AS I SEE IT: The Bicycle Wheel of Life

December 31, 2025

An Explanation, A Tribute, and (of course) Some Bragging

THE EXPLANATION

I acknowledge the title of this journal is vague and stupid. I do plan to start planning a tour soon, though. When I come up with that plan, I'll tell you about it and I'll change the title immediately. But first I need to share some news from Greg World.

A couple of important family events have occurred since last year's bike trip. They aren't bike-related but, to some extent, they affect my bike touring future. That's my justification for writing this post before I even have a time and place for my 2026 tour.

THE TRIBUTE

I have the egotistical belief that EVERYBODY reads my journals with keen interest, so I'm sure you remember I've been driving down to Iowa a couple times a month to take my dad to appointments with his medical specialists. For several years, I've been using that as my excuse for not taking longer bike trips. Ohhhhh, pooor, poor me!

Meanwhile, my dad has been battling stomach cancer, heart disease, macular edema and arthritis like a tough guy--meaning he never complains, and he rarely admits to any kind of pain. None of those conditions, however, have been as horrible to watch as my dad's descent deeper and deeper into dementia over the last couple of years. I cannot even imagine what thoughts go through the mind of somebody who has no short-term memory, very few long-term memories, and is always in a state of confusion. One thing I do know is that it frustrated the hell out of my dad.

Sadly, my dad passed away in November. Sad, yes, but my brothers and I agree his death was merciful and he is finally at peace.

He was a great guy and an even greater father. He was such a great guy and father that I felt the need to write an article about him for his local newspaper. Believe it or not, the newspaper's editor actually thought my article was worth publishing. Best of all, the editor saw fit to publish it in the same format, and with the same "As I See It" byline as they published my dad's op-eds from thirty years ago.

It's the column on the left side of the page. Good luck on zooming in and reading it.

My dad on his 90th birthday. (August, 2025)

THE BRAGGING

I have some of my dad's end of life things to take care of, but after that I should be free to head out on a truly epic bike trip, right? Where should I go? I'm sure you'd like to tell me where to go, but I have other things to consider. For instance, there is the other important family event I referred to earlier.

Against all odds, The Feeshko and I became proud new parents again. You'd think that would be impossible for a couple in their mid-sixties, but I'm here to tell you, NOTHING is impossible.

I'm excited about being a new dad, and I know our new son will require my fatherly support and guidance for a couple of years. I will not let him down.

Introducing our new son, Arlo. He looks like the kind of adventurous boy who'd like to go on a bike tour someday.

Arlo likes sticks. Sometimes he even picks up a branch, complete with limbs with leaves, and carries it down the street during walks with The Feeshko and me. It's pretty comical.

I'm a full-grown adult and Arlo is only a six-month-old puppy. Yet he can outrun me like a hare can outrun a turtle. His vertical and horizontal leaps make mine look like I'm barely getting off the ground. Pound for pound, he's better at tug-of-war than me--and he only uses his TEETH vs. my powerful arms and legs. He doesn't have X-ray vision yet, but I'm starting to realize he has better eyesight, hearing, smelling, and superhuman strength than I do. Now I know how Clark Kent's earth parents felt.

Considering my new responsibilities, this year's bike trip will be another one that only lasts two-to-four weeks. The truly EPIC bike trip will have to wait a couple years.

Anyway, it's far too early for me to have a plan for this year's bike trip. It's still winter around here. I just wanted to prepare you for the fact that there WILL BE a bike trip. And I'll attack it with the same tough guy determination I inherited from my dad, and with the same energy I see in my young son.

EDIT: Legitimate Cycling Relevance

Training for a bike tour is a good idea. Bike touring journals often contain stories about training rides. I don't consider my regular rides to be "training rides," but I have no problem calling them that in order to legitimize this post.

Normally, I'd call this a FUN ride. Today, I'm calling it a training ride.

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Susan CarpenterHello Greg. My condolences on the passing of your father. No matter how much our brain tells us it is the best thing, the loss of a parent can linger in our heart. It seems your father was a great man and you certainly were/are an outstanding son. Best to you and your family, even that silly pup Arlo.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonWhat a moving tribute to your father, Greg. He was obviously a very special man, as was his son. You were both very lucky to have each other.

And a new dog! Go, Arlo! G-2 and Doris must be so jealous!
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3 weeks ago

Rachael AndersonI’m sorry to hear about your father. He was a very special person and he did a wonderful job raising you! You were a great son to him.
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3 weeks ago

Bill ShaneyfeltArlo... named after a folk music guy?

Bring him along on your bike tour!

