In Four States at Once

On our drive toward California where I will start the ride, my son and I took a tiny detour to Four Corners. In this photo, I am simultaneously in four states at the same time: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

In this moment, I am simultaneously in four other states: excited, anxious, a little nervous, and tired.

I’m excited to finally get this journey started.

I’m anxious about the level of difficulty I’ve chosen for myself. I got some hints from George Thomas, a member of the RAAM Hall of Fame, about the route for the first day and it sounds pretty challenging. I also drove over Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado with my son and swallowed hard. It will be a 24 mile climb with the last 8 miles at 7% grade. I keep reminding myself that I’ve done really hard hill climbing and that I should be able to do this. Aside from climbing, there’s the desert. The temperature maxed out at 108 degrees when I drove through to preview the route in reverse. If it weren’t for my friend, Susie, providing cheerleading and ice water from my car as we proceed, I wouldn’t be doing this.

I’m a little nervous about whether I’ve gotten all the Ps and Qs straight for the recordkeeping required for Guinness World Records. I think that part is harder than the cycling.

I’m tired from driving, training, making arrangements, organizing logistics and hotels, making sure there will be witnesses at the start, preparing what to record on the required videos, and so on. I’m not sleeping in my own bed or eating the amazing meals my husband cooks regularly, though I am kindly being hosted by my good friend, Allison, in San Diego, as I prepare to begin. She and I did our first ever century (100 mile ride) together several years ago and that was when the seed for a cross country ride got planted.

Completing the first day’s ride from Oceanside to Rincon, CA will help. Stay tuned!