4 Days 'til Departure

morning training: 11mi. through Qns and Bkln. I seemed to average 12-14 mi/hr, though I've yet to attach my rack and panniers, which should arrive in the next day or so. Breakfast at the Greenpoint Coffee House: Egg, bacon and cheese on a roll, and coffee: $8.00 w/tip.

Meeting tomorrow in Brooklyn with Ms. Nora Dye of Wanderlust: a ride for Reproductive Justice, for one of my final training rides and a consultation on DIY bike repair. Ms. Dye is graciously donating the temporary loan of:

• a spare tube
• a multi-tool
• a 15mm or adjustable wrench
• a mini-pump
• rain clothes
• a set of 3 tire irons
  
• a Spokes and spoke wrench

As well, she graces me with her copious knowledge of cycle touring, having ridden from Princeton, NJ to Portland, OR, and from New Orleans to New York.

Later in the evening, I met with Robert Burke and a gang of about 10 instructors at NYC Outward Bound at their main hub in Long Island City. Mr. Burke, Director of Staff Training at NYC OB, is a solid and serene man, quietly radiant from a healthy diet of fresh air, challenge, exercise, and endorphins. The entire group, in fact, was saturate with a palpable buzz of energy for their evening recreation on the 60' back-yard rock-climbing wall, neatly tucked away from the building's adjacent alley, just a stone's throw from the N/W trains and the Queensboro Bridge. Upon receiving me into their enclosed yard and climbing area, everyone shook my hand and introduced themselves by name. I quickly got the sense that to be invited into this inner sanctum is a privilege reserved for a select few. After graciously outfitting me with a sleeping pad and a "shell" rain-coat (light-weight and stretchy with a hood) for my bike trip, I was invited to climb on their wall.

After filling out a brief medical form and signing a waiver, I was outfitted with a helmet, a harness, and a pair of climbing shoes. I climbed with OB once in my youth, about 12 years ago, and remembered some of the basics. I was reminded to move just one limb at a time, maintaining three points of contact at all times, and to trust in the strength of my legs, as they possess the largest muscle groups in the body. And so, with two people on the ground below me to belay and anchor-belay my safety rope, I proceeded to climb about 45-50' up this wall until my fingers and fore-arms trembled to cling to the 'overhang' segment of the wall. Upon my resignation, the staff below of course encouraged me to go just a little bit farther up, and once there, allowed me to call out "ready to lower." Letting go of the wall, I fell into the suspended safety of the rope, and spun slowly around to see the sun-painted horizon of Industrial Queens from 4 stories high. Upon landing and after massaging my throbbing forearms, I consulted with Mr. Burke and Ms. Diana Belknap, a North Carolina-based instructor of 20 years. During our interview, I learned how to make a fire in the rain, and the most important multi-tool to bring on an outdoor expedition: The Frisbee. Ms. Belknap detailed "The 9 uses for a Frisbee," as outlined here:

1. A fan to coax a campfire
2. a plate
3. a cutting board
4. a clean, flat surface [for Ms. Belknap, for her contact lens routine]
5. a dry seat on damp ground
6. an actual-factual Frisbee
7. a sled
8. ???
9. and finally, as a discreet commode for use in choppy water in a canoe.

While #8 eluded her at the moment, [Ms. Belknap will get back to me on that,] I'm thoroughly convinced, and will have my Hot Wheels™ Frisbee in tow. A big thanks to Robert, Diana, and everyone at NYC OB for their counsel and support, and an extra special thanks to Ryan and Sally who anchored me during my climb and lowered me safely back to Earth.