...100F degree temperatures would abruptly drop to 20. A few days ago we were snowed in for a day in Eureka, Nevada!
...we'd have to watch out for mountain lions and rattler snakes. We were warned about a few isolated mountain lion attacks in California, and rattler snakes became a motif in Nevada. We saw many sunning themselves alongside US Hwy 50 - coined "The Loneliest Road in America" by LIFE magazine.
...to climb so much in a single day! Today we started at ~6,000 feet and pedaled 25 miles to ~10,000 feet. The scenery was breathtaking - we're now in Utah and the massive red rock cliffs and canyons are brilliant against a bright blue sky.
...we'd have to lose a teammate so soon. Anne fainted and fell off of her bike two days ago. She's got a pretty good concussion and a broken collarbone. We've sent her to Salt Lake City for R & R with her auntie, hoping she'll heal quickly and re-join us in a few week's time.
27 May 2008
19 May 2008
From Fallon, Nevada!
After five days peddling strong we've stopped for a rest. Altogether, we've logged approximately 300 miles - traveling through arrid regions, up lucsious mountain passes at 8,500 ft., and then down, coasting, curving and trying not to get smacked by too many bugs in the face. I had a fly hit me square in the forehead, and another drop down my top on yesterday's 15 mile descent.
We're starting to look like real cyclists, with crazy tan lines from our jerseys and gloves. We've also met many other cycling wanderers; Hugh and Pete from Seattle are two on an incredible journey to St. Andrew's, Florida. Hugh's got a salt and pepper beard and is relishing his recent retirement freedom. Pete rides a recumbant bike, and is able to update his blog every day on his Blackberry!
Our days are a mix of riding, respites at roadside stops with cool icy drinks, spontaneous chats with people we encounter, and evening meals together at any random location. Thus far, we've stayed at a hippy house in Davis, outside a firestation in Rescue, and beside a lake in Kirkwood, California. In Fallon we're at the fairgrounds - for $1/person per night!
I'm learning loads everyday - like how to pack up strategically quick, stay hydrated in the streak heat wave we're caught in, and sleep soundly on almost any surface. I see success in movement; at times we zoom along with the westerly winds at our backs, other times we inch forward, climbing seemingly interminable 10 percent gradients.
While we sat in front of "Soap and Suds" this a.m. waiting for our clothes to dry, Annie reminded me that each part of the journey is significant. She said, "Elise, you only get to coast down what you've climbed up." And with this in mind I prepare for our next jaunt, into the heart of the Sierra Nevadas!
We're starting to look like real cyclists, with crazy tan lines from our jerseys and gloves. We've also met many other cycling wanderers; Hugh and Pete from Seattle are two on an incredible journey to St. Andrew's, Florida. Hugh's got a salt and pepper beard and is relishing his recent retirement freedom. Pete rides a recumbant bike, and is able to update his blog every day on his Blackberry!
Our days are a mix of riding, respites at roadside stops with cool icy drinks, spontaneous chats with people we encounter, and evening meals together at any random location. Thus far, we've stayed at a hippy house in Davis, outside a firestation in Rescue, and beside a lake in Kirkwood, California. In Fallon we're at the fairgrounds - for $1/person per night!
I'm learning loads everyday - like how to pack up strategically quick, stay hydrated in the streak heat wave we're caught in, and sleep soundly on almost any surface. I see success in movement; at times we zoom along with the westerly winds at our backs, other times we inch forward, climbing seemingly interminable 10 percent gradients.
While we sat in front of "Soap and Suds" this a.m. waiting for our clothes to dry, Annie reminded me that each part of the journey is significant. She said, "Elise, you only get to coast down what you've climbed up." And with this in mind I prepare for our next jaunt, into the heart of the Sierra Nevadas!
16 May 2008
Donate to Faithful Fools Street Ministry
Dear Good People,
If you want to learn more about Faithful Fools in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, and Colegio San Francisco in Nicaragua,
you can go to www.faithfulfools.org. Under the "Abundance" you will be guided as to donating through paypal. Word from the bikers is that all is well. Blessings to all for your generosity, especially those who are a peddlin'.
Peace,
Carmen at Faithful Fools
If you want to learn more about Faithful Fools in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, and Colegio San Francisco in Nicaragua,
you can go to www.faithfulfools.org. Under the "Abundance" you will be guided as to donating through paypal. Word from the bikers is that all is well. Blessings to all for your generosity, especially those who are a peddlin'.
Peace,
Carmen at Faithful Fools
14 May 2008
Setting Out
Dear Friends of Elise,
I share with you photos of the bikers as they set out from Faithful Fools this morning, May 14th. What wonderful beings they all are. They were sent off with good wishes from the folks on the street. Blessings upon them!
Carmen Barsody, OSF
12 May 2008
Readying for the ride...
I write from San Francisco, California! My good friend, Anne, and I arrived on a midnight flight last Friday. We've spent a couple of days unwinding and touring the town - wandering around the Asian Art Museum all day Saturday and enjoying gallo pinto at my favorite Nicaraguan restaurant that evening with Mr. DXx. On Sunday we meandered around Japantown, stopping for sushi and then moving onto Thai for dessert - mango sticky rice.
Today cyclist number three, Max, flew in from Australia. He joins us from Brisbane, and will be fully decked out throughout the ride in ultra-sporty attire. Aremy and Alex arrive early tomorrow a.m. They had to pick up their tandem bike in Portland and are taking an overnight train to SF. I imagine the five of us will look like quite the odd group as we pedal along. While some of us are super keen to look professional, we've also got members who've bought all apparel from second-hand stores - including cycling shorts. Hmm...
