Officially Registered:
All I ask is moral support.

If you'd like to support National MS Society in other ways, you can do so at:
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NJB/personal/default.asp?pa=55657043&pd=NJB0EMS120060916PAR

After a 40 mile ride with a huge fall,
sweaty and splattered with dirt... I'm still smilin'!
Must be the endorphine rush...

Final Countdown...

Wow!

I am so blessed to have you all along for this ride.
The "cheering squad" started with a friend in
California, who is an inspiration(I'll tell you more
about him later) and has grown beyond my imagination.
I swear I'll finish on all your cheers alone!

I cherish the notes you've sent and the friends you've
sent here. And when you said I've inspired you...
that's huge. But that's where it all begins and
continues 'cause... "It takes the first breath of wind
to move the mighty seas."

Saturday is D-Day...

September 10
Shortly after I started this process of training I
knew my bike would not do for a hundred mile ride
unless I bought a new one or put significant money
into mine. So, I started to search creatively for an
adequate replacement. Dear friends lent me bikes in
hopes that theirs would be the one to take me to the
finish. Alas, they were either too big, too small,
too heavy or too slow. None were quite right so I
decided to take a walk in the forest... oops! Sorry,
wrong story. I settled into my husband's mountain
bike as my best bet and did most of my training on it.
It was only a little too big.

Over the last two weeks, I had numerous riders tell me
I would work less if I changed the knobby tires to
smooth or road ones. Believe it or not, I'm way into
less work for equal or better returns. So, I planned
to buy the $40 tires and spend the extra $7each to put
them on my(hubby's) bike.

Yesterday, as I surveyed the bikes in my garage, I
noticed a loaner bike with the exact tires I was about
to buy. They looked about the same size as mine.
Idea!! I asked Rob(Bro-in-law) to put them on my
rims. Taking the rims and tires off the bike... the
sprockets are similar and the rims, real close but
thinner. Could it be? Yep! We switched the tires,
rims and all, and it worked!

The test drive... three laps around the lake...
fantastic! Those tires actually shaved 3 1/2 to 4
minutes off each 3.2 mile lap, left me more energy and
even let me get up a nasty hill I typically
walked(yea, the one that threw me last week). And... I
could still breathe when I got to the top. Breathing
is a good thing! (Don't worry Rita, we can switch 'em
back:-) Now, if I get those adapters for more hand
positions, It looks like I have myself a bike!

Then the kicker... my other Bro-in-law, Joe, says...
"You can use my bike if you want." (I had asked him
to lend it when I started out.-he was reluctant.
Besides, something was wrong with it. ) I know it's a
good road bike. "It's probably too big anyway." I
say.

A little later, I went in the basement to checkthe
bike out. Lord, it looks like the right size... I
picked it up to bring it out from the rest of the
basement fodder. Oh, man, it's like a feather! Deep
breaths... my eyes began to tear... Oh God, if only...
It's the real deal(or as close as I'm gonna get). A
2-3 year old Fuji Roubaix with toe-less cleats.

Deep breath in... hold it.... I'm the kid in the
Christmas movie with the “genuine red flyer carbine
action air rifle" Pinch me. But the gears don't
work, the tires, flat. I'll take it to the shop
tomorrow.

Drool link...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/02fuji/fuji_roubaix.htm


September 11
... Moment of silence... really.

Where were you? Where are you now? Has it changed you
a little?
How have you healed and helped to heal someone else?

The earth stopped for a few days and then slowly
regained speed. Though it seems we're nearly back to
warp speed, in some places and some hearts it's still
merely sputtering along.


And now, back to the show...


Got the bike, Found Joe's shoes that fit the cleats.
Not bigger than I can handle. To the bike shop. They
filled the tires, replaced one tube and noticed the
derailleur thingy that moves the chain needed an
adjustment. Other than that, there is nothing wrong
with the bike.

Exhale...
Adrenaline.

