Day 21 - 86 miles Dodge City to Great Bend, KS

I took a side trip today to ride a total of 90 miles. It was a good day for me. The winds were half as strong as yesterday.

The day started with cooler weather, but warmed up mid-morning. I rode most of the day in a sleveless jersey. Toward the end of the day another rider (Linda, training for RAM as a single rider) suggested we ride to the Pawnee Rock Historic Marker for the Sante Fe Trail. It was amazing - there was a 360 degree view from the top that was really spectacular. Kansas is very green and lush this time of year with large groves of trees. The grain silos are huge - it's interesting to guess how far away they are as you ride toward them.

There was one incident today - not really funny, but you just have to laugh (you'll laugh-I know you will).
Brendan, a truely wonderful older gentleman from England was knocked off his bike today when a passing motorist threw a dead chicken at him and hit him in the back of his helmet. I know you're laughing! This is another
very, very good reason to always wear a helmet - not a reason I've every heard mentioned before, but a really good reason! Brendon is OK, and we all agree his experience will be hard to top.

Time to sleep.
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Day 20 - 83 miles Liberal to Dodge City, KS

Cycling in the wind is just the way it is sometimes, but in Kansas trying to cycle in the wind is an act of pure will.

We left our hotel this morning into a cross wind that we had to fight against with each pedal stroke. After the 40 mile SAG stop (at the Dalton Gang Hideout and Museum) we turned directly into the wind heading for Dodge City. I rode for several more miles having a discussion with myself about needing to gain weight so I wouldn't get blown around so much, and then called it a day and took a ride in the van. And, I was so happy that I made that decision when I did - it was the last seat left!

Tomorrow is another 80 mile plus day, and it's a long way to Boston. There will be lots more opportunity to ride in the wind.

Heading that direction, news of tornados in Kansas is on TV right now - that is not the part of Kansas where we are.

The high point of the day was talking with a cyclist riding the other direction to attend a memorial ceremony for a relative who passed away in Oregon. He was riding 100 miles each way. Of the many more "unusual" characters we've met on the road, this guy was a serious road-type cyclist. He talked about the Red Hills where he trains and explained how it provides balance for him considering all the wind.

Time for route rap and dinner---always starved.

PS: Remember-my blog is like a flip chart-typos don't count :)
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Day 19 - 39 miles Guymon, OK to Liberal, KS

Today was a short riding day with a tail wind - a nice break for us. We "blew" into town.

Kansas is very flat and greener than OK. It's interesting to see the circular irrigation systems up close after seeing them from the air. They are huge. Most every thing seems supersized out here.

We checked into our hotel and visited Dorothy's house after lunch - even saw the tin man. No matter how you look at it, this is exciting stuff here in Kansas. The local shopping opportunity was limited to a cowboy store where I found a snappy little cowgirl shirt. Actually, today was a big retail day - we rode through Hooker (OK) and called the visitor center lady who was happy to open early and sell "Hooker" T-shirts to all of us. It's not all about long hard days on the bike (or in the ER), we're really having fun.

Four more days of riding and then a rest day. Today only two sick people were left behind to be picked up later.

Time to lube my bike now. More tomorrow!

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Day 18 - recovering in Dalhart, TX

A dozen of us stayed behind this morning to sleep and feel better. The last of the ill went to the hospital late last night and were released several hours later. The worst case, Mac, one of the staff will be on his way back to England. Apparently the illness had a diverse impact on a heart condition and he will not be able to continue.

We have supplies, soup and crackers, jello - everything you might (or might not) have at home, and have very late check out times so we can be as comfortable as possible. I just woke up for the second time, at noon.

The healthy part of the group left his morning in quite cold, rainy conditions for another day of riding. Tomorrow is a shorter day, only 39 miles, and we're all looking forward to feeling better and being back on our bikes.

Day 17.....should have ridden 98 miles to Dalhart, TX

Change in success criteria - previously I said my goal was not to go to the hospital anywhere along the way to Boston. This morning I was happy to have an IV stuck in my arm. Along with two other riders, I spend eight hours in the ER suffering from food poisoning. We are now released and waiting for a ride to catch up with the rest of the tour group, but have been told that twelve additional riders became sick out on the road and are now in the ER in Dalhart. It's one thing to be sick, it's entirely another thing to be sick out on the road.