The plan is to start-off tomorrow early afternoon, but this may change if our bicycles don't arrive! Anne and I sent them to SF on a FedEx truck to avoid excess luggage charges with Northwest. Our first day riding will look like this - we'll take Hyde to Market Street which leads to the port. We'll hop on a ferry across the bay, and then ride to Davis, California ~45 miles away. We're lucky to have lodging with a friend the first night, but will be camping out most nights thereafter as we travel through Nevada, Utah, into Colorado and further east. I'll post to the blog when I can - thanks for reading and wishing you a great day.
Today cyclist number three, Max, flew in from Australia. He joins us from Brisbane, and will be fully decked out throughout the ride in ultra-sporty attire. Aremy and Alex arrive early tomorrow a.m. They had to pick up their tandem bike in Portland and are taking an overnight train to SF. I imagine the five of us will look like quite the odd group as we pedal along. While some of us are super keen to look professional, we've also got members who've bought all apparel from second-hand stores - including cycling shorts. Hmm...
The plan is to start-off tomorrow early afternoon, but this may change if our bicycles don't arrive! Anne and I sent them to SF on a FedEx truck to avoid excess luggage charges with Northwest. Our first day riding will look like this - we'll take Hyde to Market Street which leads to the port. We'll hop on a ferry across the bay, and then ride to Davis, California ~45 miles away. We're lucky to have lodging with a friend the first night, but will be camping out most nights thereafter as we travel through Nevada, Utah, into Colorado and further east. I'll post to the blog when I can - thanks for reading and wishing you a great day.
03 May 2008
A moment of repose in Dickinson, ND
In recent weeks each day has been a stream of endless activity. There's rarely a moment where I sit to ponder, marvel and be still. Tonight, however, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to do so.
I write from the Days Inn in Dickinson, ND. Yesterday I drove ~450 miles to be here for the Rotary 5580 District Conference and I'm having the most fantastic time. The weekend has been a mix of social events and informative presentations. Last night I went to my first rodeo! Everyone was dressed up head to toe - with cowboy hats, chaps and steel toe boots. I tried as best I could to fit in, but still looked completely out of place in my designer plaid long sleeve shirt, red (p)leather jacket and washed out Miss Sixty jeans.
Today I met some really amazing people doing incredible things in our world. Pamela Broussard spoke about her experiences teaching in Afghanistan. She was inspired to go there after reading an article about girls risking their lives to attend clandestine schools under the Taliban regime. The keynote speaker tonight was Dr. Alexandra Mihailovic, who is a trauma surgeon and has worked in 14 African countries. She is currently finishing a PhD in epidemiology, and she is specifically interested in the human health cost of conflict - not only relating to those directly involved with fighting, but also of people who are residually affected by violent crises.
Tomorrow I'll take I-94 East through Bismarck, Fargo and then hop on 59 South to Morris. I plan to visit my little sister, Erika Rachel once more before Anne and I leave for San Francisco next Friday! Preparations are nearly complete for our cross country bicycle trip; I've yet to box my Trek and ship it to SF via UPS, but I'll be able to get to it Tuesday. I've decided to take two of everything - cycling shorts, jerseys, long sleeve shirts, socks - and one dress to wear when I'm not pedaling. I've bought travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and contact solution containers, and I hope everything will fit alright in my rear pannier and front handle bar bags.
Right-
without further ado, I must get to the hospitality rooms! The conference ends tomorrow a.m. and everyone will be on the dance floor to boogie tonight. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I wonder where that phrase came from anyway?
I write from the Days Inn in Dickinson, ND. Yesterday I drove ~450 miles to be here for the Rotary 5580 District Conference and I'm having the most fantastic time. The weekend has been a mix of social events and informative presentations. Last night I went to my first rodeo! Everyone was dressed up head to toe - with cowboy hats, chaps and steel toe boots. I tried as best I could to fit in, but still looked completely out of place in my designer plaid long sleeve shirt, red (p)leather jacket and washed out Miss Sixty jeans.
Today I met some really amazing people doing incredible things in our world. Pamela Broussard spoke about her experiences teaching in Afghanistan. She was inspired to go there after reading an article about girls risking their lives to attend clandestine schools under the Taliban regime. The keynote speaker tonight was Dr. Alexandra Mihailovic, who is a trauma surgeon and has worked in 14 African countries. She is currently finishing a PhD in epidemiology, and she is specifically interested in the human health cost of conflict - not only relating to those directly involved with fighting, but also of people who are residually affected by violent crises.
Tomorrow I'll take I-94 East through Bismarck, Fargo and then hop on 59 South to Morris. I plan to visit my little sister, Erika Rachel once more before Anne and I leave for San Francisco next Friday! Preparations are nearly complete for our cross country bicycle trip; I've yet to box my Trek and ship it to SF via UPS, but I'll be able to get to it Tuesday. I've decided to take two of everything - cycling shorts, jerseys, long sleeve shirts, socks - and one dress to wear when I'm not pedaling. I've bought travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and contact solution containers, and I hope everything will fit alright in my rear pannier and front handle bar bags.
Right-
without further ado, I must get to the hospitality rooms! The conference ends tomorrow a.m. and everyone will be on the dance floor to boogie tonight. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I wonder where that phrase came from anyway?
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