Wednesday, October 1, 2008

114 miles

Mark and dad came out about two weeks ago to hang and be in the great Pacific Northwest. They hung in Seattle until I could have a day off at which point they came up to the "City of Subdued Excitement" Bellingham to eat some good food, and do some fun trips.

My personal favorite was ferrying out to Orcas Island and biking to the top of Mt. Constitution. I had been wanting to bike all the way from Bellingham and then to the top, but I didn't feel like I was in good enough shape, and didn't know if dad and Mark were going to be into it. Well of course we got off late, barely made the ferry and had a really great ride to the top. It super steep at parts and I wasn't sure if my gearing was going to be enough, but it was. All three of us made it to the top and all the grunting and sweat was worth it when it came time to go down.

All this background to get to the present day. Two hours ago I just returned from my bike trip to the top of Artist's Point, the highest point accessible by car near Mt. Baker. I had thought about this for a long time, wasn't sure if I could do it, but after the Mt. Constitution climb, I was pretty sure it was possible.

I left this morning at six:thirtyam on my fortyninecm Lemond Poprad from my front door.

Anis Mojgani sounded off my little iPod an hour into the ride. I froze. It has been chilly here in the mornings, and this morning was no exception. Fog was all around, walls of cold open air mixed with the warm sections as I ducked into a mass of woods. It was delicious. Taking off my gloves to blow into my hands to warm them, and pedaling like a madman to get my body temp up. At eight:thirty I finally broke a sweat. Once I was out of the city of Glacier I was over half way. I was focused and just trying to conserve all my energy for the actual climb. Coldplay X&Y and David Gray White Ladder had already played through, but instead of going to the I am Sam soundtrack after the maintenance shed signaling the beginning of the climb. I found some Rage Against the Machine to get me to the top. I was suprised initially by the lack of steepness. I was in a pretty high gear the entire time, but what was lacking in grade was made up for in length. It took me an hour and a bit to finally get to the top. Five hours from my front door. Beautiful. Quiet. Thankful. I laid down for a quick power nap and to enjoy my realised dream.
Back on the bike I made it home in three hours. I was feeling good, and the thought of home was taunting me. Went through I am Sam soundtrack, one song from Imogean Heap and then the new Iron and Wine album paying special attention to Boy with a Coin that I fell in love with. Patty Griffin saw me into town. And just the sounds of cars and Bellingham to get home. Eight hours total.

It was a good ride for a lot of reasons. The last few weeks have been less than easy. Damn hard really. When I got up I just wanted to spend the day curled up in bed, but I worked some things out on this trip. I'm glad I did it. I felt alive on this trip. It is good to feel this way. Hopefully in the future it doesn't take onehundredandfourteen miles to get this emotion. Until I get there, I am happy with today.

8 comments:

Jessica said...

Hunter, that is incredible! I can't even fathom biking and climbing that much. WOW! I love your soundtrack for the trip. Some great music you have there!
I have been thinking about you and praying for you a lot. God must be up to something!

Garrett said...

yah hunter! psyched for you! next time let me tag along for the ride... garrett.

kendra said...

WOW! well done hunter, well done. Bet you'll never think of the drive up to baker in the same way.

Mark W. Mallman said...

Your best entry so far (in my itty-bitty opinion).

Long live the long ride! Ride on.

dav said...

j'ai pas tout compris mais bon maintenant je sais qu'on peu écrire en français...
pour être plus honnête que Sylvain je te dirais que je n'en fais pas souvent du vélo mais bon j'essaierai quand même de les suivre si j'ai du courage...
bisous chef!!!

earl sullivan said...

loves

lacy rain said...

That's proud Hunter. And I personally, do not believe it is by any means a poor choice to access emotion through that which you love and that which inspires you, namely cycling in this case. Some of us find great solace, peace and honesty when in the outdoors using our bodies, to knot that about yourself is the best you can do and to allow yourself the space to do it, is even better.

Ben and Jennifer said...

Hunty
Nice work, I love your telling of the story through your sound track! So fitting. Looking forward to taking a long ride and catching up.
ben