The Achilles Inhibition

June Twenty-nine: I cannot believe it has only been two weeks. God has a funny way of changing the plans of man. Alas, man has no plans, but pieces to a broken puzzle.

Two weeks ago from today, I was on the road to Port Angeles to begin what was going to be an amazing 3500 mile bicycle odyssey down the Pacific Coast and through the Mojave Desert and Sierra Nevada Mountains. However, things didn't go according to plan. After just three 60-70 mile days on the Olympic Peninsula traversing the National Park and Forest and fathoming at the lack of awesomeness in the Quinault Indian Reservation and after the terrible bridges of Hoaquim and Aberdeen I arrived slowly to Cosmopolis with not only some aches and pains, but an injury as well. Whereas my knees have been aching, I acquired a mysterious pain at the end of my heel and below my calf. At first I thought nothing of it because I have never had a pain there in my entire life. It was just an annoying pain that should vanish shortly. It did not. With three miles left to travel to my lodging at Artic RV Park (which boasts "bicycles welcome") I had no choice but to have my Dad (who was to be my support guy for the first 5 days or so to get me started) get me and drive me the rest of the way. That was Wednesday, June 18th. I wanted so much to push through and finish that day. It kills me not to complete something.

When we arrived, the host lady was nice and brought me some ice for my Achilles tendon and also my left knee.
I looked like a wreck. My spirits were not down though. I just thought I should rest and take some ibuprofen and see how it feels the next day. The next day I had to make it to Astoria whether I rode or or got a ride. One way or the other we were headed south. Meanwhile, I posted my predicament online and through the course of the evening and next day I received quite a lot of advice, some of it differing, some of it helpful. Needless to say, I know a lot more about Achilles injuries and bicycle-related injuries and remedies than I did before. The next day I made the decision to rest more and get a ride south. We drove through Raymond, a cool little town filled with hundreds of metal sculptures. Further south, past South Bend we came to Cape Disappointment, which I thought was fitting given the circumstances. After some brief sights of the ocean, we arrived to the Astoria bridge and stopped to view it and test my bike after resting all day. A female cyclist who I can only refer to as "Blue Top" because I never caught her name met us before the bridge to say hello. We first met her in Port Angeles. She was on her way to San Francisco at the time but now her plans had changed because she wanted to see the Columbia Gorge. Anyway, she exclaimed that she had a similar problem and just put on a compression brace that seemed to help a lot and recommended us to find a pharmacy and ask about braces. We took her up on that advice and several pharmacies later, finally purchased an ankle brace and some naproxen to help with the pain.

From Astoria, we continued south to 1) help me to stay on schedule and 2) find some place to camp that night. We arrived in Tillamook and stopped briefly at the Cheese Factory to sample some cheese all the while limping along. It hurt even to walk. The whole while I had my head against the window dreaming of riding. I was watching all the sights pass by, the sights I would've seen on my bike, the road markers and ocean views. I missed it. My Dad asked, "You miss it, don't you?" All I could do was nod. After a cloudy and rainy evening at a marina, the next day we finally arrived in Lincoln City and made our way to Devil's Lake State Park which I knew had hiker/biker sites. Thank goodness for the glorious Oregon Coast. It was here, on Friday, June 20th, the day before the summer solstice that my Dad was heading back home. I had a decision to make. I either was going to be left at the park to rest my leg for a few days and see how it felt...or head home with my Dad. It was a decision I did not want to make, a decision I did not see coming. But alas, it was here. We found some side streets to test out my bike once more. And after a pause and knowing I had to make a decision quickly, I told my Dad that it just hurts too much and I...I couldn't finish, I just broke down into tears. This was a dream journey that was 2-years in the making...and after just 3 days it's cut short? But why? What are you teaching me through this Lord? This is hard. This hurts.

 It was mostly silent on the drive back to Salem. This trip was surreal but now it was surreal that I was returning. It still is. I had no other plans for the summer. I wasn't supposed to be back. I was supposed to be on an adventure and return with spectacular pictures, memories and experiences...not this, not like this...I felt defeated.

My sister's family was in town and I was excited to spend some time with my nieces and they were excited to see their uncle. Over the next week until Friday, June 27th we all went camping in Washington, only about 30 miles from where I was to ride my bike the week prior. Camping was a lot of fun even through the rain and cold. Fires and s'mores and games were a plenty. It was a much needed relaxation for my foot. It still hurt, but with every day it has been feeling better. Praise God! When I came home it was nice to spend some time in an actual bed, something I haven't experienced in 2 weeks. I had to let me roommate know what was going on because I would be in and out of my apartment. I couldn't exactly stay there full time because someone was renting my room. Yay money! I really had no desire to update or tell people I was back. I did, to those who inquired, but honestly I did not know what to say. It not only hurt physically, but emotionally as well.

