How Kindergarten made us better bicycle tourists
Robert Fulghum's All I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten and living life on a bike
Knox County Ohio trails are home base of my cycling. I encounter day trip cyclists who dream of cycling from Cincinnati to Cleveland. 326 miles seems far too challenging. I explain it is just cycling 5–7 day trips. The challenge becomes a celebration at the trail's end.
I am not going to oversimplify the logistics and planning that go into this tour. The Ohio to Erie Trail has many online and print resources to help you plan and guide you before and on your tour.
Robert Fulghum authored All I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten. In it, he challenges us to reflect on kindergarten lessons and apply them to our life.
Let’s look at some of the lessons we learned as five-year-olds in the classroom and apply them to cycling 326 miles in a week.
Share everything. You are not alone on this journey. Countless people have chronicled planning their tour and their days in touring Ohio by bike. Facebook fan groups, the trail website, and YouTube channel jumpstart your trip with coffee in hand on the couch.
Play fair. There is a good chance that you will embark on this journey with others. Touring harmoniously by bike involves give and take and awareness of others goals and abilities. Take time to be compassionate with your mates, especially on trying days.
Don't hit people. This is a goal to keep front and center anytime you are on a bike. Don’t let the scenery and distractions lead you to an accident. Playing fair with others lessens your urge to hit troublesome others, perhaps your touring partner.
Put things back where you found them. I enjoy touring self-supported, carrying my belongings for the week on my bike. This is the number one lesson on packing gear. Plan how your bags are packed and make sure you follow the plan every day. Life will be good.
Clean up your own mess. Leave no trace is a rule that needs to be followed when exploring and enjoying the outdoors where there are fewer trash bins. Carry out what you carry in. The trail workers and environment thanks you.
Don't take things that aren't yours. I observe cyclists are not thieves. However, I am a photographer. It may be tempting to “borrow” a photo of a photo-op and share it. Do it only after asking the photographer for permission.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. People are good. That is my belief. This is another lesson to remember when spending the week of 24-7 with others. The group may get lost or some lag behind. People are hurt with rash and seemingly well-intentioned words. Be aware that the message you intended may be heard as something different.
Wash your hands before you eat. Keep yourself healthy and avoid sharing germs. Cycling gloves soak up the trail and sweat. Teachers told us to wash our hands after eating. Friends and people on the trail share treats and food. COVID-19 taught us the importance of being responsible with others health in mind.
Image courtesy of BBC Creative on Unsplash Flush. I am not going to editorialize on this. You know you need to do it. Trailside portajohns and pit toilets don't have that luxury. Leave them as clean as they were out better than when you entered them.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Kindergarten teachers know the power of taking a break. Touring by bike is meant to be enjoyable. Do not let the miles and destination drive your day. Plan breaks generously. Stop and explore interesting things along the way.
Live a balanced life. Cycling comes in a variety of styles. You need to find the style that speaks to you. Spend some time pre-tour laying out what you want a typical day to look like. Balancing the miles pedaled, time chatting with locals and other cyclists, and just resting in the shade come with experience.
Take a nap every afternoon. This sounds tempting, doesn’t it? It may be possible but generally, time and miles overrule it. A good way to reduce the stress during the day is to plan something memorable and enjoyable on the day’s path. An hour or two off the bike leads to lasting memories.
When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to respect traffic. People, dogs, children, and other cyclists are not under your control. Stay aware. Stay safe. Start the day with your touring partners agreeing when and where to regroup during the day.
Be aware of wonder. I grew a marigold in a foam cup on the classroom window. It was a wonder as the days passed and it grew. Wonder lives in the miles cycled, people met, and life experienced every day . The bike is the vehicle to wonder as was that seed and foam cup.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we. This seems way to ominous to be motivating. Most things on a tour are exciting. As the days wear on, they become routine. I learned over the years that bad experiences become the most memorable and teaching moments that do not die
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.” Cyclists keep their eyes ahead on the road or trail. New worlds and experiences lay ahead in the peripheral to explore; nature, communities, people and attractions. LOOK for the adventure ahead and LOOK for things that make adventures memories.
Summary
Touring by bicycle involves a good bit of planning and understanding the challenge that lies ahead. My thirteen years of touring taught me that the human things far more often make a tour go awry.
Choosing a touring partner that matches and compliments you is critical. I must be the understanding, patient, and supportive person to my partner. Do not get on the bike without understanding the importance of honest relationships and open communications.
Fulghum’s sixteen lessons speak mostly of being the kind person who plays well on the playground and in the classroom. The Road and trail is your classroom. You need to play well with others. Don’t be sent to the corner and miss out on the cookie and milk.
Play well and enjoy!
Tom on the Trails
I really enjoyed this one! I think it may be the best of the series.
(But of course, I had to find one thing wrong! S/B "complement", 😆)
Well said, Tom. The HOOT and Kokosing Gap are our favorite trails. We used to go to Mt. Vernon University when our granddaughter participated in the Bladt competition and we always brought our bikes. We’re hoping to make it up for Trailapoolsa.