MOST MEMORABLE RIDE

If someone were to ask me what my favorite memory of a bike ride was, I'd be able to tell them without hesitation the following story.  Some of you have already heard it from me before...so if you are one of those folks, bear with me.  For those that have not, here's how it goes.


One spring day in 2001, I was riding my bike near where I now live in Hutch.  I was at the end of the ride, getting ready to head back home.  I noticed that a car had driven alongside me, very close at hand, and was slowing down so that it was almost so close that I could have touched it.   I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, that whoever was in the car was rolling down the window.  Out of the window came the barrel of what looked to be a gun.  In an instant, I went from being scared to death that "this was it",  to being totally soaked with water.  The two guys inside the car were looking for people that day to spray "water blasters" on.  


It caught me so off guard that I swerved on my bike and about laid it on its side.  The two guys in the vehicle sped off but for some reason or another decided to stop about half of a block away and look back.  I got their car tag and called the police.  And here's where the "good part" comes in.


These two guys were not real "rocket scientists".  Their car tag led the police immediately to the HCC parking lot by the boys' dorms. There, lying in the back seat, were two really nice water blaster guns.  In their carelessness, they had left them in plain sight.   It took a matter of only a few minutes before the police and HCC officials were able to find the two young men involved.


To make a long story "short",  HCC Dean, Randy Myers, arranged a meeting between the two students and myself so that we could have a little "visit" with one another.  The next day, I arrived at Randy's office and faced, for the first time, the two guys involved in this.  It was so interesting to hear why they did it-they were out, obviously bored, and looking for people to spray water blasters on.  They admitted it without hesitation.  They saw me riding and thought since I was so little, that I must have been a kid.  They said to the police officer, "We didn't know she was a teacher."  I about came out of my chair and I looked them in the eyes and said, "You mean it's ok to do this to a kid, but not an adult?  So, like, is it ok to do it at all?" I reminded them about how unsafe it was, that I almost wrecked my bike because of it.  


I remember one of them asking the police officer what would happen to them because of it.  And here's where the very best part comes in.  The officer looked at me and asked me what I thought should happen.  With a huge smile on my face I asked the officer if I could choose their punishment rather than them receiving a citation.  He agreed without hesitation.  I was able to come up with a plan that was a "win-win" one for all concerned....the two young men, myself, and my classroom of 15 1st graders.  And it went like this....


Two weeks later, close to the end of school for the year, those two young men showed up at my classroom at Lincoln Elementary with boxes filled with brand-new helmets for each of my students.  They also presented a lesson on bicycle safety for the kids and told them of the importance of taking bicycling seriously.  It was ok to have fun but to always be safe when they were out riding around.  They were only scheduled to be there for 30 minutes but ended up staying most of the afternoon talking with the kids.  When they left, I gave each of them a hug and  my forgiveness for their part in the incident.  I heard from them later on, each doing fine.  I'm not sure where they are today, but I doubt very seriously if either of them ever "water blasted" anyone else.  Life is full of DO-OVERS and those two guys deserved to get one of them that day.

The Unexpected

One of the benefits of growing older, is being able to look back at life and realize just how many people cross your path each day.  Some of them "come and go" with little impact upon you.  Others come to "stay" and always remain in a special place tucked deep inside your heart.  That would be the case with my very special friend, Marion Barton Barnett.  Marion and I met in 2006 when  I was a caregiver for him as a CNA at the Wheaton House, Mennonite Manor, South Hutchinson.  We only knew one another for a short span of 2 years.  But oh, did we EVER pack a lot of living and relationship building into that very limited amount of time.  It was a gift, a blessing from God above to be able to know him and to be with him when he passed from this world into the next one.  I never expected to meet a man who could end up being like a father to me but Marion Barnett was.  I wasn't able to attend his funeral when he passed away but I've been given another chance to "visit" with him.  The very last day of the Bike Across Kansas rolls right through Marion's old "stomping grounds", Linn County, Kansas.  He is buried in the cemetery at Parker, Kansas.  So before I leave Parker, I'm going to look my old friend up and let him know that I still remember him and the wonderful stories we used to share.  Of all the BAK rides that I could have signed up for in the years past, this one is the one I was supposed to be on.

