One Step at a Time
When a goal or dream feels daunting, people say “one step at a time.” As a cyclist, I say, “one pedal revolution at a time.”
My dream first sparked at age nine. At fifteen my brother Tom rode his bike across the country. The next year my sister Sandi, at eighteen, did the same. Their grit planted a seed in me.
After our mother died, the seed sprouted. In 2009, I pedaled across lower Michigan with Mom’s seventy-eight-year-old brother, Wil. The next year I trained and finally rode coast to coast–not at fifteen, or eighteen, or even twenty-five, but at age forty-six—thirty-five years after the dream began.
Toward the end of that 2010 ride, a new dream formed. As my feet and knees (and backside) screamed in pain, I realized I didn’t need to ride across the states again, but in all 50 states. The plan was to ride in the lower 48 states first. But Tuesday I rode in Ketchikan, yesterday in Juneau, and today, Skagway, making Alaska state forty-six.
The irony is not lost on me. I’m here in Alaska with my sister Sandi. When Princess Discovery docks in Seattle, my brother’s son will ride with me in Washington. From there, he’ll escort me to his home in Portland so I can check off Oregon, the place where his dad and Aunt Sandi first began their trek. By this time next week I will have ridden in 48 states, leaving Utah and Hawaii for the finale.
This dream has been unfolding for fifty years. Barring injury or death, I will reach my goal by age sixty-five. So, if you have a dream, or know a young person who does, please listen. Stay the course. If you get sidetracked, get back on the road. Don’t give up. Take it one step at a time. Or if you are a cyclist, take it one pedal revolution at a time. If I can do it, you can too.
Thanks for being a part of this journey!
If you enjoyed reading this blog, I’d love your support in growing this community! Please share this with your friends, family, or anyone who might find it interesting. Your shares help me reach more people to help them find their joy.
Joy M. Walker
September 4, 2025 @ 8:18 pm
Philip said when you go to ride in Hawaii, you’re inviting us.
September 6, 2025 @ 3:50 am
Ha, Ha! I’ve had a lot of offers to go with me on that trip! Maybe we can get a group discount if a bunch of us go. You’ve got me thinking. I love the idea!
September 4, 2025 @ 8:29 pm
I’d love to hear more about your cross country trip on the bike. Other than it was great and you couldn’t talk anyone into doing it again in reverse, your summary (in your book) of that experience was disappointingly brief.
September 6, 2025 @ 3:48 am
Well, thanks for reading my book, Bill. Yes, I had to shorten a lot of sections in the book to keep it from being 400 pages of details most people might not want to read. Perhaps we can talk sometime.
September 5, 2025 @ 8:29 am
Horrraaayyyy, we were wondering where you are. Glad you made it there safely and checked off a few more States on your Bucket List.
Stay safe and well…. sending our love and prayers.
Dave & Sally Bloomington, Indiana
September 6, 2025 @ 3:45 am
Thanks, Dave. Will check off Washington and Oregon when I get off the ship.
September 5, 2025 @ 7:55 pm
Congratulations Joy! You have ridden in 46 states since retirement! Wow! I’m encouraged by your advice on how to reach a goal by taking it one step at a time. Keep pedaling!
September 6, 2025 @ 3:44 am
Thanks Cathy. I appreciate your support more than you know.
September 5, 2025 @ 10:55 pm
Wow Alaska that’s absolutely amazing.
Congratulations.
September 6, 2025 @ 3:43 am
Thank you, Lynna. It’s a good feeling. And the weather was perfect too! Sunny and 75 degrees.
September 7, 2025 @ 12:14 pm
Go Joy! Can’t wait to read your next book about more bike riding!
September 12, 2025 @ 2:57 am
Thanks, Ann. Getting back to writing soon! I can’t seem to travel, journal, blog, and write the book at the same time. Got to stay home for a while.