Day 13: 6/30/12

Today was great!  We made it to lunch by 9 am.  The tail wind was great and it was pretty flat.  We had 9 miles of road work, but we made it.  At mile 76 mike and I stopped for burgers and beverages.  The end of the day was a little rough due to a strong head wind and some long uphills.  I went into same day care because of my toe and saddle sores.  Then dinner was catered in the park.  It was amazing!  Ribeyes and salmon!  We them went to a bar for live music, and the tour de France time trials.  Really a great day!

Day 12: 6/29/12

Today started a bit rough.  We had a long 12 mile climb, and got stopped by a cattle crossing.  I actually thought the crossing would be cool, but there was poop all over the road, and we were instantly attacked by what seemed like killer mosquitos.  Around mile 60 I had to wait nearly an hour for a 5 mile shuttle due to road construction.  I got a little afternoon nap in. The day was not all bad.  I did hit my fastest speed of 40.5 mph on a downhill, and did really well street the shuttle.  The tailwind helped.  For dinner we were shuttled over to a local household.  It was delicious!  Just got back, and tomorrow will be an early day.  They are predicting a hot day with a head wind, and we are doing over 90 miles again.  Looking forward to another day off.

Day 11: 6/28/12

Well I guess I lost my  sunglasses yesterday.  Then I woke up to ice on my tent.  Followed by a 11 mike climb.  The last four miles  were the worst.  I had to stop twice to take of some layers and drink some water.  The rest of the day turned our to be pretty nice.  We had a 12 mile downhill, a nice coffee break at a museum, and the weather was nice.  once we made it to camp we showered and went out for pizza and beer...not too much though because tomorrow is a long ride.

Day 10: 6/27/12

Today was practically a century, but it went by seemingly fast.  Would have been faster if I did not get two flat tires.  I am thankful for my pit crew of Gene, Reesh, Camilo, and Ben.  I am still not really sure what caused the flats.  They were both more like slow leaks.  Loved playing all the games on the Ride today, and I don't remember laughing as hard as I did at lunch the past two days.  Thanks to the Avon cafe for catering dinner...it was delicious.  I especially enjoyed the pecan pie!  I'm excited that tomorrow is only sixty something miles.  Thinking I am going to read or watch a movie since we have internet at the camp ground.  Right now I'm just enjoying the sun in my amazing chair...thanks Dave!

Day 9: 6/26/12

Today was a nice day off!  Of course my internal alarm clock woke me up early and I locked myself out of my room, but I eventually made my way back to bed.  We got up around 8 to get breakfast at food for thought then came back to the dorms to do laundry and clean bikes.  The weather was tricky today.  It would alternate between cold and rainy then sunny and warm.  I had pizza for lunch with Ben, Liz, Sarah, and Rick.  Sarah and I did a little shopping, and I bought a pbr bike hat that I love.  We joined everyone at 3 for an ice cream social where we met the mayor and the president/CEO of the ALA.  I went back to the dorm for a quick nap before going to  Camilo's friends house for a bbq.  Thank you to Leslie and Matt!  I'm glad Gene and I kicked ass at bags.  We beat Ben and Camilo and then Sarah and Jim.  Yet again it is time for bed...another long Ride tomorrow.  I hope my butt is ready.

Day 8: 6/25/12

Guess this is coming a little late.  Yesterday was long and hot.  We did over 100 miles yesterday, and I'm sure it reached 90 degrees.  We got into Missoula and we are staying at the university of Montana.  Last night we met Camilo's friends after dinner.  We went to a microbrewery and another bar where we played shuffleboard.  Ended the night with a trip to burger king and the grocery store.

Day 7: 6/24/12

Today was beautiful, but hard for me.  My music was not working and my backside was really hurting.  I'm slightly worried about the century tomorrow, but at least it will be followed by another day off.  It was also exciting to enter our third state.  Montana is breathtaking!