The logistics surrounding being ill are complicated. A room was waiting for us to rest in at the hotel from last night, but we didn't have any way to get there. One of the fabulous ER nurses called her husband who came to pick us up, took us to the pharmacy, stopped at the local convenience store so we could buy "clear liquids" and then brought us to the hotel. Then, he went back to the pharmacy and picked up our meds and brought them back to us at the hotel. Amazing!

Doctors orders are clear liquids and no riding for 24 hours. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring for the 15 of us who are ill, but I can't imagine getting back on my bike right now. This is all part of the journey -- better times down the road.

New success criteria: Arrive in Boston alive!

Day 16 - 109 miles Las Vegas, NM to Tucumcari, NM

This was one very long day beginning with a crash that sent one rider to this hospital and ending with another rider collapsing in the lobby of the hotel to earn his ticket to the emergency room. It was windy again and hot towards the end of the ride, although the day began at 47 degrees making arm warmers necessary. Along the way we passed our 1000 mile mark - Yipee! I'd planned to put new tires on my bike tonight, but I'm just to tired. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. Tomorrow we will pass into Texas and into another time zone. Day and time doesn't seem to mean much anymore. It's all OK with me as long as I get to dinner on time.

At 100 miles today I changed two flats for another rider. That seems to be my new area of expertise. So now I'm the flat SME! It's a good thing.

One last thought - we no longer think of this as a tour. A tour would be 40 miles a day in Napa. This is bike boot camp. You either love it, or you don't. Fortunately for all of us in this particular camp, we love it.

Tomorrow, only 98 miles.

Day 15 - 72 miles Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM

Today was a perfect day of cycling. If anyone wasn't absolutely thrilled they should just leave their bike by the side of the road and call a cab for the airport. The temperature was cool when we left Santa Fe this morning and just warm enough later in the day to be perfectly comfortable. We did very little riding on the interstate - the last of interstate riding, but it was all good - VERY good.

On the way into town I was riding with one other rider - we were looking for somewhere to have a quick lunch before hitting the shower at the hotel. Down the main street there was a small (really run-down looking) restaurant with a dozen of the tour bikes parked in front. So, we went on in and had an amazing lunch. The owner, a wonderful jolly Mexican man, even watched our bikes outside so we could relax for a bit.

Tomorrow is a long day - over 100 miles, followed by another long day the next day. We are all starting to loose track of the days as they roll by.

Day 14 rest day in Santa Fe

Down day for me today, and I hear for a number of the other tour folks. The altitude here is blamed for many of us just not feeling great. Lots of family members flew in to visit.

My new friend Laura had to leave the tour today- she'd only planned for the first two weeks and was very sad to leave. We were all sad-the bonds grow fast and strong when you are sharing this experience.

I did laundry and went to the new Indiana Jones movie with three of the guys-Warren (63), Mike (65), George (70). Mike and George, and a couple on a really fast racing tandem are all from England and live within 20 miles of each other, but met here on the tour. It's interesting trying to understand them speak. No one could understand a single word George said for the first week, but now we're all starting to communicate better. I think George has slowed it down quite a bit. He's a riot to watch-never gives up.

I should spend some time stretching and get to bed. Tomorrow is only 72 miles and it's supposed to warm up which is welcome.

More tomorrow-
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Day 13 - 66 miles Albuquerque to Santa Fe, NM

Here I sit in bed with my foot elevated watching an old Steve Martin movie. Today was quite a day. Over a week ago my cleat clogged with mud I stepped in. I twisted my ankle clipping out in the wind before I was blown off the road. I've been able to manage the swelling and pain pretty well until this morning because we've had minimal city riding causing clipping in and out multiple times. Today, however, there was almost 10 miles of riding to get out of town....and it was cold. We started the day at 45 degrees and then it started to rain, the wind came up, and the temperature dropped. Because this is really strange weather for this time of year none of us have winter gear with us. At five miles I opted to ride in the
SAG van and I know it was a good decision. Soon the van was full of shivering cold people.

Did I say this is the greatest adventure of my life? Well, it is...and I'm sticking to my story!

Tomorrow is our second rest day. Hard to believe the days are going by so fast. So, there's plenty of time to heal and be ready to ride again on Sunday.

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Day 12 -78 miles- Grants to Albuquerque, NM

We rode off from the hotel this morning happy to have dry roads and no wind. Within a mile we made a 90 degree turn into a head wind and freezing rain - it happened SO fast. Someone told me later that I was saying ouch, ouch, ouch over and over. I thought the wind was spraying asphault against my helmet and face, but then I noticed my computer was getting wet. And then it poured on us.

