses that will sponsor this trip. I am working with many Subway restaurant owners who are sponsoring me in exchange for a commercial I will make and post on the Internet.

When my trip is complete, I want to share what I learn with everyone. Look for the finished documentary in the late fall of 2012. The blog will serve as a behind the scenes update to chronicle my grand adventure. I am accepting financial support from anyone interested in inspiring my generation to embrace the hard work of bringing America back to a new era of greatness. I hope to tell the stories of the real American dream. I hope to raise enough money to pay for college without student loans. Help me tell this American story. Together we can be the difference.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

This is the pilot I presented to Subway owners in Alaska.

I propose that I will visit Subway restaurants from Kodiak to Key West as I ride my bike to find my America.  I hope to capture each stretch of road and the character of each town along the way.  I want to meet the people of our great country.  This is the pilot I created for the Kodiak Subway owners to gain sponsors for my great quest to find my America.

Subway on Center Street Kodiak, Alaska
Owner Dan Rohrer

I hope to offer to make local radio or TV commercials for any willing Subway as I visit each town.  Here is a local radio commercial I recorded for Subway of Kodiak.



I hope to to visit many subways along the way.

13 comments:

High School Sunday School Teachers said...

Wow! This is cool. I'd go with you if I thought I had the time and could keep up with you.

Susan said...

John, I will definitely be following you along the way! I wish Caleb could do this with you. So is Subway sponsoring you? By the way, I love the Snapz ad you posted. I especially love your partner(s) in advertising! (That would be my beautiful and creative daughter-in-law as writer and daughter as fellow-banterer). Praying for a great tour! What are the dates?

Kodiakdancer said...

When are you filming again at the local subway? I want to be interviewed!

My sub is the turkey and cheese on flat bread.

I love the ballet in America!

Mike said...

Hey. I heard you on the radio today. All that riding must make you hungry. Do more radio commercials.

sealman5 said...

Water Parks! Yes. I love water Parks too.

JAT in Seattle said...

hey, I'm replying to your comment on Seattle Bike Blog...

Bellingham, WA is the southern terminus of the Alaska ferry system - it's about 100 mi No of Seattle and is a calm small city with fairly easy bike friendly access (inland to Rte 9 or directly south on Chuckanut Drive) to bike friendly highways.

Depending or where you're headed after making landfall in WA you could either head east over the Mts on Hwy 20 at Sedro Wooly, head south through Seattle/Tacoma or skip over to the Olympic Peninsula via ferry from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend.

good luck

Anonymous said...

Hi John,

I'm responding to a question your posted, on another blog, about touring bikes. As you probably well know, you have many choices in touring bikes. Here are three popular models, in ascending order of price: 1. Surly Long-Haul Trucker. 2. Rivendell Sam Hillborne. 3. Rivendell Atlantis. I leave it for you to research them. Also, check this thread from Bike Forums:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/180433-The-Newbie-s-Guide-To-Touring-Bikes

kodiakbiker@gmail.com said...

Thank you guys! I'll look into those bikes!!!

JAT Seattle, thank you as well! Ill have to seriously consider those trail choices.

Bill said...

Hi John,

I saw your comment on Seattle Bike Blog. There are several choices for crossing or going around the Cascades in Washington: Hwys 20, 2, 410, 12, and 14. Avoid I-90. I'd be happy to talk to you in detail. Feel free to email me at bill at billandlorene dot com.

kodiakbiker said...

Hello Bill, I will most likely send you an email as I approach discovering my trail. I will look into the paths you have suggested. thank you.

Joe said...

John: Good riding on your cross-country adventure! There's a Subway in Alpine, Texas, and a sandwich with your name on it. Hope to see you there.
Joe

kodiakbiker said...

Thanks Joe! Alpine,Texas sounds awesome!

CAROL & RANDY said...

WHAT AN ADMIRABLE AND EXCITING GOAL. WE WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL THE WAY. ALSO, WE CAN SEND YOUR VIDEO ON TO SOME BIKERS WE KNOW IN JACKSONVILLE, FL, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BIKED FROM EAST TO WEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS WILL BE FUN TO DO AS WE EAT OUR "SUBWAY" SANDWICHES.