As a blogger, I get a lot of junk in my inbox. Every single day I get pitches about hotels and apps and shoes and… well, you name it. Most of it goes directly in the trash, but every once in a while a gem comes in. And so it was when STM wrote asking [...]
About Nancy Sathre-Vogel
After 21 years as a classroom teacher, Nancy Sathre-Vogel finally woke up and realized that life was too short to spend it all with other people's kids. She and her husband quit their jobs and, together with their twin sons, climbed aboard bicycles to see the world. They enjoyed four years cycling as a family - three of them riding from Alaska to Argentina and one exploring the USA and Mexico. Now they back in Idaho, putting down roots, enjoying life at home, and living a different type of adventure. It's a fairly sure bet that you'll find her either writing on her computer or creating fantastical pieces with the beads she's collected all over the world. TestAuthor Archive | Nancy Sathre-Vogel
31 Days to a Dream: Have single-minded determination
Single-minded determination. Or bull-headedness. It’s a double-edged sword. I know I’ve been called stubborn a time or two. Or thirty five. And not in a good way, either. And yet good things can come from that quality if you use it right. In order to make your dream happen, you’ll need to be single-minded. Stubborn. [...]
Creating my Own Dream Design
Today’s guest post comes from Justin Harmon, who runs the blog Unplugged Recreated. He decided to break out of the matrix and learn a new way to live in the world. It is logical, it makes sense, it’s scientific, it’s spiritual, and it is fun. I’ve done a lot of things in my life I’m [...]
31 Days to a Dream: Face your Fear
I’ve talked about fear a lot on this blog – and with good reason. Perhaps the biggest thing standing between you and your dreams is fear. It’s important to realize that fear is just a feeling and can be worked on. It will take an enormous amount of strength within to fight it off, but [...]
Helicopter vs. Free-Range Parenting
Today’s guest poster, Brian Jones, has attempted an honest discussion about two very different parenting approaches. Please weigh in with your thoughts – what do you think? Which approach leads to better-adjusted kids? Parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world. After all, as a parent, you are in charge of shaping and [...]
Education for kids: Consider all options
Consider all options. That has become our mantra when it comes to our sons’ education. There was a time, many years ago, when we fully expected that our sons would follow the standard path through school. We figured they would go through elementary, middle, and high school just like millions of other kids do. And [...]
What kind of sacrifices are you willing to make for your dream?
Once upon a time, if you had asked me about sacrifices, I would have said I wasn’t making any. I had willingly traded in my kitchen for a tiny campstove. I didn’t mind the hassle of having to pull the various parts out of our panniers, assemble the stove, find a flat spot on the [...]
Convertible backpack/pannier from North St. Bags: A review
I think I’ve found the perfect bag for a bike commuter. I wouldn’t use it for bike touring, but for day-to-day commuting to work or school, it’s perfect. The Woodward Convertible from North St. Bags is a very well-thought-out convertible backpack and pannier. Use it as a pannier while riding your bike, then open a [...]
RockiNoggins helmet cover: A review
I love this thing! I will be the first to admit that I’m not into fashion. Nobody would ever accuse me of being stylish. But still, I get tired of wearing that boring ol’ bike helmet all the time. RockiNoggins is a new company based out of Seattle that is making the coolest helmet covers [...]
How to stop fear in its tracks
One of the biggest reasons why we don’t try or do something is because of our fear of it. Fear however, is often an irrational influence on our decisions. Why do I say this? I’ve worked around animals most my entire life. I’ve owned an assortment of amphibians, reptiles, snakes, insects and have worked with [...]
From a bike journey to a spiritual path: An interview with Cindie Cohagan
I first “met” Cindie Cohagan back in 2006. On our first year-long family bike tour, we happened to pass through the town of Prescott, Arizona, and had dinner with some new-found friends. “I’ve got some friends who have been traveling the world on their bikes for a few years now,” one of the women said. [...]
Exploring New York City by Bike
When many people think of New York City, they think of Times Square, Broadway shows, shopping on Fifth Avenue and eating in gourmet restaurants. While all of these are popular things to do in New York City, the chance to see some of the classic city sights is an opportunity that should not be passed [...]
Clothes for bike touring
What do you need in terms of clothes for bike touring? It’s hard to say. One thing I’ve noticed consistently is that each cyclist has his/her own preferences for clothes, so it’s hard to say what you should take with you. All I can do is give some idea about what we packed (and each [...]
What kind of shoes do I need for bike touring?
The shoes you wear while touring on your bicycle will dictate a lot of your tour and will be one of the most basic decisions you will need to make. Do you want dedicated, hard-soled cycling shoes? Or will regular sneakers work for you? Depending on what kind of tour you are planning, you might [...]
Steel or aluminum bike frame for touring?
One of the current debates about touring bikes is whether an aluminum or steel bike frame is a better choice. In the end, it comes down to personal choice. Aluminum is more rigid, which some people prefer. Steel flexes, which leads to a more comfortable ride for many. There is, however, another consideration that needs [...]
In search of the perfect steel water bottle
You’ve heard the reports. I’ve heard the reports. Plastic may be bad for you. I resisted the change at first – I liked my old Nalgene bottle that’s been with me for ages. It was the perfect size, I knew how to handle it, and… well, we had developed memories together. But health comes first, [...]






