August 8 | Ft Townsend SP to Port Angeles
I’ve always considered seeing wildlife on my bike rides a good omen, almost talismanic. Today, a few miles into the ride, a large bobcat loped across the road 20 yards in front of me and disappeared into the woods.
I set off from camp alone, liking the idea of spending those first miles in the quiet of the morning in solitude. It was a wonderful way to gather my thoughts and release from the surge of adrenaline and excitement that had propelled me to a faster than ideal pace yesterday.
But I wasn’t alone. The other 32 riders were arrayed along the way ahead of and behind me. We were all connected. Later, I came up alongside two of them, Caleb and Marie, a young couple from Colorado. We spent a few miles chatting before our rhythms and cadences diverged again.
When I rolled into our second rest stop in Sequim, the Route Leaders said that members of the local MS group we’re here to meet and thank us, and to share snacks with us. I had a lovely conversation with one of the facilitators of the group, Diane Reaves. She’s a writer who has written two books on water aerobics, and now writes paranormal fiction. She also writes the MS group’s newsletter, and took notes about BTUSFMS and it’s work for an article in the next issue of the newsletter.
It was great to meet Diane, to hear about their community group, and to feel part of the wider MS community. It made me more deeply aware and appreciative of the human community and all of life.
Much of today’s 60+ miles was on the Olympic Discovery Trail. It winds through forest and towns, crosses rivers, follows the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and includes a covered bridge (another bike ride good omen).
As I was coming into Port Angeles near the end of my ride, I saw two does and their spotted fawns alongside the trail before they slipped back into the forest.
My ride was bookended with good omens. It was sweet.
If you’re interested in learning more about BTUSFMS and their work, you can visit their website at http://www.biketheusforms.org.
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