Jill's Blog#3-A Luddite in a Technological World

The idea of a bike trip this summer suddenly infused me with vibrant, positive energy. I love to embark on journeys! My wheels were already turning, imagining Bryce and Mallory joining me on much of the trip and Todd linking in for the last week; and having friends joining us along the way. I was excited to have my children meet people who have been important at different points of my life, along with friends and family who are presently integral to our lives. They’d be able to hear stories from ordinary people we meet along the way who I remember back in 1979 were a great inspiration to me.

Then the reality set in. How could I make this happen? In 1979, Carol (my biking buddy), and I found a ride to get from Moscow, Idaho to Corvalis, Oregon. Then our bikes, (Wilma & Ethel) became part of our being for the rest of the summer. We had planned enough ahead to have maps of the Bicentennial Route sent to post offices along the way, but early in the trip, we abandoned the planned route, and instead picked roads recommended by local people. We had no agenda except to arrive in Williamstown, MA before we had to head back to Idaho for college.

Although very appealing, I quickly realized an impromptu agenda wasn’t going to fly for my trip this summer. Life now is more complicated. I had to keep in mind that potentially Mallory or I would need sag wagon assistance, and I had to leave open the option for the kids to abandon ship if this wasn’t the way cool experience that I thought they’d find it to be. Also, if it was going to open for friends and family to join us during the trip, we had to have a definitive route with stopping points.

Although I knew computer technology would allow me to integrate this trip and open the line of communication, how to do it seemed daunting. You see, I believe I was born with Luddite genes. I have often thought that I would have functioned much more easily if I had grown up in an era without all of the modern technologies. When I look at equipment which requires batteries, gas or electricity, I can feel myself immediately tense up. What is obvious to most people in the operation of equipment, I am totally alluded. Then, when a glitch arises requiring problem solving, I break out into a cold sweat.

Growing up, I gave up easily if I ran up against a real or perceived obstacle. It’s an attitude that as a parent, I haven’t wanted to model to my children. My natural inclination was to bail on the bike trip idea while trying to use the computer as a tool to plot my bike route map and set up a blog to journal my experience. I didn’t because I would feel like a hypocrite encouraging my children, to try harder, or find an alternative path when confronting obstacles.

So two and a half months after my decision to bike this summer, I’ve begun a blog; started a Prouty team; and have a rough draft of a computer map of my bike route. For most people, it would have taken a quarter the time it did for me, which was very frustrating and draining, but I do feel good that the trip is starting to become a reality; and I am grateful that people have offered to help me with the more technical computer logistics, which is my alternative path.