WOLVES ...
David and the rest of the gang enjoy a 7:00 a.m. boat ride. I elect sleep instead. This proves to be an especially prophetic decision given last night’s spur of the moment writing.
After breakfast, we bicycle to the International Wolf Center, a museum and active research facility. There are three wolves sleeping or moving around in an area that allows easy viewing. We join a small crowd watching, fascinated to be so close to these wild predators. (FYI: remote viewing is available at their website).
FAMILY ...
After awhile I leave the group and go outside to the van. The sun’s warmth feels good. I am lonely. I feel homesick and miss Terri. I wish I was home with her, sleeping in my own bed, being with my family, enjoying the normalness and familiarity of my life. I do my stretches by the car, enjoying the quiet and sunshine.
My feelings are no reflection on my traveling family, a phrase I choose purposefully. Everyone has been great and I love my time with each of them. David, Judy and Jonah. Peter and Vik. Sonya. Api and Morgan. Soon Peter again. Together we have created our own bonds and customs and unique roles. Laughter has been frequent. Talking easy. Problems few; and those that arise discussed and resolved amicably. I think we’ve done remarkably well given the intensity of our activities, the amount of time together, and our frequently close quarters.
There have been some very heartfelt moments together that I failed to capture in my blogs. Nothing terribly special happened. Rather it was the camaraderie and feeling of being in harmony with each other that made the time stand out.
When David and I were cycling our 117 mile day, we stopped for sandwiches and a break by the road with Judy and Jonah. They were upfront in the van. I sprawled in the middle seat. David getting something out of the back. I would start a story; Judy and Jonah would stop listening. I’d tell the punchline; they’d be laughing at something else. I protested. They made fun of me. Jonah told me I only had 20 seconds to tell a story. We teased David. Joking about his need to ride 100 miles. Teasing him about some other triviality. It was wet outside, cold and windy; miserable. And in our little space, we were warm, laughing and happy, content in each other’s company.
The story may not translate well but it was a spontaneous and nice moment. When I shared the specialness with Terri, she knew what I was talking about and understood Jonah and Judy’s actions. Kinda like: “I’ve been there Bruce”. I added: “I guess there are four other people (our daughters) that would understand too”. To which Terri said yes of course. Maybe it’s just the feeling of acceptance that comes when people like your good attributes and overlook or embrace with humor your other behaviors.
TODAY’S RIDE (PART ONE) ...
We leave the Wolf Center on our bicycles. I call Terri and share I miss her and wish I were home. I tell her I will be fine in ten minutes and that everything is ok. We miss each other. I can’t remember a time we have been apart for so long. The time away has its benefits. The Norseman’s Passage is worth it. We will be together soon.
I love cycling for many reasons. It’s easy at one level - you get on the bike, spin two pedals and away you go - and complicated if you want to master any aspect of the sport.
While the act of cycling is an individual exercise, the practice of cycling involves understanding group dynamics. Admittedly, I am not well versed in the dynamics of group riding since 90+% of my cycling is solo, riding alone. The Norseman’s Passage has given me plenty of opportunity to learn about, practice and think about how individuals work together.
Some days don’t belong to you when you’re cycling. They belong to someone else with whom you ride in support.
Today I ride 2nd and/or 3rd alternating with Jonah. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly. No clouds interfere with its warmth inducing rays. It feels good to ride in the heat and sweat, although not too profusely. The winds are in our face or blowing across us, no break there, but they are nowhere near as fierce or unrelenting as yesterday or the past few days.
When I am in front of Jonah, I pace myself so I keep him in my ‘line of sight’. If something happens to him, his failure to appear when I crest an upcoming hill will alert me to slow and wait, making sure all is well. Eventually it makes sense that we ride together thus rendering ‘line of sight’ unnecessary. Nevertheless I want to know my fellow cyclists are providing me the same protection when I’m riding third, just as David has done in previous rides.
INTERLUDE ...
We meet Judy, Api and Morgan at a prearranged point 35 miles into our ride. David is well ahead of us. We decide to ‘leapfrog’ him; we load our bikes atop the van and head for a spot in front of where he is riding. It takes awhile. David has been making good time.
We pass David and stop at a park. Judy, Api, Morgan and Jonah are having lunch. I’m not. I want to cycle more and not wait to restart.
David arrives as I am getting ready. His timing couldn’t be better. He doesn’t want to stop either. After a short break, we depart. There’s another 35 miles or so to our destination: Betty’s Pies.
TODAY’S RIDE ( PART TWO) ...
On my bicycle I immediately notice the absence of head or cross winds. Eureka!!! We have a tailwind!!! Oh joy!
David and I ride together, enjoying each other’s company. The camaraderie is natural after the many miles and hours together. We have similar personalities in ways. That has its good and not so good points. Yet we relax when we’re together and have a good time talking or being quiet.
Seven months ago when I first started cycling with David or Vik, I couldn’t keep up with either one. Today we ride side by side easily. I no longer feel intimidated riding with David as I once did. It was never anything David or Vik did; it was my own way of looking at our cycling relationship. They were far superior cyclists and I knew and felt it. I am happy as a cyclist to have come as far as I have these past months, weeks. I am still not in their league as a cyclist but I am close enough that the differences don’t interfere with our riding together in sync.
Lake Superior is incredible. There are many amazing views. We cycle on a bike path. It is good to be off the main roads.
We are almost at Betty’s Pies. With two miles to go, I bonk, meaning I have depleted my energy and have trouble putting effort into my cycling. I consume two Kind bars. It’s enough. Soon we are at Betty’s waiting on the van and the rest of the gang. While waiting, the looks us two men in Lycra get from the other patrons amuse me.
The ladies and Jonah finally arrive.
DINNER & DESERT EXTRODINARE ...
Betty’s Pies is amazing. It is everything you would want from a restaurant specializing in homemade pies. We each have a sumptuous dinner. We order a pie to go. For desert, David, Judy, Jonah and Morgan share the Pigs Trough, a combination of three pie slices, four scoops of ice cream, a whole banana, and all the toppings. If finished by one person under 15 minutes, you get a free T-shirt. I enjoy a slice of blueberry pie ala mode. I give it the highest compliment: it’s as good as Nunan’s!
Betty’s Pies accepts online orders. While the cost is high because the pies are cooked fresh, frozen, and sipped overnight delivery. The taste is divine so what price pleasure...
IT’S A SMALL WORLD ...
I discover via Facebook that friend Harvey Goldberg did a special on Betty’s Pies some years ago. I mention this to Carl, the store’s manager who, shock of shocks, was here the day Harvey produced the special. Carl remembers Harvey fondly and said to say hello.
EVENING’S END ...
We have a two hour drive after dinner to get to Bayfield WI. We fit six in five seats a bit uncomfortably but doable. The evening is pleasant and the drive passes quickly.
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