Tales from the Trails Post #2

Our route across the BC Trail with nightly camping spots

I thought it would be a good idea to introduce you to the team. There will be several people dropping in and dropping out along the route, but at the start of this trip, Ed and I are with two of Ed's buddies he met soon after my family moved from Michigan to Connecticut. From this fact, I have inferred that it took two people to fill my shoes. But I have to admit, Ed made great choices, and James and Fred have become quick friends of mine, too.

James and Fred

James is newly retired from a long business career and has recently moved from Michigan to Bellingham, Washington with his wife of forty years, Cathie, in order to be closer to their pregnant daughter and son-in-law. It was from his and Cathie’s front door we started this adventure.  

James has done the lion’s share of the planning for the trip, especially after the AI version Ed and I presented was chalk full of egregious errors. He is organized, measured in tone, the voice of reason, and generally makes sure we have everything we need to be successful while traveling 900 miles of back country. When Ed suggested we transport the bikes from the airport to James’s house on the roof of the car holding them with our hands out the windows, James said he didn’t think that was wise; and when I let on to concerns about GPS shortages along the route, he made me an inch-thick binder of printed material detailing directions to every trailhead and campsite we’ll visit.

Because of all this, James has quickly earned the nickname, “Dad”. Which, in this instance, is a term of endearment. And because his wife Cathie has made each of the riders/driver a self-designed bandana for a keepsake, and a five-pound bag of homemade granola and other delicious baked goods for the trip, it may be fitting to call her “Mom".

The other rider now with us, Fred, looks most like a cyclist. James cycles in button-down shirts and Ed peddles in Hush Puppies, but Fred wears the clothes of a bicycle racer. But it’s more than just a look, as he is an absolute beast on the bike and seemingly inexhaustible. His brother Tom was a past member of the US Olympic Cycling team, so I guess it runs in the family. Fred is also skilled at cards and cooking and cracking us up. I don’t know if these are family trait as well, but I do know I wish he wasn't leaving in a week.

Fred and James

These two guys, like Ed, and like the friends I've made after leaving Michigan, are big-hearted, adventurous, comical, caring and convivial. For as much as this trip is a joyride though, we are also riding for two charities. Ed and I have a goal to raise $20,000 for the MCHS charity in Michigan. MCHS is an all-encompassing human resources agency whose only mission is to help people in need, and they do it in a variety of ways. The organization has been in operation for over a 100 years and is ever-expanding to help more people. We want to help them do that. Please check out their website and learn why you'd want to help them do that too: https://mchsmi.org/ 

James is riding in support of the Lummi Nation Boys and Girls Club. The Lummi Nation are the original stewards of the land along Washington state's northern coast and southern British Columbia. You can learn more about that charity here: Support Lummi Nation Boys & Girls Club

As I write this, we are three days on the trail. Connection has been intermittent at best. Therefore, these posts might be just as spotty. But today I found some juice and was able to post. Thank you for staying tuned, and thank you all for your support.

 

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