The first time Isaac and I set out for an overnight bike trip we got no more than 1.5 miles from my front door when a screw destroyed a tire in a way we were not prepared to fix. I was ready to give up on that attempt, but a couple hours late after a visit to the bike store we pushed off again. We arrived at our destination quite late in the evening but we had shown ourselves we could do something.
Although we got off to a glorious start, this week’s trip has similarly presented an early mishap as an injury has taken Isaac off the bike for the week. We are all saddened by this development and the tour won’t be the same without him in the saddle but whenever injury like this occurs I am always most grateful that it is not more serious. However, by bringing the unexpected into our day this development also reminded me what is for me the core value of the bike trips: They push us beyond the boundary of ordinary life. After Isaac’s injury, Dakota and Rolando proceeded to complete today’s course as originally intended logging 70 miles and 4000′ of climbing, likely a personal record for them both. They proved for themselves that they could do something.
I eventually came into Greenfield for the evening riding by myself, accumulating an unplanned total of 99.6 miles for the day and having doubled back over our largest climb. At one point I found myself after dark, on small unfamiliar back roads with cows and deer, no cars around, no phone service, out of water, a rain shower starting, and very tired legs. Outside my comfort zone, yes, but in that moment the road was mine and at least I felt alive, engaged, and in control of my own outcome. Creating unforgettable moments is not an easy thing to do. That is why we do this.
Well said Devon. You and Isaac will both be outside your comfort zones this week and still drawing strength from each other as usual. Onward.