Jay - what a fabulous story. Gosh, would that guy be put out if you wanted to tag along on some of his adventures? Because I DREAM of having someone in my life like that. I always wish Pam Murray lived near me because she comes up with all these ideas and nothing scares her off - if she wants to do it she will find a way! But it’s overwhelming and intimidating to do solo. What I wouldn’t give for a local RivSister so we could ride off on our pair of Platypuses to bike trails unknown…
Also, rage cleaning. Calling it that makes you really feel like you are REALLY DOING SOMETHING AROUND HERE. And don’t think about it too hard because you’ll realize you’re just scrubbing the toilet again. No, you are RAGE CLEANING! I made a new rule that I would not waste nice days on housework; I would enjoy the nice days and clean on the rainy ones. (I can waste entire beautiful days doing tasks and cleaning.) Today was a bonus rage cleaning day because our air quality from Canada’s wildfires was unsafe. I really got into my front loader washing machine and cleaned it but good.
On a side note, I did hear from my son today and we are planning a bike trip that is probably a bit more than we’re capable of, not that that will stop us.
L I do like the sound of "rage cleaning". I think I know what you mean; you're in a mood, doing a task that you would rather save for later and be riding instead, so your jaw is clenched and you're getting the task done, maybe even better than if you were calm. Dust bunnies watch out!
I did an indoor workout this morning when it was raining. I was okay with this as I had ridden last two days and Friday to Sunday looks like nice weather, so that will be three outdoor rides.
I also like any form of ride/bike trip planning. If you don't mind me sharing a recent experience on your thread, might be inspiring? So I'm going for a walk a few nights ago and pass by a guy on the street who I've never spoken too, but I know he bikes as I've seen a mountain bike on a rack attached to his car. This time as we pass I ask if he rides, he does, and then we stand there talking for 20 minutes. The conversation was amazing. He likes to leave the car at home and ride out from his front door on all day, or multi-day journey's. But what he does, that I've never done, is he uses transit (bus, commuter train) to head into Toronto, or up north (sometimes taking multiple trains, to explore areas not easy to ride to, but within an hour car ride). He hits up cool riding spots (look up Don Valley Trail) and scenic spots to chill and have a beer (look up Tommy Thompson park; east of Toronto, where he catches the sunset over the Toronto skyline before heading home...riding to the train station, chill ride back to town, then ride home or uses a bus after the train if necessary). This really inspired me to plan some similar rides. To me I would never think riding into the city would be fun, or taking two trains to get far out to areas I've never ridden. I live in a mid-sized burb with rural areas west and north (where I always ride). But his riding style sounded adventurous. Going to plan a ride, find good train times, and give her a go!
On Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 10:04:17 AM UTC-4 Ryan wrote:
@Justin is right; Lael does appear to be a very modest , unassuming individual as the video makes clear.
@Leah..."rage cleaning"...I love it...unfortunately for me I don't love cleaning, no matter how artfully anyone spins it on insta et alia :(...but good luck getting your son to welcome you on his bikepacking trip. OTOH he may just need to go his own way and make mistakes that hopefully won't have disastrous consequences...he sounds like a very nice young man and might be more level-headed than you think.
On Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 8:52:05 AM UTC-5 J wrote:
Her accomplishments aside, Lael is a very kind, unassuming person. I feel fortunate to have met her and ridden with her a couple of times over the years. Lael was treated rather poorly years ago by some high profile athletes and folks involved in the ultra distance bike packing community for a Tour Divide attempt where she was filmed, because they felt it violated the "unsupported" rule of the race. I don't give a lick about these races or FKTs or Strava bests, but the way that little spark of controversy spread so quickly into a wildfire of prejudice and nastiness was quite sad to see in this little bike world. It seams bike nastiness only pops up when there's competition involved so I'm mostly spared from it thankfully. Fortunately Lael and her partner Rue (who is also very nice and talented) seem to have taken it all in stride and keep on doing what they do, inspiring people to be kind and ride. If I were still in Tucson I'd like to think we'd become friends.
Justin
On Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 9:02:46 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
I only just stumbled upon her. And what you say is true. The two things I really think are awesome about her world trip:
1. She put a tracking device on her bike that allowed people to come and ride with her. Cycling can get lonely, and being in the saddle would be hard for 108 consecutive days. The presence of other riders is energizing. That was SMART. Plus, they celebrated her and brought her food. You can’t quit when people are coming out to cheer you on.
2. She planned her route to be “safe, beautiful and interesting.” She did not choose the most direct, fastest route. She chose beauty - and that meant mountains and climbs and detours. And she STILL broke the record.
Lael is an amazing person. Living vicariously through people like her gives me joy. Some dream and plan but never do. She is a doer.
Doug
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 8:58:00 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
It has rained all day. I did “rage cleaning” and my friend said “Why is it rage cleaning?” and I said “Because it sounds better than just cleaning.”
And I did rage cleaning and I did cooking and I was in a mood. And my husband said, “Did you get on your two-wheeler today?” And I told him no and he gasped and said with feigned horror, “OH NO A LOST DAY!!! DOES THIS DAY EVEN COUNT FOR ANYTHING?”
So I am ignoring him and sitting here, trying to plan a bike trip that my college boy doesn’t want to take with me. He has the wanderlust and when he finishes summer classes he is taking his Clem, the Backabikes I gave him, the camping gear that dear Julian W from this List gave him, and he is OUTTA HERE. I want to go with him and also to amend his route so it does not include 1 million bad ideas and for some reason he is objecting. I mean, I’m not like a regular mom. I can hang! But I guess it’s not a grand adventure if your mom and her Platypus have to come.
And now I will get back to staring at the iPad and being overwhelmed by planning a big bike trip that I’m not invited on. Leah
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