One Month Later… Will

Change is never easy.  It isn’t in human nature to veer from the norm.  We get into our routine and anything out of the “comfort zone” doesn’t seem quite right.  So… Where does that leave Team GCC now?

As of September, I moved to Vienna, Virginia where I have an hour and a half commute to “The Hill” where I work in the Capital as a Press and Media intern for Senator Coats from Indiana.  They are long hours this time of year in the political world, but I love DC and love my program even more: Capital Fellows Program.  As I talk to people in the office, it’s very common for me to lead the conversation in a way so I can talk about the bike trip.  You’ll hear me say, “Oh! Did you know I biked through your state this summer??”  Actually, it is quite easy to seamlessly slip that comment in.

My Office

As I look back, there is nothing like life on the road.  I know we often joked about it, but, really, when we were in these towns across America, we felt like rock stars.  Well, rock stars that wore really tight shorts.  I could have never fathomed the response that people gave us.  No matter big/small, east/west, cornfields/skyscrapers: people related with our mission.  I believe it is innately in us to cling on to people attempting good.  Now I understand we can debate on what is “good”, but a genuine attempt to help your neighbor is something everyone can believe.  The irony is we set out from Anacortes back in May with the intent to do our part in helping others, but little did we know how many blessings were going to come our way.

As you can well imagine, tangents are very possible when it comes to talking about the trip, so here’s a little structure.  I have found there are 2 questions that most people ask:

1)      How many miles did you do a day?

“60 to 70 miles a day” is the short answer.  But we all know that this trip was way more than just about the biking.  I think when it was all said and done we took over 2 weeks of non-riding/rest days so that puts us at under 9 weeks of riding to  complete 3,500 miles.  Do the math and you get just over 60 miles a day to get from coast to coast.

2)      Do you miss it/would you do it again?

Yes and no to both.  On one hand how could I not miss jumping on my reliable brooks saddle with a humming/singing Mack to my right, a giggling Loosy and Ryan to my left saying that they like Butt Butter WAY more than they like DZ nuts (its competitor), and Jamie honking as he passes in the Grover Rover rocking out to an Adele song?!  The team and the people are what made it.  But on the other hand, I feel like God has given us this trip not only as an awesome experience, but to equip us.   Each one of us was part of the team to learn particular lessons.   Things we needed to learn so we can go prepared for what God has for us.  “To where much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48)

As I look back, I remember Mack saying to the reporter in Battery Park where we finished, “permanent”.  I find myself stuck on that word.  The scholarship is permanently endowed, the friends have permanent memories, and God moved in permanent ways through this team and the people who touched it.

Thank you all who helped change me through your words and actions, permanently.  Who knew pedaling could be so cool?

The Capital Fellows class of 2012-13