8 Days to Go: A Big Thank You to My Ride Crew
Only 8 days until I roll out of Portland, Oregon and start pedaling east toward Portland, Maine. The countdown feels real now — my bags aren’t packed yet, but my heart is full.
Today, I want to take a moment to highlight the people who have been with me for the miles, the laughs, the climbs, the coffee stops, and the encouragement all along the way. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in training for this ride, it’s that the cycling community is made up of the most supportive and generous people you’ll ever meet.
Back in April, I headed down to a Trek Ride Camp in Greenville, SC. There, I had the good fortune to meet four P2P veterans — Dan, Bob, Tom, and John. They shared insider tips about the ride, kept me laughing through the climbs, and made every mile of camp an absolute blast. Midway through the week, my friend Sandy from Kalamazoo and fellow P2P veteran joined with her friend Pat — another P2P alum! Learning from each of them was priceless, and their encouragement has meant the world.
Bob, Tom, and Dad from their P2P adventure last year; apparently the SPAM Museum is a must do on the trip!
And some solid advice on how to get through 47 days of riding!
One of my favorite training memories was when Sandy didn’t even blink when I asked her to ride 100 miles with me as part of a three-day, three-century training block. She even recruited her friends — now my friends — Doug and Kathy to join us. That’s just the kind of spirit cyclists bring to the table.
A beautiful day to ride to South Haven!
A huge highlight this season was riding TOMRV (Tour of the Mississippi River Valley) with my brother Wade. It’s a two-day ride: 110 miles from Bettendorf, IA to Dubuque, IA (complete with a college dining hall dinner at beautiful, hilly Loras College), then 95 miles back the next day. It wasn’t just great training — it was an entire weekend with my brother doing something we both love.
Yep, that’s the Mississippi behind us!
Saturdays have been some of my favorite training days — riding out to Galesburg with Mark, Jim, and Luke, and meeting up with The Minions, the warm, welcoming group of cyclists who gather there every week. You couldn’t ask for a more encouraging or fun crew to start the weekend with.
The Minions… official ride photo courtesy of our fearless leader Sharkman!
Post ride coffee, which I don’t always get to enjoy because I need to get more miles in, but always a good time!
There’s also Lisa, who got her bike tuned up just so she could ride with me this year, and Jim, who joined me today for my final 100-mile training ride.
Lisa and I at the caboose (start of the Kal-Haven Trail).
Jim and I on my last 100 mile training ride!!!
And then there’s Therese — proof that sometimes the best rides are the unexpected ones. We met on the Kal-Haven Trail on a day when it was absolutely pouring rain. We ended up riding together for miles, swapping stories and laughs despite the weather. It was the kind of spontaneous connection that reminds me how special the biking community really is — and how wonderful it is to meet a fellow “crazy” cyclist willing to embrace the elements.
Me and Therese…
Therese was kind enough to capture a picture of my backside on this muddy day!
And last, but absolutely not least — my husband Steve. He started this training season as my number one riding partner, until a blown front tire sent him into a crash that landed us (thankfully) right in front of the Climax, MI fire department. From there, it was an ambulance ride to Bronson Hospital and the discovery of three broken ribs, a fractured radius, a concussion, and plenty of road rash. Even though he hasn’t been able to ride since, Steve has been my biggest cheerleader, mechanic, and support crew. I haven’t pumped up my own tires once this summer — my bike is always ready to roll thanks to him.
Steve and I on a pre-accident ride!
And post accident ride to Bronson, but look at him… still smiling!
To all of you — thank you. Your encouragement, your miles, your laughter, and your company have fueled me as much as any training plan could. I’ll be carrying you with me, every single mile, all the way to Maine.
