The first test

We went to the annual Mt. Dora bike festival, which was held in central Florida this past October weekend to test out our ability to sleep on the ground in a tent and then get up and bike 50+ miles! After all - we are over 50. No problem - other than it was unseasonably warm in central Florida for October and it was sweltering in the tent at night.

We also did well with the 'hills' that we have here in Florida. When training in FL - you take what you can get. The rollers were nice, and while the hill work was a minuscule glimpse at what it will be like taking a tandem over a mountain - it gave us some indication of the work ahead. But we made it- and there were a few hills with some pretty good slopes, albeit short in length.

We also impressed some fellow riders - left a few chagrined, and perplexed others; but we attract a lot of attention. We are strong riders and with the mass of the tandem, we catch several riders on the downhills. We used that momentum to our advantage on the uphills, and were able to pass a few cyclists, as well as once we get going on the flats - 4 legs are hard to beat. Many riders don't think of this as we sail past.

We are also an unusual team - the female of the group is the captain, with the male, in the back, as the stoker. This draws a fair share of comments - most positive and complementary, but some that require a tough skin for the stoker. This is providing a peek into human psychology and couple dynamics that requires more study before we comment.

It was a satisfying trial run from all counts and we came home hot, tired and very happy.

Ride on!

the plan

The journey always precedes the journey itself. Can't exactly pinpoint when the nugget of thought took shape - became a salient thought - became a vision - turned into a plan - and soon will be reality. It doesn't matter - because, as we say, we are already on our bike trip.

Haven't left yet - but we are so into the planning - buying equipment, training, packing, testing, securing loose ends - that it has become the focus of our lives, so much a part of our conversations and thoughts, that work life has become something done in the background, that part that exists outside of the reality of the bike trip.

The bike trip - will begin in March 2010 and take us... well where ever. In the broad design - we go north west. We have a few stops and generally direction, but after that, I guess we will dodge the rain and wind!


Ride on!