Reverse Gear Blog

Len is cycling across Canada this summer with Blind-Guy Biking, to raise funds for a program that Richard created called Pedal for Medals. They have been planning this trip for many months and Len has been helping Richard acquire a customized Greenspeed tandem for the trip. Not sure how many x-country trips have ever been done in Canada on a tandem trike but this one will certainly be unique. The tandem arrived this week.

I was envious because I love to travel (the gypsy in me), love to cycle, and love meeting people. And they were going to be doing that for 3 months without me.  

But now – they are not – going without me, that is! Last weekend, I decided to join them. I still haven’t figured out all the details (leave from work, who will water the plants, etc.) – but those are only details. The decision to go was the “big ticket”. And I am so happy that I have made it. Life is too short to not being doing the things that I want to do.

There are two reasons why the decision was easy to make – besides the “fun” that I will have cycling/travelling some 10,000 km. The first one is that I have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. It’s genetic and I should be able prevent it from becoming diabetes through diet and exercise. But I was still shocked to learn that in spite of all the “right-living” I was already doing, that this was happening to me. So I need to do more “right-living” if I am going to stay healthy and this cycle-trip is one of those things that I can do for myself.

The other motivator was the recent passing of a friend. She retired on January 1st and by end of February she was dead. It was a shock to everyone. When I saw her in November we talked about how much she was looking forward to a new relaxed life with her grand-son (born in December) and doing some renovations. I was so sad, especially for her family. (My heart goes out to them.)

Today, I know I am blessed with an opportunity – this gift – to join Len and Richard and Anna and the team. While I hope to  contribute to the goals of Blind-Guy Biking, I am really doing this for Numero Uno – ME. And I am so happy that I have made the BIG decision to go…  

<< more to come on our adventure – they say that I have to start “training” today because we leave in a month – training yuch!!! I just do this for FUN!>>

Len got up bright and early to the sunshine pouring in the bedroom window. I rolled over and asked him to go to the market by himself as I thought it was going to be too cold to ride. So into his cycling gear  – complete with goggles and face mask – and away he went. Half an hour later the door opens and he’s back, without the groceries!!! He said he only got half a mile away and his gears wouldn’t work. That’s the third time this winter that he hasn’t been able to ride because something just froze up. I just checked the “weather” and it’s only -16C but the windchill is -25C, and SUNNY.

So he’s now off to the market on the streetcar and I am happy that I made the decision to stay here in the warm office and work this morning. Spring cannot come too soon for us.