It is now the penultimate day of June and I am still in the process of sorting through my things and drying out my tent and patching my sleeping pad, etc. So what shall I update? What shall I say? I should be in the Redwoods by now exploring large trees. I was asked what my plans are for the Fourth of July. Well, I have none. I was to be in San Francisco by then. Well, here's the deal. I still have to get back on my bike and go on a few rides with my panniers to see how my legs feel. I no longer feel the need to go to the doctor because my heel is noticeably getting better. It is not perfect. I still can feel it here and there, but the stretching of it is diminished and I may need some more rest.

So, with some packing issues and biking issues, I will also be looking at a map and try to figure out if I can do a modified bicycle adventure. Not sure where that entails...I could head from here to San Francisco and cut across to Yosemite and Tahoe and back up. I could cycle further south and catch a bus up given time or meet someone mid way to drive up. I don't know. It could be as early as July 1st, or it could be a few weeks down the road. I do not know exactly where or when yet, but I do know that God has me in His plans. I do not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future and me in His arms. Thanks for praying and keeping invested...my cycling days are far from over and adventure is just waiting...it waits until I am ready...my circles are not perfect yet...but I trust they soon will be...Perfect Circles now and forever...all is not lost. Pray, seek, ride, and find your own adventure this summer...

On the road to Port Angeles

On the road to Port Angeles with my father. He's excited to be on this adventure with me for the first few days... On Father's Day! Happy fathers day dad.

Packed and ready to roll...more or less

There are adventures every day if you know how to look for them

There are adventures everyday if you know how to look for them.  the only question is do we like adventures. What drives us? What are we wish to achieve with our adventures? What does adventure give us? How will we know that adventures give us what we want? A misconception might be that adventures are always pleasant... That adventures are fun without any challenges. Okay, maybe that's not quite a misconception to most of us but it may be to the general public who are afraid of adventures. Adventures are to be had everywhere, everyday and in any way. They can come in the form of micro adventures or grand adventures.

Sometimes I feel way beyond my realm of possibility. Often I feel alone, hurt, cold, not knowing what to do about the situation I find myself in. These are some side effects of adventures. As I am on the eve have a grand adventure bicycling down the Pacific coast fear has struck me so has excitement.

Adventures involve both amazement and afrazement. And yes, I made that word up, but I do believe you get the point. Now open the door and find your adventure today.

“Providing safe and convenient rights-of-way is the most important step in making cycling possible for everyone. Cycling remains a marginal mode of transport in most North American cities because it is viewed as requiring special equipment and training, physical fitness, and the courage, agility, and willingness to battle with motor vehicles on the streets. Cycling is a mainstream mode of urban travel in northern Europe precisely because it does not require any of those things.”

With only 1 month to go: Bicycle Blog Reduex: Saddle Sores and Coasting Chores (07-10-2013)

With only one month to until departure, I thought I'd post my old bicycle blogs that began this whole adventure but never saw the light of day on "Perfect Circles." So, please enjoy them and keep in mind they are from 2012 and 2013. This is 5 of 5:

Bicycle Blog Reduex: Saddle Sores and Coasting Chores

Okay, let’s try this again. This, figuratively speaking, is a new year. Sorry to disappoint, but this is not written from the road. That’s right, due to reasons that will make themselves known soon, I did not leave for my trip this summer. On May the Fourth (be with you), I finally made a purchase of a Fuji Touring Bicycle from a small bike shop in Sherwood. Since then, I have clocked almost 400 miles on it. Things have not always been easy, however, but with time come new strategies and different challenges. Last month I took a bike class to learn how to change a flat. Changing a flat and other common road ailments will take practice and will be more comfortable over time. Slowly but surely I have learned about my new bicycle and have begun to purchase needed tools and supplies for my upcoming tour. I still need to purchase a pair of rear panniers and flasher and lights and other necessities, but in time, they will come my way. In the meantime, I will clock more and more miles on two wheels.

That all being said, my hope and prayer is that I will be allowed to embark on my two wheel trek summer 2014. I am not yet sure how long a trip I wish to do. It could be anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months. Time will tell. As referred to above, there is a lot of preparation to do before then. That includes, purchasing needed supplies and writing up a tentative trip itinerary. I may set some deadlines for myself so I can accomplish these things in a due time. I may report more on this stuff at a later date. But until that time, ride safely and carry a big stick!

As was said in a previous entry:

“The freedom and solitary of such a pursuit will be extraordinary to say the least. As will the obstacles and unknown 

trials

. I look forward to the months ahead as this time creeps closer. Things to look for in upcoming bicycle blogs include: a final destination guide, a bicycle purchased, a travel book plan, reasons for taking such a trip, a rough itinerary, and more.”

