Today in my head I rode the tennessee pass night jam. Today in my heart I rode with Myanmar.
The tennessee pass night jam is a yearly shenanigan cooked up by Sterling Mudge and the cloud city wheelers. Its a bike race, on snow, at night, at 10,000 feet, at Ty and Roxanne's nordic center. There is no good reason to do it. There is every reason to do it.
Ready for an understatement: It has been an interesting week in Myanmar. The protests have been growing daily as citizens are unwilling to allow their fragile democracy to be taken away. They have shown compassion, humor, and unwavering bravery as they take to the streets. I have felt a strange sense of helplessness as I observe things from the side. There are a few factors at play inhibiting my ability to protest but for some reason, riding in the dark snow of home was my way to say I ride with Myanmar. In the big picture a bit meaningless, but for me- for whatever reason it was much needed.
The set up:
1. beer socks. 2. set the AC to 20 degrees (brrrr). 3 find a youtube channel with fatbike race footage (there are surprisingly many) 4. Bonus! found a short clip of Brian Fedema in his bike shop. 5. Crank the tunes and ride!
And I rode! like the wind. (also I had a huge fan on me the whole time, like a tailwind) I rode with Myanmar. I rode with the friends I've made here. I rode with their hopes for the future. I rode with everyone that smiles at me when I say a very foreigner "Mingalabar" as I ride by. I rode with Mike Simpson. I rode with friends back home grieving for Adam, Seth, and Andy. I rode with Todd Huck. I rode with Symon Hayes. I rode with Jeff Apps. I rode with Jason Nepp. I rode with Ty and Roxanne Hall (albeit quite far behind them). I rode with Sterling Mudge and Brian Fedema. I rode with all of the teachers out there that have put up with less than fun teaching conditions. I rode with Mort. I rode with my family- you are all amazing. I rode with my awesome kids. I rode with Lisa- the love of my life, who makes everything better.
Sweaty and fashionable. As usual.
