Training officially begins…

Wow I have a great bike!

After 5 years of tandem cycling with Robert, today I went spinning on my own Trek 2000 WSD, with Shimano 105 components. Believe me, the model number of the componentry didn’t impress me one iota until I had to climb hills today. When the derailleur shifted like buttah (to be read with a nasal NYC accent) I instantly became a converted cool gear enthusiast. Not all componentry is created equal, I finally admitted to Robert as I compared this smooth sensation to lesser components on other bikes I had sampled.

True, we’ve gone on two “long” bike touring trips and countless of long rides around California, but what makes us think we can cycle 4,300 miles AND carry our gear too which thanks to our new fish scale we discovered today will weigh about 60 pounds!! Where can we cut back…I totally draw the line at my blow dryer! I hate my hair curly. Even after riding a long day and we’re not going any place more special than our tent, I want my hair to be straight as I play backgammon with Robert by the (not so flattering) light of our travel halogen lamp (don’t ask). I mean, isn’t it enough that I am planning on bringing two pairs of light nylon shorts? Yes, that’s right count ’em – two, dos, deux — for 3 months of travel!! AND, no little black dress with matching pumps and clutch! Sacrifices I am making, yes, but WHO CARES!! This is going to the BEST thing we’ve ever done!!

And this wonderful web site Robert has created will enable us to share this amazing adventure with our friends and family. I can’t wait for people to actually start looking at it!! I think we’re committed like the pig (if you don’t get this, you’ll have to ask me about it).

And sweetie, thanks for the honor of writing the first entry and for being my life partner…with you, anything is possible.