The excitement is palpable. The dining room table where I'm staying until the ride starts is now stacked with cookies, water bottles, snacks ... there's a large route map on the wall, and a donation jar is out, anticipating the generosity of those who come to our open house "packing" party today. In addition to the riders and their parents, there will be folks from the neighborhood wandering by to wish us well, and to meet the riders (they want to see who all is foolhardy enough to venture out on a 3521 mile bicycle journey).
All the riders will bring their duffel bags to be stowed in the support wagon, and last minute needs will be noted. The plan is to have everything packed in such a way that there is good visibility out the back window for Pat, who will driving along with us as we ride. And in a pinch, there has to be room for up to four cyclists, four bicycles, plus all the gear and the dog. "A pinch" means bad weather, an unavoidable road hazard (such as a washed out bridge), or exhausted riders who need an extra day to recover while we keep to our already-arranged tight schedule.
Yesterday, I spent some time going over the mechanics of the boys' bicycles, and checking off the gear they will be carrying with them, either on their bikes (spare tubes, patch kits, rain coats, etc.) or in the car (a floor pump, a spare tire, chain oil, spare bike parts, etc.). I think everyone is realizing that we'll be on our own as far as bike mechanics are concerned, and as Pat keeps reminding everyone, it is not one epic ride, but 59 one-day bike rides, and we have to be ready for each day's ride, come heat or cold, come smooth roads or rough roads.
At Bikes and Beyond yesterday, I ran into a handful of riders who were going to dip their tires in the Pacific today, and will be leaving Astoria tomorrow on a fully-supported bike ride...motels and all...headed towards Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Maybe we'll see them on the road sometime in the next few weeks.
We are looking forward to a big send-off. Hopefully some of the riders who couldn't sign on for the entire Bike Trip America will be able to join us. And I heard from Hawaii friends Sue and Bob, part year Portland residents. They have a B&B in Astoria the night before we leave, and they plan on being at the beach waving a Hawaii flag as we begin our first of 59 one-day rides. At lunch in Astoria, I'm hoping that my cousin Ken can join us for another send-off.
Four days to go!
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