Lowering the Average

We are done with two states! Now making our way well in to the third- and most formidable- California. This trip is, unbelievably, half way done, and we have fallen into a camp routine that seems to only grow more efficient. This is uncomplicated living despite the physical strains, and we are by no means alone in it.

Making our entrance into the Golden Coast

In over 800 miles we have experienced the unique pleasure of conversing with total strangers in bike lanes, campgrounds, motel laundry rooms, and road side picnic tables. We've been delighted by the willingness of these strangers to share their stories with us, so willing are some they catch up with us just to cruise along and chat. Most of these cycle pals differ from us in one obvious way.

Mary met Phil in a laundry room and here 

he is helping change Rebekah's tube

We are among the youngest cyclists on this coastal route. Most of the men could be our fathers, and several even act like concerned dads about the size of our tires, height of our seats, strange sounds coming from our chains, and certainly the quality of our training. We answer questions, take some of the advice, and on one occasion shared from our peanut butter and Jelly reserves. 

Riding through the Avenue of the Giants

One man, Paul, is almost 70. His shoes don't clip into the pedals "Because I don't trust them," he's out here riding an old bike with his lace up hiking shoes and a goal to get to San Francisco. When we "zip" up a hill (at 8 miles per hour) and pass his steady 2mph climb we could start to think highly of ourselves; until we step back to see what this man is accomplishing in what so many consider the "decline" of their life. He makes his way up the same hills we do, he just does it at his own pace, in his own time, at more than twice our age. 

Last night at camp with Mary

It is really humbling when you see people pursuing what excites them. One could start to think youth is what keeps us relevant, until we meet people like Paul and realize we're actually lowering the average by doing what we're doing. I'm not discrediting our adventure, because certainly I think we are overcoming a great many obstacles (The first being how surprisingly cold it is on some of these summer nights). But, I really am excited to know when I am 70 I could do this again. Or I could do it somewhere else, or something wildly different. Because other people are willing to do unreasonable things I am inclined to continue doing them. 

A sunny stop in Fort Bragg

What I'm realizing is how much of this has nothing to do with a fancy bike, special gear, or youth and fitness. This journey has far more to do with the people who have supported and inspired us along the way. Today we met a man who is doing this route because he's 65 and his father completed it when he was 65. Motivation and inspiration are turning out to be a lot less complicated than we tend to make it. 

Michael's here now too

I am excited to lower the average, in 30+ years it won't be so hard to convince me I can raise it because I have witnessed so many brave people who are. For now, we’ve completed over half of this journey and the promise of a sunny coast urges us onward and (hopefully) downward.