The Advantage of Being Directionally Challenged!

In the last week I've had 2 "opportunities" to get lost. Seems a bit odd to write about it, but the second episode of misplacement created a good story that I would like to share.

The first one is pretty stupid... I was driving to Red Deer, where I grew up and where I have driven 100's of times in my life, and I accidentally turned South rather than North on the Airdrie overpass. Rather than turning around to go the right way I tried to take a short cut through, that eventually led me to Water Valley and the lovely hamlet of Dog Pound! What is normally an hour and a half trip turned into a 2 1/2 hour trip and garnered me some good chuckles out of my family! I arrived in one piece, feeling like a dolt but happy with how pretty the drive was!

The second incident is a better story... promise!

On Thursday I went for my long ride. My goal was about 90 - 100k, and I left with not much of a plan as to where to go. I wanted to base the route on the wind and it actually worked quite well!

Ken and I rode up Horsecreek. To start the wind was strongly out of the West. As we progressed North however it started to turn into a headwind, so, the logical ride for me was the challenging and scenic Bottrel loop that I had avoided thus far this year! This is the PERFECT North wind route!

I left Ken and headed on my way. I was enjoying myself SO much! The scenery was amazing... everything was green from the rain. There were streams, and creeks, and old barns. I saw a pen of very cute donkeys... it was just a lovely day for a ride. I made all the right turns, and knew I needed to take Lochend Road South to get back to Cochrane.

Who knew that Lochend isn't called Lochend at that end of the road!! I looked... and all I saw was "Range Road ##". I kept going. Before I knew it I'd descended a BIG hill, and was in the little village of Madden. I'd always wanted to see Madden so wasn't upset with the change of plans. Not much to see, but now I can say "I've seen it"!

The road kept going South, and gradually turned to the East. I'm not good with N/S/E/W as a general rule, but this was easy to figure out. I knew I was getting farther and farther from Cochrane. I didn't see any cyclists either which was a bit concerning AND I had no idea what road I was on.

I tried to wave a driver down to ask for directions. She waved back. (Grrrr...) I only brought 600 calories with me, and that was weighing on me quite heavily by this point. I had no money... not a dime, and didn't bring near enough food for a longer ride. Stress was mounting and the scenery lost it's appeal. I was hungry!

As I made a forced right hand turn to stay on pavement there was a truck moving slowly the other way. They had their window open and I seized the opportunity to ask for help!

"Excuse me... could you please tell me where I'm at? I'm lost!" As it turns out they were lost too. They had a dog and were trying to find Water Valley.

So... we had a GREAT chat exchanging directions, and as we were saying goodbye I decided to throw it out there... just ask the question that was looming large in my mind!

"Do you have any food?!" Her initial response was no. My heart sank to my toes and I thought I was doomed. Then, like a gift from the greater good, she reached into her purse and presented me with a Twix bar! I have never ever been so happy to see a melted glob of chocolate, wafer and caramel in my entire life!!!!! We parted ways, and I gobbled down the life saving chocolate bar!!!!

From there on in I was able to go back to enjoying the scenery. Within about 20 min I knew exactly where I was, and my 90k ride turned into a117k amazing journey on a new route I hope to ride often...

The moral of the story is always take more food than you think you need and don't be afraid to ask for directions! It all works out in the end:)

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!