Marion and I-Spring 2008

How this all got started in the first place.....

It's kind of weird how people seem to "pop into" your life at just the right time.  That's what happened with these two guys-my good friends, Ron Ratzlaff (l) and Bob Hunter (r).  We have known one another now for over 25 years.  When we all met, back in 1986, we became friends who had one thing in common....our love for cycling.  We rode hundreds of miles together during the 1986 season and made the decision to ride the BAK together in 1987.  Well Bob and Ron did great... Peggy , not so great! In 2011, the "baby of the group" is ready to keep her promise.  When I make it to Scott City, Ks. on June 4th, I will have done so for them!  Thank you Ron and Bob for "saving me from myself" those many long years ago.  The 3 of us got a lot older but with a decent head start, we could still probably outride someone!  lol  

Safety concerns

OK, it was bound to happen and I'm kind of glad that it happened today....least wise I don't have to worry about it now!  I had my first spill of the riding season.  And, wouldn't you know, it when I was standing still and the bike wasn't even moving!  :)  You know how "egos" are...if we have to fall off a bike, then just don't let it be when we aren't even moving!  lol  But it happened and I did learn a good lesson from it.  I was at the end of a 10 mile ride on the path and had just stopped long enough to get a drink.  When the wheels stopped turning, I took off my helmet because it needed to be readjusted.  I started to get off the bike when one foot got caught up in the toe clip and the real "icing on the cake" was that my short little leg had a whole lot of trouble lifting up over the back carrier rack.  It was not a pretty picture-Peggy, flat on her back with the bike laying right on top.  Of course, vain as I can be sometimes, the first thing I did was to see if anyone was looking.  Whew!  Everyone was still sleeping in!  I came away with just wounded pride and one little scrape on my arm.  But I did learn a couple of really good lessons.  (keep that helmet on until the very last second, watch out for those toe clips, and make really sure to be aware of where you are parked--I had stopped on an uneven surface, a recipe for disaster every time!) For one brief moment, I hesitated getting back on the bike....kind of like when you have your first "fender-bender" and you are not sure if you want to ever drive again!  But when you are still 5 miles from home and a bike is the only thing that will get you there--you might just as well get back on and ride home.  I made it!


BAK organizers stress the importance of being safe as we travel along.  With well over 900 riders heading eastward across the state, it's the only smart way to travel.  Wearing a helmet, cycling gloves, protective eye wear are necessities.....in fact, "no brainers".  And I am going to admit, right here in front of everyone, that this spring I got in the very bad habit of going without a helmet.  I know it was not the smart thing to do....in fact, one of my students noticed it and brought it to my attention.  Just one more humbling experience for this teacher.  Rest assured, I have one and will be wearing it forever and ever more...Amen!  Off to ride once again today...and yes, I have my helmet on.  

checking over gear

One week from tonight, I'll be waiting it out in Tribune, KS with over 900 total strangers.  Checked over all of my gear and clothing to be sure there's nothing I need to get this weekend.  I didn't even realize it until the picture was taken just how reflective those Schwalbe tires are.  My gloves and camel back are reflective as well.  We are all allowed to bring 2 big bags to be transported to each site.  One is for personal gear and clothing and the other for tents and our sleeping gear.  Thankfully, BAK is not supposed to be a fashion contest.  At the end of a very hot and long day of riding, EVERYONE LOOKS THE SAME---HOT AND SWEATY!

The Countdown Begins

Seems unbelievable how fast the time flies!  9 days left and counting before the start of Bike Across Kansas.  Lots yet to do--but these next two days will be devoted to finishing cleaning up my classroom at school and the tons of paperwork that seem to go along with ANY job these days.


On the subject of school and being a teacher who likes to ride a bike...................


