Comments on: Stuff That’s Come in the Mail, Part II: Ghost Trails, by Jill Homer

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:14:45 +0000

and to further touch on what jill was saying. the bike has proven to be without question the most effective mode of human powered travel on the iditarod trail. I could be wrong but i think that every year the race has been held the overall winner has been on a bike and the percentage of finishers on bike tends to be about twice that of people on foot or skis. there really is no sane reason why anyone would attempt this race on a bike, but anyone who would attempt it on anything other than a bike must be twice as crazy (insert smiley here).

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:09:44 +0000

fatty (and rich), i was right there with you on the lightheartedness of rich’s comment. my response was also meant to be taken with that same toungue in cheek sarcasm. i guess i should have used some smileys as well. shows just how correct you were about how printed text can be hard to interpret the intended tone of.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:25:59 +0000

Elden,

Thanks so much for taking the time to write a thoughtful review of the book. Your review made me realize that there may be places where I took the story *too* seriously. There was a lot of humor in my situation, even when the situation got more serious, and I as a writer sometimes have a hard time digging it out. Humor is hard for me … that’s why I appreciate your blog so much. Your good humor finds joy in both fun and hard situations.

As to the idea that the bike isn’t the right vehicle for the job, there are a lot of good arguments for that. I talked to foot competitors last year who told me “I feel so bad for cyclists, dragging those anchors.” Sometimes the bike is like an anchor, actually slowing you down from your normal walking speed, but sometimes you are just walking with your luggage cart, at close to the same speed you would be if you were just out there as a walker (not a runner, like Geoff, but perhaps one of the less competitive foot racers like I would tend to be.) But when you can ride the bike, you’re flying (relatively). Even though I was one of the last cyclists into McGrath last year, I still finished ahead of every single runner and skier. After seeing the condition of the trails, I felt bad for the skiers. Snowmobile moguls, long stretches of frozen dirt and unbroken trail would be, in my opinion, very tough with skis. If I had to pinpoint the perfect way to cross that trail, it would be on foot (perfect but hard.)

But, in the end, if your ultimate goal is simply to get from Knik to McGrath, the bike is still an avantange, even if only a small one. Just my opinion about it.

By: John

John — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:36:56 +0000

I think you are a bit hard on yourself in this section:

“My goofiness keeps me going. Jill’s essentially the opposite: her intensity (and often, let’s face it, despair) somehow keeps her motivated. Reading this book made me consider, for the first time, that there must in fact be an infinite number of personal reasons for staying on the bike when it would be easier to get off.”

I think the difference is you ride simply as an escape. When I read that (and don’t take this the wrong way), I think this is how you handle taking care of Susan; you hunker down in the same manner as Jill does on the bike.

By: Russell

Russell — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:10:21 +0000

As a Southerner I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I have never thought about bringing packets of mayonnaise on a bike ride. Now I can’t get it out of my head. However, at about mile 93.6 of a long ride I will often fantasize about deep fried Cliff Bars.

By: rich

rich — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:31:04 +0000

<<>

Sorry, guess I should have added the smileys….

You’re right though. As much as I try to deny it and pretend to be an open minded, easy going guy, I have to admit, that probably does describe me somewhat. (at least when it comes to my girls) :-)

By: steve sax

steve sax — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:12:16 +0000

Yeah, Big Boned…me, too. Faint with hunger. Mut be a superpower, because ths is while I am eating.

By: Big Boned

Big Boned — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:16:38 +0000

obviously I mean “throw in” – I’m faint with hunger.

By: Big Boned

Big Boned — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:05:09 +0000

Ok Fatty,
You’ve tormented me long enough! Don’t you think it’s about time to change your banner from those brats? Every day I look at them and the IT guys are telling me if I keep licking my screen, I’m going to need a new monitor soon.
Howze about you give some props to Chipotles and replace that banner with a nice burrito! Perhaps that will encourage Chipotles to through in some arygle for your readers…
“Thank you Big Boned, what a great idea – and you shall receive the first card…”

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:59:46 +0000

I ordered Jills book after she was the ‘guest blogger’ here over the holidays. LOVED IT! Can’t wait to hear about THIS years ride (walk, slog, sufferfest beyond all comprehension).

Jill, I personally can’t fathom how ANYBODY can do that ‘race’…nor what it takes mentally to think to yourself “hey…this is something I want to do” (and then to REPEAT it again? Did you become mentally disabled during the last one?) I grew up in Montana so I know a thing or two about cold, but not in this (or any other) lifetime could I imagine myself pedaling away from the ITI start line into the frozen tundra. My hats off to you (and all the others too) who PAY MONEY to do this ride. I am such a wimp! (ooh…it’s wet out and only 55 degrees…can’t ride today!)