A Bee in the Bonnet or a Hopper in the Helmet: 3 Silly Stories from the Saddle

Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Route Map showing Day 10 of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, Baker City to Oxbow Oregon

I'm about 10 percent of the way into my trip and have already enjoyed a variety of terrain. The journey will become more and more remote for the next few weeks, with services more than 100 miles (160 km) apart in some areas.

Today I take a few minutes to reflect on three humorous stories that have happened along the way so far.

Photo, Day 10 of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, Mandy and her bicycle on a vast stretch of open road, dessert, and mountains east of Baker City Oregon

These vast open spaces are the reason I carry almost 2 gallons (8L) of water. It's also why I'm not responding to your text messages...there's no cell service!

Making memories
  • Tonight I'm staying at Copperfield Campground, a lovely space along the river owned by Idaho Power.
  • The landscape changed from mountaintops and lush river valleys to desert and canyons. My ride took me through Hells Canyon, which is even deeper than the more famous Grand Canyon.
  • Temperatures soared to 108ºF (42ºC) today, apparently the inspiration for the Canyon's name! There were no places to stop for relief from the sun, but I finally found a solution for a little shade. As the sun hung lower in the horizon, I noticed a yellow diamond "curve ahead" sign was casting a little shadow on the ground. So I pulled over for a water break and was at least able to get my face and shoulders out of the sun for a few minutes.
 Previous
Next
{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
You may also like

Bomb Shelter

• by Mary Philpot • This memoir helped me confront a lie that many of us believe: “caring enough” can solve problems. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry if, like me, you see a bit of yourself in Mary Laura Philpott’s grappling with fear and hope.

Bomb Shelter

The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America

• by Margaret O’Mara • This account of building Silicon Valley provides insights on the impressive array of conditions that helped create the birthplace of big tech. I especially appreciated understanding more about the role of veterans, women, financial innovators, and legal innovators alongside the technology geniuses we usually hear about.

The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America

Acceptance: A Memoir

• by Emi Nietfeld • This memoir made me rethink how we celebrate being an overcomer, often glorifying resilience while ignoring underlying causes of oppression.

Acceptance: A Memoir
BicyclE
blog

Share in the adventure of Mandy's invigorating 4K-mile bicycle trek from Pacific to Atlantic.

Read &
reflect

Build options for what you'll read next by browsing Mandy's recent reading list.

Inspiring
IDeas

Get fired up about growing your courage, competence, character, & connections.

Podcasts
.

Join Mandy for conversations on careers, quantum, & global geopolitics.

Mandy Birch is a global executive engineer and military veteran who builds teams, leaders, & multinational organizations that unlock the potential of disruptive ideas. She enjoys accelerating emerging technologies & strategic partnerships to drive multi-generational thriving for people & communities around the world.

Mandy's interests include: #innovation #leadership #technology #partnerships #quantumcomputing #career #growth #womenintech #veterans #entrepreneurship #creativity #future #foreignpolicy #democracy #geopolitics


More about Mandy

Share 0

Join THE Blitz Bytes community

to receive an occasional newsletter