Since at least 1997, I had yearned to attempt a cross country bike ride. That summer, my friend Warren rode from LA to Boston. He called me from Winslow, AZ; I rode with him when he passed through Indiana, and I celebrated his accomplishment when he returned. But I, too, wanted to “explore” the USA. I had always loved Charles Kuralt and his tales of small towns off the interstate. What better way to see our great country?
With children, a job, and a widowed mother in failing health, the dream was put on the back burner of life for 15 years. Early in 2012, when I asked my husband if he was interested in such an adventure, he declined without hesitation. And I “discovered” WomanTours – a wonderful “girly group” that seemed to have great support (before and during the ride) and reasonable daily miles (reasonable if I train well).
So in March 2013, the dream – and adventures – began!
I turned 65 while on the ride – it seemed like a fitting way to celebrate – in El Paso, Texas, where my 100 year old mother passed away in December 2011. I think she would have been nervously excited for me.
- December 1, 2012Wow! It is December 1st, the thermometer hit 60 degrees, some sun, plenty of wind. Don and I rode our singles to the start of the CIBA (Central Indiana Bicycling Assn) ride, then selected the long route (33 miles), knowing that we would cut off somewhere before the end to ride home I ended up ...Continue reading →
- December 23, 2012The sun was shining, though the thermometer read 35 degrees. On the main roads, the snow and ice from two days ago had melted, so I decided to head out for a ride. I definitely wanted to stay away from ice; no desire for injury as I prepare for my upcoming “adventure.” ...Continue reading →
- December 30, 2012There is a foot of snow in the Indianapolis area, but Don and I have escaped to The Villages, Florida, warmly welcomed by our tandem friends Ray and Linda Cannarella. On December 26th, it snowed all day, dropping 8 inches. We completed errands on Thursday, then headed out of town early Friday morning. The dusting that ...Continue reading →
- January 1, 2013Happy New Year! I hadn’t been paying close attention to the calendar, and the number of days until the start of my adventure. But now it is 2013, and the countdown really begins: 31 days in January, 28 days in February, then 7 days in March until I meet up with the other cycle adventurers! ...Continue reading →
- January 2, 2013When I first started “regular” riding in the early 1990’s, I sometimes rode with Terry, a very strong rider, who had tried RAAM (Race Across America). He always said “the wind is your friend.” I have never been totally convinced, unless I am enjoying the joyous push of a tailwind. When we start riding here in ...Continue reading →
- January 19, 2013Late Wednesday afternoon, Don and I returned to Carmel, having driven from The Villages to Atlanta on Tuesday. After spending the night with friends Gary and Lisa Lancaster, we got an early start Wednesday in the rain. The temperature fell as we headed north, with the showers continuing, fog, freezing mist on the trees, and ...Continue reading →
- February 9, 2013Since we returned from Florida, I have tried to maintain a regular exercise schedule: Monday evenings, cycle fitness class for 90 minutes Tuesday early mornings, boot camp at church (55 minutes) – aerobics and weights, plus core Wednesday evenings, cycle fitness class Thursday afternoon, exercise class again, more core and weights, a bit less aerobics Saturday morning, extra ...Continue reading →
- February 17, 2013On February 6, I spent several hours composing and sending an email out to a first group of friends, from my bicycle foundation colleagues, and my church “sisters”. I asked for their support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as I ride across the Southern Tier. Over the next 10 days, as time permitted, I ...Continue reading →
- February 24, 2013This week seems like the prelude to my ride: On Monday, I took my last cycle fitness class (I began those in late October). This last class I sprinted hard for 3 minutes ten times, with a 3 minute rest in between. Saw some pretty elevated heart rates! Tuesday, after 7 am Boot Camp (more sweating and ...Continue reading →
- February 28, 2013Monday, February 25: The morning was spent with last minute errands; we were actually ready more than half an hour before son Tim came to pick us up. Flight was on time departing, and arriving in Phoenix. It is hard to imagine that I won’t be back in Indy until almost Mother’s Day! Met at the ...Continue reading →