Well, today is the big day. Looks as though the weather gods are giving us good weather for our departure day, at least. I hope that's a good omen.

In my ideal world I think I would have allowed more time to train for this trip and more time to pack. I was at work until the usual time yesterday afternoon (about 6 pm), giving out data (more bad news!) from our second monthly press release. But then again, maybe some god is smiling on me. At least by not having much time to contemplate or sit worrying, I have not had a chance to give in to total panic at the enormity of the task ahead. I don't mean to be melodramatic, but it does seem a bit scary at this point in my life (age 50!) to take on my biggest ride to date. Just now questions - like: why only 11 days??!? to go 600 miles - are just hitting me.


Still, the process of preparing - mainly to or from my job in Hicksville to Ronkonkoma - 25 miles each way - has been fun, and I'm in better shape - and lighter! - than I've been in years. I think I'll just try to take it a mile at a time. I mean, to average 10 miles an hour on a bicycle is not that hard, right? A that rate most the days' routes on our trip will be done in less than the time I am usually at work. Piece of cake!

Anyhoo, I must leave now. My bike and all my gear is already in the car. I'm driving up to my fellow madman, John Morris,' house in Miller Place, 25 miles northeast, on the north shore of LI, where we'll load everything in his van and drive out to Montauk for the first day's ride - 75 miles which will only bring us back to where we started! I don't think John intentionally planned it this way, but it's like having a dry run built in as the first day of the ride. If I've forgotten any vital piece of equipment - or way overpacked - I'm not stuck living with that mistake for the next 11 days.