My life on gravel roads
Thinking about my year and what it will bring? Since the first of the year my choices have led me to a different place. A place that isn’t as comfortable as where I have been. It is seriously challenging. I sorta think of the changes I am going through like riding or racing on gravel roads. They are a little slower. A bit rough at times. Sloppy. Wet. Dirty. Dusty. Rewarding. But riding on gravel is where I want to be. Sure I could take pavement anytime I want. Heck, 90% of the time I ride my bike in the country, pavement is just a few miles in any direction. Despite pavement being fast and smooth and often the easiest way to a destination, I don’t like it. I like to turn down a rough country road to see where it goes? That is a pattern in my life and one that has rewarded me time and time again. I am on that road again.
I’ll be truthful today and 100% honest. I am thinking of shutting this site completely down. I don’t really know what I am trying to accomplish with it anymore. My choices have led me down a new road and one where I don’t fully see a need for this blog anymore. I also don’t know what I am trying to accomplish by writing about this possibility. I guess I am just trying to write it down so that I can get it out of my head.
Part of me really needs this blog for the creativity, learning and expression. I just don’t know what I’d do if I don’t have a way to do that stuff. I guess that is the battle I am really fighting. What do I do with this mental energy and how do I channel that creativity. I can’t imagine not doing something so if it isn’t this, what is “IT”? I have tried tumblr, instagram, facebook, flickr, etc and I just don’t find any of them rewarding. I also can’t give this site 100% anymore and in my mind, I have let it slip since the new year. I hate letting things slip. But then there is the flip side, if I don’t spend the time doing this, what creative thing could I be learning and doing if I had that time?
So today, I am just putting it down on the virtual paper and putting it out there. It’s weighing on me and on my mind.
Jason, this site doesn’t have to “be” anything more than what it is already. Although I wish I had time to visit everyday, I don’t. But the days I do visit, I always find it rewarding. Chances are that’s the case for most of your followers. So if your new schedule doesn’t allow you to post every day, THAT’S OK. Just know that there are those of us out here who truly enjoy it when you do.
You are not alone with thoughts like these. I know another fellow near and dear to you going through a similar season of change, and well, if I am honest, I;ve been struggling with some of the same things you mention here as well.
I remember you saying something once- “Things happen for a reason.” I guess we are all trying to just catch up to the meaning of that and how life looks afterward.
These blogs help us to stay in touch. Many bloggers have abandoned and gone to facebook and other formats. If we all stop writing and posting pictures there will be a lot lost. Blogs help me learn of new rides, new places and new ideas. That’s why I like reading them. I vote that you keep posting whenever you feel like. You will always have readers.
Best,
Ari
If it is not rewarding for you, and is truly a hassle, it may not be worth continuing. However, it is a site where I look forward to seeing new and old pictures, stories, and descriptions of adventures big and small, so personally and selfishly, I hope that you keep doing it.
Like all things, maybe taking a short break, or not feeling that you have to post a picture each day, would be a good compromise to completely killing the whole thing.
funny, I have a draft I started on my blog a few days ago concerning some of the things you listed….I was thinking I wouldn’t post it….but now maybe I will. Won’t be for a couple of weeks, though, as I need to toss in a few other things first.
I can’t really give you direction for this blog, but I will mention that I just subscribed about a week ago and have enjoyed every visit, including today. You inspired me with words on how to explain my life on gravel also. People around here don’t get it, yet I am content with riding all alone on open gravel roads and searching for some elusive feeling or revelation. I suppose that I could load up my bike and drive 45 miles to the nearest trail head, but I know what is going to happen there. So I will continue my life on gravel and hope you continue to inspire me and others as well.
For my own selfish reasons I hope you keep the blog going. It’s a great blog and you post great images and it is a joy to read. It’s completely understandable if you need to let it go though as I’m sure it is a lot of work to come up with new posts for every day.
Great post. Something I struggle with a lot. Sometimes I get in a groove and I feel like I always have something to post. That usually slows and leads to me feeling like every time I leave the house I need to generate content. Like it’s just not coming easily. The reality is simple though. Few people read mine, so I have to do it for myself. When I want to, and what I want to. That’s the only way it can work. You can’t force it. Do what you need to do. I’ll always check back to see what you’re up to.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now. You make a lot of sense. We should ride bikes sometime and talk.
Gnat,
Don’t let the site go man! You are the calming blog voice that we (ok me) turn to in order to gain perspective on things. You’re like my blog Tony Robbins/Dr. Phil. While I am writing about low brow, sophomoric cycling/life nonsense on The Soiled Chamois or race culture on xxcmag.com you are here with your great photos, insight and perspective. Don’t think so much about it, the blog doesn’t have to be anything other than a place to share a bit of your creative skills.
I think you just need some gravel miles. I know I do.
-Jason
Good evening everyone. I want to thank you all for your thoughts, comments and ideas. I can’t begin to tell you how much they all mean to me.
In the moment, I do not plan on killing it. I don’t believe it is the right time to make such a decision for me, but it is on my mind. Right now, I don’t have that other outlet and until I have that figured out, I will need to put down my thoughts and images here.
thanks again.
Don’t force yourself into updating it daily. There are plenty of more “commercial” sites that only update every other day, or twice a week. Maybe posting less often will give you a bit of breathing room, and allow you the time to keep the quality that I’m sure you want to maintain. You could turn your Friday ride stoke into nothing more than a photo post and just ask your readers to post something about what the photo makes them feel, etc.
I’ve been posting to my blog as I have time or something interesting going on, but I don’t see the sense in posting every day as I know it’s not interesting.
Hey, Jason. I’ll just echo what everyone else has said so far. You have a unique voice and eye in the blog-o-sphere. It’d be a loss if you quit. May not seem like you’re making much of an impact from where you sit, and it may well not be worth the effort sometimes. But from out here, seems to me, you’re making quite a mark. In a way I see what you do as an act of service. You are a man of many gifts, and this is one way you share them with the greater world. Imagine sometimes that’s a joy, and sometimes it’s a drag. Whatever you decide – and I know you’re thinking out loud here – just know that your writing and images have and continue to make an impact on ME, and I’m grateful.
Thanks Andrew. Means a lot to me.