So I plan to be asleep in about an hour and 15 minutes (with the help of 1 Tylenol pm) so I thought I'd put some last thoughts out there before we ride out....
1. Don't change anything now!!
-if you got a new pair of sunglasses, great! Bring 'em along but ride out tomorrow with your old faithful ones. Don't try out a new brand or style of shorts tomorrow either! Stick with what you know, at least for Day One. It will make you feel a whole lot more confident if you do!
2. Eat breakfast, and bring a snack to have right before ride-out. I'm packing a chicken salad sandwich. Hey- you are gonna eat breakfast at 4am and we ride out around 7... you're gonna be hungry and the ride away from the Cow Palace is UPHILL... mind you!
3. Don't forget your helmet, shoes and water bottles (you should have your cycling shoes ON)
4. Take lots and lots of pictures! This is one morning ride out that you do not want to miss getting photos of.
5. Take your time, at least up to Rest Stop 1. The last 2 years, we've had 2 people crash -badly-within the first 25 miles of Day 1. Take your time, enjoy the moment!
It will literally be a "Cattle Call" out of the Cow Palace- there will be a lot of people, and many who still don't know how to handle their bike in a crowd so WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
6. Don't forget to drink!! It may be cold and foggy, but you still need to hydrate.
7. What to do first? (be there by 5:30am) Roll your bag over to the gear truck with the letter that matches the letter on your tent/bag tags (the ones that should be around your neck at this very moment). Then go over to your bike and put your water bottles on it, put anything on your bike that you need to put on- computer, bento box, etc. Then you and your helmet and gloves should go over close to the stage where they will have morning stretching before Opening Ceremonies.
8. Take a moment to remember why we are riding.
9. Introduce yourself to 3 new people each day. If you can, find out their reasons for riding...
10. Have a GREAT WEEK!! And remember YOU ARE READY FOR ALL THIS!
YOU ARE ALL HEROES AND I AM EXTREMELY PROUD TO KNOW YOU!!
see you on the road,
dtjb