Put on the shoes and got a lesson on how to use this
new type of toe clip and funky shifters. The shop guy
doesn't look confident as I test them in the lot. I
do pretty darned good with them for a first timer.
Different set-up, but I already learned the stuck toe
lessons.

If I can master these in four days, we're a go
or I can trade pedals with the mountain bike
or, I can ride the mountain bike

"...We're going for a ride..."

While my family eats dinner, I go to learn the cleats
and test the bike. On the next block...Stuck foot,
again...damn!
(Honestly, I've been using the "S" word. It just
seems appropriate when you land on your @##)

Yep, I bounce on the right cheek too. "Look Ma!
This bike is so light I can hold it over my head...
with one foot even!"
Always get back on the horse. One lap around the lake
at lightning speed and I chicken out at the big hill.
I'll work on that one tomorrow. No sense killing
myself now, it's almost dark. I'll do it in the
daytime when the ambulance can find me.

Forgive me for being frank, but you know it's been a
rough week when the skinny little bike seat is much
more comfortable than the toilet
seat! ;-)

Undaunted, we rock on!! (So maybe we roll on.)

Now, for those that asked:
(Please don't feel obligated, because the best thing
you can do for me is cheer) But if you're able and
want to pledge,

Email me the amount you want to pledge so I can write
it on the sheet I have to hand in on Saturday.

You can write a check to the 'National MS Society'.
And give it to me next time I see you
or
Ask privately for the address to send it to


This is a pivotal week.
If I can prove myself in the cleats, I can ride with
the big boys...

I know I can.... I know I can... I know I can.... I
know I can...

Almost there!

Hello Dear Friends,

Thanks so much for your awesome encouragement and
support. It's great fun to share some of this
experience with you.

September 1
Well it's much more than raining... It's a tropical
depression. If I tried to ride, I would stand still
against the wind. Like riding the bike in the
shower... Got Soap? But the waves are gorgeous! If I
had a wetsuit(and a half ounce less sense) I'd have
taken out the surfboard(for the first time ever).
Cowabunga!!

September 2
Tropical Depression... my @##!!!! It's a freakin'
hurricane. The wind blew the metal chairs across the
decks last night. I was surprised we didn't find them
pierced through the neighbors' roof.
No ride. Surprised?
I had a vision of myself as the wicked witch on her
bike in the tornado. I would have been blown straight
to Kansas. What would possess anyone to ride out a
real hurricane down here?

September 3
Back home. Rained out week at the beach but nobody
came home with a severe sunburn! So, all is good. I
rode today 19.2 miles around the lake. 6 laps. It's
still not easy.
I'm getting better with the toe clips but not perfect.
The hill(or my quick loss of momentum) got me by
surprise and I kicked the right foot out in time...
not the left. Damn! Landed hard to the left. That's
gonna be pretty! Good thing I'm not all bony.
Advantage, padding. Right in the middle of the road,
no witnesses, pride still intact, time to call it a
day.

September 4
Perfect day.
Took the bike through a 28 mile trek through Ringwood,
across the reservoir, up a monster 2 mile hill.
The road followed a healthy stream that chased down
the hill, over rocks and waterfalls. Some gorgeous
sights you'd never notice in a car. Oh, and I guess
if I were actually pedaling up said monster hill I
wouldn't see 'em either, but like I told you, it was a
lovely
day to take my bike for a walk!

Whimp, nothing! I challenge you to try that ride and
not whimper at the mere sight of those beastly
mountains!

Honestly, I would consider that 4 hour brutal
ride/walk again... cause the trip down... Wow! I have
no idea how fast I was going, but the cars stayed
respectfully behind me and I was flying high and
furious. An awesome, amazing, breathtaking,
fantastical, glorious, rejuvinating, uplifting and
soaring ride!

September 5
Too rainy and I need a day to rest after yesterday.

