We have made the halfway mark of our adventure. We have ridden 2,100 miles (half of our total 4,200) in six weeks (half our intended 12). We have crossed the highest point in the Rockies (Hoosier Pass at 11,539 feet) and have now descended onto the flats of Colorado and western Kansas. We also did some math yesterday and figured out that we have climbed over 43,000 feet in elevation.
The truth is, I am amazed at our progress. This is hard. Our bodies are becoming machines, and food has truly become fuel, with no fuss. You should see the things we eat! Convenience-store living at its best–nothing highbrow about it. If it is going to fill the void within us and give our muscles and attitudes something to work with, it is going in.
We bike until we are exhausted and feel that there is no way we can continue beyond the next bend, and then we turn around it and meet a headwind that will stay against us for the next 10 miles, and you know what? We do it. Of
The challenges have only been partly physical. We have dealt with many mechanical issues and find ourselves working on some busted part of our bicycles nearly daily. This has made us come eye to eye with how we handle frustration. Oakley and I have had many conversations that begin, “Is this attitude helpful?” There is a lot of learning going on and truthfully, Oakley has become much more in control of his emotions then he ever has ever been before.
There have also been lessons concerning anxiety and living in the moment. If we look at the entirety of this trip, let alone what we may face in the next two days, it can seem pretty overwhelming. Chasing dogs, headwinds, tall passes, lack of services, busy highways, rain, and on and on. It can make us forget the joy of the pass we are whooshing down or the beauty of the evening sky as we sit by our tent. We have both learned that now is not worth sabotaging for the fear of later. Oakley helps me with this, and he often chastises me when I worry about what is to come.
After crossing Hoosier Pass and feeling mighty high in our socks, we were caught off guard by the beauty of the mountains — our confidence and our exhaustion — and we had our first near miss. I will not go into it, because I am sure Oakley will in his blog post. This trip is not foolproof, and it is dangerous. We were both very scared.
When we recovered, we continued biking against a head wind for quite a while, still shaken and emotionally wrought. When we finally arrived at our designated campsite for the evening, a state park in Pueblo, Colorado, we were turned away. The next site was 10 miles away. It was the lowest we have felt.
I called my husband Twain to seek adult counsel, and he was fairly horrified about what our day had entailed. He said, “You can come home, you know
“Papa mentioned that we could quit if we wanted.” Oakley’s forehead wrinkled and he looked at me like I was out of my mind.
“We aren’t doing that!” he responded. “Papa’s crazy.”
So on that note, I would have to say that this trip is perfect. Sometimes it feels magical, and sometimes it feels grueling. We are both aware that we would never see the beautiful places we have seen; the tiny mountain towns; the clear tumbling streams; the bison and elk roaming the wilds; and the kind people, if we didn’t cart ourselves up these passes on our bikes. Equally important is the understanding that Oakley and I have that and we wouldn’t be learning these lessons if it was easy. We are so lucky.
Oakley’s Perspective: Highs and Lows
Ok, so my mom probably has told you guys about this, but on Friday the 13th I believe I almost died. We were biking down a fairly busy road when an overly loaded truck came up behind us. My mom saw the big truck and called to me, “Stopping!” so we could get out of the way, but she was not loud enough for me to hear. I had turned my head to look at what was hulking behind me. When I turned my head back around I crashed into my mom’s slowing bike and tumbled right in front of that giant over-loaded truck. THAT,
Anyway, now for the high. My high is getting out of the Rockies. We did our last huge pass a
We are halfway done with this trip. In no time we will be across Kansas, and then into Missouri and Kentucky, which I’m not excited about at all. Kentucky dogs, here I come. I feel really happy that we have gotten this far, and I know that there is no turning back now that we have made such good progress.
Would love to meet you both when in the Newton Kansas area! Let us know when you get closer!
Oakley- you’re the bravest kid I know! And I love reading your posts. Great job!!
really look forward to reading these..
wow, you guys!
