OK, that never actually happened, but if it had, that would be what I feel like right now. At least that’s what I read on the internet… So you KNOW it’s true!

I don’t usually go that far into the wilderness, and I don’t usually fish at the same fish market that Kevin does.

We had a couple of minor issues today, cramps, flats, broken stuff- but nothing that our crack mechanical staff and experienced volunteers couldn’t handle.  Once everyone was done, we had a great dinner at the campus dining hall (What a difference from when I was in school!) and a nice awards ceremony in the courtyard.  Recognition for top fundraisers, new riders, talks from a diabetes researcher and ADA Youth Leader, a really nice program, and a great job done by all. After that, a quick raffle at the truck and then a quick cleaning, and then the best shower money can buy… Now, exhaustion sets in… One eye closed as I type, but just long enough to say goodnight.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Hiya!

What a day! It was hot, but it went well. We’re now heading to dinner, and a short awards ceremony afterward… There will be an update later, I promise.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Well, this is it. When we wake up Saturday, it’s time. A year of planning, a year of preparing, months of training, countless emails asking for donations, routes, supplies, lodging, sponsorship, volunteers, vehicles, catering…
All the effort, the dedication, the sweat, the work, the hours, the sore muscles, the broken parts, the frustration…
Becomes the joy, the new friends, the beautiful weather, the country side, the rider that you can “Ride with” well, the smiling volunteer, the laughter, the scenery, the growing list of accomplishments, doing something like this for the first time, the success, the fun.

Tomorrow we ride.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

It’s here, and I can hardly contain myself… It’s the day I get my truck! In just a couple hours, I’ll get my 28′ empty cube (Complete with a side door!) and spend the better part of the day stuffing it to the gills with water, coolers, supplies, snacks, energy bars, chips, fruit, ice, soda, water, beer- All in some reasonable form of order, which will change when we hit the first bump. Everything one could need for a roving band of lunatics on a seven day jaunt across the New England countryside.
It’s here. It’s happening. It’s happening now.

Keep the wind at your backs and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan

Greetings, Sports fans!
A quick word for the uninitiated, and a reminder for those who have done this before:
While in NO WAY associated with, or authorized by the American Diabetes Association, the Tour de Cure, Employees, agents, volunteers and their second Cousins, there is in fact a “Beer fund” on the New England Classic, coordinated, picked up and often misappropriated by yours truly.  I do not supply beer, you give me money, and I will go pick up what you like to drink for you- if I can’t get the exact brand, I try to get the same style. We’re all adults, Well, except Brad, and you’d likely die trying to schlep a case of Samuel Adams Summer Ale on your handlebars, so since it requires SO much less paperwork;  I just go pick it up for you.
How it works: Give me money, tell me what kind of beer you like, and 90% of the time I will find it for you, but sometimes you’ll get Shipyard Summer instead of Sam Summer… You get the point.
You don’t have to buy a whole case or anything, just give me some money and enjoy an adult beverage or two- if you think you drank more than you contributed, then contribute more, and carry on.
Simple, right?

All that being said, I always try to stock up in NH, where the prices are 25% lower than neighboring states, so an initial contribution on Saturday AM is a huge boost… Sunday is restocking as is Monday, then a couple days in VT… If needed, there will be another stop on Thursday as we reenter NH.

And that’s pretty much it.
Destroy your legs, wreck your backside, and declare war on your liver- All in the same week!

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan