Day 64, Sept 1, Pelion, SC
Yesterday, Aug 31, and today were forecast a week ago as being heavy rain days. The forecast stayed steady and I tried to get to Asheville before that time to be able to wait out the rains in a productive manner, seeing friends and videoing. We did get to Asheville in time and the forecast remained essentially the same, but there seemed a small window of possible opportunity to beat the rains as we head south and east. That would allow getting to Charleston before the heavy Labor Day traffic begins later on Friday.
I gambled and started out before day break the 31st and before it was even light a very heavy, streets turned to streams, rain began. I was soaked in seconds, riding in the dark, in rush hour traffic on 25. After 3300 miles of riding and I was now in one of my most dangerous situations in my hometown - I had to laugh. Rain, dark, heavy traffic while on a bike scare me like the snake picture (from a Utah road I think) scares others. It seemed a resounding “NO” to the plan to try to ride. But I rode on with no other clear option in the moment. Trust me, I would have bailed out were there an opportunity. This continued for 20-30” but as I approached Hendersonville, the rain stopped, turning into a mild, heavily overcast day.
I met up with Terry Foxworth who is riding this last leg with me and we proceeded to have two of the best weather riding days since my start on June 30th with the mild temps and heavy cloud cover. Two days I almost didn’t take. Two days that began with a fear filled half hour shouting how foolish I was. We now sit about 1 1/2 days from Charleston because of moving on.
Have you experienced the same? Have you debated the best course to take only to immediately run into a brick wall of resistance? What did you do? In recovery, and in a support role, running into a heavy, fear-filled resistance is common I’ve learned. Sometimes getting soaked by the resistance and yet pedaling on through it is the only real option, keeping your eye on the road with massive hope. Hope and the help of others.
Addiction is a brain disease.
It disables clear thinking.
It is treatable.
@InJoelSteps.com
