A chat with global bike tourist --and all around awesome person -- Jasmine Reese, on her journey, her four-legged companion, Fiji, and the adventures living the vagabond life.

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The Interview: The Vagabond Life with Jasmine Reese Jasmine Reese is a violinist and self-described vagabond on a personal adventure she describes as her “Road School of Music.” On March 1, 2016, she hopped on her bicycle wither dog Fiji and violin in tow, living a boundless life full of musical opportunities. She believes in inspiring people, not just with her story, but also through the random acts of kindness and generous people she meets on a daily basis. Jasmine wants people to feel hope in a seemingly hopeless world.     You are tackling the great challenge of any bicycle traveller - going around the world. What were the things that triggered this adventure for you?   You ride with gear that is pretty atypical for a world traveler... your fiddle and your dog Fiji to name two. What's your setup like and how has it evolved as you've been traveling?   Most recently you crossed Canada this summer and you've traveled the US now and before... what would you say is the biggest contrast between the countries from a touring perspective?   Over on one of the FB groups you addressed your experience as a woman of color cycling the world. Sadly the thread got hijacked by some pretty awful people, but I was wondering if you'd talk about it here?   From a FB post: What do you like most about living on a bicycle? When I am riding, I feel powerful. I don't feel fat. I don't feel ugly. I feel like the most beautiful person in the world, exploring some of the most beautiful places. It was this year while bicycling that I finally said to myself something I've never said before, "I like me. I like myself." <--- Does that sum up 2016 for you?   What are your goals for 2017?   How can Pedalshift listeners follow or pitch in?   fijapaw.com FijaPAW on Facebook   Listen to another conversation with Jasmine over on Cat Caperello's great podcast, The Joyride too!   Update since we spoke, Jasmine has a line on possibly sailing to Mexico, so her adventures are really starting to warm up. Be sure to add her to your follow list on social media... as you heard, Jasmine is an inspiring person! Pedalshift Society A big thank you to all of the monthly supporters of the show! If you like what you hear, you can help me keep the show listener-supported while expanding the offerings. Five bucks, two bucks or even 1 helps with the costs of hosting the podcast and the website, and you can do it for a bit and cancel anytime. One-shot support is welcome if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it out and join at pedalshift.net/society. And society members please go to pedalshift.net/stickers and let me know where to send some Pedalshift stickers to you! On to the Society!   Ethan Georgi Matt Buker Kimberly Wilson Caleb Jenkinson Cameron Lien Andrew MacGregor Michael Hart Josiah Matthews Keith Nagel Brock Dittus Thomas Skadow Michael Riscica Seth Krieger Marco Lo Terrance Manson Noah Schroer Harry Telgadas John Sikorski  Richard Killian Chris Barron Scott Taylor Brian Hren Mark Van Raam Brad Hipwell
Paul Mulvey Stuart Buchan And all anonymous and past contributors for helping make this show happen! Music

The Pedalshift Project theme is America courtesy of Jason Kent off his self-titled solo album. Check out his band Sunfields' latest release, Habitat, wherever cool music resides. And a little birdy tells me Jason's recording some new music. More when I know...