I can somewhat identify with your loss. Your dad was quite a guy. My dad passed in '04 after fighting cancer 10 years, mom in '14 a week after a beloved aunt. Both mom and aunt had dying brains. So sad to watch. Best running buddy ever that I ran thousands of miles with died of long term cancer about a month ago, and a few days later my college best friend (and my best man) sent a message that his wife died, and that he has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer... There are others, not as immediately close to me as well. We all are closing in on our day too, but until then:

Stay tough...
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Susan CarpenterThanks Susan. You're right about the death of a parent lingering in the heart. Writing this post and the article for my dad's paper have both been very therapeutic in that regard. Also, I'll always remember the story you sent after our last dog, Diggity, died--the one about how dog owners and cat owners have very different opinions about getting doggy licks to the face.
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Scott AndersonThis tribute was partially inspired by your tribute to your dad a couple months ago. You may remember I commented at the time about how my dad was on the same downward arc as yours. I knew my dad's days were numbered, but I didn't expect his death to come only a couple weeks later.
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Rachael AndersonThank you, Rocky, but I must say he was more of a special person than I was a special son.
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Bill ShaneyfeltYes, Arlo Guthrie was the inspiration for his name. That was The Feeshko's idea. I wanted to name him 007 (Seven, for short), but she overruled me. I think part of the reason is that The Feeshko's real name is Alice. I probably don't have to tell you how that name relates to Arlo Guthrie.
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3 weeks ago

Bill ShaneyfeltTo Gregory Garceau"You can get anything you want..."

:-)

I just can't figure out how the name Feeshko came about...

It sure doesn't fit into the song as well as Alice.
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3 weeks ago

George (Buddy) HallCondolences on the loss of your dad. It's never easy to lose a parent, but it seems as though he lived a long and fruitful life. I started a new Thanksgiving family tradition this year and introduced my 12 y.o. granddaughter to "Alice's Restaurant." Accordingly, I received a Christmas present that is a t-shirt emblazoned with "You can get anything you want..." Can't wait to see what sort of interesting tour you tackle this year. FWIW, I have met cycle tourists pulling BOB trailers and such with dogs riding along on coast-to-coast trips. Just sayin...
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo George (Buddy) HallThanks George. I do have a Burley trailer for dogs. I often thought about taking my last dog along on a short tour but, unfortunately, he would get anxious and start barking after about 15 minutes or so. Come springtime, I'll see how Arlo does in it.
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3 weeks ago

Karen PoretSo noted that Arlo didn’t bark at all in his “First Official Video” ( FOV)..or, not yet, at least. That’s a big plus! ➕
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Karen PoretIt's true, Arlo is not a barker (so far.) We're having a lot of fun with the little guy.
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3 weeks ago

Andrea BrownMy dad died of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia. Damn that shit hurts. But you know what? He was so loved and respected that the church was packed and every church lady in town brought church lady food (they knew how many Browns there are). At his wake, oh the stories! I am so proud of him, like you are of your dad. Bruce and I did not start bike touring until our fathers were gone. My mom is still here, she’s almost 95 and it looks like she may finally be running outta steam, so this may be our last tour for awhile. She was golfing this last summer though!
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3 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Andrea BrownShould I be embarrassed to say I kind of like church lady food--assuming we're talking about ham, casseroles, lettuce salads, Jello salads, pasta salads, potato salads, and all kinds of strange desserts? And I must add, I sure admire a gal who still golfs in her nineties. (I know an 84-year-old woman who still climbs an extension ladder to clean out her gutters. I admire her too.)
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3 weeks ago

Andrea BrownTo Gregory GarceauAre you kidding? My family of foodies ADORED that food. We think there should be a Church Lady restaurant chain, and you take your leftovers home in a margarine tub. Btw, my mom makes the best potato salad in the world.
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3 weeks ago

Rich HarrellCondolences on the loss of your father, he was certainly a very special person.

As to Arlo -- at first I thought you had name him for Arlo Druckard -- you know, the guy who owns Arlo's Beer Ice Bread Milk MiniMart and all night video tape rental.

Again, very sad on the one hand, and elated for you on the other.
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2 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauTo Rich HarrellHi Rich, great to hear from you again. Um, I'm embarrassed to say I'm not familiar with Arlo Druckard and his MiniMart. It sounds like the kind of place I should visit sometime though. Anyway, thank you for the condolence.
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2 weeks ago

marilyn swettHi Greg - I just saw your journal (Playing catch-up on CycleBlaze after spending 3 weeks on a Caribbean cruise over the holidays - no biking or trailer travel but plenty of dancing. I know - poooor me!) I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your father. He sounded like a wonderful man. My mom passed away almost 6 years ago and I miss her nearly every day, especially when biking and I see a cheerful sunflower, her favorite flower. I hope that when that Minnesota ice box finally melts, you can get out on one of your infamous tours!
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1 week ago

Gregory GarceauTo marilyn swettI admire how you find dancing opportunities wherever you go. I hope dancing on a Caribbean cruise only gave you dance-fever, and not something worse, like seasickness.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness about my dad, and I truly appreciated the "poooor me" comment. You got what I meant.
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1 week ago

FRANK DAVIDSONSuch a great tribute to your dad. Thanks for sharing. I have enjoyed reading your journals. This entry is a special one.
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5 days ago

Gregory GarceauTo FRANK DAVIDSONHi Frank. I really like getting a comment from somebody I haven't heard from before--especially when the comment contains a nice compliment such as yours. Thank you for that and thank you for reading my journals. I know my writings aren't everyone's cup of tea.
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5 days ago

FRANK DAVIDSONTo Gregory GarceauThanks for logging your travels for others to read! Your journals have been very helpful to me. I’m a long-time backpacker, marathoner, and mountain biker, and I’m trying to figure out if I’m capable of taking up bikepacking/ bike touring. In the meantime, I’ll take part vicariously by reading these Pulitzer-worthy travelogues. 👍🏻
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4 days ago