Arcata, CA,
9-2-98

Yo, time for the next newsletter, Dear friends and readers!

We are in California by now and have covered a lot of ground since leaving Helga and her cozy home behind us. After 40 days on the road we've come 1,400 MI - 2260 k - and we are heading for the 3,000 MI (4830 k) trip, possibly 100 more miles to reach the full 5,000 k. Though these trips are not about covering as many miles as possible, this trip will be the best in this regard. It is not that difficult actually, for two reasons. One is that I am putting emphasize on riding evenly around 55 to 60 MI on a riding day, the other that we don't have ongoing catastrophes and too many long stays in a major city or

camelbak plus fruits

or national park. Daniel, David and Carsten wanted a bigger challenge 10 days ago and decided to take a nice, 40 MI detour to ride 100 MI in one day; they ended up with 107 and the next day we rode on as if nothing had happened! That was the plan, for we never cycled more than two days in a row until we got to Helga the second time. So by now, after cycling 11 out of 12 days, our bodies - and minds - got used to a nice rhythm. Anneken and Ude usually come in late since they never seem in a rush and then there are these surprises that mess up the schedule: flat tires and even a ripped tire. The nicest thing about it all is that there is no reason to worry. They make a good team, are quite at home with maps and may come late, but they always come. That was difficult one night when Carsten looked for those

single file - Daniel with trailer

arriving first at the campground. He checked briefly, had a second look around and figured we were not there; maybe the pasha should have sent a servant? Albert, Ude and Anneken trusted him and on they rode. An old lady took 'em in 5 MI down the road and we passed 'em unknowingly the next morning for they started way late. I wasn't worried at all but rather amused, expected to meet 'em at the next supermarket and sure enough, it happened.

Just to make it clear, we've had some very good talks about the second step of the 'prince evolution' and there is some understanding, but we're still at the beginning - old patterns don't want to be broken and it needs a lot of work on the consciousness before the willingness and ability to change might be put into action. Often, I have to laugh about it, at times I still can't believe it and sometimes I'm annoyed. But I love this work and believe that it can make a difference - just got some e-mails from members of the 'catastrophe gang': all of 'em wish they could be on the road with us! And I admire this group for the capacity of talking about themselves with the whole group; that is some, while others love to listen, but don't put themselves out there. These discussions are usually held in German, so everybody can participate and understand - the language improvement is one of several goals.
        But we've also had one or two kind of successful 'English speaking days'. This desire came from the group, but it seems very difficult to keep it going all day long. We are working on it and Mondays may become special days for a connected reason: Silence. Trabi Albert didn't talk for a day and a half right at the beginning of the trip and others wanted to do the same, but failed since there was too much to talk about cycling, traffic, meeting points etc. Guido wanted to spend last Monday in silence - I talked

unusual shopping

a bit about how Gandhi started to spend Mondays in silence and actually did so the last 25 years of his life. Well, I've never seen a person observing silence and at the same time asking so many questions and even trying to strike a conversation by sign language! It was so funny, I finally told him to 'shut up'. There is so much in it and I am looking forward to 'my Monday'.

You may wonder why I haven't said much about the actual riding, but the days weren't that eventful in a way. We got into the cycling routine, stayed at state parks and enjoyed the beautiful coast in Southern Washington, Oregon and this bit of California - which we won't leave until we fly home (together) on Oct. 22. The coast has many long sand beaches, high cliffs and its just joy to ride along on a warm and sunny day.
         The problem was, that we had some sunny, but no warm days! I mean, once a high of 72 (22 C), always with quite a wind or even worse, fog. It really got to us by now, although this is nature in beauty. It's just a bit hard on a bicycle, towards the end with climbs that leave you sweating hard in a t-shirt and then downhill back into the fog that make you wonder why you don't wear gloves. We have decided to move inland for a while and get a taste of the heat wave - in the 100's (um die 40 C). Guess I'll write a lot about sweat next time.
        Ude and me are fighting hard in our flat tire contest. We got 8 each, but Anneken is moving in with 6, Daniel and David are keeping their chances with 4, just Guido with 1 and Trabi without are not

the Pasha is fixing his flat

competing yet. Anneken is spending her pocket money on serious matters only - low rider, passport courier, tire (and her kick stand broke as well) - while David just found out to his great surprise and discomfort that there is actually a difference between pocket and shopping money. Daniel is preparing his world tour in his mind and very disciplined about getting the best gear he can for his money - pocket and shopping. Oh, and Trabi is becoming a pain in the butt with his so called 'i a' - intellectual arrogance - so that he is volunteering for a new name: Smartass.
        To add some more odds, we met an American who's been cycling for 17 years, a social worker who is making money in the winter months. Talking with him is a bit difficult though since he tends to give rather 'mystical' answers. But the really striking thing about him is his gear: front and rear panniers, handlebar and extra rear bag plus a totally loaded trailer. That's easily doubling what we are carrying, but the answer is quite simple: "I want to have all the luxuries I can have whenever I want them, so I got a lot of electronics with me, like a computer, TV and stereo." ...Hey, it's true!

Our current hosts in Arcata are two students in their very late teens. Heather and Katie approached us when we were sitting at the plaza, wondering where to tackle the next church for our two-night stay here. We must have given a certain impression, for they offered us a place and hot tea! We've been invited for two nights, just shared a nice dinner - and chocolate chip ice-cream, sooo goood! - and are having a great time. It's quit a change from sharing a tent with David since, while he's asleep, he's doing stuff like kicking me awake with feet, knees and arms or even stealing my pillow!

King David

...damn it, a week has passed and my computer access has been limited and expensive. So sorry to all who haven't gotten an answer to a letter and sorry to my kids if I forgot to mention one.
        There are a couple more details that I had wanted to add for a week. One is that my front derailleur broke and for more than 500 MI I had a six instead of a 24 speed. But it worked amazingly well, given the case that the climbs were no longer than 3 MI at the most and my legs are strong enough to ride standing for that distance.
         The last - and funny - detail is about Carsten. Some days ago he talked about these older people he'd met and how they were 'old and wrinkled' (alt und verschrumpelt) as usual for that age. When I asked him how old 'older people' are in his perception, he said "30 to 40 years old". We had some good laughs back then, since for he didn't realize that he was talking about people like me...and I am very sorry for all of you incredibly aged who have passed 40 already...

Andi