“we have both learned that now is not worth sabotaging for fear of the future”…what a huge and profound gift of wisdom! Thank you Leah! Cheering you both on! Loving your posts! ❤️❤️❤️
You guys are absolutely amazing. I am in awe.
What you are doing is so amazing, brave, & exciting. Congratulations! It’s always a treat to find your next post in my inbox. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. Carry on (safely) 👋🏼🤗.
You left me hanging? What happened to the truck and your bikes?
Stay off the highways now. Please! Anyway, you look great.
Oakley and Momma Leah-
I love and admire what you are both accomplishing! So very proud to even say I know you, let alone call you my friends! Your both amazing! Your both shaping your lives unbelievably, yet perhaps more importantly shaping the rest of us even more! Please know that we pray and think about you daily/nightly and can’t wait for you to “keep on keeping on”!!!!
Go get em OAK!!!
-Jason (Peaks I.)
When do we hear the rest of the story! What happened to your bikes….what happened when Oakley fell in front of the truck?
I know you’re okay because you look so great but still…what happened?!
Love and hugs and lots of prayers.
Great update! Thanks for sharing this most exciting and challenging trip. Be safe follow your instincts and follow your dreams.
Oakley will look back on this time as a GREAT treasure. I am sure you will too. I still pray for your safety. Close calls are terrifying. I am a cyclist and ‘get it.’ Press on! I love hearing about your trip.
God bless you two.
Oakly mentions that he “turned his head” to see a truck coming from behind just before he ran into you.. Perhaps, a rear view mirror could have prevented his crash. Travel safe..
Amazing, amazing, amazing!!
I am so in awe of the two of you!! Power on…
Louise
This is my favorite quote from your blog. “We have both learned that now is not worth sabotaging for the fear of later. “
Pedal on!
I figured that there would be a close call. So glad that you are both fine. I look forward to your blogs and pray for your continued good fortune, clear skies and low hills.
P.S. I told my brother Dick about your blog and he said it’s the best he’s ever read!
Wow, so impressed. You two are building memories that only a few in this world have experienced. You are finding inner strength that you would have never dreamed was there.
Thank-you for keeping us posted.
What lessons and an unforgettable journey ! Thank you for sharing. Continue to be safe! Hopefully u can purchase helmet mirrors. Look forward to updates.
Awesome adventure ! You guys are so brave I applaud you. We are with you in spirit and await anxiously to hear of
More adventure. Ride on!
We choose to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. – JFK, paraphrased
Props to you both for persevering. If I had 10 more miles after being exhausted, I probably would have broke down and got a motel in Pueblo.
I had to go back and read your post twice. Truly memories in the making the ride to remember. Your making stories of a lifetime. Stay safe and God bless you both.
YOU ARE A TEAM! Help each other conserve energy by drafting one another to conquer those Midwest plain winds. FEEL THE FREE WHEELING!!
Wow i came across you guys on facebook. I have scrolled through and read a lot of your posts. So fantastic! I would love to ride across America! I wish you guys all the best! Sunny days and tails winds. I hope you dont mind adding me to your email list i would love to follow you guys the rest of the way!
I love reading your blog. Can’t believe all the harrowing, hair raising experiences, adventures and beautiful sights you are seeing. What wonderful memories you and Oakley are building. You should write a book when this is all over. I’m sure it would be a best seller. Praying for your continued safety.
I’m sure some of our cycling club wouldn’t love to meet up with you on your last 100 miles or so when you are near Yorktown. We ride out of Virginia Beach area and we can arrange a meetup if that’s something you’re interested in to celebrate your amazing journey! If not, and you want the last day just the two of you, that’s beautiful as well. Let us know TriPower Cycling
WOULD. Need to proof
Your adventure gets more amazing with each post! The odds that you encounter are daunting, and yet you keep overcome them, and keep learning more about yourselves and each other! Thank you both for your perseverance, stamina, and for your excellent storytelling skills!