the pre-challenge challenge

I never liked riding bikes. In fact, before I moved to Bellingham I was deathly afraid of riding a bike on the road. Life decided to change my mind on that, and as soon as I moved here, my car died on me (I miss you Jolly Green). So, I bought a helmet and dusted off the old teal Hardrock and delved into the world of commuting.

I quickly fell in love with cycling, and became a complete gear junkie. I did everything on my bike- work, errands, shopping, even laundry. Three bikes later I consider myself a novice bike mechanic. Craving adventure (and motivated to find some sunshine), Josh and I decided to take on the bike ride of a lifetime- the Great Divide! 3,000 miles of mountains, desert, bears, fishing, tarantulas and cacti. We've spent the last 18 months training, packing, obsessively searching for the best gear, reading GDR blogs and dreaming of that glorious first day out of Banff, Canada. And then-

BAM! In a split second I am flying towards the ground and oncoming traffic, watching my bike fly away from me. I slowly stand up and carry my bike to the sidewalk. I fumblingly try to reattach my chain and hands guide me back down to sit on the curb. I see a guy my age on his cell and hear sirens; a woman hugs me and says she's so angry- she's a biker, too. I thought she was the one who hit me and wanted to yell at her, but then I hear her say, "Did anyone get the license plate?" It slowly sinks in. I was just hit by a car. And the car left me for dead. My wrist hurts and is shaking while I try to take off my helmet and decide if my body hurts. Josh is on his way; the EMT checks me out, the police take off trying to locate the car. Everyone is so nice and scared looking. Apparently someone chased the car but they never found the person who hit me.

As soon as Josh gets my bike on the truck and me in the car, I lose it. I don't remember much, but I vividly remember the sound of that car slamming into my bike, and how much it hurt when my body hit the ground. I try to picture myself getting back on my bike and I just lose it.

I've been scared of cars since I was a child. I can't even tell you how many times I've walked into work saying, "I almost just got hit by a car!" In fact, it became the norm. I kept saying, "I ride my bike so often, my chances of being hit are pretty ridiculous." Unfortunately, I was right, and even more unfortunately I leave for the GDR in 2 weeks. BUT, I am walking, my bike is fixed, and I am determined to get ready!! My neck is in sad shape and I my head feels like a rhino sat on it. But my friends are saints, and my masseuse is a miracle worker. I still haven't gotten back on the saddle yet, but I won't let this faceless jerk take this trip away from me. I am nothing if not a determined, stubborn woman. I will make my way to Tucson one pedal at a time if I have to!

So, while I'm spending my summer cruising down the Divide, remember me whenever you're in car and keep an eye out for all those commuters. I know cyclists can be jerks sometimes, too. But a helmet isn't a seat belt. If you hit us, we will fly, and it will hurt.

Thank you friends- there's just no way I could get through these two weeks without your help and encouragement. I hope your summers are full of sunshine, adventure, laughter and joy!