Summer cycling trip offers challenges, reflection

By Sheryl Nix, Fort Wainwright PAOJuly 29, 2010

Pedaling uphill
Rev. Mariusz Wirkowski, a priest from the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese, bikes through Southcentral Alaska last month on a trip organized by Chaplain (Capt.) Maciej Napieralski, Fort Wainwright's garrison Catholic chaplain. The group biked 275 miles fro... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Summer cycling trip offers challenges, reflection

By Sheryl Nix

Fort Wainwright PAO

Chaplain (Capt.) Maciej Napieralski, Fort Wainwright's garrison Catholic chaplain, envisioned a trip with parishioners that would be a spiritual journey to grow in faith and physical fitness and soak in the beauty of an Alaskan summer. He planned this journey to encourage participants in their faith as they bicycled across a portion of the state. God planned the rain.

"The weather was nasty," Napieralski said. "It rained every single day."

Even with bad weather, Napieralski and his fellow cyclists made the 275-mile trip from Tok to Valdez, June 20 to 26, and managed to find time for personal reflection, prayer and tackled more mundane challenges like fatigue. Facing physical limitations was one of the key events during the trip, particularly as the group approached Thompson Pass in Southcentral Alaska after a long day of cycling, he said.

"Coming to grips with my own weaknesses - and I think everyone has the same issues - was a big part of the trip for me," he explained. "Coming to Thompson Pass, for example, after already riding for 60 miles was (tough). It was foggy and cold, with temperatures in the thirties." But even still, Napieralski said being in the beauty of God's creation made the rainy days worth it.

Sgt. Ollie Knowland, C Troop, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, joined Napieralski's cycling trip for the challenge and opportunity to see the beauty of Alaska. "I heard so much about Alaska from Tok, Delta Junction and especially Valdez so it was a nice chance to see it and it turned out to be one of the most (beautiful) trips I've been on. It was incredible," he said.

Knowland, who is an avid cyclist, said that while the idea of a cycling trip through Alaska might intimidate some people, it was actually a very doable and enjoyable way to see the state. "It was a challenge," he said. "But I think anybody could do it. There were even bike paths most of the way."

Knowland's favorite part of the trip was when they reached Thompson Pass and Worthington glacier.

"We hiked up and walked up in it and walked around it," he said. "On my little bucket list I can now say, 'walked on a glacier.'"

The third participant on the cycling trip was a priest from Fairbanks. "I can now also say I went on a cycling trip with two priests," Knowland said. "I live in Fairbanks and do a lot of cycling with different people, but that was interesting and made for a fun trip I thought. It was an awesome trip."