September 10, 2006

The End of the Trail for 2006

Brunswick, ME

Over the past few weeks I’ve tried to be as positive as possible in responding to the common question, “How was your trip?” It has not been easy. There were so many moments during the ride when I felt threatened by nature, by drivers, by lack of support on the road, by lack of decent edible food and by lack of shade, that to answer, “It was just wonderful!” would be at worst disingenuous and at best Polyanna-ish. This is not to say that the ride was a total loss. It was a phenomenally successful fund-raiser. There were many wonderful people along the way. There were moments of breathtaking beauty. The stark contrast between the sunlight filtering through the trees and the accompanying shadow in some of the wooded sections of Pennsylvania still remains vivid in my mind. The deep aroma of pine in the Rockies and the ubiquitous fragrance of sage in the plains remain strong sense memories. Meeting so many interesting characters along the way, even the driver who questioned, “What’s the matter? You afraid of riding a real bike?!” was an integral and inspiring part of the adventure. Yet, the difficulties posed by key aspects of this ride were never far from my consciousness.

            It has been five weeks (plus a day) since the forty of us actually rode together as a united group for the first time during the entire trip.  We processed alongside the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington , DC .

I know that many of my readers have been eagerly awaiting this follow-up and summary article. I surely should apologize for being tardy, but it hasn’t been without good reason.

            Immediately after the finish of the ride, one of our computer-savvy cyclists opened an on-line Yahoo! Group where we could share our post-ride reflections, photos and issues. As quickly as we posted photos, so too, were detailed, heartfelt letters of deep concern and complaint (including my own) to the Board of Directors of Adventure Cycling Association added to the online site. As it turned out, 75% of the participants wrote letters to the eight Board members recounting our dissatisfaction, displeasure and disappointment at what was supposed to have been an historic commemorative event for the organization: the 30^th Anniversary Ride.

            I participated in that letter-writing campaign by submitting a five-page missive addressing the concerns we all ultimately shared: lack of mechanical support, inadequate food and water, inappropriate and often dangerous cycling route design, substandard cycling route research and preparation, and inadequate safety precautions.

            Some of the letters were emotive; one person reflected feeling as though her summer had been stolen from her. I personally felt threatened often. One example was the night in Kadoka , SD when we had a very violent lightning storm and a 3am siren for which we didn’t know the reason. Another was when we biked 40 miles on Interstate 90 in Washington State with giant trucks and cars whipping by at 70-80 mph. This was inexcusable route “design” on the part of ACA.

            The Board did respond surprisingly quickly and I think I was feeling a need to know what their response would be before I published my final assessment of this expedition. Indeed the Board members were taken totally by surprise by the strength and intensity of the participants’ responses. I suppose that in itself is indicative of the communication problems that plagued this ride from the start. Their interim response has been unexpected and, for the most part, satisfactory. They have issued a refund of one-half the trip fee which, for me, will go back to the American Lung Association of Maine. They have also provided a voucher for a free tour with Adventure Cycling anytime in the next three years. They have taken pains to admit their mistakes and have apologized thoroughly. These remedies haven’t removed the pain of the untenable situations in which we found ourselves, but it shows they care.

            This organization has been one of the premier bicycling advocacy groups in the United States for thirty years. All the riders have been mindful of this and of how important ACA has been in promoting travel by bicycle. No one, despite the risks they imposed on us, has displayed a desire to threaten its existence. In other words, no one has spoken seriously of class action suits or any such potentially disastrous legal action that would destroy this important non-profit organization.

            The Board has promised further remedial actions which, as of today, remain unknown. The riders’ reactions, as evidenced by the “chatter” on the Yahoo! Group site, have been positive, grateful and mostly surprised.

            Some riders have already begun talking about a reunion ride. For my part, I think, I will just observe that event from afar. This difficult journey doesn’t mark the end of my fund-raising bike rides, though. I have signed up already for the 2007 Trek Across Maine. It was inevitable that I miss it this year, but it will be a fine reunion next time around. I hope the temperature hovers between 60° and 80° F. with no rain, lightning or humidity, in other words, “The Way Life Should Be.”

            Many people along the way certainly made a vivid impression on me. There was the caterer in Kendallville , IN who was working for us at a mosquito-infested campground. He wore a button that said, “Cancer Sucks!” It was only after talking to the guy who was visiting him (who also gave me a ride during the violent rain storm to the only hotel I stayed in during the entire trip) that I discovered why he was wearing that button.   His wife was at hospice at that very moment in her last days or hours of life. There was Bob in Custer , SD who was greatly pleased that I was doing something constructive for the Lung Association which was helping him with all his respiratory problems. Weadum in Midland , PA was thoroughly impressed that I was fund-raising and biking such a long distance for this important cause. The owner of the Laundromat in Confluence, PA was extremely generous in giving me a ride back to the campground after dark. It was people such as these along the way that made this ride survivable and enjoyable. Many of the participants on the ride were supportive and encouraging to each other during the trying moments. Matt, from England , often said that it was “the journey, not the destination” that was important. He also suggested, though, that it might have been wise to prepare for the ride by turning on the oven at home, leaving the oven door open and trying to sleep right in front of it. Often, humor was the best support people could provide.

            Of course, there was plenty of awe-inspiring scenery in many places. I do regret giving Illinois short shrift; I wish I could have reported more positive things there. I wouldn’t hesitate to cross the US again by bike. It just wouldn’t be the route we “chose” this year.  Also, the idea of crossing Canada still intrigues me; I suppose that heat wouldn’t be the primary concern for such an expedition. Until I figure out the shape of my next two-wheeled journey, I’ll close with this article, and wish you all a happy fall sending you a resounding thank-you for all your support.