I finally made it home, back to San Jose, after what felt like a whole lifetime of sleeping somewhere else. I have been thinking a lot about the trip over the past few days, while at the conference as well as my time back in San Jose. I want to start off by thanking everyone. I had a wonderful time and I really felt like I made a connection with everyone. This was the most amazing, not to mention entertaining experience of my life.
It never crossed my mind that the ride would have such an impact on my general view on life, I never thought I would have a hard time reintegrating into the "real world". We had talked about it prier to reemerging into civilization, where people weren't on their bikes 8 or more hours a day. Reemerging into a world where other people existed, other people who had not just rode their bikes for hundreds of miles. Who had not spent every hour of their days with wonderful caring people who I felt like I had known for years. It was hard to come back to a place where I slept inside. I missed being able to escape, run off barefoot to the beach. I missed the tightness of the group and being apart of such group.
The day we rolled into SLO, I was pumped to have finished such an amazing trip, last year, I was extremely impressed with the wheeled migraters, I wanted to be able to do a trip like that too. I was happy to know that I could, thanks to the help of this amazing group of people. At the same time I was sad, I didn't want to leave the road or the group. I wanted to keep on riding, I was ready to travel for another 5 days or even more. Knowing that I could travel and carry gear and live off of my bicycle gave me an amazing sense of liberation. I wasn't ready to give it up. It brought me to tears knowing that the most amazing experience in my life was coming to an end. I pondered this idea of an end for a day leading up to the conference all through the conference. And now as I sit here in my room, I know that I will never let go of this experience. It has changed me. It has brought all my beliefs and motivations to a forefront. I feel ready to take this momentum that has been generated by this ride and conference to reenergize my life and motivations. I am ready to help build upon this idea of bicycle transportation, help the San Jose State and the surrounding city take a closer look at what it needs to do to accommodate the growing need for bike infrastructure. In a sense the trip will never be over for me. Being apart of such a beautiful movement is an honor.
There were many campfires where I wanted to spill my heart and let everyone know how wonderful and helpful they had been. I really felt accepted into the group, being that I was a late comer into such a tight group that had been through a lot together. I was pleasantly surprised how willing everyone was to accept me into their group and treat me like one of their own. I wanted to thank Ryan and Quinn for not only having the expertise to teach us about road safety and edict, but also for putting on an amazing ride. But most of all I want to thank them for my first day. I started my day, slightly ill- prepared for the massive trek up and around devils slide in-between San Francisco and half moon bay. I rode up the steepest, longest, and windiest hill I have ever ridden up. My legs were burning and I wasn't sure if I could make it up the hill. But Quinn and Ryan were there, they stayed with me the whole time, they made sure I was safe. They never left my side. I knew right then, that I would be able to complete this trip. I knew that I was in a group of people who were not going to forget about me or ever let me be in danger. I knew that I would be able to finish this bike ride because I had wonderful people who gave me the moral supported that I needed to convince myself that I could get over that hill, and the next and the next, until I got to the point where I lost count of how many hills I had climbed and even started to enjoy the challenge of the hill. Believe it or not hills can be fun!
I want to thank everyone who I got to ride with, I loved being able to talk to so many different wonderful people. Hearing so many different stories, you can really get to know a person riding hour after hour with them. It's a wonderful way of getting to know someone in fact. Thanks again to everyone who really helped my shy-self open up and really feel free for the first time in a really long time. I hope that everyone has made it home or to their next destination safe and sound. I hope that people's lives are filled with inspiration and they are able to share that with those around them.
I plan on helping out for next year and helping all the wonderful people who worked so hard to make this trip happen. I feel indebted to you for showing me such a wonderful opportunity and taking me on such a life-changing journey.
Until the next time we meet, keep on riding and loving life.
Julia Kamoroff
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