The frustrations of keeping track of cyclists from a car, not knowing where they would ready to stop and stay for the night, the isolation from them during the day, the effort and work of setting up and breaking camp, added to the inability to ride due to medical reasons, became too challenging after a week. All work with none of the pleasures and freedom of cycling. Not sharing the exercise, challenges and satisfactions of their day. Loving the time with them but wrenched apart into unknowns again each morning as they began the day's ride. Unable to prepare for riding in earnest once we got to Montana, and highly uncomfortable with the daily uncertainties.
It was a huge relief to decide to come home. This was a very challenging ride for a novice bike tourist, and I wasn't even riding a bike. The group has been completely understanding and supportive of my decision. We had another day and a half together to sort out gear from the car, say farewells, and cement new friendships for life. They will always be my tribe.
What's next is open. I'm ready for a real vacation after all this work. (Many sag drivers get paid for their efforts.) From home I can start building up strength again as a cyclist. The tribe hopes I can join them again farther down the trail. We'll see.
I'll do my best to keep blogging for them from the news as I get it.
Margaret
Sorry the trip didn't work out as planned, Margaret, but it sounds like you still have some fun stories to tell. It takes a very strong person to decide when it is time to make a choice that is in her best interests.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how long you are planning to continue to "vacation," but I look forward to seeing your smiling face back here soon!
:) ~Becky
Thanks so much, Becky! I've taken my time coming home and am definitely needing a real vacation more than ever. I'll call Janet and work it out with her. I sure appreciate your support. :)
DeleteHow disappointing. My fathers favorite when things did not go as planned...
ReplyDeleteBut, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
Gang aft agley,
An'lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
You still have my admiration for all the training, planning, dreaming and making the commitment to get to the start. Only stopped by something out of your control. But think of the many miles that you will put on your new bike, still going to happen just not quite in the way you had imagined.
Hang in there!
Sarah
Sarah, I'm only now seeing your comment and I do appreciate everything you said! Thank you so much. And golly, I'm very impressed by all the punctuation you managed to load into that quote. (Do you know the author?) Anyway, thanks a million.
Delete~Margaret, Sept. 4