(**First written & published on July 10, 2013**)

With only 1 month to go: Bicycle Blog #4 - New Year, New Things (01-01-2013)

With only one month to until departure, I thought I'd post my old bicycle blogs that began this whole adventure but never saw the light of day on "Perfect Circles." So, please enjoy them and keep in mind they are from 2012 and 2013. This is 4 of 5:

Bicycle Blog #4 – New Year, New Things

As the year two thousand thirteen is upon us, it is the natural time for new beginnings. With the New Year come new challenges as well as old nuisances. But, it’s just as well. I can taste adventure. I can smell the aroma of the road. I can only hope that my plans will come together and that a new bicycle will find its way into my lap soon and very soon.

Saturdays of the New Year will be my day for bicycle planning/shopping. One of the things I have been doing lately is figuring out how to balance my life in 2013 given my schedule. Things such as church activities, work, exercise, camp planning, bicycle planning, reading, writing a novel…all have there place…or at least should. Balance is a very difficult thing and some are better at it than others. That being said, on Saturdays I plan to do somebike riding, mapping my routes, spending time online, in articles, in books, asking advice to configure out all the logistics that I need to understand. I will do my best to keep you updated (whoever “you” is…there’s never a good way to know who reads these things).

Okay, where will I ride? Previously I had mentioned that I had narrowed it down to two routes. One as a Northern route through British Columbia and the other was a Southern route down the coast of California. With much deliberation and thought, I am leaning towards heading south…possibly all the way to the Grand Canyon via Nevada (or on the way back). I have never been to Nevada so that will be cool. I really do want to do the Northern route I mentioned, but right now I think I want some more tours under my belt before I take on the great Canadian Rockies in the frozen north. Logistics come into play too, such as the exchange rate, etc. I am not ruling any ride out at the moment, but I am just leaning more and more towards heading south. I have 11 weeks and I know I don’t have to do a huge tour taking up my whole summer. I could do a 2 week trip or something small like that, but knowing me I like to think big. So, we will see what happens, shall we? Will you take this journey with me?

One last note: I have thought of doing this trip alone, but if there is anyone who would desire to do any leg of the journey with me, I will not turn you away. My guess is there will not be many people jumping at that invitation, but let’s just say that it is an invitation…take it or leave it.

More details to come.

Anyhow, talk to you in February…

(**First written & published on January 1, 2013**)

With only 1 month to go: Bicycle Blog #3 (11-04-2012)

With only one month to until departure, I thought I'd post my old bicycle blogs that began this whole adventure but never saw the light of day on "Perfect Circles." So, please enjoy them and keep in mind they are from 2012 and 2013. This is 3 of 5:

Bicycle Blog #3

The sun has emerged in this eleventh month and in a little while I will embark on a bike ride to the library to return some audio books. I can’t really pass up this time to enjoy the outdoors especially since I know that they are going to be far and in between for the next several months. Daylight savings time snuck up on me like a lizard upon a tiger. Yes, we get an extra hour of sleep or something like that, but the days get shorter and darkness approaches quickly. That is not pleasant to some and I am one of those “some.” Alas, life goes on as it has this past week. I find it hard to believe it is already the month of November. Where did the last two months go? As the saying goes, “Time’s fun when you’re having flies.” Wait…reverse that. Thanksgiving will be here before I know it which will merge into Christmas and the New Year. And before I can say “bike trip,” I will be doing just that…Lord willing. Being the first part of November, I no longer have nine months, but seven until I depart for my grand adventure on two wheels.

Seven months! A lot can and will happen in those seven months. I do regret that I don’t have a lot to report at this moment. In fact, I have not even decided on a destination for said trip. I am leaning more and more towards the Canadian option. However, that will offer more challenges and obstacles to overcome. For example, currency exchange, communication with my home-based navigator (my current cell phone cannot be used abroad and phone booths are hard to come by), long stretches between towns, and extreme weather and temperatures. Most of this is speculation and of course no matter where I decide to go, there will be challenges and for that I am grateful. There will be pros and cons no matter where I end up traveling. I do hope to document my travels and compile my journals and experiences into a short travel book. There will be more on that later.

I continue to exercise and keep in shape. However, I need not worry too much about being in perfect shape come June 16^th because I have 

complete

 faith that the tour will train me rather than me for the tour. Nevertheless, I ought to get my mind ready for such an endeavor. Within the next two to three months I hope to acquire a new touring bicycle. That will mean I need to get my act together and set up a further plan to accomplish that so I have enough time to train and break my new bike in for my adventure.

The freedom and solitary of such a pursuit will be extraordinary to say the least. As will the obstacles and unknown trials. I look forward to the months ahead as this time creeps closer. Things to look for in upcoming bicycle blogs include: a final destination guide, a bicycle purchased, a travel book plan, reasons for taking such a trip, a rough itinerary, and more.

Happy pursuits

(**First written & published on November 4, 2012**)