March 7:

The search for the lost cell phone was unsuccessful, though we did find a missing bike glove. New phone from the Apple Store, complete with phone numbers and some email addresses (thank you ICloud).

Promptly at 1 pm, the gaggle of riders gathered for orientation (I think when you get 30 women together that is definitely a gaggle). We have 2 guides, one serving as cook, the other mechanic, in addition to having general responsibility for all of us. There are 4 sag drivers, who rotate days to drive the support Subaru, known as Little Bo Peep.

Our group includes 3 from New Zealand, one from Brazil, one from Scotland, one from Canada, plus riders from California, Texas, Florida, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Connecticut, North Carolina, Washington; I am the only one from Indiana.

We talked about meals – our breakfasts will generally be provided by the hotels where we are staying. Linda, our cook, will prepare healthy dinners which we eat buffet style. Lunch so on our own, though snacks are available, and, when possible, the sag wagon will be on the road at 20 miles to replenish water and snacks.

We stay in hotels/motels, so enjoy a hot shower each night, and rotate roommates every day.

Depending on miles and weather, we may get on the road as early as 7 am. Our longest day is 111 miles on Easter Sunday – I asked for jelly beans to keep me going that day.

After the meeting, we had a refresher course on tire changing. I worked hard to put a new heavy tube in my rear tire, hoping to avoid flats as long as I can, managed to avoid greasy hands!

In the evening was the Opening Banquet Celebration. I had a table full of family and friends: Don, Sarah (Mason had gone to bed), my brother Parm/Henry and sister-law Terry plus Don’s fraternity brother and his wife Willie and Pam Hodges. I certainly felt the support.

With Sarah and Mason

. With Don, Parm and Terry

With Pam Hodges