Early in the week before we left for Canada my younger sister and I were walking across the cross walk Then a driver cut us off, and I pushed the driver’s vehicle out of defensive/shock/”were here”/I’ve been hit by a car before in a cross walk/ect. So…long bizarre story cut short….I have to pay for the ‘damage’ I caused with my hands to the drivers vehicle. The driver didn’t even care about our safety! Well…I cannot talk about it, because it gets me worked up of how illogical this whole thing panned out. It’s that small town B.S. Million thanks to my dad for helping me take care of this.
My bags and bicycle arrived to me the week before too that made my whole week go from crap—to bitchin’!!! The bags that Jeff designed are beautiful, and fit all my gear perfectly. I’m truly impressed. It’s the honest truth. I love these bags! TOTALLY BITCHIN’! Thank you Jeff for taking the time to create such an amazing piece of highly functional art!
News Flash!
If people don’t know….I quit my job at Wally World. I worked these last 7 months as a grave yard shift grocery stocker. As I finished my last grave yard shift it felt so wonderful to be free from all obligations. It felt like true freedom walking out that door at 6am.
So….that Sunday I got all my shiz together, and it’s always seems like I’m pulling crap out last min to make sure I have everything I needed to self-support myself in this journey.
Monday our flight to Banff was w-i-c-k-e-d fast. A little over two hours for a 1225 mile flight! FREAKIN FAST! We were flying in U.S Airway’s “top fleet jet”. I got the tickets off Price line, and it was cheaper than flying to Salt Lake City! How ironic!
Inside the jet it was super squishy (no exaggeration) and tiny---no tiny isn’t the right word…the walk path is microscopic. The flight attendant kept mentioning on the intercom to watch out for her cart, because it took up the entire walk way space. I got a whole can of apple juice. That made my day. On all the plane flights I’ve been on…rarely I ever get the whole can of apple juice I hate the bicycle fees though. I remember when it used to only cost $50. Whatever…
So when we got the rental all sorted out my cousin started driving, and I as the navigator to Banff. It made me laugh when I saw the speed limit signs it read, “MAXIUM 110” …how could that make you not smile, and at least laugh a little. When ever I go to a different country I love reading the back of the food labels. Canada has writing galore on the back of food/drinks. English and French labeling…then Medicinal ingredients and non-Medicinal ingredients, by which highly amuses me. It’s a little annoying how they don’t have serving size on the back of the packaging. I totally dig how England, Ireland, Wales had a little thing on the front saying if it was suitable for Vegan, or Vegetarians, or not suitable. Talk about very considerate. I felt like that was very kind, and thoughtful to have the info already on the package. It was heaven when I went shopping for food.
When we got to Banff it totally reminds me of Park City, UT. There is supposed to be some type of Sundance films thing going on here this week. So Banff is bustling…
The chill air in Banff feels really wonderful, and super refreshing. Safford, AZ is a total desert mining town dustbowl of hopelessness. Were my family lives in Safford we get some fatty sand storms. So, in Banff it’s nice to see, touch, and breathe the ‘real deal’ pine trees, and the river that the YWCA is next to. The people in Banff seem to be visiting from many different countries. I’ve already heard many different languages toady…at least 6 different sounding languages…pretty neat. The temp is rather nice, but I'm use to hot/dry. So, I have a good extra 2 pounds worth of clothing with me.
We have a couple days to tour around Banff, and I’m really happy that we came early. Wednesday was our picture day….here are some pictures I thought were worth sharing.
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My cousin and I crashed out pretty early when we got checked into the YWCA in Banff on Monday.
So, Tuesday we went random food shopping. It’s a little trippy when you look at prices for food, because the prices seem bloody expensive due to the Canadian currency having the same symbol for dollar that we do.
F.Y.I-here you have to pay 25 cents if you want to use a grocery cart.
Today I also put my fixed gear beauty together. I noticed that a little brake pad screw is missing. So, I should try to pick one up from the bicycle shop tomorrow. I worked on the electrical aspects of my bicycle today. My gear it fits nicely in the bar bag, and frame pack. I have not officially decided on how much food and water I really want to start off with. So, I might just start with my backpack…although my goal is not to start with my backpack…whatever…
I picked up some water tabs today as well.
