Pondering what I might write about today now that we have a day of wi-fi and cell access, I decided to describe a day in the life of the North American Epic ride. (Actually, this is an amalgam of several days, but it will give you the gist of our days).
Now reading this, you might be amazed at the busyness of our days as are we. This is a holiday you ask? For a certain kind of person, like us, I guess the answer is yes!
We wake up around 5:30, groan, and start to get ready for our day. Lately that involves getting dressed as quickly as possible (brrr!) , pack our gear, take down the tent, and haul our bags over to the truck. Hurrah, the coffee is hot and ready followed shortly by breakfast…usually hot porridge, muesli, and fruit. Now sometimes making sure that hungry riders only eat their share can be problematic. But no challenge is too great for our wily staff!
After a quick breakfast, we get ready to ride. The toughest question is always how many layers of clothes to wear. Too few, and we freeze at the beginning of the ride. But excess layers mean stops along the road to take them off and then carry them all day. Sigh. We are wimps and usually take too much stuff. But what if it rains? Oh my.
Finally we make our decisions and head off down the road.
We ride as fast as we are able, hoping to make it to camp before too late but trying not to run out of steam. We are pretty much the slowest riders in the group. Sigh. But at this point we are also the oldest male and female on ride so we can always try to use the “oldfolks” excuse.
Usually about halfway to lunch we stop for a snack at the “roadside café” as Debbie dubbed the side of the road. If we are really lucky, we actually find a real roadside café or store where we can have a snack and a coke.
After snack, we start to think about lunch! How much further to lunch? And now? Luzinda, our amazing bush cook from Namibia, makes an amazing lunch: fresh fruits and vegetables, pasta and rice salads, cold cuts, cheese, bread and after washing our hands (a strict rule!!) we descend on her offerings like vultures. We are sooo hungry! One day at lunch there was an immature bald eagle sitting in a tree across the way watching us with interest. He was huge and amazing.
Tummies full, we make a pb&j sandwich for down the road and set off again.
Now it is just a matter of making it to camp, ironically almost always against a head wind. Upon arrival, we set up our tent, take a dip in a lake if one is available and it is warm enough, and hang out with the other riders.
Time for riders meeting to learn about tomorrow and Colleen’s awesome dinners (wraps or steak or curried chicken…soo good).
Yawn…it’s time for bed. Tomorrow is another day, and piece of road to conquer…
Thanks so much for riding along. We enjoy your comments and support. See you next time we have a rest day.
xoxo Barb & Jim
oldfolkswithbikes 
Hi Barb and Jim,
Thanks for the blog updates. I can relate to many of the points mentioned in the “day in the life”.
The riding sounds fairly challenging but at least the navigation appears simple!
Cheers
Stephen
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Hey Stephen, you know better than most the importance of easy directions although I still catch Jim heading the wrong way 😏
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Now I understand why Jim likes these rides. It is all about FOOD!
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You know Jim!!
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So glad you are able to ride this year, and only wish we could be there as well! We loved our Road Trek trip, which seems pretty cushy compared with your trip, but I do miss the bike. I have been able to get away on the bike a few days this summer and still love it!
We had a fun trip with our rig on Lopez Island with three other longtime kayaking couple friends, and it was a great to get away. Wonderful weather and I was able to get in some hiking, biking and kayaking.
We are down a the farm now, and tend to send most weekends here. Having fun with all of Richard’s kitties and Coco, who thinks she is mom to all of them.
Take care and hope we can get together sometime later this summer or fall before you are off to Arizona for the winter.
Mary (and Steve)
Sent from my iPad
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Hi Mary, so good to hear from you. Will plan to see you on the annual sojourn to Portland. Hopefully with Jim as well. Love to you both
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What a fabulous story to read on Sunday morning – you’ve inspired me to get out on the bike today and am counting the days to Banff! Stay strong xx
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Hi Barb! Ironically we are in Spokane and you are not! Dang! We enjoyed wine tasting in Walla Walla this weekend and are traveling on to Whitefish. I’m heading out to walk along the river… wish you were here. I love your updates and once again I am impressing my friends with YOUR accomplishments! Love you.
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Thanks Jim for sending Dan and I the link to your adventure. And, thanks Barb for the outstanding visuals as well as the commentary. It was 103 on our porch yesterday. Coolness sounds lovely…without the mosquitoes of course. Keep on truckin and be safe.
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Thanks Helene. We think often of your adventures here last year. Another day with rain at the end of the day but so beautiful! No heat wave here!!
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Hi Barb,
Oooh, I love these blogs! The wildlife, bears, what you can see of climate change, the daily routine, and I love your photos. Thank you! 95 miles is a long first day. You guys are so inspiring! (I could order you a quiet little electric bike motor on Amazon Prime — next day delivery. No one would ever know.) So are there two or three of you there?
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Hey Caroline, so nice to hear from you. It’s been awesome…just have sire enough legs for 3 😎
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Barb, having done one of these blogs myself last November, I know how much fun it is to receive comments back. Thank you for sharing this adventure with us, your fan club. The landscape you are riding through is amazingly beautiful. I love being perched on your shoulder even if I am happy not to be your legs! Keep the photos and stories coming!
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Hi Olivette, nice to heat from you. Hope you are having a great summer
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Hey there, finally caught up to you two. What an amazing ride you’re on! Many thanks for sharing the trip; I can imagine there are days when all of the rest of the world has no chance of being on your mind…
Stay safe and alert as “civilization” increases its density. And no more stand-offs with ‘grizz !
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Hi Tomas, hope all is well with you two. Has been amazing and tough. We miss everyone and the doggies
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Hey Tomas,
We finally have some wifi again so wanted to say hi. Hope your summer is going well.
We have been riding near Ft St John, the center of the natural gas region and I am certain that we are at more risk from the dude in pickup trucks and big rigs than we are from the bears! Will be glad to leave this area soon. Love to Anne, Barb
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You guys are amazing! Sending lots of love and energy your way.
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