Having arrived in Daytona, I find a temporary sigh of relief. Taking in the beautifully lush palm trees and salty smell is refreshing and relaxing to my anxious soul.
Laying under the palm tree, fully utilizing my first real chance to relax in weeks as I await a fresh set of tires, I reflect on all the events that have happened since I’ve left my home in Minnesota. It’s only been 36 hours but it feels like years!
Dodging storms, trying to figure out why my fleet tracker stopped working, witnessing a 12 car pileup on the freeway, getting lost in a small town trying to find gas and finding a few wonderfully twisty hilly mountain roads, last minute details bike tinkering, dealing with a phone that is on “heat protectant” shutoff mode more than not, have all been….well let’s call it part of the adventure!
Years ago, on my first summer touring after 4 of the bolts holding my back tire on broke off in the middle of nowhere Montanna after a string of unfortunate events, I got some golden advice that has stuck with me. “You can’t appreciate the highs without experiencing the lows”. I repeat this to myself frequently during “the lows”.
With having said that, I’d like to highlight the highs of my trip down to FL. There’s a very special energy that comes with participating in this event, the support from fellow challengers, some I have not yet met in person is indescribable! As I constantly peek at all the riders closing in on Florida to see if anyone is near me, I feel like I’m heading towards meeting my long lost family.
The conversations from curious onlookers have been a spirit lifter and extremely fun! However the absolute highlight of this trip was right around St. Louis, MO(I think). I saw a bike running with flashers in the left lane. Thinking ”that’s odd, why would a bike run with flashers in that lane”. Once I got close they switched to the middle lane flashing me a big smile and thumbs up. “Ok, that’s a friendly rider, awesome. Do they know what I’m about to do? Are they just out for a joyride and choose a thumbs up over the common one/two finger motorcycle wave?”
Well for a while they tailed me, riding with me, blocking traffic with lane changes, riding with me. I absolutely cherish these rare moments on the road. It’s truly special to meet a stranger and without any spoken words start a beautiful road dance together. At this point I had the thought hit me “I think this individual is a Hoka follower and decided to join me in support on part of my ride” HOW COOL!!!” I will never forget the feeling of pride, love, and support that overwhelmed me at the moment I realized what was happening. I then looked at all the bracelets I have stacked on my mirrors to hand out during the challenge as a polite way to say “I don’t have time to talk but here’s a spot to learn all about what I’m doing”.
Through various known hand signals we orchestrated the hand off of a bracelet. It was a very special moment, riding next to each other, seeing his excitement at the successful hanoff. One I will forever remember and cherish. To the person who had enough forethought to take time out of his life, to recognize and support me on this terrifyingly exciting challenge, forever in your gratitude! I’ll forever be disappointed that we didn’t get to stop and chat at a gas stop before the torrential downpour started!
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