Climb, Climb Up Sunshine Mountain

We've already biked our way through Fairbanks and spent last night in beautiful Denali Park.

One of the things I have learned as we've ridden through wind, rain and fire (well, smoke from fires, anyway) is that you never know what is around the next corner. Sometimes as I am pushing to ascend yet another gargantuan mountain on my bicycle, I tell myself, "after that next corner up ahead it looks like the top; I can do it!". Then, I round that corner and what do I find? Another corner way off in the distance, calling to me that just around that bend is the top of this mountain. On and on this goes as I cover the Alaskan miles each day. It almost seems like a cruel joke played on me by the incomparable beauty of mountains, flowers, wildlife and the breathtaking sites around me. Sure, it's tempting to give up but I don't give up, I keep pedaling, hoping to see the top after I round the next corner. I anticipate the joy of completion: conquering a 6-8 mile hill at an 11% grade, even when physically I want to give up!

Life's journey sometimes feels just like that...one more corner & then things will be different; things will be easier. However, things do not always go as we plan, do they? Yet, we keep pushing on because we anticipate the joy of completion. Finally, just when you are afraid to look at what is around the next corner you see the gentle, downward slope! Around that last corner WAS the crest of the mountain you've been tackling! What excitement and joy it is to experience speeds of 41 mpg for five glorious miles with the cool wind blowing in your face and the sound of the bicycle tires whirring on the roadway. That joy of completion feels great.

So, for those of you looking at the next corner, hoping for a breather...take heart: the top will come.
As of today we've covered more than 400 miles! Now, we head back to Anchorage as our journey winds down. Safe pedaling to you! Terence