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