March 29, 2012
Leaving Ice
While Tim and I were on an overnight with the snow bikes, the rest of the Terramar team went for a dog sled ride with some local mushers.
Gregarious as ever, Jeff befriended a dog musher in town who volunteered to take the team out with his dogs. I had wanted to go as well, but I also needed to do some critical snow bike gear testing. I was jealous of their adventure, but at the same time, glad I didn't go.
For over 10 years of my life I worked with sled dogs as a guide, expedition leader and racer. At 31, I assumed I would run dogs for the rest of my life, but things changed and I got jealous of the dogs doing all that hard work. (Now in my polar expeditions, I am the sled dog). Still, I miss it. So much in fact, that I'm hesitant to step back on the runners. That passion, the dogs' enthusiasm - it grabs you and takes hold - and doesn't let go. Therefore, for me now, it has to be all or nothing.
I've never been a big fan of the end of anything, and leaving Churchill in a few hours, is no different. We have had an amazing time here and have gained valuable insight into what it might take to do a longer winter bicycling trip.
We have also come into our own as a team so it is sad to see such a good group disperse and go off on separate ways. Jeff has already left and his absences has left a noticeable void. The rest of will board the train together, but then, we will unload and go our separate ways. Too soon, we will pack away our baselayers for the summer and the ice and cold will fade from our memory.
Image: A cold and windy evening on the snow bikes.
Gregarious as ever, Jeff befriended a dog musher in town who volunteered to take the team out with his dogs. I had wanted to go as well, but I also needed to do some critical snow bike gear testing. I was jealous of their adventure, but at the same time, glad I didn't go.
For over 10 years of my life I worked with sled dogs as a guide, expedition leader and racer. At 31, I assumed I would run dogs for the rest of my life, but things changed and I got jealous of the dogs doing all that hard work. (Now in my polar expeditions, I am the sled dog). Still, I miss it. So much in fact, that I'm hesitant to step back on the runners. That passion, the dogs' enthusiasm - it grabs you and takes hold - and doesn't let go. Therefore, for me now, it has to be all or nothing.
I've never been a big fan of the end of anything, and leaving Churchill in a few hours, is no different. We have had an amazing time here and have gained valuable insight into what it might take to do a longer winter bicycling trip.
We have also come into our own as a team so it is sad to see such a good group disperse and go off on separate ways. Jeff has already left and his absences has left a noticeable void. The rest of will board the train together, but then, we will unload and go our separate ways. Too soon, we will pack away our baselayers for the summer and the ice and cold will fade from our memory.
Image: A cold and windy evening on the snow bikes.