I have the news on - they referred to the weather as a wild ride today.

As we rode on most every one (the smart ones) took shelter at a small store where we had another turn. I was tempted, but made the turn. Fifty feet later my front tire went flat. Part of me wanted to walk back to the store, but I changed it and went on. Within an hour the rain was gone and the ride was great for those of us who hadn't opted to ride in the van.

As we rode into town we crossed the Rio Grande--very large and muddy. The big highlight of the day was an amazing long downhill. I hit my personal best, 44 mph before pulling back. Five minutes after arriving at the hotel rain and big hail stones pounded the ground.

This was a really great day! Tomorrow more fun.
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Day 11- 68 miles Gallup to Grants, NM

Fabulous first 40 miles today past the Continental Divide. Then we started to sing the wind song! Apparently each trip develops a theme of it's own and ours is wind. It started from the back but quickly started to swirl--cross wind gusts were too strong for me-up to 50 mph. With my light weight bike I find myself in the oncoming traffic lane - not so good.

We had girls night to watch the final of American Idol tonight. It's funny how we've bonded. Laura's last tour day is tomorrow and we'll miss her. Zack, our really cute bag boy drove us to Walmart for pop corn - that was a treat.

Weather tomorrow looks bad with both colder wind and rain predicted so I need to dig out my rain coat, base layer and knee warmers. It's all part of the adventure! Time to sleep.

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Day 10 - 86 miles - Holbrook, AZ to Gallup, NM

Every day on the bike is a good day. Most of us started out a bit more tired today because we road hard yesterday. Lesson learned: after a rest day don't ride like there's no tomorrow, because there is and it's another hard day.

We crossed into New Mexico and into a different time zone today. This afternoon we watched pouring rain in the distance. The group I was with came in dry but a faster group rode in the hardest rain they've ever seen. I was happy we'd stopped for lunch.

Tomorrow 50 mph winds are predicted-sounds great if it's a tail wind. This is one of our shorter days-only 68 miles so we're sleeping in and not riding until 9:15.

Eat, sleep, ride. Time to sleep.
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Day 9 - 96 miles Flagstaff to Holbrook, AZ

Riding the Interstate is a new experience, but necessary when there is
no other route available. Tomorrow will be the last of those days.

We were saved by a tail wind all day long. Late morning we were
"Standing on the corner in Winslow, AZ...." The music was playing, we
took pictures, filled up our bottles and had a great time. Miles
later we stopped to ride a giant rabbit. Not sure where it came from,
but it was really funny.

The journey is priceless-
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Day 8 - Rest Day in Flagstaff

I believe we all wondered what the first rest day would bring. Very few opted to visit the Grand Canyon 80 miles away. It just seemed like too much to do today. Most of us lingered for several hours over breakfast here at the Comfort Inn which is really very nice.

The weather is beautiful and warm. Looking at 94 miles tomorrow we expect warmer weather and hope the head winds don't attack us again.

Early on in the week we were told by many of the career tour riders that a family would emerge out of the group and that has clearly proven true. We're just as dysfunctional as any family has ever been. There's one guy who steers clear of me completely. Obviously he's never been exposed to VSP's robust dialog and was offended by me right off the bat.

It's hard to believe for those of us new to touring, but three of the group are using this ride as a training ride for their next ride. These are the retired folks -not that old, but retired.

Some of the group are much, much older than they appear. So, take note - cycling will keep you young!

The first week was supposed to be the hardest week of the tour and it truly was a long week. Not only do you adjust to the day after day riding, but you have to develop a survival routine. There is so much to keep organized. We each have these two bags with a total weight limit of 30 pounds (together, not each bag). When we reach the hotel each afternoon the bags are already in our room and the air conditioner is turned on. You close the door and get started with the routine. Shower, wash out your bike clothes, get your bottles ready for the next day. (This includes washing out the muck from the mix you use and mixing up more of the same) We clean up our bikes and oil our chains every night. Then you need to get yourself to "route rap" at 5:45 where the route for the next day is discussed along with any sight seeing opportunities, pot holes to avoid, etc.

