Transmutational Cycling

I often joke about my touring bicycle being like a pack mule. Built here in the US (by Seattle based Rodriquez Bikes) the Ultimate Touring Bike is a gem that has transported me and my kitchen, tent/hammock, clothing, rain gear, supplies, food, water (and adult beverages), and other supplies across the country and through multiple long rides as well as shorter everyday shopping trips. Yet, when I got to beautiful Benson NC (home of NC’s Mule Days celebrations) I was treated to learning more about the real mules by one of the town leaders and family members who founded this celebration

NCDOT state bike route #5 goes the same way that the ECG route is proposed to go but so does NC’s MST-Mountains to the Sea Trail. Beautiful places connecting people and places wether it is via hiking, biking, strolling, or rolling. These connections being made today will leave a legacy for others to enjoy of which I will be more pound to leave behind than some widened, deadly, polluting multilane divided highway for my children and future grandchildren. While those parts of the nation’s infrastructure are needed in places, what legacy do we wish to have, enjoy, and leave behind?

Back in Wilmington, it is great to see that there are examples of cautionary and warning signs. I do to know the history of exactly who worked to ensure these were installed but as with this ride, we all stand on the shoulders of giants who have gone before us. Some pioneers blazed the pathways we get to enjoy today and staff of the ECGA are working hard to connect the fragments of the ECG into a unified greenway of over 3,000 miles. I am thrilled to play a small part in leaving that legacy of this trail for future generations to enjoy by my membership, advocacy, and this ride. Thanks to the Wilminton leadership, bike ped commission, NCDOT, MPO, Cape Fear cyclists etc who have worked and continue to work for safer roads, paths, and greenways in this area.