Taking the rain out of Training

Preparing for this ride has been a multi-dimensional experience. There's the time spent riding of course. Not at a race-pace. But lots of hours in the saddle. This year in the northwest, that has meant lots of time under cloudy or leaky skies. While the weather has been a key factor in training, and will be significant element of the event, there were things to do indoors as well.



Taking my bike to the shop (as I'm not much of a mechanic), reviewing the ALA packing list, consulting with other excursion cyclist friends for THEIR packing lists, fundraising, taking my bike to the shop, trying out various power foods and drinks, talking to co-workers about what I am preparing for (don't bother trying to explain the itch to cross this country, pedaling every mile), giving up on power foods and eating real food, considering unexpected events and how to ride through a new reality, wondering how I will blend in with the other Big Riders, looking at the list of email addresses of the other Riders and wondering who will become a close friend, exploring camping equipment stores and trying to limit my purchase of 'luxury" items (do I really need a collapsable mini card table?), putting off learning how to operate features on my cell phone (other than open, dial, close), putting my vegetable garden into a dormancy stage by covering it with straw (thanks to David), working with co-workers on my team to shift my assignments or put them on hold, explaining that no, I will not be riding home but get to fly instead, pondering my place in the 2008 Big Ride.