Next, off to dinner and then to bed so you can get up and start again in the morning.
Morning starts (for me) at 5:30 by putting the bike clothes on that I choose the night before and heading for breakfast at 6:00. Bags are loaded at 7:00, we pump up our tires and sign out at 7:15 for the day. The support team is amazing as they always know where we are and seem to appear with water and snacks even when a SAG stop isn't scheduled. Sometimes they are at the top of hill cheering us on.

Dinner tonight is on our own, but we all seem to need to be together tonight. We'll meet in the lobby and then decide where to go for the next feeding. We're eating more than you could imagine and I'm told they warn us to slow down on the eating in the last week or we'll be enrolling in Weight Watchers in July.

On that note, today three new riders joined the group. To welcome them we're going to get out the scale and the tape measure in the morning and tell them that we have to weight-in and measure our back side each morning. We, the dysfunctional family, think that's funny. I wonder what the new folks will think?

Day 7 - 46 miles - Cottonwood to Flagstaff

We knew that some days would be more spectacular than others, and this day would be hard to top. We had breakfast at 6:00 in Cottonwood and rode out at the usual time (7:15)prepared to climb all day. And that's exactly what we did -- climb ALL DAY. It was amazing as we approached Sedona. The red rock, the formations that you see in the old westerns, the clear blue sky -- all bigger than life. The weather warmed up quite a bit during the ride, but it was nice. Most of us stopped at a coffee house on the edge of a cliff in Sedona and took pictures before heading up the canyon. The ride was in the shade most of the time along a little river with the clearest water you've ever seen. The bad winds seem to have passed now, but a little breeze made the leaves on the trees flap around. It was really, really very beautiful.....

The steep part of the climb was only 2.2 miles with switch-backs. I'm feeling quite fortunate for the training that we have available in our area. Yes, it was a challenging climb, but it wasn't Salmon Falls. And, it wasn't the F-Steve ride in the heat. However, it was very rewarding, extremely beautiful and a key piece of this journey of a life time. Some of the tour riders have never seen switch-backs or been able to train in the mountains. But they all have heart, and they do really well. There's lots of diversity within the group.

At the top of the climb there was a look out area where the locals sell beautiful hand made beaded and natural rock bracelets and other pieces. Our SAG stop was there, so we ate and drank and shopped. It doesn't get any better than that.

Tomorrow is a rest day here in Flagstaff. Rest will be good.

Day 6 - 43 miles - Presscott, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ

Part 1 - morning post. First of all, please continue to forgive typos...and I was informed of duplicate entries. I was told last night (thank you Dana) that Day 4 was a dup. Sometimes when reception isn't great out in the middle of "no where USA" the iphone seems to put things into a holding pattern and then send, and send, and send....when there's a chance to work on a BIG computer these things, and spell check are much easier to work with! Like now. This is a wonderful hotel, very comfortable.

Today is a short day. We'll climb to 7,023' (Mingus Mountain) and then descend a steep section where some people opt to ride in the van. I'll let you know...

As we enter the town of Jerome City there's supposed to be a fabulous hamburger place, the "Haunted Hamburger" which shouldn't be passed-up. I can't imagine stopping for a burger, but this is a trip of firsts so I'm up for most anything.

More later - time to eat, and eat, and eat.

Part 2 - What a day. Lots more wind. I came as close to going down as I could have - was actually blown off the road into the dirt but managed to stay upright. We rode at 4+ miles an hour for miles and miles and then climbed for 6 miles. Not more than 6%, but long. The descent, however, was well worth the effort. Lots of historic mines in this area, the red hills of Sedona, the old city of Jerome - all very interesting, and a beautiful ride. A group of us rode an extra loop and stopped to eat at a local tavern in town. It was a wonderful time - we are now really on tour!

Tomorrow we climb again and then have our first day off. Time to sleep.

Day 5 - 59 miles - Wickenburg to Prescott

OK, now we're on tour. This was my type of ride-day and I did well. For those reading who cycle, you can compare this day to 5 trips to Auburn and then 10 times down the canyon and back up again. It was great, however quite a challenge with lots of wind, again. At one point when I normally would have been pulling back on the breaks hitting 39ish(because that's when I get scared) I was peddling as hard as I could to keep going forward at 6 miles per hour DOWNHILL.

This is hard, but I am so happy to be on this journey. Tomorrow, more climbing.

Day 4 - 115 miles Blythe, CA to Wickenburg, AZ

Typos need to be ignored :)

This is hard! Only the really strong rode it all today. Not me-

Riding in the desert is like nothing else. It can be dangerous for lots of reasons.

