So I spent the day packing, unpacking and then repacking all the things I would like to take on the tour. We have been sent two duffle bags from CrossRoads for all our worldly belongings and a limit of 30 lbs in total weight for the trip. At first I thought that was no problem but as I added all that I thought I needed or would like, the pounds added up. When I was done I was two pounds over the limit. So unpack again and look at what I can leave. This was my morning.
Tired of packing I decided to go for a quick drink and say goodbye to the staff at the club and meet some of the residents before many return north for the summer. After some chat, a little food and a beer I returned home and continued to decide which items are important and those that I could do without.
At around 6 pm I was done and realized I still had not done the days ride set out in my training plan from Coach Julie. I changed, got on the peloton and rode 25.5 miles in the 1 1/2 hours scheduled for today. These are the rides that I am most proud of. If someone wanted to do this ride, I would tell them that the 100 mile rides or the hill climbing make the best stories and give you satisfaction. Yet the rides that you could miss or have had an excuse not to do, but you do them anyway, are the ones that make you the proudest. In the 9 months I have been riding, I can honestly say I have only missed a handful of rides. Most of these were due to having my treatment at the Mayo when I just physically couldn’t do them. There have been many times, like today at 6pm, where I had plenty of good reasons not to ride 90 minutes but had the commitment to do it anyway. If anything gets me to Boston, it will be this determination to go the full course to carry on when you have an excuse to stop. If someone wants to achieve something great, it is usually because of all the long days of work and preparation done before, that gets them there, rather than just the final ride.
This time next week I will hopefully be writing to you from Riverside CA after my first day of the Coast to Coast ride. It is hard to believe the ride is almost finally here and this great adventure is about to start for real.