 |
| Getting dropped to start the ride across Nevada |
What do you think about when riding a bike 90 miles across Nevada's desert?
Well for me, it was a lot of "why am I doing this" and "how is what I'm doing making
a difference" questions. I know that I've talked a lot about how riding my bike
100 miles/day for 5 straight days, will make a difference in people's life or
bring more awareness to the fight against breast cancer, but while I pedaled
away for 5.5 hours, what I came to realize is I'm doing this mostly for me. All
those other points about awareness, making a difference are great (and I would
hope some of this is true), but my realization is I'm being selfish. Taking 4
days from my family (especially a time when my wife needs me???) and indulging
in a self centered act is all I could come up with. As I passed a state park,
Lahontan, where the locals go to do water sports (water is so low I don't think
anyone can use the lake?) it donned me that this EPIC ride across Nevada is a
coping mechanism helping me to deal with wife's cancer? Maybe all this really only
has a benefit for me? The further I rode into the late afternoon the more clear
this became to me. Could this be the reason for my ride? God's way of guiding me
to a new enlightening? All these thoughts swirling around under my pink biking
helmet were really taking a mental toll of me.
Late in the afternoon I could feel the sun sinking down towards the horizon, it's mid day heat fading
away just as the hours do, and I discover I have made over 3/4 of the days ride. One
positive of all the days mental gymnastics is I had totally lost track of both
the time and the incredible leg soreness that I was experiencing. Now after 4.5
hours traversing the western Nevada desert, I found myself to focus on my
fatigued legs to continue any philosophical thoughts. The last 15 miles were a
struggle of wills. Will my legs start cramping, will my low amount of water
last, and will I have enough energy to make Fallon. I was pretty happy when see
got a glimpse of Fallon's first stop light. As I pulled my bike to a stop (light
turned "red" just as I got there) I just yelled out to no one in particular
(seeing that I hadn't had a conversation with anyone other then myself for the
last 4 hours, I guess that hoped a passing car might answer me), and I felt
euphoric. This day was to me my personal best in both length of ride and total
continuous time on a bike (90 miles, 5.5 hours). Then just as the light turned
green again I realized that tomorrow's ride was longer and likely harder? Well
at least I got a fleeting moment of happiness in.
I'm not sure what to make of this? I had a encounter that I believe most people
would agree with me must have been a holy intervention? First to set the tone
and get to the holy part, I have to tell you about my "burning calves". Even
though I have spent the last 14 days planning this bike ride, I still absent
mindedly forgot a few things, but none as bad as the sunscreen. Riding 410
miles, in cloudless 90 degree weather without protection, might just be the
worse thing one could do? After riding down from South Lake Tahoe on Spooner
pass, I could start to feel the burning like a hot skillet on the backs of my
calves. First thing that jumped into my mind was, "Dag, I forgot to put on
sunscreen, and the second was, I need to stop now and get some. Riding your
bike across Nevada is tough enough, but doing it as red as a Lobster would be, oh
so bad. So I pulled Lourdes into a Shell gas station just out of Carson City. I
was unsure whether or not they'd have any sunscreen, but was hopeful? While
dismounting my bike, a young lady and her daughter pulled their car in behind
where I had parked my bike. As she exited her car she immediately commented on
my pink breast cancer jersey. "I like your shirt, where you riding your bike
to", was her first question? I capitalized on the opportunity to explain that I
was riding my bike from the California to the Utah border and wearing the pink
breast cancer jersey to bring awareness for breast cancer survivors, like my
wife. She was touched by the fact that I would ride my bike that far, and be a
big supporter of women effected by the disease, and when I told her my ultimate
goal was to ride 1500 miles next summer to raise money for a local breast cancer
support group, she immediately ask, "how can I donate"? I then realized that I
didn't really have a way for people outside my family, friends, and patients to
donate to the cause. I was touched that she wanted to donate, and quickly
produced $5 and handed it to me saying "I want to help, my mother has been
battling breast cancer for years and I'm touched by your interest in helping
breast cancer victims". Wow, an unexpected pleasant surprise. I never expected
to get money donated by a bystander during this trip. Hard to not see this as a
sign that I'm on the right track, and my journey is important. This world is
full of caring, kind people.
 |
| First $5 donated to Breast Cancer cause. |
My luck continued as when I inquired about the convenience store have sunblock,
they had one tube of 45 spf protection left. No matter that the small tube costs
more then my lunch, it was vital that I buy it to protect my exposed skin. After
generously apply the new sunblock, I was eager to get back on my way, as I still
had another 60 or so miles to go today.
I couldn't help but think that someone was ridding with me on this important journey?
No comments:
Post a Comment