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...