It's been so much fun, as I have ridden my training miles, to run into students from school who were also out on their bikes.  I've even had the chance to ride alongside them for a mile or two.  It was always so interesting to visit with them away from the school setting.  The very kids that I've sometimes found challenging on the inside of the school building turned out to be absolutely delightful to visit with as we rode bikes together.  Sometimes I think that as a teacher, I have forgotten what it was like to be a kid.  So to those students who reminded me of that, I offer a 'humble thank you".  


Yesterday, on the very last day of school, I was given one more opportunity to be reminded of that very thing.  After the last bell had sounded and all the kids had left, I was taking stuff to my truck.  Out of nowhere, a young man on a bike, yelled out my name.  It was a 6th grader, the first one that I had met when I came to teach here in October.  We have had our share of "butting heads" times together this year.  But through it all, we managed to get along with one another and develop a mutual respect.  He just wanted to tell me good-bye and hadn't been able to find me until just that moment.  We didn't say too much to one another.....didn't have to.  Both of us were about ready to cry so I just said, "hey, meet me on the bike path sometime, ok?"  He mumbled an "ok".  I told him that he'd better be prepared because I could outride him any day (LOL) and he got the biggest smile on his face and said, "We'll just see about that Mrs. Miller."  The things we learn from the youth--and the greatest thing is this.....We all were their age once and how soon we do forget!

S.J.B.E.

Many people have asked me what the initials, "S.J.B.E." stand for on the sleeves of my BAK t-shirts.  The letters are the acronym of my favorite song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.  In 1969, Stephen Stills wrote the song "Suite:  Judy Blue Eyes" about his breakup with Judy Collins.  It was a song originally performed at Woodstock.  I always loved it and consider it a classic among all CSNY songs.  Realizing, of course, that the younger generation of family and friends cannot even identify with this song or the group.  But if you are of my of my generation, then it will sound familiar.    


I recently bought an MP3 player and joined the rest of the "techno-savvy" people who have owned them for years now.  I loaded it up with music from my generation (the'70s) and now enjoy listening to CSNY,  the Moody Blues, Harry Chapin, Dan Seals, Peter, Paul and Mary and a host of others as I ride my bike.  I'm hoping that it will help pass the time that it takes to go 475 miles.  


Music's power always amazes me.  It can take the most "downtrodden" of souls and lift them up again.  It can make a labor seem not so bad after all.  And why is it that I can remember the words of songs I knew from 40 years ago and not remember where I put my car keys on any given day?  Never has made any sense to me....

Biking Perspective

On my worst biking day, I have had flat tires, chains that slipped, and forks that bent.  I have ridden straight into the most ridiculous head-wind that ever was and prayed to have enough strength to make it to the next turn in the road.  I have dodged cars whose drivers thought I was invisible and pedaled my little legs off to escape the wrath of some stupid dog that decided I could be his next snack.  In the chilly weather of February as well as the hot and humid weather of August, I have ridden.  And survived!  

On my best biking day, I have flown with the wind at my back, pushing me on to the next place.  I have sailed down the hill at the bike path going 22 mph and loved every minute of it.  I witnessed a driver stop a line of 8 cars behind him as he stopped and allowed me to cross in front of him.  He didn't need to do so, he just did!  And I have felt the exhilarating feeling of getting off my bike at the end of a ride, knowing that I made it!  

Bicycling is just like anything else in life.  The "bad" comes with the "good".  If you keep everything in perspective, it really doesn't seem so bad after all.  Bicycling is my passion-I hope you have something you love to do as well!

Off of the beaten path

  Bike Trip Along the Katy Trail, Missouri-August of 2007

Ricky and I

From August of 2007-trip along the Katy Trail Bikepath in Missouri

Things you would never see if you weren't on a bike.  The top is a beautiful silo sitting out in the middle of nowhere.  It's covered with the most brilliant colored tiles I have ever seen.  And of course, "Boat Henge".  Tucked away far off of the beaten path, the opportunity for old boats to still have some sort of useful purpose in this life.  

