SFT

A day on the Hill

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I was initially unsure what my time in Washington, DC would bring – there were promises of meetings with lawmakers but knowing the unpredictability of politics I kept my options open. However as soon as I arrived, the bustling energy of the city swept me along and gave me the confidence to share what I had learned pedaling across the country with anyone who would listen. Luckily for me, I have friends in high places, and scored a series of great meetings for my day on The Hill.

Excited!

It is not often that a girl living on her bike has the opportunity to don heels and meet with legislators in the halls of Congress. I felt as though I was living a dream as security agents verified my ID and wrote down my computer’s serial number at the US Department of Agriculture. After passing through multiple layers of waiting rooms I found myself perched atop a fancy couch stealthily taking photos of the magnificent room. Before long a secretary escorted me straight into the office of USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.

A hug rather than a formal handshake greeted me and I instantly felt at ease. Deputy Merrigan was interested in hearing about the Tour and the folks who I have met along the ride. We chatted about the importance of Farm to School programming and the need for a policy that allows more in-depth connections from seed to cafeteria. Deborah Kane, formerly of the Ecotrust in Portland and now Director of Farm to School for the USDA, caught wind of the meeting and popped in for a few minutes of conversation. I did my best to absorb every detail before Deputy Merrigan was promptly whisked off to her next meeting – the announcement of $3.5 mil of Farm to School grants! Yay!

The most heartening take-away for me was that SHE GETS IT. Someone in charge who understands the importance of wholesome food for young minds and bodies is doing her very best to create change. I thank Deputy Merrigan, Deb Kane and the USDA for their kind hospitality for a weary but excited traveler.

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A little time off-road

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Look Ma, no cars!

Kudos, Midwest on your great bike trail infrastructure! Rails-to-trails paths that wind through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan have provided a much-needed respite from the buzz of the road over the last few weeks. My initial excitement over finding the Great Allegheny Passage trail (Awesome! Beautiful!) through Maryland and Pennsylvania quickly grew after I realized that there were hundreds of miles of bike paths between DC and Houghton. Hopefully one day there will be a national network of these fantastic resources that encourage community health and stewardship!

A day in the life of the SFT

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What do I eat? Where do I sleep? How far do I ride each day? Usually I try to avoid this mundane travelogue style of blogging, but I’ve had more and more requests for a glimpse into an average day of the SFT. Perhaps this summary will inspire you to hop on a bike the next time you’re looking for adventure. Bicycle touring is truly a fantastic way to travel!

Life on the road has its own cycles. Your schedule quickly shifts into alignment with the rhythms of the day and your focus narrows to concentrate on basic needs such as food and shelter. My day usually begins around 6:30 a.m. as the morning dawns overhead. Snuggled in my tent, I take out my iPhone to check the weather and plan a tentative route. Once the sky lights up it’s time for tea and breakfast on my trusty Jetboil stove. Oatmeal is my most common choice – 2 packets of plain organic instant oats, a handful of instant quinoa flakes and a spoonful of peanut butter – tasty and full of energy for the day ahead. By the time the camping gear is packed, the tire pressure is checked and the sunscreen is applied it’s usually pushing 8:30. Time to hit the road!

The first half hour of the day is always a bit tough. This is when your legs are still warming up and your body is settling back into its familiar position on the bike. Depending on the terrain, wind direction and road surface I can travel anywhere between 8 to 14 mph. My fanatstic Garmin Edge 800 GPS unit tracks my velocity, elevation gain and metabolic data. I keep an eye on the screen and regardless of my speed I try to keep my heart rate low and steady – hammering up a hill at 160 bpm is unsustainable if I have another 5 hours of riding ahead of me.

Along with monitoring my GPS data and route, I also have to keep track of my food intake. It’s important to stay fueled if you’re riding for an entire day.  I try to stop once an hour for some sort of sustenance – sometimes it’s a quick energy gel and other times I’ll have some trail mix or a tub of yogurt. I aim for a mix of carbohydrate and protein in every snack.

Usually I’ll take one long break from riding every day. I might stop at a grocery store to restock my food supplies or visit a library for some much-needed internet access. Traveling by bike isn’t about the speed, it’s about the ride, and I try to take time to appreciate the freedom of life on the road. This means occasional sightseeing, taking the scenic route and having conversations with curious strangers.

Late afternoon my destination generally draws near and I become antsy to finish up riding for the day and rest my legs. When I arrive at the campground (or if I’m lucky a hotel), showering is my #1 priority followed closely by an early dinner. Again, a mix of carbohydrates and protein are in short order – this could be anything from a peanut butter sandwich and a salad to a dried soup augmented with veggies and instant quinoa.

After dinner I’ll do my best to catch up on as many outstanding emails and blogs as possible before my eyelids start to get heavy and my bed begins to call to me. Early bedtimes are the norm on the SFT and I have been known to call it a night as early as 8 p.m. I always fall asleep with a snack by my side as often I’ll wake up quite ravenous in the middle of the night!

Pedaling across the country certainly isn’t glamorous but it is most definitely fabulous. Although I can’t wait to return home after the SFT is over next month, I’ll miss the peaceful existence of life on the road. I hope each and every one of you have the opportunity to experience the joy of a bicycle tour. Get out there and explore!