“Hotdogs NOT Hot Tempers”

This had to be one of my favorite signs on the road from our trip.

Strangely the sign was the perfect synapsis of the whole trip. As the team decompresses. Stepping back into our daily lives. There are the unspoken moments that I can only describe as Frodo and Sam looking at each other at the end of their journey and being the only ones that knew the depths of the struggles on the road.

What I gained in knowledge from the trip was vital to our success for the future. Knowledge not being the only thing I gained.

Now, to the outsiders it looks like we just had a fun bike ride across a few states. Got to do some fun camping in beautiful areas, I got to sleep with a tent with no rain cover every night so I could see the stars, though placed next to bikes so we didn’t have to unpack them completely. Saw a wonderful woman and old friend that so graciously put most of my team up, while the other part of our team stayed back home. Got to go sight seeing in New York City, and mark a New York Style Hot Dog off my personal bucket list which I started back when I was diagnosed with Liver and Skin Cancer. A trip Chick and I originally planned to fly out to New York for my 40th Birthday but that didn’t happen due to our physical health so we moved it to this year. We had many laughs, and took wonderful pictures.

However, there is always a flip side to the coin. Always the struggles of a journey. This wasn’t meant to be a vacation. It was meant to and designed to be a “Stress Test”. Knowing it was going to not only stress the team but myself as well. To push all of us to our limits in a manner that would expose our weaknesses for the road ahead. Things that need to be known now for later. Now, can we plan for everything? Absolutely NOT. But to only prepare ourselves for how we will REACT in these situations that may possibly arise later.

My team has not been shy (including myself) about our “issues” medical, mental, physical, spiritual, etc. We have all written about it in our blogs. Some only skim the surface but Chick and Myself have been pretty forth coming.

Plan was to ride out to Connecticut with a follow vehicle.

2 days over 500 miles

3rd day over 300 miles

Totaling 1,318 miles one way.

With Camp Sites worked in it ended up being from 1,318 - 1,433 miles

Be done in the saddle (riding) by 5pm each night.

We were to pack as close as we could to what we would for the 50 state ride. Camping/cooking gear, and first aid included.

We were to record our trip best we could with photos, video, and continue to write our blogs along the way. Cook our own meals and set up our camp with no help.

What we were up against before leaving.

Number one ourselves. Our health, our physical states, our mental states, our egos, our lack of confidence in many aspects of the whole journey. The lack of knowledge and experience handling another’s physical state when they go down. Time also being another one.

What hurt us the most. Both Chick and I have a tendency to skip meals. For hours and won't eat, skip breakfast, tiny lil lunch and maybe a meal for dinner. We eat enough to sustain our daily activities at home. (Note: Chick is better with the protein shakes than I am) However this hit us the hardest on the road. Not getting the proper nutrients while taking on an endeavor like we did requires more calorie intake. You’re burning more than you know on the road. This affected moods heavily. Especially when under pressure and the heat of the days we road. Which in turn affected how we rode, how we led, how we followed, and how we interacted with each other, to say the least.

We had already learned about the effects of the heat from our prior trip to Wyoming. Wyoming was not a stress test but a personal trip that we were taking to spread my parent’s ashes. So, we already knew about heat and cold. Going from 42 degrees to 96 degrees in less than 6 hours.

Emotional state. What one carries into the journey will undoubtedly be worked out under the stress of the highway. Many travelers would agree. The highway has a way of bringing it out. I have always known this because I was on the highway a lot as a little girl and taught many things along the way.

Our parts.

We will start with -

Kevin our Co-Founder / VP that wears many hats.

His part was follow vehicle. To asses and analyze. Watch for what we would miss. He will be doing majority of the logistics when we are on the road starting next May of 2027. He’ll be reserving our campsites, hotels, assisting in farms, the routes to and from farms, keeping up on the farms scheduled (due to a lot of natural disasters a lot of farms have dropped off the list) so he will be tracking that as well. He will also be running the non profit and standing in my place as Founder and President until I return home.

He did majority of this while on the road for trial run. Whilst learning what Chick and I can and cannot handle on the road.

His part in the test was to better understand what's involved, what needs to be done, how it needs to be done and how Chick and myself conduct ourselves, so he can better anticipate and maneuver our needs on the road.

Chick and I were essentially left to our own devices until Kevin needed to step in. What we all learned as a Team, and about each other. From my perspective of course. The other two can elaborate on theirs later.

On the way out there.

Chick and I are both very independent woman. This is absolutely NOT new news. We make our own decisions. With Fuck No’s, Fuck Yes’s, Fuck It’s followed with Fuck Yeah I did’s and Fuck Yeah WE did’s. Just how we roll. We like it this way, we take pride in it. We both undoubtedly fucking earned it. We love, honor and both respect this about each other.

