Notes from White's Hill
https://strava.app.link/YxR9yEP9S4b
When you read this update, you'll know that I finally found a way to transcribe my voice notes into text. Yay!
I'm dictating this update into my phone while climbing White's Hill because that's when so many thoughts come to me, and I'm excited to share them with you—my friends and the wonderful community that has been walking beside James and me through this journey. By the time I get home and sit down to write, there are usually a hundred other things that need my attention, and I can no longer remember what I wanted to share. So this is my new experiment: capturing my thoughts while they're still fresh.
As I pedal, my thoughts keep drifting to the places James still dreams of riding.
Hopefully, once we get James's bike properly set up—with a larger display and easier gear adjustments—we'll be able to work toward four rides that are very close to his heart.
Those rides are:
Mount Diablo via Morgan Territory
Kings Ridge (his first choice!)
The Geysers
Masonite Road, one of the first roads we discovered together during the early months of our relationship, up near Ukiah.
When I asked James which ride he wants to tackle first, he didn't hesitate:
"Kings Ridge."
Then he quietly added, "I'm not ready yet. I won't make it."
But we're working toward it.
Our day started early, at six o'clock, with a dentist appointment in Novato. Honestly, I wasn't sure we'd make it in time. Google Maps estimated the ride from our front door to the dentist's office at 1 hour and 57 minutes. James was moving slowly at first, but then he found his rhythm, and we arrived right on schedule.
Once again, I found myself overwhelmed by the kindness of people who are helping us.
The dentist has generously offered to provide one of the four crowns James needs at no charge. Yes, his supplemental insurance pays a big chunk of the cost, but he still has a significant co-pay. He'll also need his teeth cleaned every four months to help prevent infections, and they'll charge him only $10 per cleaning. Their compassion brought me to tears.
From there, we rode to Costco to stock up on essentials. My friend Jackie Phelan was there, and together we made a great team. I provided the membership, and she helped transport all our groceries home in her car.
Our next stop was Mike's Bikes in San Rafael, where a knowledgeable employee named Jeff quickly figured out what James needs to make riding easier and more enjoyable. He recommended a larger display that will be much easier for James to read and navigate, and he and his mechanic also identified why the bike wasn't shifting properly into either the lowest or the highest gear. The new display will cost about $300. We're not sure yet what the gear adjustment will cost, but James has an appointment next Friday, and it finally feels like someone knows exactly what needs to be done.
Unfortunately, our experience with the shop where we originally bought the bike hadn't been nearly as helpful. Sometimes people acted as though they knew the answers when they really didn't, and that was far more frustrating than simply hearing, "I don't know." After struggling with the bike for weeks, it feels like we've finally found someone we can trust.
Jeff also mentioned that he has experience helping customers with different needs…
Well, we fit right in.
By then we had completely run out of steam, and White's Hill still stood between us and home. So we did what cyclists sometimes have to do—we stopped at a little café, shared a delicious Caesar wrap, had something to drink, and gave ourselves a chance to recharge before tackling the last climb.
And somehow, after that simple meal and a little rest, we found our legs again. (especially James)
As I pedal the last miles home—alone, but confident that James is well on his way too (I just couldn't keep up… he must have been on turbo! 😂)—I realize once again that James and I have become even closer. (Geez… how much closer can we get?)
We share more of what we think and feel than we ever have. Our relationship feels incredibly raw, honest, and open. We share our deepest fears, hopes, and insights as we navigate this new and entirely voluntary adventure with those big, scary Lewy bodies together.
It is, without question, the biggest and fiercest mountain we've ever climbed.
And now…
We're on our way home.
James and Margit
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