As can be expected, the question most frequently asked by people when we came back was "so, how was the trip?"

Funny thing is, that's the question time that I, anyway, had the hardest time answering. What to say?

Depending on the filter you decide to use in looking at the impact of a cycling trip like this on your life, be it physical, emotional, intellectual, or spritual, you could say a whole number of positive or negative things on the subject of "how the trip was".

Physically, two of the guys on the trip lost about 15 pounds, one gained 8, the rest of us stayed about the same (albeit looking somewhat more muscular than before). Two from the group who barely biked before are now avid cyclists and are taking many opportunities to cycle long distances with a new appreciation for the sport. Yet another is planning on cycling the rest of the way across Canada to the Maritimes.

Emotionally, we felt the stretching and bending of the ties that bond people together through the rough climate of long days of cycling and lowered tolerance thresholds. Yet we also knew that we would be travelling in close proximity for a month and a half, and had to learn to compromise and tolerate where we would normally reject and dismiss.

Intellectually and spiritually, we diverged in how much we learned and discovered about ourselves and the country we live in, but I think there was a certain meaning that all of us could find in what we did that was very unique to the trip.

So to all the people who asked me how my trip went, my apologies for looking blank, then cross-eyed, then mumbling something vague and contradictory. What I meant to say was that my journey wasn't at all what I expected it would be, but that I definitely took a lot from it.

How's that for a cryptic answer?

And yes, finally, as the wrapping up of the whole journey comes to a close, as the cheques for the money we raised go off to Central America and our photo albums are stacked neatly by old texts on the shelf, my hope and my idealism (they spring eternal) whisper that maybe, just maybe, others will take on the challenge of continuing with the spirit behind Cycling for Opportunity. And maybe, just maybe, more people will be empowered by their own journey of discovery and social change.

At that thought I smile to myself, send thoughts of support and enouragement your way, and feel privileged at being part of something larger than myself. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the wind to be at your back. Enjoy the scenery!

This page authored by Sarah Kamal on July 22, 1999.