FAQ

Once, a good friend asked me what I did when I rode a bike.....did I look at the scenery, what did I think about?  It's actually a good question to ask, especially since, at times, I'm on a bike for a couple of hours at a time.  Here was my response to him.....


While I am on a bike, I solve all the problems of the world, at least in my little part of it.  I talk to myself, a lot, about things that are bugging me.  I ask myself how I feel about certain things going on in my life.  I question myself-and sometimes "myself" doesn't like all the questions that it is receiving.  So, instead of arguing with myself, I just change the subject!


I notice scenery, but not the "big picture" kind of scenery that we normally think of. Instead,  I appreciate the smallest of flowers, the pictures that the clouds make in the sky, the stillness of the air.  I see everything from the seat of a bicycle that I normally miss as I fly by in a car.  


And I use the quiet time, the "away from people" time, to catch up on visits with God.  I know some would consider "prayer" from the seat of bicycle to be rather unorthodox.  But I know, somewhere in "The Good Book", it says 'Peggy, I will hear you even if you call my name while you are riding your bike.'  Maybe not those exact words, but you get the idea.  


The world looks so different from the seat of a bicycle.  I think it looks better.....

Some of my favorite bicycling quotes:

"Life is like riding a bicycle--in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."  
Albert Einstein


"You never have the wind with you--either it is against you or you are having a good day."
Daniel Berhman


"Murphy's Law of Wind Direction:  Whatever direction I am traveling, that's the direction the wind is out of."  
Peggy Miller


"Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling."
James E. Starrs


"If you worried about falling off of the bike, you'd never get on."
Lance Armstrong


"I thought of that while riding my bicycle."  
Albert Einstein (on the theory of relativity)


"Life is like  ten-speed bicycle.  Most of us have gears that we never even use."
Charles Schultz

The Voodoo Bike

 Ricky (my oldest son) and I with the bike lovingly referred to as the "voodoo bike."  It was the second one I owned and was involved in more bike crashes than I care to remember.  When I wisely quit riding it, Ricky took it and totally refurbished it.  He continued to put many miles on it and never ONCE crashed it.  Good thing I gave that one up!  (September '08)

The "Miller Curse"

People who know me understand completely what I mean when I refer to the "Miller Curse."  3 times, prior to this year, I have signed up for a paid my entry fee for the BAK.  Each time, just one day into the ride, I've had to stop and return home.  Perhaps if I talk about "it" that will make it go away, at least long enough for me to finally get this done!


In 1987, just 3 weeks prior to our leaving on the BAK, I was riding with my two friends, Ron and Bob. Long story, very short, 50 miles into our ride, I fell victim to loose sand and an electric fence in someone's pasture.  Came away with a broken collar bone that didn't have time to fully heal in time to ride more than the first BAK day.


In 2000, amazingly enough, just 3 weeks prior to my leaving, I stepped into a pothole as I was getting onto my bike at Rice Park.  Sprained ankle that also didn't have time to fully heal.


Last, but surely not least, in 2002, I had an unfortunate meeting with the railroad trestle on the Martinez Bike Trail here in Hutch.  Not surprising, the railroad trestle didn't budge, not one bit!  I, on the other hand, took a flying leap over the top of my bike and landed belly up on the ground.  Two sprained wrists, 3 broken ribs, and bruises that were unlike any others I've ever had kept me from going on the '02 BAK.  I must say, that I had ALMOST made it that year.  This all happened just a couple of days before leaving.


I have been blessed this year, "knock on all the wood in the world", to be injury free!  Maybe as I've gotten more mature, I've managed to be a little more cautious as I  trained for the ride. As a matter of fact, (and I hope I am not zapped for this), I feel stronger now than I have ever felt before.  So, it looks like even an "old woman" like me can actually do this, IF I really want to.  God has so surely blessed me.