Now, there is a point when this “type” tends to be a bit edgy and doesn’t like to play well with others. Where one becomes irrational, nah just messin’ we are never irrational. I meant to say heated.

No Food/Calories + 80^ degree heat + 6hrs of sleep or less + 3-6 hours of hard riding w/minimual break time =

Tempers, Combativeness, Stubbornness, Arguing through throttles, Aggravation, Loss of mission, Bad Following, Bad Leading, leaving team behind.

Well you guys get the point. No one can point fingers like they know it was one or the other. It was both of us. We struggled with each other, but it was both of us projecting our struggled within.

Now, if there was a time to quit this whole shebang for both of us it would have been then. Kevin is an innocent bystander in all this. Please pray for Kevin. Though he knew what he was signing up for with both of us. So not too much pity for the guy.

We both rolled into my friend’s (now OUR friends) place not really speaking because I was an asshole and took off for couple hours doing over 100 for a few miles or more. We crossed paths after I got turned around by my GPS, or me simply being angry and hot throwing my fit and unable to pay attention, maybe more like it. I was working through it. Trip out there was rough. On all of us, well by all I mean Chick and Myself. Kevin got the AC, music, and spacious truck with the ability to snack and hydrate whenever he damn well pleased.

My Point Is this. The whole thing COULD have easily gone sour. But despite both Chick and my egos. There are a few things that stand above everything else with both of us. Our integrity, authenticity, and accountability.

We both knew a talk had to be had. We didn’t need to speak about that because it was not the time or place. We had 3 days to hang out with my friend. We both put everything aside. Chick could have easily made passive aggressive remarks in front of my friends, she could have easily belittled me in front of, she could have easily done what so many others have but SHE didn’t. We still talked about each other with love, telling stories, we still laughed, and shared meals and enjoyed the time in the MOMENT. We embraced my friend, now OUR friend. I was still absolutely over joyed to see Cheryl and Chick talk and converse. To meet. To share meals together. To laugh. Train rides, bus tours, endless walking, down poring rain, food experiences.

I wasn’t at all surprised with how well we both just lived in the moment. Not letting business matters, if you will, affect the moment.

Did we later talk? Fuck Yeah we did. We like to throw the challenges right on the table and find a solution. That IS THE and MY POINT.

Either one of us could have quit. Neither one of us did. We assessed the situation and found solutions before the ride back.

Solutions were/are.

• We don’t ride for breakfast when leaving camp. We drink a protein shake and eat a banana for breakfast before we leave campsite NO exceptions.

• We BOTH do better recognizing the affects of heat and we wear our cooling rags when temp starts getting high NOT when tempers start getting high

• Still hydrate but try to add more electrolytes

• Regain our confidence in Leading/Following. Neither one of us are “bad” at either UNLESS under STRESS. Recognize when stress levels start rising and be comfortable asking for more breaks if needed. We are excellent leaders/followers.

• Try NOT to push ourselves too hard (This is both a huge asset for ourselves but can be our biggest downfall)

• Alternate leading/following because we both get bored, and like to nod off.

• Acknowledge nod offs coming in and signal for comfort breaks.

Plenty more, but ya’ll get the point right?

The point being if ya’ll read between the lines.

We DIDN’T QUIT!! We accepted the challenges head on, found solutions in a time efficient and proficient manner then charged ahead. No hesitation. Still standing stronger than before right next to each other, eyes set on the forward coming highway. Still asking Chick if she wants to quit and still getting a “Fuck NO”.

You thought I was done?

Nah, we still got the ride back. Just when you thought the story was over, huh?

Ride back. Smooth sailing start. Whole new perspectives, whole new plans of attacks, we both did incredible. For the first 2-ish hours that is. Fuel fill up, HELMETS OFF and fluid release for the humans. Checking Scarlett's fluids (Oil Issue under investigation), and Kevin lets me know while I am at pump Tripp is making noise. So we make the call. Tripp is getting trailered and I'm riding alone. With 1200 miles to go and 400 to camp that night.

What stood out to me the most. Is how unaffected Chick was. She didn’t panic, didn’t OMG what do I do, simply handled situation, adjusted, and went on our merry ways. Many people I have come across in my short amount of years on earth would normally have panicked, flipped out, crashed out, OMG what do I do’s, I can’t handle the plan changing’s.

Nothing.

This is a key characteristic to have on an endeavor like we are taking on. Because we don‘t have time for panicking. Only handling, adjusting, and ONWARDS.

Now, the rest of the trip was a lesson in practice what you fucking preach Alice!

Many of you know I am also Chick’s Death Doula and Caretaker. Some also know, like Chick I have diagnosis’s that need minding to. I have done well over the years to manage them and am very well versed in the knowledge of the consequences of pushing myself too far. Not many have seen what care taking for me is like. They’ve heard about it but never experienced it.

