Let the ride begin!

I'm ready to go! --->

Well, this is it, the eve of the start of my big ride. It's a bit odd, writing this in advance of the big day. I can only imagine what we will be experiencing over the next ten days. I am really looking forward to meeting the rest of the team. I haven't met them yet, nor have I met Joyce Taylor, the lead organizer for the ride. She has been absolutely amazing. It is clear from the very detailed communications I've been receiving, that she and her staff have planned every detail with exceptional care. From booking hotels, and flights, and even police escorts out of the city, to coordinating a small army of support volunteers, and ensuring every need is attended to. These folks are MOTIVATED, and the motivation is infectious.

All of this brings me back to why I'm doing the ride. Cystic Fibrosis is such a worthy cause, particularly for an event like this. With every breath I take as I'm trudging up those huge mountain passes, I won't help but think of the kids and young adults who are the very reason this ride exists, and who are working even harder, every day, to get that same breath of air. Can we help make a difference? Yes. And find a cure? It it now becoming not a distant, far-off goal, but a real possibility. Supporting a ride like this CAN make that difference. For those of you who have sponsored us, THANK YOU!

So now, I'm off to an introductory BBQ tonight to meet, for the first time, Joyce and some of the wonderful volunteers, many of whom are CF family members, who have worked so hard to make this happen. And, too, I'll meet the riders, who I KNOW I have a lot in common with. For one, we're all craaaazy enough to do this! It will be great fun.

Look for entries in this journal every day throughout our nine-day trek. I'll be writing of our experiences here as long as Internet is available at the hotel and my laptop is working. I can hardly wait to see what will be on these pages ten days from now. Wish us luck tomorrow, and pray for good weather!!!