Peggys "official" bucket list

My official "bucket list" of things to do before I "kick the bucket":
1.  Ride the BAK in its entirety.
2.  Go power parachuting once again.
3.  Canoe down the Ark River.
4.  Learn to swim well enough to save my own life.
5.  See the most beautiful sunrise and sunset.
6.  Meet each one of my FB friends in person and buy them something to drink.
7.  Ride on the back of a motorcycle, very fast, and live to tell about it.
8.  Reconnect with all of my family members who are now spread all across the US.
9.  Go to Maine and see a lighthouse.
10.NEVER allow my "bucket" to go completely empty.


Remembering, always, the thoughts of a good friend....  "You cannot kick a full bucket!"

"Home Sweet Home" for 7 days

It looks small but believe me, when you are only 5 feet tall, how much room could you really need?  Along the route, some people sleep inside high school gymnasiums while others tent outside on the lawn or football fields.  My goal in the next two weeks is to be able to assemble this thing in under 30 minutes, rain or shine!

Publish Post

Thank you cycling friends!

Shelley Rodriguez and I-one cold and windy March day in 2011.  We thought we had lost our minds by the time that ride was through!  So glad that Shelley and her husband Clint will be on the BAK as well.

Thank you cycling friends!

Mi amiga buena, Marlen West  7 de mayo, 2011

Thank you cycling friends!

Tonya, Patti, Peggy, and Phyllis

Sand Hill Plum Classic Ride  May 2011

Day 8-June 11, 2011-Garnett, Ks. to LaCygne, Ks. and the Missouri border

Day 8-the last leg of the journey is a short 40-mile trip from Garnett to LaCygne.  Hard to imagine having traveled over the entire width of the state of Kansas.  But if you make it this far, then you can say that you have!  Cyclists finish the journey by dipping their front wheels in the Missouri River before heading back to their homes.  This last day, I am riding for myself and when I dip my front wheel into the Missouri, I will do so with a huge smile on my face.  And at long last, I can finally check off Item #1 on my bucket list.

Day 7- June 10, 2011-Burlington, Ks. to Garnett, Ks.

The second to the last day of the 2011 Bike Across Kansas is a 48-mile ride from Burlington to Garnett.  It will be the "light at the end of the tunnel" day for any rider who has managed to stick it out for the entire week.  I will be riding today to honor the very first students I had as a young teacher way back in 1979.  They made a life-changing impact on me and forever changed the way that I looked at educating our youth.  So this day is for you:  Mike, Amy, John and Marchelle.  

Day 6-June 9, 2011-Cottonwood Falls, Ks. to Burlington, Ks.

Day #6 is a 62-mile journey from Cottonwood Falls to Burlington.  At this point in time, we'd better be used to doing a lot of "ups and downs" on the route.  Reno County will look flat as a pancake by the time I return to it!  

This day I'll be riding in honor of the 3 most important people in my life-my children-Ricky Miller, Grahame and Ursela Hemman. This "mom" says a big thanks to those 3 kids who believe that I can make it all the way across.  

Day 5-June 8,2011 -McPherson, Ks. to Cottonwood Falls, Ks.

Traveling from McPherson to Cottonwood Falls on Day #5 will be a 64-mile journey for us.  We'll be entering the hillier part of the trip at this time.  Hoping that the Flint Hills look as good from the seat of a bicycle as they do riding along at 65 mph in a car.  

I'm riding this day in honor of a dear friend from the days of my youth back in Haven, Ks.  Dennis Ulrey, this day is for you.  My t-shirt sleeve carries the message "U-turns allowed."  Dennis has spent a great deal of his adult life helping people to make the U-turns needed to change their lives for the better.  Having made several of those U-turns myself, I am most grateful that there are people out there just like Dennis who help all of us along the way.  Proud to call you my friend, Dennis Ulrey.

Day 4-June 7, 2011-Hoisington, Ks. to McPherson, Ks.

The fourth day of the Bike Across Kansas, June 5th is a 74 mile ride from Hoisington to McPherson.  This should be a "make or break" day for me as a rider.  I'm hoping to have "hit the wall" before I enter McPherson County.  If I haven't, I may find it quite tempting to just head south towards Hutch and Reno County and call it "quits".  Praying for that NOT to happen so I'll be needing all of you good folks out there to send up special prayers and petitions for my spirit to not be broken!  

