Well, here it is the last weekend at home for me. All that is left to
do is carbo-load and pack. I peaked with my training two weeks ago,
hitting 300 miles in one week. . Last week I started to taper down, and
only did about 200 and this coming week will be even less. The plan is
to commute to work on Monday and Tuesday, then Wed do a spin at the Y
in the morning and evening ( DJ and Mary C will join Barbara for the
evening spin) then just a morning spin on Thursday and Friday, Kinda of like a last lap around the spin instructors.

I have everything gathered in piles about the house and I have to get
organized and pack it into two bags, which can weigh a maximum of 35
pounds each. That should be an interesting trick. Martins bike is at
the bike shop so they can disassemble it and box it for the airline
flight out to Seattle. I was going to use his original wheels that he
had on the bike, but at the last moment decided other wise and had the
bike shop make up a pair custom wheels for me. Much stronger, and not
that much heavier. They should be able to take whatever the road can
dish out, and I won't have to worry about it. I think I'm ready, now I
am starting to get nervous/anxious

Not too much new as far as training rides, Pretty much just putting in
miles. I did have a very nice ride with a friend. We went out for a little afternoon ride before the High School Jazz Cafe night. He is a strong, fast rider and caught me off guard a bit. We did about 30 miles in an hour and a half.
Next time I ride with him I'll have to make sure I haven't already done
30 miles earlier in the day!

Today, fathers day, Barbara, Mary C, DJ and I all rode our bike to
church. We went up along the lakefront and then down Oklahoma. A very
pleasant ride. When we got home there was a nice sculpture sitting on
our lawn. My dear Sister had some fun and put it together and made sure
I would be away when she delivered it. "Cricket" is a crocheted orange
and blue cricket she created some 35 years ago who would always end up
in strange places around the house staring at you. The bike he is on
comes complete with cards in the spokes to get that motorcycle sound, a
bottle of beer in the bottle rack and a tow rope.

This will be the last email I will be sending out. I have set up a blog
page that I will try to update every few days while on the rode. The
address is

bobsbigride.blogspot.com

I should be able to upload pictures and write and entry every four or
five days or so when we have a day off. If yo want you can also leave
messages for me there also.

I want to thank everybody for all their support, financially, morally
and spiritually. It should be all over except the riding.


Take care and have a great summer everybody.



Bob