I said to Bill, “That sounds like a good idea. We’ll wear tights, brightly colored jerseys, short socks that clash with said jerseys, put on shoes we can’t walk in -- and that clash with both the socks and jerseys -- and top it all off with a hard hat full of holes.” All this so we can plant our butts on hard seats no wider than a fence rail and pedal our way up mountains, through rain and, with a little luck, snow, across deserts and, well, you know, lots of fun things like that.
So, the plan was hatched. A bike tour (that’s bicycle, the kind without the motor). Out west, because the mountains are higher there. We finally decided on the Seattle, Washington to Missoula, Montana leg of Cycle America’s 2007 Coast-to-Coast ride. Bill has done about all there is to do in the way of rides. Me, this will be the first. Seemed logical, then, to do the “first leg” of something.
The entire coast-to-coast ride is accomplished in nine 1-week stages. And what is unique about this leg, except for its being first? Well, it is the LONGEST. By almost 100 miles! Six hundred five miles in 7 days of riding. Eighty-six miles per day on average. I thought this would be the right ride because…? Must have been the Chimay.
So, here I am, about 2 months until day 1 of the ride. I’ve started training, haven ridden 280 miles this month. Eighteen days into April and I have yet to put in even half the distance of the ride. What was I thinking? That I love a challenge, maybe? And this is. A challenge.
1 comment:
Looks great, Dad! Can't wait to read along with you as you chronicle your preparations and, eventually, big ride. Please have Bill take a picture of you on one of your rides soon so we can see said tights, shoes, jersey and helmet in action!
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