Some of you have been pushing me to post an update, although there is not much new here. The time is flying by and I hope I am doing enough to be ready, but I guess I will soon find out. Some days I feel like I could leave tomorrow and other days I feel I'm not ready.  The maps have been updated and the first campsite has been reserved. The fella at the campsite thinks riding a bike across country will be a vacation after working with 5th graders all year. Apparently he has two grandsons that age. Maybe we can share stories when I arrive.
   I keep going through my equipment physically and mentally and have made a few small changes, but for the most part haven't changed much.
   The bike will be getting a new drive train this week. I need to do that and ride it for a week to stretch the chain and make necessary adjustments. Then, on June 3, it will be broken down, boxed and shipped to Portland on June 4. All the panniers with equipment will be sent the same day. The bike is being sent to A Better Cycle in Portland and the rest to my daughter.
   I have been increasing the time in the saddle, searching for more hills to train on, and riding in the rain. Amazing how May's rains are watering April's flowers. Isn't it supposed to work the other way?
   Keeping the yard mowed, riding, teaching all day, and all the chores around the house has kept me very busy. I squeeze in an early morning workout at the Y, then ride 10-12 miles, shower and eat, and go to school. Then I come home, ride 20-30 miles, mow the yard and repeat. What a life!!
  Ran into a guy in the park the other evening who told me he had ridden 120 miles that day. Said he had been riding since around 11:00 that morning. Now I'm not one to call people dishonest, but one look at his K-Mart bicycle, his cowboy boots, and his cowboy hat gave me the idea that perhaps this guy was either exagerating a whole lot, or his bike computer was needing replaced. If this guy rode in a cowboy hat, boots, and on a K-Mart mountain bike 120 miles in 8 hours, I'm definately not ready to make this trip.
Then again, maybe I should sign up for lessons or trade my riding shoes for boots and a wide rim hat.
On that note, I will sign off!

" Greatness doesn't come to those who seek it, but rather to people who seek it in others"   mod

PJ getting a little TLC in the home bike shop.