between the lines

Even though there have only been four days of riding since our last rest day, this one in Mitchell, South Dakota seems more than deserved. Three days of head winds buffeted us as we left Rochester, MN. And I must say, despite the difficulties, this is the best I have felt all trip. Each day is a mystery, and it's hard to say if you'll feel accomplished, demolished, or admonished by the end of he day. Some days you just don't feel like riding, but there will be little occurrences (like a town with a population of 16, or a friend offering you a piece of gas station cheese) along the way that remind you why this trip is so fantastic.

Just two days ago during our ride into Sioux City, everything seemed to be going well until Tim took a dive on some less than well maintained pavement. He is fine, but got in the van just to be safe, and not a mile later after we hit the road again my chain snapped while climbing a hill. Fellow riders helped me take out two links so that I could continue riding (with a slightly shorter chain). All of this and only eight miles out from our destination. It goes to show that unexpected moments can change the ride in an instant.

I've been trying to rationalize the amount of time we've been biking, and understand these new situations, modes of living that I've thrown myself into. I'm even starting to develop a nostalgia, dejavu, even a slight hypnosis whenever I hop on the bike for our daily ride. My mind will start to drift and take me back to other parts of the country from other times in the summer (I think its bound to happen when biking becomes your primary activity). This last stretch leading into Mitchell sent me back to the planes of Illinois. Familiar to a fault. One observation that forces me to wake from this cycling trance is the subtle yet pervasive shift in scenery. South Dakota has become a cross-roads. Not only in that we have surpassed 2000 miles. The colors around us are growing warmer ad the landscape grows more sparce. We are on a threshold: east and west, young and old, known and unknown.

Rest days go by so fast. And despite the word rest, I have a lot left to do before tomorrow. blog you soon.
-MH

Getting a Grip

Today was easily the hottest of the trip so far. I'm sure others have equally griped about this, but It was 102 degrees with the heat index! I just took a break from cleaning off the road tar that adhered to my bike to write this entry. I even bought another toothbrush so I could demote my current toothbrush to bike cleaning duty.

I must admit I was ecstatic to find out that Christ Memorial Lutheran had a garden hose ready and waiting for us. Everywhere we go we meet such enthusiastic and welcoming people. Some you would expect to be, but others are totally random, like the cashier at Wallgreens who turned out to be a cancer survivor. If I was ever a pessimistic person, I think these experiences have had a positive affect on my thoughts about others and even humanity in general for that matter.

Okay, more tar awaits, its been lovely blogging to you. Tomorrow is 84 and rain, I don't think I've ever been so happy about that forecast.

Ready, Set, Ride

What a summer. Unfortunately this is my first time posting about the summer, but I assure many posts to follow.It's hard to sum up how things have gone so far, simply because it has been overwhelming. Everyday there are a myriad of new experiences that challenge and reward us. I can easily say that the last two and a half weeks have felt more like a month and a half.It's becoming exceedingly apparent that this trip is not a mere vacation, it is a way of life. I would liken it to being a nomad moving from place to place relying on the generosity of others for shelter, food, etc. The one activity that becomes our main priority is biking, which is strange when you think about it. Most people work or volunteer to earn validation in society, but now, for us, biking has become that source of validation. I guess the one thing that we have to offer is perseverance and thats something worth passing on. Everyday I try to think of the people who are going through physical and mental hardship from their ailments, and I think of lending my strength to them just as they may lend their strength to me. Knowing that there are those people out there, makes climbing the monstrous hill ahead that much easier.We're currently in Homewood, a southern suburb of Chicago. I'm can't wait to see the family whom have supported me throughout this process as we ride into millennium park tomorrow morning. It will be a brief homecoming, but one well earned. This trip has been incredible so far, and I have no idea what the future may hold.Random moments:-Reapplying sunscreen at lunch only to find that the sunscreen has mixed with salty sweat already on my skin, peanut-butter from lunch and dirt from the road.-Every shower I take is the best shower of my life. (except when lights in the bathroom are controlled by motion sensor and I have to stick my arm out of the shower and flail about every minute so that I can bathe in the light.)-Waking up at 4:30am to run inside with sleeping bag/pad because of unexpected rain storms.-Only getting flats when its raining outside (changing a tube with numb hands is very difficult!)-Icy Hot and Ibuprofin help me through a lot of days, I think I deserve a sponsorship.Thanks for reading. blog you soon.