Traveling Basics

What's UP!?

This Week: Traveling 101

I am traveling to my first race of the 2017 season!
 Time to dust off the ole passport, pack up my bike, and hit the road.

This weeks destination: Havana, CUBA!




 I can't believe I get to travel to this mysterious and forbidden island. 

Unfortunately I will not have cell reception and am not promised any high quality wifi. So, hasta la vista baby!

I thought I would break down how I like to travel. 

Tip #1
Always smile and say thank you
Having a positive attitude can have a rippling effect. Appreciate the things you have. Show gratitude. Find beauty in the life you live today. You smiling, could turn someones day around. 

Tip #2
Practice Patience
Everyone is going some where, everyone is late, everyone is the most important person in the airport. Take a step back, breathe, and let the pushers, push. Karma always comes around. 

Tip #3
Never take bananas
They will always get smooshed

Bonus Tip
Clean your house before you travel. 
It's always nice to come back to a clean house. When you're already washing clothes and packing, you should continue and get organized while you have the chance. 

10 things to make the trip a little easier!

A BAG WITH LOTS OF POCKETS

   * You can never have too many pockets! Now that airlines are nickel and diming you for everything, now you can just fill your pockets full of things. I always have little bags, inside of medium bags, inside of bigger bags. I also like my bags to fit under my seat, so that I don't have to inconvenience the people sitting by me, but if you have longer legs, this may be a bigger issue. 

FOOD

     *No matter how near or far you are traveling, always take pre-made food or snacks. This way when you are delayed on the tarmac for an hour, you will not die with the single serving of smashed nuts they give you. 

   * For me, I always have the same little bag I travel with that has almond butter packets, oatmeal, rice, anything I can heat up in a hotel room when I travel. I have Gus, gatorade powder, anything I would need race day, if I couldn't make it to a store. Gum, almonds, etc. I take fruit domestically, but when traveling internationally be sure to check what you can and can't bring into other countries, you don't want to get fined.

TRAVEL PILLOW

   *Although I can fall asleep anywhere, at any time, with any noises, in any position, I like to have my travel pillow for added comfort, because why not?

JACKET, SOCKS, CHANGE OF CLOTHES

   * You never know if the airplane will be hot or cold, but airports usually seem so cold. Also, whenever you land you mind want to throw on a fresh pair of clothes, to make a good impression, or if you just stink. ;). Socks are my go too, for compression, to recover my legs, comfort, and hygiene, because although I am okay with my pedicured toes, some people may not be. 

HEAD PHONES

   * This is a good way to wind down on the plane. To actually listen to music, watch a movie, or to pretend you are so you don't have to listen to the lady next you babble.

WATER

   * Because they will never give you enough

CROSSWORD PUZZLE or BOOKS

   * I like to keep my mind busy with the New York Times Crossword. I do the Monday, easy puzzles, but I like the challenge. People like to do suduku, and other brain games. Even grab a book or buy one in the airport. Learn something.

LAPTOP or IPAD

   * Now is a perfect chance to get up on those e-mails, or if you don't have wifi, organize those files and photo albums

EYE DROPS, CHAPSTICK, DEODORANT, ETC. 

   * Small toiletries are so easy to pack and an easy way to freshen up after a long travel stent. After sleeping, or being attacked by the airplanes , you do not want to get to your destination and look like you've been up all night. People may just think you've been on drugs

MELOTONIN, IBUPROFEN

* Sometimes traveling doesn't go so easy and you just need some pain killers, have ibuprofen on hand for those head aches. We don't want your attitude to affect everyone else. Also, for long international flights, take some natural Melotonin or Ambien to help get you to sleep.

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Moments

Happiest moment

When I get off the plane and Logan is right there to pick me up.

Saddest moment

Getting to a gate after I'd been delayed, running through the airport, just watching the doors shut and plane back away. #defeated

Funniest moment on a plane

When I first travelled with Joe Maloy and he pulled out a full cucumber and carrots to snack on, not your typical airplane snack, but inspired me to bring my own snacks.

Weidest moment

I was sleeping on a United plane and all the sudden I felt water sprinkle on my face. I thought it was the guy next to me, spitting on me in his sleep, but then I looked up and it was coming from the ceiling. It's happened two more times after that. 

Scariest moment

I've actually felt relatively safe on all my flights, turbulence always occurs flying in and out of Colorado. 

When we were in the Istanbul airport, there was some guy walking around yelling, I felt a little uneasy.

FUN FACTS 

My Longest flight

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Los Angeles, CADuration: 15 hours, 39 minutes
Distance: 8,387 miles

favorite airlines

United 

favorite airport

Portland (PDX) or Frankfurt

Coolest celeb spotting

I wish this happened more often. I've only seen one celebrity, that was Vana White

Random fact

Sitting in the tail of an airplane improves chances of accident survival by 40%.

-  -  -  -  -  -

Are you a window seater, middle row seater, or aisle seater?

I am ALWAYS a window seater. I love the window, I can rest my head and all of my things. Most people don't like not being able to get up or go to the bathroom, but I love getting all my stuff out and making a home for the next couple hours.

Logan is opposite, of course. He is an aisle seater. He likes to roam around, get up, move, put his legs in the aisle. It works out perfectly. 

I'm not sure there are people who like the middle seat ;)

Remember to SMILE

Happy travels!