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, January 14, 2012

Chapter 1 All About The Bike Tour Episode 3



Chapter 1 All About The Bike Tour 
Episode 3

This is an exciting day.  This weekend there is a Subway conference in Miami, Florida and my project is going to be part of the discussion with many Subway store owners.

There are 129 days before I take my last ride by both Kodiak Subway restaurants and onto the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system to Homer.  About 120 days later I'll be in Key West, Florida.

This will only come together with strong partnerships and collaboration from many people across America.  I look forward to interviewing many of you at a Subway along the way.
Posted by at 11:23 PM

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

if somebody was wanting to support you other then food such as subway what is something you could use that a group of people could give you to use on your trip?

January 15, 2012 at 1:18 PM
kodiakbiker said...

If the support is to come from Subway I can imagine monetary support in exchange for promotional activities that I am discussing with them. I have been asking a price that is about the cost of a week long newspaper advertisement.

If the support was from others in the community I am looking for two things.
1. People that will spread the word and help me create anticipation of my trip and participate in my blog!
2. It would be great if local bike shops and cycling clubs would encourage people to ride part of the route with me as I pass near their town.

Thanks for asking!

January 16, 2012 at 8:11 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)