Change

Day 46. International Falls to Pelican Lake. 55 MI. 2944 miles TTD. 1663 feet elevation. Weather: Sprinkles with a mildly annoying headwind.

The window-rattling thunder last night didn’t help me sleep very well. I knew it was supposed to rain, but I didn’t know it was going to be accompanied by a cacophony of loud noises. This morning, as I rode out of the parking lot, it was essentially a swimming pool. Fortunately, there was just a little bit of sprinkling left and a mild headwind. But the cool temperatures were appreciated.

“Moving doesn’t change who you are. It only changes the view outside your window.”

– Rachel Hollis

The view outside my window is constantly changing. Or rather, the view “outside” of my sunglasses. Today, I started seeing road cuts. I literally have not seen exposed rock in a road cut since Western Alberta. It made me wonder what studying geology at a university in Minnesota might be like. Road cuts are often a place for geological study. Only someone with a geology or, in my case, an earth science degree would ever wonder about this kind of (non)issue. Yet, university studies, even if not the direction of your career, change you. That type of change is likely more lasting because of the effort involved, not to mention the expense.

I’m hoping to get more likes by using some semi-nude pictures in my posts, LOL. Seriously, are my legs changing? The tan isn’t washing off in the shower as much anymore. Are my calves or my thighs any bigger? Does it matter? Making change is probably the most important part of our lives. From a Christian standpoint, it should be the central focus of our lives when we consider change and repentance as one and the same. I suspect bigger legs are not necessarily a critical change but rather a simple consequence of daily pedaling. However, their change does teach an important lesson.

My daughter Emily said she had to see it to believe it when I told her I was starting to visit people I didn’t know frequently. I don’t blame her because Gloria was clearly the outgoing communicator in our marriage. Now, without her, and with my three goals, I really have tried to change. The daily commitment to three simple tasks, along with being alone and having a great deal of time, has made a somewhat forced but wonderful difference.

Today, I had a fairly lengthy conversation with Doug at the front desk. In truth, that was in part because I kept forgetting my key, or it wasn’t working. Additionally, I stopped to ask several workers building a stone wall about the work they were doing and complimented them on the beautiful wall. I also tried repeatedly to engage with the waitress at the café, despite it being very painful, since she was a sullen teenager. The 25% tip finally got a pleasant response. These three interactions, initiated by me, didn’t use to be me! And even scarier, I enjoyed them.

Again, I’m incredibly grateful to have so much time to be on a bike, crossing a continent and interacting with people every day. A bike is a marvelous tool. First, it helps to constantly remind me that going forward is as simple as repeating an incredibly simple action: pedaling. Second, a bike exposes me to people. I can’t hide behind the rolled-up car window. Third, it keeps me on a pace that necessitates interaction at the store, the motel, and sometimes just on the trail when I run into a curious fellow human.

Tomorrow, I will continue pedaling forward in my quest to change a little at a time.