Hubby and I tried a new type of vacation this summer. No kids involved, no flights required. Our adventure did call for water bottles, sunblock, something called Skratch, and several pairs of padded shorts. Doesn’t sound like a trip to the beach? It wasn’t!
Bike tour = vacation!
In June, we ventured to Ohiopyle, PA to embark on a guided bike tour of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). The GAP is a rail to trail bike path that starts at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh and runs 150 miles to Cumberland, Maryland. Don’t be too impressed – we took five days to cover the distance, and along the way we had a guide every mile to offer aid. Another guide drove a SAG Wagon to meet us for critical stops (like lunch). (Word Nerd Note: In the cycling world, a SAG vehicle provides Snacks and Gear or Support and Gear. It can also carry tired riders.)
Everything was planned and prepped by Wilderness Voyageurs, our tour company. We rode a crushed limestone trail for 30-40 miles each day, with a mid-week day of rest. A pair of great friends joined us for the trip, and it was a big change (dare I say, upgrade?) from the days when we traveled with this same couple and our entire families (12+ people total) to a lake in the Adirondacks.
Although we endured a heat wave during our trip, we also soaked in gorgeous scenery at a brisk but manageable pedaling pace. The path through sun speckled green foliage offered glimpses to rushing falls in the Youghiogheny River as well as scenic trestle bridges and mountain vistas. At the end of the first day of cycling, we raced to our bed and breakfast to beat a thunderstorm. Another day, I spent the last several miles riding side by side with my dear friend of 30 years, catching up on family and pondering everything from menopause to faith. All while strengthening my legs and improving my endurance.
Some people recoil when I tell them that my vacation involved spending four hours on a bike saddle for multiple days in a row. But I have several good reasons for choosing this type of trip.
The benefits
First, I am fifty-five years old and my health status could change at any time. I would like to engage in active vacations while I can and save the more restful, quiet trips (read: an Alaskan Cruise) for when I’m less mobile. Right now, I crave activity and outdoors, and a bike trip offers both.
Along the same line, I’ve spent most of my life very aware of my own mortality. I lost my mother when I was 24 years old. Just five years ago, my father died from cancer. Currently, my in-laws are navigating significant health challenges. Knowing that life is precious, I’m determined to age well. I hold a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and have spent many hours of my life teaching fitness classes and coaching young runners. The result: I believe in the elixir of exercise. While supplements (or rather, those who sell supplements) push the idea of swallowing good health, I rely on the well-studied and repeatedly documented benefits of movement to guide my path into my sunset years.
Finally, Hubby summed it up best. “Active people are happy people.” One of the reasons I continue to enter running races or sign up for active trips isn’t to beat past times or earn medals. I do it because these events are usually filled with supportive and encouraging people. I call it the “You Got This!” effect. During a running event, people don’t cheer just for the fast people- they cheer for everyone. I get tremendous satisfaction from completing work in the company of others. Persevering up a hill on a chilly Saturday morning alongside several other runners charges my physical and mental battery.
Every time I put myself out there, I not only experience personal achievement, but also serious inspiration. On the June bike trip, we ran into a man named John near the end of our first day of riding. He was almost finished with his days long ride from Detroit to Philadelphia to visit his great grandchildren. He had minimal baggage and had slept on benches in the rain along the way. This man duct-taped an old hoodie to his saddle for padding. I’d guess he was at least 75 years old. 75! I never plan to ride across multiple states by myself, but I hope I have that much stamina and fortitude 20 years from now.
Try it yourself!
Of course, not everyone can vacation this way. I am fortunate to have the funds, the means, and the health to enjoy this kind of vacation. But just about anyone can find ways, even small ones, to add activity to their days. I encourage you, no matter your fitness level, to incorporate more movement into your life. It can be as simple as a walk to the mailbox or as challenging as a half marathon. No bike tours or road races are required, but find friends and get outside. If “active people are happy people,” let’s commit to getting ourselves and others moving more often!
What did you do for vacation this summer?
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
