Day Before

I got up early this morning and had breakfast with most of my fellow riders.  Orientation began around noon.  We went over how to change a tire and stuff about the trailer, such as the fact that we are able to lean our bikes against the trailer, but not the van.  We also went over safety details and got our jerseys with the Bike the US for MS logos and another one for a drug used with MS.  One of the coolest things we got was our maps.  I didn't have a thorough understanding of how to read them (they are extremly detailed), so one of our guides, Pepper, taught me how to read them.  I'm going to put them in my handle bar bag (I never thought I would use one of these)!  We ordered pizza for supper and all the riders and their families socialized and got to know each other better.  The guides are very knowledgable and have tons of stories, some of which include an older woman who makes cookies for the riders and another story about an individual who has ridden across the country on a unicycle.  I have most of my stuff ready to go, but have a few last minute items I will get together in the morning.  We are scheduled to dip our wheel in the water at 8 am and then we are off to the Pacific!  I still don't know if it's set in that I will be riding my bike across the country for the next 2 months!

PS - There were some issues with commenting.  I made a few setting changes, so hopefully you are all able to comment now.  I look forward to hearing from you and will keep this going as best I can.  Thanks again to all the donators!

the inside of the trailer!!

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the trailer!

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2 days till!!

So today we got into yorktown virginia. I met quite a few of my fellow riders and got to see the cubbie that i get to put all of my stuff in!! Tomorrow from 12 to 5 i have orientation for the ride. For the most part i have everything packed up and ready to go!! Many pictures and exciting things to come!!!

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other side of my guardian angel!

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My Guardian angel for my trip that my mom got me.

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My Luggage!!

This is all of the stuff i am bringing for two months! I think we might have to play oregon trail and unload some of it b/c i dont think that its all going to fit in my 30x18x16 inch cubie!!

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RUBY!!!!

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Ruby

This is my bike Ruby!! It is a specialized ruby so I often refer to it as Ruby. I insisted that Ruby be put in the van for our trip to virginia, needless to say my siblings we not happy about it and thought that Ruby should ride outside of the van. So we now my two sister brother and dad are on our way to virginia beach and are going to spend one night at the beach and then go to yorktown where i leave from. So tomorrow night we will spend there because on tuesday i have orientation for the ride and then wed i will dip my rear wheel in the atlantic ocean!! Tradition for those of you dont know is to dip your rear wheel where you leave from and then front where you end up so in san fran i will dip my front wheel!!! Sorry about my grammer, spelling and or short hand i am typing this all on my phone and probably will be most of the time. A thank you to my mom for letting me barrow her netbook so that i have means of communication etc.!!!

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womens ride

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5 days and counting!!

OMG!! I can't wait!  I spent 5 hours today at kohls and dicks searching for clothes to wear during the day.  They recommend clothes that will dry easily as we may be washing these by hand.  If we wash them at all...ha. 

OMG, again!! An anonymous donor gave $81 which puts me at my fundraising goal of $3785!!!!!!!!  Thank you whoever you are!! And thank you to each and everyone of you who have contributed!!  Also thank you to all of you who are going to follow me on this journey of a lifetime!!

So training hasn't been as expected due to all the rain :(  I have been riding as much as I possibly can and finally said to heck with the rain, I am going to just have to ride in it in order to get some saddle time and base miles in.  So yesterday my riding buddy Steve and I decided to go to Bellefontaine to get a good hill workout in.  Well about an hour into the ride it started raining, well I mean POURING......and it poured on us for a good two hours as we bucked headwind, climbed hills and even rode through a closed road due to flooding-water a foot or so deep, squish, squish, squish with each pedal stroke, I poured water out of my shoes at the end of the ride...........but I am sure that it is only going to make me stronger and I am sure that I will have many days that are much more trying than this.  A BIG THANK YOU to Steve!! 

Tuesday evening was my last BikeSource Women's ride until I get back.  THANK YOU to all of the wonderful women who have joined me for this ride in the frigid temperatures and sometime in the extreme heat!!  You are the best and I will MISS riding with you all this June and July!!!  See attached picture from this ride!

I will be updating everyday from now until August unless there is no cell or wi-fi service- STAY TUNED!!