Getting Ready to Go
June 16, 2022
After four years the departure date has finally
arrived. It is hard to believe that four
years ago today I was sitting here getting ready to head out on my fifth coast
to coast bicycle trip. Now four years
later here I am ready to depart on my sixth coast to coast bicycle ride. I don’t think they are getting any
easier.
I don’t think I feel any more confident today than I did on
my first trip. I have a bunch more
pre-trip training; in fact I have a lot more miles on my bike than I have had
for any of the previous trips. I have
ridden three century rides which is three more than any of the other coast to
coast rides. I have a new bike which has
lower gearing than the old Giant which served on four previous coast to coast
rides. I have packed and repacked my
bags at least ten times. Taken some
stuff out and then repacked and added almost exactly the same stuff back
in. I am going to be seeing and meeting
up with a lot of folks with whom I have ridden before. Of course I am now four years older and age
plays a huge part in how the trip goes.
I have always thought that weather was the major factor but now I think
it is really age.
Tomorrow I am headed down to Abbotsford with my neighbor
Barry who is coming along with me on this trip.
It will be Barry’s first big bike trip and his first coast to coast bike
trip. His wife is driving us down and
we will overnight in Abbotsford and on Saturday morning she will drive us to
Everett where we will meet the rest of the tour. Then on Sunday will be our first ride
day.
While I seem to have a good deal of trepidation I am sure
that it is going to be a great trip as I am well prepared, and the northern
tier is the best.
Terry
Terry - wish I could have been there with you again but would have been sagging too much of the way. Wishing you and the other "old times" and safe and fun trip. Say Hi to Greg, Ed and co and I'm going to really enjoy your wonderful blog and photos and reminisce about my C2C! So glad I did it when I did and have great memories! Keep the rubber side down!
ReplyDeleteJos
Go Terry. You are well prepared.
ReplyDeleteTerry
ReplyDeleteI wish you the most wonderful adventure ever. Stay safe my friend
Chris
Ready, set, go! Looking forward to pacing w u
ReplyDeleteAge is wisdom. You're heading into the tour knowing the unknowns. Terry, you'll do 👍 !! Ted
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteGil Langley(2007 crossroads) here. Looking forward to following adventure.
ReplyDeleteYou go Terry. I understand age, but sounds like you have worked your legs. Looking forward to following your journey.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about age! I am now riding an e-bike on the backest and steepest roads I can find and John is riding his "acoustic" bike on the bike paths in the valley. He will be 77 this week and I am pushing 75 but we are well and happy. Our best to you on our ride.
ReplyDeleteTerry,
ReplyDeleteWishing you only tailwinds and downhills! You are indeed a force of nature, always pushing forward. The good news is that you have done this before, so you know what to expect; the bad news is that you have done this before, so you know what to expect!! But as you say, you have done more pre-trip cycling than ever before, so I am thinking that will offset the increased age. I look forward to reading about each day’s new adventure.
Later, Earnie
Hey Terry.. I know you have the miles in your legs. Wishing you tailwinds. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy EFI Terry. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteColleen and Gord
Safe travels, Terry! You’ll be surrounded by so many folks you already know. Have a great journey. I’m looking forward to following your reports! Julie
ReplyDelete