Preparing for the Trail

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT A PLAN and a GREAT SUPPORTING CAST

A trip like this doesn't just happen. :-) Preparing for this trip has been extensive. A large portion of the logistics part of the trip has been done by Audrey. (She is awesome!) Quite some time ago, she ordered the maps from the cycle company. The maps include the routes and also information about the various sites to see along the Freedom Trail. We reviewed them and figured out where we were going to go. She co-ordinated this with camping areas so we can bring her and Rod's trailer. I know this was a big job and I appreciate all she did to organize our accommodations. :-)

For my birthday, my friend Lynne gave me this guide book about the Underground Railroad - (Hippocrene Gide to The Underground Railroad). It is awesome and has information about historic places, people and events in the various areas along the Freedom Trail. We were able to use the book and co-ordinate with the maps to plan out the best possible route. Thanks Lynne!!

My bike. I have an OK bike and was going to 'make do' with it for the trip. My principal (Sean Marks) offered to lend me his bike! Nice! I rode this bike during the course of the summer. It was a much better bike than mine. I appreciate him lending it to me. Thanks!

However, during the summer. Audrey's daughter, Sarah offered to lend me her very fancy and totally awesome trail bike. (Thanks Sarah!) So that is the bike I will be taking on the trip with me.

So, I needed to get the bike ready for the trip. This involved a handle bar adjustment, new pedals, a new seat (wow - does that make a difference!), a tune up (done at Spokes N Slopes in Milton), a new lock, a tire pump, an odometer, spare tube, patch kit, a new mini backpack (bought with a gift certificate to Mountain Equipment Co-Op from the staff at Chris Hadfield - thanks!),  cycling shorts, shirts, hmm, I am sure some more stuff I have forgotten!


My cousin, Heather worked for a bike import company - Uno Imports in Hamilton on Nash Road. Bronco is one of the owners and he took amazing care of me! Lance Armstrong will have nothing on me in terms of cycle fashion and practicality! Thanks Bronco! (check out future blogs for pics)


Heather also sent me to Main Cycle in Hamilton (1461 Main Street, Hamilton) for some of the other items listed above. Not only were they amazing and getting me what I need - Lou Sivestri (see pics below) taught me how to change my tires while on the road. Thanks Lou!


I am sure I will have more people to thank (ie: my brother John for driving me and my bike to meet Audrey and Rod on Monday - thanks! My friend Chris who helped me start my blog after I was inspired by the blog he and his wife did while they were in Africa this summer) as we go! But I want to thank all of you too! I can't tell you the emails or calls I have gotten already! You guys are an amazing support! Your kind wishes, words of encouragement and support in general mean a lot to me. I am a lucky person to have so many amazing people in my life! :-D


The Trail is only a few short days away but I think we are ready.

                                                   

Countdown to the Freedom Ride

In about a week, the Freedom Trail Adventure begins....

THE BACKGROUND

My name is Lisa (or Ms. T to some of you :-). About 5 years ago, my teaching partner  (Mr. D) talked to me about doing a leave from school for a year to travel. It sounded like a good idea. One day, he gave me an article he had cut out  about a cycling group that were riding along a mapped route - one of the Freedom Trails.  I was teaching history at the time and was very interested in this historical time period and I knew that exploring that trail was going to be something I would do during the year I took off.

The best part was... about a year ago, my good friend Audrey asked me if she could join me!! (Poor Audrey had listened to me talk endlessly about the trip, planning and the history!) I was ecstatic - yes! I so excited to share this journey with someone. After our conversation, I heard from the living room - "Can I come too?" Audrey's husband, Rod is joining us too! I couldn't ask for two better travel partners. (Check in next blog where I detail the planning and support that has gone into this trip and we haven't left the door yet!)

WHY?

A really good friend of mine asked me 'WHY?' Why was I doing this?

The thought of re-tracing footsteps of people who ran, walked, swam, or crawled towards Freedom fascinates me. What about those along the way who weren't slaves who were also taking a dangerous risk in order to help... Would any of us be willing to risk our lives to save/help/assist an unknown person or family who is a captive and help them to escape to freedom?  I can't imagine living in a time where this was a reality. I admire these people, the slaves trying to escape, the 'conductors' along the Underground Railroad that helped, the abolitionists, all of them risking their lives. Their courage amazes me. All of them fighting for something that we sometimes take for granted - FREEDOM!

Those of you who know me - know I am a huge history buff and often try to entertain (but am fully aware that is more often bore...  :-) students, friends and family with stories of history that I find interesting. I couldn't let this opportunity to be connected to this part of history pass me by.

My other reason for wanting to undertake this journey is connected to the idea of 'people being owned' by other people.  For a long time women were considered property like slaves were. I am glad that I never lived in that time. I admire those women who fought for equality just at those who were slaves fought for freedom. It wasn't until the 1900s in Canada that women were able to keep their own money or property or vote or fight abuse. It wasn't until 1929 (after World War I) that women were legally considered 'persons' in Canada.

Canadian Timeline

1916: Canadian women in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan get the vote. (more)

1918: Canada gives women the vote in most provinces by federal law. Quebec is not included. (more)

(click here to read more about women in Canada getting to VOTE: http://womenshistory.about.com/od/essentials/u/womens_rights_history.htm 

or here for women's rights in Canada:  http://citizenshift.org/node/6931&dossier_nid=1127)

On October 18, 1929, Lord Sankey, Lord Chancellor of the Privy Council, announced the British Privy Council decision that "yes, women are persons ... and eligible to be summoned and may become Members of the Senate of Canada."

(click here to read more about women becoming 'persons' in Canada: http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/women/a/personscase.htm)

I may live in a time where I can vote, own my own property, keep my own wages, be legally considered a 'Person', never be owned by someone, and enjoy 'Freedom' but I want to walk in the footsteps of those before me and in a small way, walk some of the steps they took on a journey that I will never fully experience but will always admire, respect, and appreciate.

Join us on the journey.....