Courage is Contagious

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“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

I was listening to my neighbor talk about the anxiety she felt this past weekend when her husband took their oldest, a 12-year-old boy, up to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier.

In her delightful British accent, she said, “It’s not that I don’t trust my husband’s skills, it’s just that if you take the three tallest peaks in the UK, Ben Nevis (Scotland), Scafell Peak (England), and Snowdon (Wales) on top of each other, then you have Mt. Rainier. It’s an American, super-sized mountain.”

Fortunately, the weather held and they had a great time hiking up to and camping at base camp on our super-sized mountain.

It struck me as I listened, that there are many different types of courage in these adventures. To lead an expedition, to join as a team member, and also to stand on the sidelines and cheer for an adventure. All take a unique kind of fortitude.

It also made me think of the adventure that Vicki Atkinson and I got to hear about from author, blogger and great story-teller, Cheryl Oreglia on this week’s Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, Episode 86: Tandem Riding with Cheryl Oreglia.

Cheryl recounted her experience on the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa which is familiarly known as RAGBRAI. Seven hot days of riding, camping, and communing with 20,000 other riders.

Sounds fun, right? But what Cheryl does so consistently is bring the magic. She rides in tandem – both on the bike with her husband, Larry, and also in her writing. She is so good at synchronizing her inner landscape with all that she sees around.

She takes us on this journey from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River. And she leaves Vicki and me in tears about what it all means.

Cheryl is a beautiful writer and inspirational story-teller. She reminds us all what is out there when we face our fears and try hard things.

Pork chops, sunrise, kindness, and courage to name just a few.

I’m confident you’ll love the scenic and beautiful places we explore as we share the power of storytelling.

We know you’ll love it!

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 86: Tandem Riding with Cheryl Oreglia

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Links for this Episode:

Cheryl’s blog: Living in the Gap

RAGBRAI 2024 – Living in the Gap (cheryloreglia.blog)

Other episodes with Cheryl:

Episode 61: The Writers Conference with Cheryl Oreglia by Sharing the Heart of the Matter (spotify.com)

Episode 30: True Grit with Cheryl Oreglia by Sharing the Heart of the Matter (spotify.com)

Episode 7: Grow Damn It! by Sharing the Heart of the Matter (spotify.com)

(featured photo from Pexels)

27 thoughts on “Courage is Contagious”

  3. Good comparison about the three highest peaks vs. Mt. Ranier! Riding a tandem bicycle in the Iowa event sounds fun as long as both riders have the same sense of balance. I once rode with a friend and needed to balance for both of us. I guess that’s a good metaphor. ; )

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  4. Great interview Wynne, but I do have one bone to pick with you. I keep reading your headline: Courage is contagious. It’s a great headline, but the more I hear Cheryl describe Larry and her experience, the more convinced I am that I will not be riding the 2025 RAGBRAI! The sore muscles. The camping. The long porta-potty lines. No, no, no, I’m running the other direction. Ha, ha, yes, I’m kidding, it’s such a neat story. Cheryl, love your story telling. It had to be an emotional moment finishing up the ride. Good for you!

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    1. Thank you Brain, you’re the best, and I agree, camping, riding long distances in the heat, rustic facilities ~ it’s not for everyone, but I was floored when I discovered, it was for me! Who knew? Hugs, C

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      1. I kid. I tease my wife all the time that when we’re both retired I want to hike the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails. She likes to remind me that there are no daily showers out on the trails. Harumph, I’ll have to learn how to deal with feeling sweaty and tired. Ha, ha.

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      3. Brian, I’m fond of showers too. But I think it sounds like a great adventure. Sign me up because I think we’ll discover that all the other senses come alive out there!

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  5. Good morning Wynne, oh my, what a wonderful time I had with you and Vicki recording the podcast, reliving the experience of RAGBRAI, and the beautiful moments that came from that experience. You are such a gracious host, warm and welcoming. I was a little afraid to listen to my own voice, but I remembered our conclusion, overcoming unreasonable fears and I decided to give it a go. You do such a great job drawing out the stories, supporting, encouraging and laughing with my shenanigans. Hope your audience enjoys the adventure. Love you, C

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    1. Oh, Cheryl, you are a gracious guest! We love your stories and it feels like we could talk all day! Fantastic adventure — thanks for sharing it and making a great episode!! Love you, my friend! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  12. I loved this conversation. What an engaging storytelling, Wynne, and what an incredible journey. The Porto potty situation would scare me away but the visuals of those early morning shards of light and that pink truck at the top of the hill and eating those thick buttery pancakes with my hands do sound so incredible appealing. I love that an entire community gets around this event, even those watching and cheering from the sidelines with their garden hose. Incredible.

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  13. Great interview! That bike ride and all of the things that go with it sound like an excellent experience! I especially appreciate the reminder Cheryl gave us not to limit ourselves by predetermining what we can and cannot do. 💪🏻

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