3 September 2011: Pre-Game Show

Don't ask why.  Just because.  Why anything?  Carol completely does not understand what would possess me to want to ride 24 hours much less try to stay up that long.  In some distorted, twisted way it seems a perfect extension to the daily ride journey; once I got that thought in my head, this year-long trek would not seem complete unless I accomplished the 24 hour ride (or at least tried.)

The 24 hour ride will start this afternoon, Saturday, at 5:00 PM.  Yesterday, I thought I would start it on Sunday afternoon so as to avoid the chance of rain Sunday earlier in the day.  But, the wind is supposed to pick up on Sunday and not abate for 36 hours.  I would much rather take a chance of getting wet than ride in a 15- 20mph hour wind for 24 hours.  So, this morning, I moved the departure time up to this afternoon.

I will start at the Botanical Garden, which seemed to be a good place to also finish and where my support van with supplies will be centrally located.  Not exactly sure of my route but at night a lot of it will be on the trail with meanderings onto side streets that feel safe for night riding.  I may even get adventurous and travel up College St. at 2 or 3 in the AM if it seems do-able.  Of course, there is a Razorback football game tonight and that might make the streets a bit more unsafe.

During the day tomorrow, Sunday, I have possible routes in mind but probably go with what moves me at the time.  If anyone wants to escort for any part of the ride, they are more than welcome.  Feel free to call 479-466-0435 to offer words of encouragement or find out where I am to rendezvous for a ride together.

And...this being the Labor Day Weekend, the traditional time for Jerry Lewis to hold his marathon fundraiser for MD, this seems like a good time to think about making a pledge or one time donation to Biking for Food; one of my alter-lives where I help cook up lunches every Wednesday for around 150 people in need (this past week we served almost 175).  Go to www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html. to pledge.  Or, a check can be mailed to:  Biking for Food, St Pauls's Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72702.
Be sure to note on the check that it is for Biking for Food.

I do not have a Smart phone so I cannot send updates to facebook.  However, Carol and Rachel have agreed to post messages showing my progress.  

A point of contention between me and Carol is the definition of the 24 hours ride.  I say that it needs to be 24 hours on the bike and Carol says 24 hours total should suffice.  But, I'm sticking with 24 hours of total ride time.  Something about seeing the timer on the bike computer rolling over to reveal 24 hours feel very pure and complete.  So, total time out will likely be 26-27 hours, hopefully not more.  That should put me home just in time to collapse for the night.


The next posting here will be sometime on the 5th.


Wish me luck!


To access updates go to facebook to the Biking for Food page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/120300598027544/