Zach Attack's Journey across the US
Donation protected
“You are so complicated; trying to understand things that are not meant to be understood unless it is the appropriate time. You climb mountains and can hardly catch a breath before the same body that you carried up falls freely into the unknown at uncontrollable speeds. Of course, no one really knows exactly what drives you to do certain things; why you put yourself through such struggle only to say that the reward is so much sweeter than the parts that made you humble. In all fairness, you make it, and that IS sweet. But what would that be without the times you admitted you were weak? When things don’t work you seek change. When things do work but are the same, are you insane? So why did the chicken cross the road? There are plenty of reasons to the chicken but to everyone watching, it was only trying to get to the other side. You are the chicken, scared and alone. You don’t know why you do it but you hope to find a home.”
I am going on a bicycle ride from Fairfield, California to Brooklyn, New York. About four months ago, I rode a bike in Yangshuo Guilin City, China. I begged my sister to ride with me. Miraculously, she agreed and together we rode for only 15 minutes up and down a busy street of cars and mopeds, other bikers and pedestrians. As much as she hated it, she did it because she cared about my well-being. I hadn’t had that much fun in a long time and I am now thirsty for a healthy adventure. Before that, I hadn’t even touched a bike since my sister taught me how to ride one. She has been my training wheels in more ways than I can imagine. Ever since that bike ride in China, I imagined how fun it would be to struggle my way back to her place in New York. She has been an inspiration. And I guess a large part of me wants to express that by inspiring others along the way.
After returning from China, I quit my job at Costco with hopes to pursue a full-time career in fine art and illustration, (I owe a lot to the Costco family, every one of them, for treating me with nothing but kindness and respect and for inspiring me to push harder regardless of the conditions). I began thinking more about what it would be like to ride a bike for so many miles than how I was going to pursue a career in art. So, I decided to go with my gut and to do what I wanted to do. Besides, what better time than now? I’m 27 years old, in decent health, and I can still create artwork to help pay for stuff. I didn’t think I needed help and I didn’t even want to tell anybody about this because I truly felt that it would no longer be my own journey if I did, but after talking to family (God bless them), I decided to share my journey in a way that people can actually own a piece of my experience.
This is where YOU come in and this is where you can become a part of my experience by owning original artwork from this journey. I’m going to send a postcard from whatever state I’m traveling through with words and an illustration for donations $20-$49. For donations $50 and over, you’ll receive an 8x10 illustration (illustrations will be randomly selected to include color) over a map of one of the states that I pass through. After donating, I’ll message you for mailing information so I can send it to you. If we are not Facebook friends or if I have no other way to contact you, please email me an address you would like the artwork/postcard sent to, it would save me from trying to find you on Facebook or I may not be able to send anything to you.
Donations will be used for food, shelter and supplies. I’m going to be stealth camping 6 days per week and staying in a motel for the 7th day so anything will help!
I’m leaving April 1st, 2016 and it will take me approximately two and a half months to three months to reach my destination. It'd be great if I could get all donations in by the end of March so I can make a list of who to send postacrds and artwork to. This GoFundMe opportunity will be open from now until I arrive or maybe a little after. I’ll be sending postcards along the way but I’m going to work on the 8x10 drawings when I reach Brooklyn, so those will not be sent until later.
This journey means a great deal to me. I cope with many fears and anxieties but I am determined to overcome them and hopefully inspire others to do something different if theyre in the same place! Anyone can accomplish a goal as long as they take action. We all go through phases and transitions in life. This is one that I may never have the chance to share with anyone again. I thank you all for even taking the time out to read this and I wish you God’s grace wherever you may be in life. Remember to always enjoy the struggle!
Below is an example of artwork that $50 and over donors will recieve:
I am going on a bicycle ride from Fairfield, California to Brooklyn, New York. About four months ago, I rode a bike in Yangshuo Guilin City, China. I begged my sister to ride with me. Miraculously, she agreed and together we rode for only 15 minutes up and down a busy street of cars and mopeds, other bikers and pedestrians. As much as she hated it, she did it because she cared about my well-being. I hadn’t had that much fun in a long time and I am now thirsty for a healthy adventure. Before that, I hadn’t even touched a bike since my sister taught me how to ride one. She has been my training wheels in more ways than I can imagine. Ever since that bike ride in China, I imagined how fun it would be to struggle my way back to her place in New York. She has been an inspiration. And I guess a large part of me wants to express that by inspiring others along the way.
After returning from China, I quit my job at Costco with hopes to pursue a full-time career in fine art and illustration, (I owe a lot to the Costco family, every one of them, for treating me with nothing but kindness and respect and for inspiring me to push harder regardless of the conditions). I began thinking more about what it would be like to ride a bike for so many miles than how I was going to pursue a career in art. So, I decided to go with my gut and to do what I wanted to do. Besides, what better time than now? I’m 27 years old, in decent health, and I can still create artwork to help pay for stuff. I didn’t think I needed help and I didn’t even want to tell anybody about this because I truly felt that it would no longer be my own journey if I did, but after talking to family (God bless them), I decided to share my journey in a way that people can actually own a piece of my experience.
This is where YOU come in and this is where you can become a part of my experience by owning original artwork from this journey. I’m going to send a postcard from whatever state I’m traveling through with words and an illustration for donations $20-$49. For donations $50 and over, you’ll receive an 8x10 illustration (illustrations will be randomly selected to include color) over a map of one of the states that I pass through. After donating, I’ll message you for mailing information so I can send it to you. If we are not Facebook friends or if I have no other way to contact you, please email me an address you would like the artwork/postcard sent to, it would save me from trying to find you on Facebook or I may not be able to send anything to you.
Donations will be used for food, shelter and supplies. I’m going to be stealth camping 6 days per week and staying in a motel for the 7th day so anything will help!
I’m leaving April 1st, 2016 and it will take me approximately two and a half months to three months to reach my destination. It'd be great if I could get all donations in by the end of March so I can make a list of who to send postacrds and artwork to. This GoFundMe opportunity will be open from now until I arrive or maybe a little after. I’ll be sending postcards along the way but I’m going to work on the 8x10 drawings when I reach Brooklyn, so those will not be sent until later.
This journey means a great deal to me. I cope with many fears and anxieties but I am determined to overcome them and hopefully inspire others to do something different if theyre in the same place! Anyone can accomplish a goal as long as they take action. We all go through phases and transitions in life. This is one that I may never have the chance to share with anyone again. I thank you all for even taking the time out to read this and I wish you God’s grace wherever you may be in life. Remember to always enjoy the struggle!
Below is an example of artwork that $50 and over donors will recieve:
Organizer
Young Zachary
Organizer