Day 6: 6/23/12

Today was not the best for me.  I miss my friend Molly, we ran into a thunderstorm, I got a flat tire, and I have an ingrown  toenail.  However, it was not all bad.  I made it through my first state, had a fun rest stop watching a local parade, went in the hot tub, and got to eat crab legs for dinner.  Looking forward to entering another state tomorrow.  Good night.

Day 5: 6/22/12

Today was a day off, and I woke up at 4:30.  Went with Reesh and Sarah to Starbucks for breakfast because nothing else is open at 5 am.  Came home to relax and read.  Had a disappointing cheesesteak for lunch.  Came back to clean my bike and do some laundry.  Went with Rob, Molly, Sarah, and Camilo to see brave.  Then went shopping with Sarah before getting dinner at Jack and dans.  overall a relaxing but busy day off.  We also had to temporarily say good-bye to Molly so she could have surgery on her hand.  She is so bad ass, I have no doubt she will return to Ride with a cast.  She will be missed!

Day 4

I have no idea what happened today but I was rocking, even with a head wind and some big hills including a 9 mile climb.  Made it to Gonzaga with the first group before the gear truck.  Looking forward to a day off tomorrow!

Day 3: 6/20/12

Today was hard for most.  It was a mostly flat 82 mile trip in anywhere USA.  We are camping at a high school where we were also provided dinner and breakfast.  After dinner 7 of us went to the only bar in town for a beer.  One more day of riding then we get our first day off. 

Day 2: 6/19/12

Today was beautiful!  It may have started a little cold, but it ended with a long downhill and a lot of sunshine.  I want to thank Camilo, Ben, and Jim for staying with me most of the day.  You guys are great, and I had so much fun!!!  Camp is windy, but dinner was at the camp restaurant and we were able to do laundry.  Charleton even gave a bike class in camp.  Bravo to Ben for bringing a hammock!  Well I'm off to socialize for about an hour before bed.  Good night!

Day 1: 6/18/12

Well it is finally  bedtime for me after day 1.  We had 4 flats that I know off, and one wreck.  It was a relatively calm day for me.  I rode alone a great deal, but it was nice.  I rode slow and steady with my music.  I had some highs like the waterfall, Denny's creek, and a free 8 miles.  The lows for me included riding over road kill, Denny's creek, and the rain.  I know this is over simplified, but I am on breakfast duty tomorrow so I really need to go to bed.  Good night

Day 0

Reesh and I woke up at 6 am this morning. I slept alright on an exceptionally hard mattress in a dorm of Seattle Pacific University. Walked to breakfast with the group at 8, then took off with Sarah and Jim. We traveled by bus to the Space Needle and then Pike's Place Market. We went back to the dorms until Jim and I could get a ride to Speedy Reedy to pick up our bikes. We rode back for our mandatory informational meeting and dinner. Took a quick walk to 7-11 before we have to meet Ben for our Spirometry test. Couple housekeeping things to do before bed, but I feel pretty good. Really looking forward to tomorrow!

Arriving in Seattle

Well I made it! I was a little nervous when I was told I could not bring my camping chair on the plane as carryon, but I fit it in one of my bags. Glad I picked the long bag! I landed in Seattle a little early, and had a slight panic attack when I could not find my luggage. Turns out the carousel had changed...oops. Tracy and Wendy picked me up and brought me to Molly's house for a bbq. They were a blast, even nicknamed me Chicago. We were soon joined by Larissa, Sarah, Rob, Camillo, Jim, Mike, Rick, Ben, Laura, Gene, Charleton, Lynn, Yuji, and even Liz made an appearance before we left. It was great to meet, but I was cold and tired so I am off to bed. Busy day tomorrow!

One Week Out

One week from today I will be pedaling in Seattle, Washington.  So much has happened and so much still needs to happen before I get there.  I did reach my fundraising goal so thank you to everyone that helped.  Thank you to PERFORMANCE bicycles for donating supplies to my ride as well.  Thank you to Larissa for recommending the tragic journal, and nerve building movie-ride the divide.  I fly out on Saturday!