So what if…
What if you lost all your possessions, like those whose homes are sucked into an abyss by a Cat 5 hurricane or those who have fled from their homes to save their lives? To escape tyranny and persecution?
Would you be okay? Would you be okay as long as those you love are safe?
Self-supported with everything we ‘own’ neatly tucked into panniers, we traversed the landscape during our 2023 TransAm tour knowing we had to depend on our life experiences, our knowledge and each other. Yes. We still had a home, vehicles, stuff back in California but day to day, we were transients…nomads.
We cared for each item as if it were a most treasured prize, careful to protect the air mattress from sticks piercing through the earth, accounting for our bike computers, phones, and flashlights, being certain our water containers were whole and filled with life’s essence. The bikes were carefully parked and inspected daily. Failed brakes on a loaded bike during a descent could be catastrophic. Yes, following a methodical pattern of checks and balances, we safeguarded all things we needed to survive. While we sought shelter indoors on nights when storms ripped through, other nights our tent was our abode, keeping us warm and dry.
Did we miss the comforts of home? Our bed? Favorite snacks? The couch and TV? Not really.
What we missed most were OUR people. We soon came to realize that while it would be inconvenient to have to replace all the ‘stuff’ in our lives, it was still ‘stuff’. What we couldn’t replace was the laughter, hugs, tears and memories we’ve been so fortunate to share with others..our friends…our loved ones.
Our 2023 tour began June 1 at 3:47am when our dear friend Pat Wirth and Bill came to our home and gave us a ride to the airport. Quite possibly, I could hold Pat responsible for our great adventure as it was she who made me believe in hope, happiness and the pursuit of dreams. Within hours, we landed in Portland to begin what had seemed so elusive…a bicycle ride across the USA.
Our first few days of the tour, we were joined by Zachary Furnia, Drew’s oldest. While not only fun and funny, he’s a really strong cyclist. What a pleasure to experience our launch with him.
Back in 2022 when this whole idea began, it included brother Jeff. He and Drew had done quite a bit of touring together and I met them both during RAGBRAI 2021. Cycling must be in the genes because both proved to be incredible cyclists and with a sense of humor that just didn’t quit! They played off each other like Abbott & Costello. They had EVERYONE in stitches! By the second day, the Advil was for my face because I hadn’t laughed that much in years! Tragically, just a few months before the 2023 tour, Jeff experienced an event which prevented him from joining us. He had to cancel. Our resolve to ‘take him with us’ grew greater than ever. It just wouldn’t be the same but he was our hearts every pedal stroke.
https://www.facebook.com/dianna.alwerth/videos/682082984819856/
After leaving Zachary in Portland, we were so blessed to meet with my cousin Mike Hiatt and his wife Lois. They spent an evening with us and it felt like the many holiday celebrations we’d shared in the past, catching up on this and that. Mike has a twinkle in his eye that I have loved a lifetime. How did I get so lucky to have grown up with such amazing people?!
Still in our first week, Steve Jones met us in Portland and rode with us to Troutdale. Steve and Drew spent hours and hours hiking trails: the John Muir Trail, the Wonderland Trail, parts of the PCT. Ah…and herein lies the magic of weighing everything you carry! We bid a good farewell at Shirley’s Tippy Canoe, a restaurant that had burned. As I watched Steve ride away…down the path we had just traveled…I felt a sense of loss as if we’d been delivered by a guardian to a new place and time…uncertain.
We were now alone, responsible for our tour, our well-being, our world.
Making friends while on the bike is easier than one would think. The bike is so unassuming. And nearly everyone can relate to riding a bike. Add a blonde from southern California…well, how could you not want to talk?! And so I did with so many people all the whilst the watchful eye of my sentinel was at my back.
Thankfully, with modern technology, we were still able to stay ‘connected’ through social media. To see the beautiful photos and fun adventures that everyone was enjoying made being away from home easier. But I still missed YOU. There is something so special to hear your laughter, watch how you walk or the feel of our hugs together. Never before had I realized ‘how’ I know you. I know the dimple in your check or the wrinkles across your nose when you’re really happy and smile. And if we’ve ridden bikes together, I can pick you out of the crowd by your posture and pedal stroke. These things I love and I miss when we’re apart.
Some of our days there were long stretches, miles and miles with no stop sign or signal. Periodically, we’d pull off on to a driveway leading to a ranch way far away, to take a break, get out of saddle, maybe have a snack. We were always watchful of vehicles pulled over having experienced a ‘hopscotch’ experience with a white van earlier. By midday on July 7th, as we traveled from Lusk to Edgemont, South Dakota, we spotted a vehicle pulled over in a turnout. Instinctively, any gaps between Drew and I disappear, and I return to within inches of his rear wheel…united as a single force with which to be reckoned. We could see two rather tall people standing beside the car and then the wave began. NO ONE waves like Roxanne Benson! OMG!! Our friends…our good “share life with” friends! Energy somehow burst into our legs and suddenly, we were up the hill and there with them. I cannot begin to tell you how magical it is to have friends from southern California meet you in South Dakota to check on you! Wow! We chatted a bit and met later in Edgemont for a quick bite. They were passing through and needed to get going again but what an amazing treat!
Soon, we were in Omaha and preparing for RAGBRAI L. As we waited for Zachary to land, Stu Carter walked by. We met Stu at the El Tour de Zona. His love for cycling and making the world better for others is unmatched! Such an awesome man!
And, one of the most magical moments of my lifetime happened August 16th. It was an incredibly beautiful day and one spent in a relaxed, casual mode…ice cream at a local stand in the afternoon, stops to video the awesome trains, fields in full bloom. We traveled down country roads with sparse traffic, from Ohio to Pennsylvania, tunes jamming. And then it happened. We saw two men standing in a parking lot off to our right and they were watching us. One man had a bright shirt on with the same colors as our cycling jerseys. A few more pedal strokes and my hands started to shake as I fumbled to reach the GoPro mounted to the front of my handlebars. I recognized these faces. It was Jeff, Drew’s brother and Jeff’s best friend Ken. A cascade of tears flooded my cheeks. Jeff was supposed to be on this ride with us! The rest of the afternoon and evening was a bit of a blur. We had so much catching up to do and the time flew by. Having traveled two and a half months into our tour, this visit was more than anyone could ask for!
https://www.facebook.com/1398527329/videos/1746579329289594/
Our final treat for the tour was to connect with Mary Ingram and Kevin Ingram. They are also friends from the Redlands area, enjoying their summer home in Ellsworth, Maine. We spent a lovely afternoon on the lake and enjoyed an amazing dinner that evening.
Each time we reflect on the magical moments of our 2023 tour, while we feel so fortunate to have experienced the immense beauty we witnessed, it was the smiles, hugs, laughter and surprises that gave us the greatest joy.
We know, as long as we have YOU, we’ll be okay.
The rest is stuff. 😊
#RoadrunnerTour2025
