When I was making my decision about Pedal the Pacific, my grandma said to me, “Everyone should go on at least one grand adventure in their life, this is yours.” That conversation greatly influenced my decision and has continued to play in my head over and over these past seven days. I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system of family and friends. However, my grandparents are two people whom I would not be the woman I am today without. They have truly shown up for each moment in my life, no matter how big or small, and for that I’m truly grateful.
When my grandma passed away this past December, my whole entire world crumbled in a way I never thought it would. Someone whom I treasured sharing my life with, is no longer a witness to it.
When preparing to leave for Pedal, I experienced a sense of grief I initially couldn’t put into words. After taking time to reflect, I realized this is the first time I’m not able to bring both my grandparents along on my latest adventure. Navigating grief, along with the highs and lows of the first week of Pedal, was a challenge I wasn’t expecting to face. Even though my grandma isn’t here to witness this adventure, I know she will be with me all 1,700 miles of the pacific coast.
The night before launch, my parents surprised myself and my team with bracelets with a turtle charm … a “traveling turtle to bring us safely home”. I haven’t yet been able to articulate the significance of the turtle to my teammates, but my grandma used to always tell me that when I was a baby, the way I would stick my neck out of my swaddle made me look like a turtle. Since I was a little girl, turtles have always reminded me of my grandma. It is truly so special and absolutely warms my heart to see the turtle on their wrists each day.
Thus far, this journey has been anything but easy. Through adverse weather, a concussion, dog bite, bee sting, broken tent, etc., my team and I have endured and overcame so many challenges in a short 16 days. In many of these moments, when I’m feeling emotionally and physically exhausted and wanting to give up, I often catch a glimpse of either my wrist or one of my teammates wrists, and I see that turtle charm. Once I see the turtles, I instantly feel my grandma’s love and remember why I ride.
I’m biking for something bigger than myself. It is such a privilege it is to push my body to its absolute limit to advocate for every human to have bodily autonomy.
After a week of reflection (which was lowkey forced upon me with my concussion), I’m truly so grateful I said yes to Pedal the Pacific. I know my team and I still have a long journey ahead of us, but I know we will continue to overcome them and a grand adventure we will have.
