Just Leaving the Island

9:28 pm - Howlands Landing

Farewells and well wishes echoed through Howland's Landing as ten excited riders piled into a van and departed Catalina Island. For the last 48 hours camp has buzzed with the activity of getting this bike trip organized, sorted, and packed.

Swept up by all the commotion Morgan tossed aside plans to build barns in Oregon this winter and joined the tour last minute. Unfortunately, the jubilation of the moment turned bittersweet when Travis fell off the back of a vehicle he was climbing onto and injured his foot. A quick trip to the Avalon clinic revealed a bad sprain, and a prescription of ice and bed rest for the next couple of days. Travis still plans on participating in the bike trip even if he does ride shotgun in the SAG (support and gear) short bus for awhile.

The crew that departed today will head to a Santa Barbara school tonight, with the great privilege of being able to sleep in the school's library. Tomorrow they will get to connect with students in the schools beautiful garden, as well as with some challenge team initiatives.

Before the group left camp today, we had the opportunity to catch up with a very special first time rider David.

How are you feeling today, David?
David: Bittersweet. I feel a sense of renewal but also of trepidation. I'm nervous about my back that I hurt last week, and also about my packing. What do I really need? I'm feeling weighted down by all my possessions, and I'm just looking forward to the zen of just riding.

Tell me a little bit about your bike...
David: It's the most expensive thing I've ever bought. It was handmade in Wisconsin with American steel. It's lineage is from Schwinn, when Schwinn was bought by another company, one of the grandsons kept a plant and decided it would only make custom made bikes, and that's where my came from.

Finish this sentence, "People may not know..."
David: ... that I have feelings too... and that I'm not a robot from the future sent to destroy sustainable bike tour people.

That's an interesting, and perhaps revealing statement.
David: (laughs) Yes.

Shortly after our interview David was swept away with 9 other riders, 15 boxes of food, 25 bag of personal gear, and 6 road bikes. Eight more staff members remain at camp, finishing out the season with only 18 guests in camp! The last of the riders will close up camp and join everyone else in San Francisco Saturday.

Here is a roster of this year's riders:

Abigail Adam Alexis Ashley Becky Courtney
Danny David Jacob Jenna Julie Libby
Lissa Meagan Miah Morgan Sean Travis

Amongst the crew there are;
6 First time SLBT Riders
7 Cyclists in their Sophomore Debut
5 Lucky Folks attempting the Triple Crown of Bike Tours

That's it for now from here on the island, next some words from Santa Barbara...