Had a great moment under a freeway overpass with semi's honking at us. The shade was wonderful!

Really tired, but looking toward to climbing tomorrow.

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Day 3 - 100 miles Indio to Blythe

Success on this adventure may mean not visiting the hospital. Follow-
up from yesterday: crash victim and wife both gone now. His MRI
results weren't good; she is really bruised. Tonight three more in
the ER - not sure why, but I can say it was a very hard day. Today's
learnings---The desert is not flat. The wind never stops blowing.
Truck re-treads are bigger than I am. Sand ends up in places where
sand doesn't belong, and the sun doesn't shine on you in the desert,
it shines At you!

More fun tomorrow-

Day 2 - 85 miles. Riverside to Indio

Cold this morning - still 58 degrees
@ 11:00, but warmed up fast later.
Most of the group starts out fast and is still at the first rest stop gassed by the time I get there. Works just fine for me being slow to warm up. Saw a BIG ugly bug living by a bush I utilized this morning - never saw any thing like it before.

Major sand storm outside Palm Springs by the wind mill farm (really a great location for wind mills). Man in front of me riding with his wife blown off the ground - came down hard as his wife went head over heals and landed tangled up with him. I grabbed both brakes and drug a foot to slide up to his wheel - really didn't want to ride over his spokes, or him. I was the lucky one - he's at the hospital.

On the upside, nice BBQ by the pool this evening. Getting to know people.

Tomorrow 100 miles across the desert to Blythe.
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Day 1

78 miles today - Pacific Ocean to Riverside. This is a very interesting group of people. Some actually quite their jobs to ride with the group - others retired early. The weather was great today - Maine layer early when we dipped our wheels in the ocean turned to sunshine after miles (many miles) through residential and business districts. Overall very good day. It takes time to keep organized which seems odd considering I only have two little bags. Time to get some sleep.

Time to go!

Friday morning (May 9) Drive to N. Orange County to my sister's for the evening.

Saturday morning (May 10) Bike check is scheduled at 10:00 followed by an orientation from 2:00 to 4:30. Pam (sister) will have dinner with all of us at 6:00 and then drive home for the night to return in the morning. Dana races in Pleasenton Saturday before flying to LA for the night - I'll pick him up at the airport. He will drive my car home after we leave the beach heading for Boston on Sunday morning. (May 11) Mother's Day!

My next post will be from the road -

I counted down the weeks....

One week until we ride!(May 4) Today was my last ride before I head for Los Angeles on Friday. As much as I'd like to ride every day this week there just isn't time to get all the details of work, family and daily life tied up and ride, too. Why complain - I'll be riding for seven weeks straight. Yippee! Dana rode with me today. We started mid-morning and rode to Old Town for a chocolate covered banana (with nuts). My favorite ride snack stop. This week will go by quick. Because this experience, this time in my life, is SO unknown I have feelings brewing that I don't quite have words for. Perhaps later I will.

Two weeks to go...(April 27) Chico Wildflower was today - the last climbing training I will do before the 11th. It's time to rest now and get in some flat miles. Chico was wonderful - it was warm which was a striking difference from last year's rain and the wind from the year before. Dana raced today - Wente - he took fifth and came home with a bottle of wine and a t-shirt! Frank picked me up at 5:00 this morning for the trip to Chico. We ran into John and Bill, and then later into Steve, Jeffrie, Dave and Debbie. It was a good time.
I talked with a man who was wearing a Paris Brest Paris 2007 jersey - a doctor from Folsom. I wonder if that will be on my goal-list after Boston?

Three weeks to go...(April 20) Saturday was my hardest training ride, but it's over and I'm OK. Several times I've broken into tears in the past few days - a combination of nerves and excitement. Yesterday I dropped my bike off at the shop for the BIG overhaul. When I picked it up tonight I was really surprised at how much Steve (my mechanic) had done - it's completely quiet. The day before I drive to LA it will go back to the shop for a final tuning and new tires. My job now is just to keep riding and not get hurt.

Four more weeks...(April 13) Email from the participants introducing themselves is really interesting. So many of the 45 are still training indoors due to cold wet weather - some still in snow..and I spent two days with Dana racing in 90 degree weather!

Five weeks away...(April 6) The participant list is posted. It's really exciting to realize there will be riders from all over the world. Seeing my name on the list brings a new sense of reality to all of this.