September 6
First day of school. YEE HA!
No ride today, picking up a friend at the airport. 10
days and my hands are still numb but I saw the
chiropractor. I had been rather concerned that it
might have been a new symptom of MS since I was asking
so much of myself. But, It came on too fast for that.
It appears to be pinched nerves in my neck cause my
back is out of whack. A little better after an
adjustment.

I picked up the guitar today. Still hopeless. I
don't have strength or speed or consistency. An
emotional blow. Had to turn down a gig and put three
new students off a bit. Hopefully I'll have it back
in time for a gig on the 24th....

September 7
Self doubt is trying to creep in again.
Most of me knows I'll do it , no problem, but my legs
say, NO MORE!
Today, I did a bunch of fast, short treks and errands.
I got off the bike and walked real stiffly like one of
those muscle-bound guys from the gym('cept I'm not).

My legs are solid, very tired still, but solid. Total
10 miles

Guess I'll have to start accepting pledges soon, cause
I really am going to do this. I'm sure I can and I'm
not going to finish at the back of the pack either. :-
)

Till next time,
Sandie

A Spectacular Finish!

Thursday, August 30:

In trying to not overdo this whole thing I took
yesterday off. It turned out to be the best day for
riding; overcast, no wind... but I gave it a rest to
regain feeling in my fingers. It helped a little.

Today, I had my brother-in-law, Rob, to ride with. He
runs and rides regularly on road and on trails, he
runs 5+10K’s, does bi-athalons... the guy’s in shape.
Yea, I do shop-a-thons and I’m gonna keep up with
him... Actually, it was great to have him lead it
off, he had me at a faster pace for a longer time and
was really good for me. He gave advice, pointers and
road experience I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Best
of all, he showed me how to keep close enough to let
him break the wind a bit.

The wind. Have I mentioned the wind? Brutal. It was
in our face and near gale force from the start. It
was not one bit fun. You’d think it would go East or
West at the shore.... No, North and South. That’s it!
Riding against it is like being stuck in that dream
where you’re being chased and you can’t move your
feet. Except it’s real, and it hurts!

But the beginning is always the hardest. It would
would be easy to quit in the first couple miles every
time I go out. It’s horrible. If I get past the
three mile mark it’s still pretty bad. After six
miles it’s not fun. After ten, I seem to get in a
groove, wind or no. After that, somehow, it gets
easier.

If you think about it, life is like that too. No
matter the challenge or the situation, if you can get
through the start and work it out into a groove,
sometimes you’re as good as there.

So, we made it to the lighthouse. Rob was ahead for a
bunch, but I rather he did a little ride for himself
too. I didn’t want to hold him back. The whole deal
for me is getting there, not racing.

Rob waited for me to catch up, then let me lead the
last mile to the lighthouse. I pulled over and went
to put my foot out to stop... damn! Toe clips! Stuck
feet. I fell with the bike, tucked and rolled and
ended up on my back with my feet straight up in the
air, bike still attached, wheels spinning! What a
sight!! People waiting at the snack bar came to see
if I was OK. Just a jammed elbow... no scratches, no
blood. (I meant to do that;-) And if anyone had
filmed the fall, you’d be catching it on AFV! It was
truly spectacular!

The ride home was ideal. Steady light rain, overcast,
wind at my back, the easiest darned ride! It was
glorious. I passed home and continued on to finish at
40 miles, feeling Fan-freaking-tastic!

I've got dirt on my face, mud up my back, splatters
all over my chest, I'm sweaty and damp and I earned
every damned bit of it!!
I’m rooting for perfect, perfect weather tomorrow!
I know I can do this!


August 31,

I hung with the family most of the day. Went to the
water park. Had dinner reservations for 16, so I
seized the moment and did a quick 1 and a half-ish
hour ride before dinner. Into the wind, hurt like
hell, got to the ten mile mark, turned it around for
home. I did the fastest ride yet into the wind(though
still a snail's pace) and sprinted back home with the
wind in my sails. No coasting, I rode the heck out of
it. I'm getting stronger.

