Local Scouts join 300-mile Pedal Across Lower Michigan ride.
Joshua Kahn
Special to the Jewish News
W bile many kids just relax dur-
ing the summer, members of
Boy Scout Troop 364, char-
tered by the Men's Club of Adat Shalom
Synagogue, satisfied our thirst for high
adventure by taking part in the June
19-24 30th Pedal Across Lower Michigan
("PALK' get it?), an annual ride suitable
for any cyclist, whether beginner or aficio-
nado.
Scouts Josh Graff, Joshua Kahn, Mayer
Schneider and Benjamin Tushman were
accompanied by adults Steven Graff and
David Tushman.
Our journey began on a Sunday
morning with an 8-mile bike ride into
Ludington, where PALM was scheduled
to begin. As a Shabbos-observant troop,
we had spent the weekend camping out at
Ludington State Park on Lake Michigan.
After registering, we set off, excited for a
week of intense biking, good times and
good company. That day, we rode another
47 miles to Hesperia. On Monday, we
biked 46 miles to Big Rapids. The next
days we spent in Clare, Bay City and Bad
Axe, finally ending up in Harbor Beach, a
city right on the shores of Lake Huron in
Michigan's thumb.
Tired but feeling accomplished after
having biked more than 300 miles over six
42
August 18 2011
days, we headed home on Friday.
Each night along the way was spent at
a public high school, camped out in tents
on their fields. Nearly 800 people were on
the trip, and the number of tents set up
each night was rivaled only by the number
of bikes parked against fences, latrines,
buildings or other bikes.
It was an amazing experience biking
and camping with so many other people.
Everyone was so friendly, willing to engage
in conversation or lend a mallet to pound
in tent stakes.
Every day was a new adventure. The
first two days were full of hills and a head-
wind. Later into the week, we broke into
the flatlands, biking miles through farms
and forests. By the third or fourth day, we
were all somewhat sore, yet comfortable
riding our bikes for long distances. We
knew we could handle 50 miles a day, but
it was still difficult at times.
To pass the time, we enjoyed the scen-
ery, talked to each other and to other
bikers. There was a great communal
atmosphere because everyone was there
to do the same thing: have a great time
biking and give him or herself a bit of a
challenge.
One of the most exhilarating moments
of the trip was when I was biking apart
from the group. One of the people I was
with pointed off to the right, and there I
saw the sky turning a dark shade of blue
and gray. I biked alertly, feeling awake and
alive as the approaching storm caught up
to me. The sky over my head grew dark,
and storm clouds filled most of the sky.
The anticipation was what made it exhila-
rating. And then it started to rain. Hard.
Some people headed to find shelter, and I
considered that also, but I was having too
much fun, so I just kept on biking. It was
amazing.
One thing about PALM that makes it
unique and especially friendly to all sorts
of cyclists is the support for the riders. Our
gear was transported each day by truck to
the next city, and during the day we con-
stantly had access to SAGs (an acronym
for support and gear) vehicles out on the
road specifically to help the PALM riders.
Every 5 to 10 miles, there was a SAG stop
with water, and some had special treats
— candy, watermelon, licorice. There were
also roving SAGs, driving up and down
the road ready to help anyone in case of
an accident or fatigue.
It was reassuring to know that help was
there if we needed it, but apart from one
minor accident, Troop 364 rode all the way
through each and every day.
As a group, we had an amazing time on
PALM. We challenged ourselves to ride
across lower Michigan and accomplished
that goal. We enjoyed the riding and one
other's company, getting to know one
other and ourselves better.
As Boy Scouts, one of the impor-
tant things about trips like these is the
opportunity to learn by pushing our own
boundaries and challenging ourselves. On
this trip, we grew both individually and
as a group. It was a fantastic experience,
and I would easily do it again next year. I
would even do it again next week.
Eagle Scout Joshua Kahn, 18, of Oak Park is
a graduate of Frankel Jewish Academy. He
will study next year at Yeshivat Har Etzion
in Alon Shevut, Israel, then plans to attend
University of Michigan.
Joshua and Steven Graff, Mayer
Schneider and Joshua Kahn take a
lighthouse break.