Words and photos by Andrew Mohama

The last time I biked across the United States, my perspective of the bicycle began to shift. The bike is not just a machine continually optimized for efficiency and nimbleness; it’s a vessel for connection and understanding. What I remember the most from those 70 days of taking the scenic route 4,500 miles across the U.S. has nothing to actually do with biking but everything to do with the conversations had and the people I met. While the allure of epic landscapes, daunting climbs, and challenging conditions is undeniable, there’s a deeper dimension we can explore: human connection. 

It’s been six years since I last biked across America from Baltimore to San Francisco, and a lot has changed in my life both on and off the bike. These changes, including moving cities, three different jobs, enduring a pandemic, beginning medical school, grief, joy, and the unrelenting impermanence of life have all fed into the values and passions I carry with me today. In many ways, whether I knew it or not, the past six years built a scaffolding inspiring my second cross-country tour this summer. This time around, I am riding from San Francisco back home to Chicago and calling it the Bike Listening Tour. This is a dedication to the conversations I hope to have during the ride. This tour combines my love for cycling, storytelling, vulnerable conversations, and narrative-based research all into one adventure. I am carrying out an IRB-approved qualitative research study I dreamt up titled Loneliness and the Healing Effects of Community and Support: Understanding Human Connection Across America. It is overwhelmingly evident how harmful the effects of loneliness are on humans, damaging our mental and physical health. So worrisome, this issue has taken number one precedence by Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States. This tour was born out of an interest to understand this issue more deeply while narrowing in on the restorative power of listening. 

On July 11, I will take the Amtrak train from Chicago to San Francisco with a bike loaded up with gear only to turn around and bike the 2,500+ miles home. Along the way, I will be meeting with anyone and everyone who is willing to talk to me—asking people about their experiences of community connectedness, social isolation, authentic lived experiences, and more. 

The bike as a vessel, storytelling as a compass

Storytelling can be a compass, guiding us towards shared experiences that transcend the physical act of cycling. If given the safe space to share and truly listen, storytelling becomes a tool that allows people to relive pivotal moments, process them, and maybe even seek closure or revelation. The stories we hear from the individuals we encounter become intertwined with our own narratives, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.

Through storytelling, we bridge the gap between strangers and uncover the common threads that weave us together as a global community. We learn about the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of those we meet, and in doing so, we broaden our own understanding of the world. It’s in these connections that we find solace, inspiration, and a deeper sense of purpose.

A renewed intention

While not every adventure may yield profound connection and growth or even calls for it, I seize this moment to encourage others, beckoning them to embrace a fresh perspective on adventure. Let’s place the power of connection at the forefront of our journeys, recognizing that the bike is merely a conduit for something greater. Yes, embarking on epic adventures is thrilling, and there’s a world of richness waiting to be discovered in the communities we pass through and the people we meet along the way. In doing so, we may elevate our cycling experiences from mere physical feats to profound journeys of the heart and soul. 

So, I am embarking on this bike tour with a renewed intention—not to conquer terrain, but to embrace the untold stories and rich history of the people who dwell in the very terrain I traverse. It means riding with the communities rather than simply passing through. It means honoring and acknowledging the Indigenous roots that lie beneath each mile. It means asking questions and listening with intent. And most importantly, it means taking the time to pause, take a breath, and think outside the scope of our own lives.

On this bike listening tour, I will open myself to the stories that unfold along the way, allowing them to shape me and fuel my own narrative. While I do not know exactly what I will find, I do know I will uplift the voices of people who may never have had the space to share their inner world.

What I’m riding and why

My vessel of choice is the Otso Waheela C, which has essentially been my go-to companion for all bike adventures in the past few years. Even though I will primarily be riding on road this summer, I knew to leave my aero road bike at home and opt for the Waheela C. In all honesty, this is something I find myself doing even on fast road rides back home in Chicago. Here’s why: it walks the talk when we say get a bike that does it all. This is the bike that took me around gnarly terrain in Iceland’s Westfjords loaded with mountain bike tires. It is also the bike I put 32mm road race tires and tackled the Rough Road 100 in Chicagoland. For this bike listening tour, I’ve got 38mm tires loaded, a 38T Wolf Tooth chainring 1x with 11-42T Shimano GRX, and the Waheela C rear rack loaded with panniers. It is comfortable, reliable, fast, light as a feather, and utterly adaptable for comfort. But it’s not just about adaptability; the Waheela C goes the extra mile when it comes to touring functionality. With additional frame and fork mounting points, I effortlessly attached bottles and racks, carrying all the essentials for the self-supported journey. All of these intricacies are wonderful, but here’s the main thing: it’s the bike that gets me most excited about riding. And when it comes to riding hundreds of miles day after day, all I can ask for is continued excitement for my companion on this solo tour.