It is the hill that never ends
Yes it goes on and on my friends
Some people started biking it not knowing what it was
And they'll continue cycling forever just because...
It is the hill that never ends
Yes it goes on and on my friends
Some people started biking it not knowing what it was
And they'll continue cycling forever just because...
OK you get my point. Not a good day yesterday. OK so let's start at the beginning. Woke up and to one of those days that I just didn't want to get on my bike. It was going to be hot and and we had a miserable incline to deal with. Apparently the worst part or the Oregon Trail. Leaving the town of Pendleton, I help some cyclists keep on track only to have them leave me in the dust. Of course, just a block later I get another flat on the back wheel(Art, I think a have a bum wheel, write a nasty email to Brian for me...I paid a lot of money for those!) Tried to call the SAG for assistance but my phone wasn't charged. Some other cyclists came along and help me change it. But now my mood was even more bleak. Now I was almost 2hrs behind schedule on a long day so basically the only cyclists left behind me was the sweep team. I was trudging up this horrible incline when Carrie from the sweep team caught up to me(not a huge challenge). She stuck cycling/walking with me up the hill.
About 5km at 2000ft, Carrie looks up and says "We must be close. It can't get much higher than this." She was wrong and I started singing the above song. The road just zig-zagged for ever and then Brent and Bryan caught up to us. NO shade, no cool water..no end in sight. Even the recumbent guy was getting caught up to us. I had really had enough. We reached the SAG only to find out there was more elevation to go. Not what I wanted to here. The rest of the sweep team arrived. Tyler surveys my bike and basket. "You need to keep your weight light." "Dude," I Reply, "Do I LOOK like someone who is good at keeping their weight light?" Bert and Bryan decided to escort me the rest of the way.
OK so it is 1 pm and we weren't even 1/2 way done. Energies depleted and more hills to climb. VERY HOT VERY DRY and I'm not in the mood to cycle and I hadn't had my Coke yet. It's hard to give up though when 2 guys are willing to stick it out with you. We plowed on...me getting grumpier as the sun beat down. I could feel a migraine kicking in and I seriously am doubting that I want to do this. Bert and Bryan cheer me on and kick my butt in appropriate measure.
We get to the next SAG and hear that there is a general store coming up soon. Bert needs a Gatorade, I need a Coke and we both want chocolate. We finally reach this small town of Meacham and the General Store/Cafe/BeerStore/Pub. There are a few other cyclists there having lunch. The place is owned and operated by Bill and Rose-Think the Klampetts/Larry the Cable guy. They are a riot and are very interested in Sea To Sea. Now Brent(C2C cyclist) needs to use the bathroom but can't find the light. Rose calls out"Oh Honey, It's one of those clap things. Just clap real loud." Brent starts clapping and Rose steps over to the wall and flicks a switch. The light goes on"There you go, Hon" she says. We are in stitches. I turn to Bill "So what is the major industry in the area?" He looks up, "Pot". Got it. "But most work with the Department of Transportation or forestry." They were a riot and a much needed boost for my mood. With a fresh supply of cold drinks Bert, Bryan and myself head out to try and finish. It was 2:30, we were half way and my average speed was 9kms/hr with another incline ahead.
I seriously need to be wet and cool...my body temperature was getting intolerable. No creek, river or pool in site I finally spotted ONE sprinkler at a park. We didn't really have time to stop but I REALLY needed it so I negotiated 5mins of time to get as wet and cool as I could.
We tackled the final incline then had a 20kms coast through the National Forest and into camp 15mins before dinner.
Several people met me with immediate support."We didn't think you were going to make that one, Gayle" Me neither. Lisa, Justin, and Theo put down their card game and took over putting up my tent and Marti got me a re hydrating drink as I headed to the showers.
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by a great community, this Sea To Sea crew.
The problem, as I can best figure it out is my head and long/extended exposure to the sun. It is just sucking the energy out of me. I'm not hurting physically, it's the headaches and mental challenge and motivation. I'm taking it day by day. And in the mean time looking to find more "Bill&Rose's" to keep me smiling.
13 comments:
I sang the song, I feel your pain!! But, there's gotta be some satisfaction in toughing it out and NOT taking the SAG into camp. And bless those boys who stick with you, what a great community. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day. Keep relying on God for strength, he will supply what you need - even if it's 5 minutes in a sprinkler at the park.
You gotta know that you're the talk of the town around here and we're all so proud of you we could just burst. Keep on truckin sista friend.
Gayle, you are so loved around here. Heather is right, I jump up and down and get so excited I could explode, when I talk about our Gayle and the wonderful work you're doing. Others are also excited, but I think they contain it a lot better.
You are so cool, Gayle. I'm so proud of you for not taking the SAG wagon back to camp! WOW!
I too sang a song today, biking up the tiny bump of Hamilton Rd west of Braesyde.
This is a really tiny hill compared to Gayle's mountain,
WHAT?
Gayle's mountain
WHAT?
Gayle's mountain
This is a really tiny hill compared to Gayle's mountain
SHe's biking a mountain today
And she can do it
And so can I
And her mountain is much bigger than this hiiiiiill
But she can do it
And she is now
Gayle is biking up a mountain in the States
It's to the tune of "I've got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in my heart"
Love you Gayle.
You can do it.
I'm so proud of you!
PS - I prayed for you today.
Gayle, you are so loved around here. Heather is right, I jump up and down and get so excited I could explode, when I talk about our Gayle and the wonderful work you're doing. Others are also excited, but I think they contain it a lot better.
You are so cool, Gayle. I'm so proud of you for not taking the SAG wagon back to camp! WOW!
