Just what is it that you do?
The two of us are biking across the country with a sign that says "Talk To Me", striking up conversations with strangers wherever we go. We take our sign anywhere: bars, hotels, casinos, nursing homes, military bases, malls, sidewalks, truck stops, train stations, college campuses, and convention centers.
Why are you doing this?
Because we're curious. And we think people are rather curious as well. Because people need to talk to each other. Not with any agenda, hidden motive, or business deal behind it, but just plain ol' fashioned friendly conversation. Because strangers have a lot to teach each other in ways they might not ever realize. Because there needs to be some place to trade the thousands of ideas and perspectives that people carry around with them just about wherever they go. Because this sign manages to start conversations that might not have happened at work, at home, or with the same old group of friends.
When did you start?
We started our "Talk To Me" idea in New York in the months after September 11th. Our bicycle trip around the country began in Novemeber of 2004.
What's your route?
We play it by ear. We love backroads when we can find them, we ride interstates if we have to. We went straight south from New York to Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans. Then we crossed west through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. For the second half of the loop, we biked up to Washington, and across through Montana, Wyoming, and Minnesota. Finally we'll head from Chicago, back through Pittsburgh, and try to get to New York around Thanksgiving.
How do you pay for this?
We live at $7.00 per-person per-day total. OK, we admit, if we bike a lot and are really hungry it might be $10 a day. We're basically funded by the random jobs we've picked up along the way, and the kind folks who make donations on our site. We've spent a total of $33 on lodging for the first 6 months, camping out or staying with kind strangers most of the time. We're a cheap date.
What do people talk about?
You name it - it's been talked about. Seriously.
Don't you ever get tired or bored of this?
Boredom is the last thing we're worried about. There will always be the occasional ranters and ravers across the spectrum who feel the need to repeat themselves at loud volume for at least ten minutes, but they're few and far between. And sure, we'll take a few breaks on a fourteen-hour day of conversations and sleep hard that night.
Are you trained in psychology?
Formally? No. But can we talk and listen like anyone else? Sure. We're not claiming any expertise, just a bit of street-side friendliness and openness.
Are you writing about this?
We've been scribbling in our journals for nearly every day of this project, but that's not unusual for either of us. We're not researchers seeking out data from "the American people". We just try to write every night and jot down the overwhelming stories, personalities, and places we've encountered.
So what's next?
We're not sure. We have plenty of other crazy ideas to get strangers to look their neighbor in the eye, and not many dollars to do it. Maybe we'll take "talk to me" around the world! Who knows.
How can we find you?
Since we're on the road, the best way to get in touch with us is through e-mail. We get online every few days at a public library or internet cafe, and try to keep in touch with people the best we can.

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