Cycling the length of the entire state of California on behalf of Soluna to raise awareness for youth mental health was a true honor. It was also a bit of a roller coaster, but as an adventure cyclist, I can’t say I’d have it any other way.
While I knew I would face plenty of challenges, I didn’t expect to deal with multiple record-breaking storms, eyeball-freezing temperatures, storm-force 65 mph winds that blew my glasses off my face, three route changes, and a terrifying pit bull attack that left me breathless. But that’s how life works. And it’s OK to struggle sometimes. I find that it’s good to struggle often. That means we’re pushing ourselves and ultimately growing from it.
Traversing the diverse landscapes of California, from desolate mountain ranges to endless valleys to vibrant cities, every day provided a unique glimpse into the state's natural beauty and cultural richness. Along the way, I met wonderful people who shared their struggles with various mental health and wellbeing challenges and issues, each of which was a beautiful demonstration of resilience and a willingness to connect on a human level. This vulnerability and connection helped fuel my journey.
For example, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Paul Stronger, a jet suit pilot and quite the adventurer in his own right, for the portion of the ride from Bakersfield to Los Angeles. We faced severe, wet weather including 65 mph winds, which I chose to view as a blessing rather than a curse. After all, as Paul says, “Sometimes you have to push yourself to the limit to know what you are capable of."
The importance of leveraging support
Morale in tough conditions can get low, especially when alone. When I was with Paul, we were able to keep ourselves happy and find relief in the difficulty of the shared challenge.
At the start of the tour, I did not want support. I wanted to complete the 1,200 miles by myself. But I’ve learned that having support does not take authenticity out of your journey. As humans, wanting to support each other is natural, and denying support when you need it only leads to more pain and difficulty. Yes, you are strong. Yes, you are tough. Yes, you sometimes can do it all by yourself, but support is there for you to make your life a little bit more comfortable while you face your challenges. Support takes nothing away from you and your accomplishments. Quite the metaphor for our own mental health and wellbeing, isn’t it?
The kindness and helpfulness of others, from knee braces to equipment repairs to moral encouragement, became a lifeline during my moments of struggle. I learned that strength lies not only in self-reliance and resilience, but also in the willingness to lean on the collective strength of the community.
Throughout the tour I met and engaged with many amazing individuals to discuss mental health trials and tribulations, including Stanford soccer star and mental health advocate Andrea Kitahata, psychologist Dr. Matt Tatum, Sacramento State students, countless other locals, and fellow cyclists. Every single person shared a struggle that I could relate to, and hearing about their different coping mechanisms, experiences, and perspectives not only provided me with comfort and inspiration but also made me want to reciprocate by sharing my own. These interactions underscored the importance of connection and solidarity in navigating life's challenges.
One topic I explored with Sacramento State students was their strategies for relieving anxiety, and their top answers were:
A Sacramento State student had a slogan on the back of his shirt that resonated deeply with me: "The work is the reward." This summarizes the critical concept of finding joy in the process of achieving your goals. And for the large portion of us who are striving to become less anxious, this serves as a reminder to face and embrace our discomforts.
The importance of maintaining flexibility as you face your challenges
The relentless onslaught of storms, aggressive dogs, muscle pains, and unforeseen obstacles mirrored the unpredictability of life itself. It provided a continual reminder that we can’t compare our expectations with reality, and we can’t allow the inevitable mismatch between the two to hinder our efforts in the present moment.
For example, when I first had to change the route northeast of Redding, I chose to cut south directly to Sacramento across the desolate outback rather than continuing through the Cascades on a dangerously busy road, and that desolate stretch was harder than I could have possibly imagined. I was delayed, freezing cold, in complete darkness, and frustrated. I was upset I wasn’t making better progress and wasn’t going to make it to Redding as planned. My frustration was not a beneficial response at all. I had already been battered by the storms and had over a month left of cycling, and the last thing I needed was additional, avoidable, self-inflicted criticism. I needed to appreciate the progress I was making and remember that progress, although not always linear, is still progress.
With the inflexible mindset of being frustrated at every change in circumstance and every missed expectation, it would have been an extraordinarily difficult endeavor. Instead, I released my expectations, accepted the changing circumstances, and focused all my energy on the long, wild road ahead.
As I bid farewell to California, I carry with me a profound appreciation for the beauty of its landscapes and the warmth of its people. More than a geographical journey or a physical feat, this experience was a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the enduring power of support.
The adventure reinforced the point that communication is the only way that others can understand what’s going on in our minds, and to be able to communicate how we really feel about something is a blessing.
Let’s unite in creating a world where everyone feels comfortable leaning on each other for support, communicating openly, and struggling, laughing, and crying together as we face life's many challenges. Together, we can overcome obstacles, embrace our vulnerabilities, and forge a brighter future for generations to come.