An unexpected gift

I am so giddy with delight at what happened today I can't help but share it with everyone.... this is what went into my cycling journal today......

My Turkey plans consisted of going for a long distance ride on my bike, coming back and trying to find something to eat, watching the football game, and...... whatever....

Matthew Jarvis on turkey day.
Click to enlarge.

I'm out on my ride and bump into a guy that had passed me as I had stopped to put on some warmer clothes (it was about 35F out around noon today)... I caught up to him about 5 miles later as he waited to cross a rural intersection so we had a rest break and introduced ourselves... he mentioned that he was heading out to grandma's house for turkey dinner and was a bit
confused about the directions (it was about another 30 miles out of town and he had left his map at home). As I happened to be planning on going that general direction, I offered to show him the way for a while since I was somewhat familiar with that area....

As we headed off, his girlfriend drove by and stopped to see what was up as we were sitting there looking over a map. She came up and introduced herself, more or less confirmed our intended route and left. As we headed out, she came back by and said something to this guy as we were travelling down the road. We turned off onto a quieter road and he said that I was invited to dinner out at grandma's place. I declined since I had so many pressing social plans for later...

Then as we rode along I started thinking about all those articles I read in my cycling magazines about cyclists meeting locals that take them into their homes and show so much generosity and goodness.... I started to think that "hey - this is what it's all about" so I said to the guy (Dave) - "Hey - I'll take you up on your offer" and we pressed on for another 20 miles....

It was cold and getting foggy, and Dave was lagging quite a bit. On the hills I would come along side him and put a hand on his back and help him up the hills, or he would grab onto my cargo rack and let me tow him uphill... we had a great conversation all the way along our route....

We lagged behind our schedule, and happened to be at the bottom of the very last hill before grandma's house (it was a widowmaker) and Lo and Behold his girlfriend shows up with the van since she came out looking for us. We accepted a ride the rest of the way to the house, took off our shoes and went inside to get warm....

I gotta tell ya, if a stranger had shown up and looked at all of us, they wouldn't know that I wasn't one of the family. They were so generous and gracious it is almost beyond belief... here I am, some Joe Schmuck out riding a bike, and they invite me into their home and treat me with such kindness....

Needless to say, we had a feast like I hadn't seen for many years.... thank goodness I didn't have to ride back into town, being so bloated and it being dark out....

No problem - they gave me and my bike a ride all the way to my front door....

Folks - this is what goodness and the holidays are all about - and I am very thankful that I randomly met such wonderful people. May each of you have such good fortune as I experienced today....

Submitted by Matthew Jarvis

At first glance you could be forgiven for wondering why this story is even here. After all it talks about a day ride and there are no camping plans mentioned anywhere!

This story very nicely describes similar events that I have personally experienced during my bicycle touring adventures.

You will be pedaling along minding your own business or perhaps looking at scenery and then all of a sudden an opportunity to get to know someone new comes along. Sometimes it's as simple as engaging in conversation, sharing a smile or perhaps riding together for a little while. Occassionally it extends to being invited to meals with another family and an opportunity to get to have an entirely different and rewarding experience then you thought possible at the beginning of the day.

Of course you have to use caution and pay attention to any little voices in the back of your head but so far I have to report good times, just like the one Matthew described, each time this type of adventure has come my way.

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