I am riding this day in honor of the memory of my dear brother, Mike Scott, who died from ALS in 2007.  He went through so much in the very short time that he suffered the symptoms of ALS.  Despite all of it, he never gave up.  He chose to LIVE his life until the moment that he took his last breath.  Mike, I promise you that I too, will stay strong until the end.  You can count on your little sister to follow your example.

Day 3-June 6, 2011-Ness City, Ks. to Hoisington, Ks.

Day 3 of the Bike Across Kansas finds us riding a 67 mile route from Ness City to Hoisington.  I'll be riding that day to remember my parents, the late John and Lois Scott.  My 6 siblings and I learned the value of working hard to succeed in life.  Our parents, by their example, taught all 7 of their children to work hard and not give up.  Preparing to go on the BAK is definitely hard work.  Staying on the BAK for the entire 475 miles may be EVEN harder.  But Mom always said that "hard work never killed anyone!"  Mom, I sure hope you were right about that!  I love and miss you both!  

Day 2-June 5, 2011 Scott City, Ks. to Ness City, Ks.

The second day of the Bike Across Kansas, June 5th, is a 56 mile ride.  We start off at Scott City and ride to Ness City.  I'm riding this day in honor of my dear friend, Brian.  He has offered encouragement, support and just plain good advice to me as I have planned this trip.  We all need someone to believe in us and I thank him that he has done just that!  All of us are put on this earth to support and uplift one another.  Brian, I am grateful for your belief in me!

Day 1- June 4, 2011- The Colorado border, near Tribune, Ks. to Scott City, Ks.

June 4, 2011
First leg of the BAK
Near the Colorado-Kansas border in the town of Tribune, Ks.  
End destination for the first day, Scott City
Total distance, starting at the Colorado/Kansas border and ending at Scott City, Ks is 63 miles.


I'm riding the first day of this journey to honor my two very good friends, Ron and Bob.  We put in lots of miles on our bicycles during 1986-1987.  All 3 of us decided to do our first BAK together in June of 1987.  Unfortunately, for me, I had to drop out of the BAK after riding the first 46 miles of day 1.  I always promised those two guys that someday I would go back and do the whole thing.  Well, Ron and Bob, this is the year that Peggy Miller is going to make good on that promise!

BAK route for 2011

The BAK route for this summer begins in far western Kansas in Tribune.  It makes its eastward path across the state and ends up, one week later in LaCygne, near the Missouri border.  Bicyclists will journey to the towns of Scott City, Ness City, Hoisington, McPherson, Cottonwood Falls, Burlington, and Garnett.   Townspeople all along the route will welcome BAK cyclists into their communities during the entire week.  

March 2011-New Bike from the Bicycle Pedaler

I decided that this year was a good time to get a new bike.  I made the journey to Wichita to the Bicycle Pedaler and found just the bike that I wanted.  It's a Specialized Vita, my first with a carbon fork.  Very light-weight and easy to ride.  I loved it immediately!  The good people at the Pedaler were pretty helpful and made sure that everything fit me properly!  Since mid-March, I've put over 700 miles on it.  Just got new Schwalbe tires and toe clips and am set to go with it.

Bucket List Item #1-Ride the Bike Across Kansas from start to finish

Hey Everyone!  Welcome to my first-ever blog!  This summer, June 4-11, I will be riding the Bike Across Kansas and thus fulfilling Item #1 on the "Miller Bucket List."  I'll be using this blog to hopefully update my family and friends as to my progress each day.


This has been a dream of mine since the summer of 1987.  Now, at age 55, it's "now or never" for me.  My hopes are that keeping track of my journey, day by day, will empower me to stay the course and finish with the rest of the 800 or more riders that will be joining me for the week.  


As of this writing, June 4th is 2 weeks away.  Much has yet to be done in preparation for my leaving--many more miles to be ridden.  But I look forward to this journey and am anxious to share what happens to me with all of you.


Stay tuned!  :)