Columbus and the Santa Maria

The General spoke softly but sternly, "It's time." I knew just what he meant. Still, I was hesitant. "I'm not ready." He stopped me, "It's time. People are counting on you." I informed him, "These things take time." He said, "Before we leave Red Oak you need to blog."

And so here I am, commissioned by the General to articulate a few thoughts into a blogpost, to share with you of my adventures.

About 500 years ago, another pale explorer set forth on his own mammoth expedition. He was called Columbus and instead of a road trip by bike he captained a fleet of three ships (the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria) across the waters to discover India and to exploit the people and resources contained within. At least, that was the plan. Columbus was a stubborn man who believed himself to be an esteemed voyager. Therefore, he did not heed his wife's repeated warning, "You were supposed to turn back there." Consequently, he came upon America, called the natives "Indians", and opened the first 7-11 where he would later invent the slushee and be inspired to write the song, "Piano Man." American History would never be the same.

I'm certain that when Columbus blogged he told about learning to play blackjack, hitching rides on trains, the increasing commercialization of the Americas, and his most cherished discovery: the S'more. But, I am also sure that his best stories were about his crew and the people he met along the way. That is likewise true for me.

There was Joseph of Gila Bend, a boy of 16, who loves to sing country music even if as he says he doesn't have "the best voice. There was Herb, an 80 year old man who has been cycling since he was 14 and continues to now even after a recent knee injury. There was Michael, owner and proprietor of Pie Town, who was very excited to learn about Ride:Well and who donated a PowerBall ticket. "That would buy a lot of wells." There was Jon Willey who, after talking with and having our picture taken together, gave me an authentic rattlesnake keychain.

Then, there are my team mates. Everyday brings the privilege of getting to know them better. Even on a slow day with lots of flats Crystal has said, "that was time for us all to hang out together." It's true. Usually, whoever is sweep gets the benefit of some quality time with me since I typically file in the back. I like to think they fight over the opportunity.

A few days ago, after a water stop, I was feeling good and had gotten some distance between myself and sweep. Then the rains came. I figured this was what held my team mates back. I was pushing through with only the thought of getting to the next stop. Ten miles later, entirely drenched helmet to socks, I took a moment when the rain let up to check my phone. I was expecting a call from Donna. Instead, I had a text from Chris, one of our expert leaders, asking if I had made the turn. The turn? What turn?

"You were supposed to turn back there."

Oh.

I didn't realize and that was humorous in one of those "we'll laugh about this later" ways because I'm also so paranoid about missing a turn and about getting lost in general. A few minutes after I talked to Chris, the van pulled up and my path was redirected.

And that is how I came to be called Columbus. The name was given to me by the General. Then we decided that my bike, my vessel, should be named "Santa Maria" after his ship which the slowest of the three and which also got lost along the way.

But we don't think of Columbus' 1492 expedition as the time he got lost and didn't discover India. We think of it as his journey to find the Americas, for himself. I am on that journey too.