My attitude and emotions towards what I’m going to be doing is pretty laid back. I’m a little anal towards how I’m carrying a sleeping bag, and mat. Part of me keeps saying you don’t need it, and the other part of me is like it won’t hurt to carry it. I don’t think it helps that I’m listening to Johnny Cash right now. When I listen to Johnny Cash it makes me feel like going total Oregon Trail Style use the clothes on your back, and tough it out. Honestly, I have no stress about what I’m about to take on. I am taking on a very unique challenge, and I think that makes me really laid back to taking on the Great Divide Route.
So, these words will be the last words I will write on this blog for awhile. You can follow my progress by visiting this website:
tourdivide.org
*if you scroll to the bottom of the page you will see a little helmet that says MTB cast—you can listen to call ins on the website from all the racers.
So…my last words…..until I write again.
First I would like to declare the bicycle/style:
To those who are not aware-- My fixed gear is an old school 10-speed from the 1980’s that I turned into a fixed gear during the winter of 2008-2009. The bicycle brand is a Shogun model 300 series, and I refuse to repaint it. I named it Phoenix—because it’s an old bicycle reborn into a new life. I’m running a 46-17 ratio. I love this ratio on, and off the roads. The back wheel I built learning off of Youtube. The front wheel is built by Steve at High Gear Cycles located in Prescott, AZ. The wheels are 700X32. I’m using BMX pedals. I honestly lose track of time when I ride the fixed gear. I feel like it almost contains a legendary magic. I do not ride with Spandex nor butt padding. I prefer cut off pants, Patagonia Capliene, and slip on Vans my personal choice when riding this non-stop beast. I will be wearing my finisher’s jersey of the FC 508. I normally don’t like to wear a finisher’s jersey, because it makes me feel pompous. But, I’m wearing it so everyday when I look down at that jersey I will know that I am mentally, and physically capable of enduring through the Great Divide Route.
Those I would like to thank:
Thanks to all my sponsors for believing in me. Thank you for your precious time, and efforts to help me prepare for this life changing journey!
Thanks to my family who have been absolute rock stars. Thanks to my mom who follows behind me in a van on those 2am ‘all-of-a-sudden’ 300 mile road rides and brings the port-a-potty to poop in the van. So, she can be the crew on wheels! Thanks to my mom following me up Mount Graham even though the Astro Van engine smell is bad due to how slow I’m creeping up Mount Graham on my fixed gear.
Thanks to Adrian Stingaciu aka Vegan Cow who I met at the Furnace Creek 508, and a pass Tour Divide survivor to the end. Thanks for being a mentor, friend, and vegan buddy. Thanks for series of endless emails of questions, and thoughts about the Great Divide Route/gear. I hope I will be able to return the same kindness, and help you have shown me to someone else trying to reach for their dreams.
Sincere thanks to Matthew Lee for his passion of the Great Divide Route, and for Adventure Cycling Association for making maps for such a great journey possible!
Sincere thanks to Chris Kostman for letting me race, and learn many great experiences of the one and only Furnace Creek 508. Thank you! That race has drastically changed my perspective of what is to be considered ‘impossible’, and make it ‘possible’.
Huge thanks to my cousin Ella for coming to see me off on the Tour Divide. She has been a rockstar, and thanks to Ella I now have pro looking braids. I'm legit.
My closing words:
It doesn’t matter how many miles you train, because it all comes down to how much, and how to re-channel mental suffering. Eventually suffering, and pain will be an illusion, and you will become in such a zen state of mind. Like the old wise classic goes, “Mind over matter”.
I will admit it helps to have a H-U-G-E sense of humor. Also I will admit that having some harsh-brutal-reality experiences, Epilepsy experiences, ultra race experiences can indeed help, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. As along as you have a desire, a dream, no doubts, and the will to survive that’s all you need.
Sincerely
Deanna
F.Y.I---The best advice I have to say is from my grandma. She always tells me if I’m stressed or over-my-head.
STOP
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
BREATHE OUT SLOWLY
REPEAT
Then your mind will feel clear.
To check out a very fresh Rough Riders blog about this----please visit: http://www.xo-1.org/
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