BALCONY PEOPLE

Author Joyce Landorf once described balcony people as behind the scenes people, people unseen yet truly responsible for any successful endeavor.  This 2014 Polar Cycling Expedition has identified five balcony people that have resulted in a successful expedition that began on June 16th and ending on August 27th.  This tour began on June 16th in a Billings to Missoula run, then a flight up to Deadhorse, Alaska--next to the frigid Arctic Ocean and ending on August 27th in Missoula, Montana.  

BALCONY PERSON:  DIXIE THOMAS HALL

Dixie has been my Rock of Gibraltar through all of the tour. She served as postal clerk--sending food supplies to remote parts of Alaska for later pickup by our team, she never failed to include a note of encouragement with each shipment. 

  

BALCONY PERSON:  RICK STILES

I owe the most gratitude to Rick.  Nine months prior to our tour, Rick meticulously researched the Dalton Road in northern Alaska, the best routes through the Yukon, logged up daily mileages and ending points that offered the best amenities possible.  Although he was not able to fully enjoy his own careful planning, without it, the tour would have ended in Fairbanks.  Thanks, Rick for your unflagging support and encouragement all the way to the end.  We are a team!

BALCONY PERSON:  MARK COLE

Forty years ago I was in a Christian rock band doing a tour in Asia when one day a young saxophonist walked into our team, Mark Cole.  His passion for music and his faith in God helped our team endure amazing setbacks and adversity. So here we are--hadn't seen each other for 40 years!--bicycling together for three days in Alberta, Mark's home area.  We laughed, caught up, reminisced, and discussed the future. What a great time to have Mark's encouragement toward the end of my journey.  

BALCONY PERSON:  MENNO DEKHUYZEN

When Rick, after a difficult decision, needed to return home and left from Fairbanks, it was almost as if God still wanted the tour to continue.   Another bicyclist we'd met in Cold Foot again connected with us in Fairbanks and there we decided to tour together.  So Menno--another recumbentist--and I began the long descent through Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and down into British Columbia before parting ways.  Menno, a Netherlander, headed west for Prince Rupert and I headed east for Prince George.  Menno brouth to the table companionship, great positive energy, Netherlander humor, and excellent conversation.  Not sure I could have continued alone; Menno helped me through the middle of the tour.     

BALCONY PERSON: JIM LEWIS

Jim first showed up at a party in Billings--a recumbent afficionado--and showed a great interest in our tour.  Over the weeks, Jim would scamper ahead through Google Earth and plot out what was ahead of us--amenities, climb ratios, and other pertinent information. Often I was well-prepared because of Jim's leg work.  Thanks, Jim.

So my deep gratitude goes to the TEAM, the balcony people who made it impossible for our tour to fail through their unsung, generously offered help.

Thanks, Dixie, Mark, Rick, Menno, and Jim!