A ride with the wind is kind of like the roller
coaster, it takes forever to clink to the peak, but no
matter how high or far you go, it ends all too fast.
Deep down inside, I like speed:-) (when I'm in
control)

Tomorrow will be my last chance to ride the island. I
hear it's gonna rain. Perfect! It will be cool.

'Till next time,
Sandie

Progress...

Hello Dear Friend,

Thanks for coming along on my ride and for your moral
support.

You wonder why in the hell am I doing this...
Because I have MS. I was diagnosed 19 years ago.
I have been extremely lucky in the form it has taken
so far, but what turned out to be a mild exacerbation
in March, gave me a terriffic scare and got me to look
at where I've been and where I'm going.

In addition, I have watched a friend with ALS(Lou
Gherig's Disease) rise to challenges equivalent to
climbing mountains and he does it daily. He is,
unintentionally, an inspiration to me and to anyone
else who sees what he does with the challenges he
faces. Watching him convicts me of mediocrity in so
many areas. And it's true. I have no excuse to not
be my best.

So, I took those factors, mixed them up, turned them
over, picked and pulled them apart in my brain. Now,
I have finally made my decisions as to where my
energies(for as long as I have them) will be spent.

This week, we're vacationing in a rental house in LBI
with the extended family of 10 adults and 6 kids.
Constant motion and lots of fun.

I'm also here training for the MS 100, a two day bike
ride in Morris County that will cover more than 100
miles in two days. The ride is a fundraiser for MS
research and support.

At home, I got up to 17.2 miles riding around the
lake. The hills were a b*&^% but the rides down are
fantastic. Big accomplishment, but it's quite a bit
shy of 53 miles, the first day's course for the MS
ride.

Here at the shore... Sunday, I rode the entire length
of the island, 18
miles from the park to the lighthouse. Then I turned
around and rode the entire length back. Coming home,
I was heading into the wind and it sure felt like it
was uphill too. It was tough, but I did it. total:
36 miles!

Yesterday, it was hot and humid, I needed a smaller
ride.
After a bit it was cooler so I kept on going(must have
been the wind on my back). There was a glorious and
much appreciated rain shower in the last few miles
before the lighthouse. 18 miles. The wind was even
worse on the way back and relentless too, but I
did it again. 36 miles a day, two days back to back.
Four hour workouts each day- amazing that my body can
pedal 4 hours straight(no real hills, no coasting).

My legs are tired, my butt is not one bit happy about
the whole deal, but I made it. Today, I expect to
do less.

Carpal tunnel syndrome reared it's ugly head
yesterday.
My fingers were numb. I couldn't zip my bike pouch,
had trouble opening my water, my fingers were so weak
I could barely shift bike gears. At the house, dinner
was a challenge as I had little hand strength to cut
my meat. The kids wanted me to do some songs for
them, but My fingers would not cooperate. The
mandolin was a real challenge even to hold. Later,
turning the key in the car and even unbuckling my
seatbelt was almost impossible,but
it's starting to ease up now.

I'll have to make some major reassessments to
positioning my hands and may even need to fit the bike
with some kind of adaptaton to keep it from happening
again. I can't afford to loose my hands to win a
challenge- even a self-challenge.

I am doing this ride for me. Symbolically, for my
ALS friend and the MS patients that can't, but
ultimately, it is for me.

If for any reason I am unable to complete this
challenge, it does not take away from what I have
done so far. To date, I have run my own personal
marathon. I have gone beyond all expectations and in
a week of training have achieved 72miles in 2 days.

It ain't over yet, let's see what tomorrow brings.

Cheering section, I need you now!

Sandie

PS I sent this note to friends who expressed an
interest and friends who I thought would be interested
'cause they support me in so many other ways. Please
let me know if you don't want me to send my progress
reports. It's okay to forward this to friends.