I too sang a song today, biking up the tiny bump of Hamilton Rd west of Braesyde.
This is a really tiny hill compared to Gayle's mountain,
WHAT?
Gayle's mountain
WHAT?
Gayle's mountain
This is a really tiny hill compared to Gayle's mountain
SHe's biking a mountain today
And she can do it
And so can I
And her mountain is much bigger than this hiiiiiill
But she can do it
And she is now
Gayle is biking up a mountain in the States
It's to the tune of "I've got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in my heart"
Love you Gayle.
You can do it.
I'm so proud of you!
PS - I prayed for you today.
I dunno if I can do that, Gayle. ;-) Brian's been pretty good to me lately. Just last week he fixed/replaced a broken spoke on my back wheel for free. AND I was in his store today and he does have the map in the window.
Maybe that tire isn't really a kevlar tire.
(aside for a gratuitous movie ref:
Inconceivable!
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.)
I must say I've been shocked to read how many darn flats the c2c crew is getting. Stop driving on those dirty shoulders and get on the nice clean roads! I better stock up on patch kits before I join the tour.
keep on swimming, swimming, swimming, kiddo!
blessings
...art
Way to go girl! Keep pedalling along! Jen W. and I were just talking about finding the will power to keep getting back on that bike again every day. We keep praying for you here. May those migraines stay away!
I'm the lady from Boise and it sounds like you've got a challenge for me with your "list"..........go for it girl!
Just remember you've got to be able to carry it up a mountain on a bike........ Have been trying to figure out how I could get a continuous supply of ice for you!
Jeanne
God Bless you Jeanne! Thanks for being there for her!
Gayle,
My name is Scott and my mom is Claire Elgersma and she's on the tour with you. My wife and I read your blog because we enjoy your insight into the challenges you folks face. I'm sorry that some days are long, but we're praying for you and hope that the community continues to give you the strength that you need each day.
Hang in there. We're proud of all of you.
Scott Elgersma
Palos Heights, IL.
Thanks for being so transparent, Gayle, and not just glossing over the difficulties and challenges that you faced yesterday. I am glad to hear that God gave you the wherewithall to keep on keeping on and that you experienced the communion of the bicycle saints in numerous ways again. Aside from rehydrating, I hope you are revitamineralizing what you expend and lose through strenuous activity, excessive perspiration and just plain old mega sun exposure. And rest -- sleep provides great healing time. Sorry , I just had to put on my "mother hat" for a minute.
We do love you, Gayle, and want you to succeed with this dream. I pray that God will strengthen you with good courage and guide you as you face the tremendous demands and uncontrollable minutiae of each day. Remember Psalm 23.
I'm thinking that today must have gone better, given your posting time of yesterday's ride today. Or is there an international time line that I'm not aware of between Oregon and Ontario? Okay, now I'm confusing myself. . .
I hear a mouse about the house (there's never just one mouse at a time, is there :( and I think I'd better investigate. Maybe I should let the kitty brigade in for the night. They'd quite enjoy that!
Okay, so it wasn't a mouse -- or even two mice. It was a "fledermaus" -- a flying mouse -- better known as a BAT! which explains why it wasn't as quiet as a mouse. So I've figured out where it is and I've got a goldfish net and a baby blanket ready to trap it but it's a little hard to reach and even though I've read Kenneth Oppel's Silverwing and one of our cat's names is Shade and I know that bats are nice and beneficial and I don't mind that they live in our soffets OUTSIDE, I am, frankly, PETRIFIED to try to tackle it! (Heather -- stop laughing. Gayle -- you deserve some mirth so go ahead. Pieter -- why does this happen when you're away?)
Well, it seems to be happy in its little corner under the buffet, so maybe I'll just leave it there and close my bedroom door really tightly and try to deal with it in the morning when there's a lot more LIGHT. And who knows. . .maybe it'll just GO AWAY. . . (It would be too cruel to let the kitties in for it. Besides they're too young to have grown wings yet.)
What a great visit from the C2C cyclists in Kennewick (I know that some of them wanted Kennewick to rhyme with Chilliwack, as in Kenniwack) on Sunday. We worshipped with them, helped feed them lunch, drove them to places like laundromats and REI, and just hung out with them, too. We put on a skit for them using bikes and some decent humor. My great line about the "goathead theology" was lost when my mike was not working. Goatheads are the thorns in the tires (not the flesh although they will go there, too) that are causing havoc with the cyclists. I was going to tell them that they were invented by Bush and the Department of Homeland Security to prevent invasions from Canadian cyclists and that the gathering in Kennewick showed that it didn't work. Because there they were. All the way from Canada via Seattle.
By the way, goathead theology teaches that 'goatheads were not in the Garden of Eden but have "Total Depravity" written all over them' and that changing a flat tire is a bit like getting cleansed from a sin. Then the C2C devotional book had a very cool devotion on the wheel and the parts of the wheel and how they fit together to make the wheel work.
We are praying for you Gail and I am also praying for Arnie Issette on this trip. It was a joy to meet both of you on Sunday.
Go do something beautiful!
You have such a gift for telling stories! I love the fact that you stumbled upon a "pot" town with Larry the Cable Guy personalities... I wish I could be there with you just to laugh with you and have fun! I know things get tough, but you amaze me with your positive thoughts and stories mixed in with your frustrations. You really know how to make it feel like you are right here telling us the stories :). Missing you!
Gayle, You don't know me (yet) but my daughter Corinne is also biking(or riding along in the SAG-mobile) with Sea to Sea. She's a no news is good news kinda girl so we have been thoroughly enjoying your blogs and yes, even singing along when required!Keep on biking and blogging...you're wonderful.Anne Smienk
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