Ohh can I say what a genius I am for designing a stress test for us. Yep, let’s talk about that.

So, liver Cancer in the past, shrunk that liver rejuvenates itself if you give it a break from processed foods, oil, go vegan, quit smoking, drop caffeine, alcohol, drop sugar, energy drinks so that's good. However, my nervous system due to C-PTSD, which fuels the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia can be an issue. C-PTSD also been tamed, not cured better managed, educated, and more aware of what is happening. Let’s couple that with Chronic Pain from old injuries, causing adrenal gland to stay over active, high pain tolerance til body overloads then nervous system takes over and rides the constant drip of adrenaline. With a dash of heat stroke from 3rd grade causing you to be more prone to heat stroke. My mother force fed hydration, and cooling the body down all my life. I knew all symptoms, I know all about it. Since 3rd grade. I have done very well managing it.

Well, Tripp being trailered, we were a few hours behind. The last 3 days of the trip are fuzzy for me. Brain Fog is a symptom of fibromyalgia. So, I had to ask Chick & Kevin about the rest to fill in the gaps.

I do not like WASTING time. Time is precious. I wanted adequate rest for Chick and myself. To make it to camp and be done as close to 5 o’clock mark. We were already past that.

I pushed myself. 150+ miles between stops, minimal breaks, only enough fluids to keep hydrated but not fill bladder (risky game to play for myself). I was tired. CFS was rearing its ugly head but I was pushing it anyway. Thinking I can make it up in sleep if we get there on time. I had to stop to nap (10-15mins) on a large rock at one point, chugged 2 1/2 energy drinks through out the day (as reported). I even played the game of adding adrenaline to my cocktail knowing that it could send me into a flare up. My body after all these years cannot handle adrenaline. So I have learned to maintain it over the years. Took off out of the rest area hitting the throttle hard for awhile til I woke all the way up. Dropped my speed and waited for Chick and Kevin to catch up with Truck and trailer. Chick wanted to take over I am sure but she was not going to challenge my stubbornness especially when I am concerned for her so she waited. Both knew I was pushing it. Neither knowing exactly what the outcome would be while I prayed I’d pull out of it later. *shakes head. I fucking know better. I have been doing so well to manage myself over the years I thought I could dance with the devil for a bit.

Well we made it to camp. They refused to let me help with anything, and all I could do was sit. Went to bed. Then woke the next morning. Chick said “I looked like I was rode hard and put away wet” when I came from my tent. I was slow moving. They knew. After a long shower that felt like so much work, Chick and I talked and I listened, but I didn’t have the energy to rebel too much. So she rode Scarlett. Fell in love, was making plans to ride off into the sunset with my Scarlett, while I slept in Truck. (Read all about it in blog “Goodbye Tripp”) Then woke thinking I was going to ride, and was told they made the decision for me to continue to rest. Whatever, so I slept some more. Made it to camp, to start 3rd day.

Well, I wasn’t fully recovered but better than I was. CFS and Fibro flares normally take bout 3 days average for an up swing. But Team took good care of me.

Day 3. Smooth sailing. I was good to go. Then we hit bumper to bumper traffic. I never made it over 2nd gear for the duration of the traffic jam. I was in it for better part of an hour. My temp gauge on my right handle bar read over 110 degrees. It was 92 degrees outside. The heat from my engine and exhaust was unbearably hot. Kevin jumped out in middle of all this and gave me a cooling rag for my neck, I had pulled up sleeves, drank my water. Catching what I am throwing here? What am I prone to? I knew I was done when I started getting nauseous. I knew I had to get off the highway. Whatever I had left in me I was able to take off praying they’d see me and follow me, pulled over to the first place I could, walked to shade, Kevin already knew and had water, I drank water while walking, poured it over my head and sat in shade, then remembering I just need to lay down.

I was rolled out of my vest, carried to Truck, and so on and so forth. Chick had to tell me as I tried to possibly drunkingly looking tried to put my socks back on to ride, “that even at the risk of pissing you off you shouldn’t be riding” I tried to argue but I really knew she was right. Kevin of course backed her *rolls eyes.

I believe we only had a lil over 60 miles to go before we hit home.

So, Chick got to experience my health issues full throttle. What she knew and heard about happened behind closed doors, but not having a full grasp. Kevin knowing somehow whatever, Kevin's perfect we know what exactly to do and Chick learning what exactly to do and watch for.

Now of course the plan forward is preventive measures for both Chick and Myself.

But Stress Test.

Hands down we fucking nailed it.

Survived it and are undoubtedly fucking thriving from it.

So, if you learned anything from this.

It’s simple really.

“HOT DOGS NOT HOT TEMPERS”

Much Love and Gratitude,

FUCKING LOVE MY TEAM ALL 4 of YOU!

Alice