The answer to this question is probably "no." But...
The point of today's post is really a recap of our first training ride in earnest. All signs pointed towards a great ride. The weather was perfect, Amanda had her new bike that fit, and well, the weather was nice. I figured that 50 miles was a good start since we would have done 40 at the Frost Bike had it not been freezing here. Amanda seemed excited about getting out and really riding, and she took to it with gusto. For a first long ride, she kept a decent pace. We also saw a familiar face in hockey teammate, fellow avid bike rider and beer connoisseur/home-brew-meister, Chris Gerty. Chris always has tons of information on the science of biking and brewing beer, which are usually mutally exclusive. One thing that I've learned about these long bike rides, is that although you're going fast, they are still very long rides, take a long time and lots of energy and can try your patience. Around mile 30, things started to get really hairy for us.
For most of the ride, Amanda and I had been riding together or I would be a little bit ahead of Amanda, slowing down for her to catch up every so often. After the Mile 30 rest stop, I pulled ahead of Amanda then slowed down for her. As she pulled up, I heard the unmistakable sniffle of someone who had hit the wall. The next 20 miles were, well, let's just say little Gabby doubled as a psychiatrist's couch, and the country roads of Brazoria County might as well have been a doctor's office. For anyone who thinks the rides are easy, Amanda can now tell you they're not. I just happen to remember the easy times more than the sucky times (when the wind is in your face for the last 10+ miles of a 60 mile ride, or your going uphill for the entire ride). Anyway, she hadn't gotten much sleep the night before and was exhausted, but she was a trooper and finished the ride in better spirits.
Of course, I was not permitted to take post ride photos of her and Gabby. I guess well just have to wait until the next ride in tww weeks.
As for fundraising, I am very VERY happy to report that we've already raised close to $3,500! Tht is very impressive and overwhelming to have gotten such a response in such a short amount of time, and I think much of the response speaks to not only everyone's genrosity and the worthiness of the cause, but to Howie's memory. I think that many of the people who have thus far opened their heart and wallets knew Howie and the kind of person he was. And I think that his family should be proud (try not to cry, Andrea.).
There won't be any post next week, as Amanda and I will be in Nashville visiting her firend Sarah Lowe. I've never been to Nashville, so I'm looking forward to the trip.
