We woke up early at Amy's to pack the bikes before our flight. It was a quick end. Jay was more excited to see his bike go than I was. Next time, he wants to do an organized trip because it will be easier. Being a 10 year veteran of the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, I agree yes, it will be easier. An organized ride will remove the fear, anxiety, insecurity, vulnerability, risk. You won't have to think on your toes, improvise, study maps, plan, or deal with logistical problems (well, far fewer, except the infamous problem of how to get there).
But perhaps these things are good once in a while. Perhaps it's good to feel humbled, frightened in the face of nature, small, challenged.
At the end of our trip, I'm thinking about bodies and space. On a bike, you can go faster and further with your body than any way else. It's faster than running, and like the girl in Gualala said, you can actually go somewhere on a map. It's empowering to know you can do that. You can go anywhere you want to go, across the country, up a mountain, into new territory, and you don't need anything else. Nothing -- not gas, money, or society -- can holding you back.
Yet, we take for granted that space is controlled, and when you move through it in a way unexpected, it's disorienting for you, and for those watching you. Many people cheered us on or warned us about what we were doing. The roads were for cars, they were steep, on cliffs, foggy, long. But you see a place differently on a bike. You breathe the air, smell the trees, hear the sounds, notice the people and environment. You connect with the places you go and the people you meet, and it's sad to say goodbye. I hope that from the disorientation we open ourselves for improvement, to consider how things could be otherwise.
We returned to NYC on Sunday night. Jay says "it's like we never left." But we did. We are still disoriented, wondering how we will be different.
We both agree that we are moved by the generosity of our hosts, how they opened their doors, let us into their homes, and shared their love and stories. Thank you so much to Chris and Mike, Coral and Carly, Nancy and Gary, Sam and Pat, Renata and Tom, and Amy and Rune. You make us public school teachers rich, and we share our joy with our students. You restore our faith in humanity so that we can remain idealists in our work with young people. Also, big thanks to my family: Mom for feminist biking know-how, Dad for reviewing all the maps histories and stories, and Cathy and Janet for their love, support, and cheers. And thanks to Jay for loving, trusting, and believing in me. We are both great leaders and working to be better followers.
On the airplane we passed over the San Francisco Bay. Looking north, we could see Mt. Tam poking above the clouds. We will do it one day, but without the panniers. We flew over Berkeley and the hills and highway to Danville. We saw Martinez and the bridge Chris accidentally drove us over, and the one we actually took. Moving forward while looking back, we saw Vallejo and the beginnings of Napa and Sonoma Valley. It was fun to come full circle, and then see it all from above. As we flew back East we stared out the window and saw lands new to us: huge mountains, colorful lakes, white deserts, unknown towns. I'm not sure where we're going next, but there is so much beauty out there to experience. Jay is planning the next adventure -- I just hope it's spicy.
Love,
Diane and Jay
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