4//26

The tree pictured above is supposedly some type of unique pine, and the woman standing below in admiration is supposedly Paula. I had been staying at this Hipcamp spot for a few days and had barely noticed the tree to begin with, let alone marvel at it. I was distracted by a palatable “adjustment period” to life on the road where my vision felt clouded and narrow (mostly, I just kept hitting my head on things). Paula, on the other hand, was much more present.

We tried using Google Lens to decipher the species, but honestly it’s not important; what matters is that we had someone to share the moment with.

We got to chatting and Paula inquired about the truck, where I was headed, etc… This was her and her husband’s first time to Arkansas. She celebrated how green everything was in the South East. I thought about the bugs down here and glamorized the dry terrain where she lives in Colorado. Then she said, “You just meet the best people on the road.“

This wasn’t the first time I’d heard this and regardless, it always sticks with me. Last summer, when I prompted my RAGBRAI & national-bike-touring friend Jason, “What’s surprised you most about your travels so far?” he answered without hesitation, “The kindness of strangers.”

I immediately and excitedly agreed with Paula; it’s a big reason I’m on this trip in the first place, after all.

On that note, we wished each other the best out on the road and we parted ways. There’s an unspoken, endearing, “Good luck and I’m rooting for you; I know how it feels” in the smile and nod you share with a stranger saying goodbye at a camp spot and knowing you’ll probably never see them again.

I was off on the next part of my Bentonville adventure, but speaking of surprises, I would come to experience the kindness of strangers again all too suddenly…

Surprise! My humerus was playing hide-and-seek with my shoulder socket and it even had a fractured secret hiding up it’s sleeve. This happened when I missed a turn and went down out on one of the many amazing MTB trails Bentonville has to offer; a complete freak accident after what had been an amazing couple hours of rolling around. I suppose this was just another reason that ride had been unforgettable.

Immediately I knew something bad was up with my arm but thankfully I was riding with a stranger-turned-friend: Alex. Speaking of kindness, Alex has shown me some of the most decency and humanity I can find. Whatever she possesses must truly have an affect on others because the rest of the staff at the ER was equally compassionate.

For awhile at the ER (where Alex waited with me – thanks again) I just shot the shit with some doctor named Kevin. He had a resident nurse with him and they came in to guess what trail I crashed on after looking at my X-Rays. Kevin straight up told me, “I have no idea how the surgeon will even fix this” but for a little while, it was nice to forget what happened and just talk shop.

Bikes have brought me so much joy. Even in a difficult time like this, I can reflect on what happened and feel thankful to have a supportive community and to share this with people close to me along the way.

Now even though my humerus is broken, there’s plenty I still find funny, so I want to share some noteworthy thoughts I’ve had since the incident:

• I can reach my left armpit to apply deodorant using the same hand.
• It takes zero morphine and at least three tries to get your signature looking decent with your non-dominant hand.
• I have a nuanced appreciation for the saying, “I put my pants on one leg at a time.”
• I can humbly admit that Crocs are underrated.
• If your orthopedic surgeon asks whether or not they can pray for you before an operation, say yes (even if you don’t really consider yourself religious these days).
• The soaps at the hotel you will unexpectedly stay at with your Dad in Tupelo, MS, require the use of two hands. Don’t worry though – they’re “self-confidence boosting” and “joy inducing” themed so you’ll forget all about the pain.
• The security CAPTCHA required to schedule an appointment with your new doctor is “bicycles” and that does not seem like a coincidence…

Despite what the hospital bill may suggest, my injury was not the only thing I did this month! I also took a trip to Chattanooga, TN with friends and it was a magical time. This was our second-annual outing, and I already can’t wait for the third. Here are some photos:

Right now, I have no clue what May holds. I suppose even if I hadn’t broken my arm this would still be true, but what I can say is that it’s at least not what I had expected considering I’ll be recovering at home until further notice. My plan is to get back out there ASAP and continue the journey, so until then I’ll be figuring out how to change the ISO with my teeth, I guess.

Thank you to everyone who reached out with well wishes and to my parents for always letting me come home (especially my Dad for driving my truck ~12 back there…)

See y’all in 5//26!