Why did the cyclist cross Hwy 55....... to soak her feet in the river! The 400 Mile Bike Adventure has Begun!

Hey Gang!!!!

Finally, as The Fuller Center Summer Bike Adventure begins, I am starting the 400 mile bike ride I was SUPPOSED to do in March with them!  400 miles in 7 days...that's the goal!

Today was day 1 with the route of doing the Banks Lowman Road back and forth.  70 Miles ....well with some extra miles to make the 70 mile mark.

To be honest, last night I was scared and excited all at the same time.  When I signed up for the Spring Ride, I was suppose to be going with a supported team.  My reality looks completely different.  I am doing these 400 miles completely unsupported and today's route was in a total dead zone for cell coverage.  And I found out, all pay phones for the area were not working either!  Thankfully, I found nice people to let me borrow their cordless phones to check in with Tracy.  (I had to relearn how to use them!)

I did get to visit a historic one room school in Lowman.  It is K-12 with only 5 students who all go at the same time and even has a wood burning stove! So cool!  It also had old fashioned playground equipment that I couldn't resist as I ate my snacks!

I also found out that I am stronger than I thought I was.  This is always good to learn.  This route had an elevation gain of 2441 ft.  Which I guess is not much over 70 miles, but these hills went on forever..long and steady and I just kept peddling.  I had my doubts, but each time, I just kept going!  My legs are stronger than I thought they were!  It was just nice to know that I could do this!  And actually,  having finished this ride at about 4pm and its not 742 pm, my legs are feeling GREAT! (Still grateful that tomorrow's ride will be along the greenbelt and a bit easier to handle :) ).

Over all, I had a fantastic ride in some of the most beautiful country ever!  I have driven this route, I have ridden on the back of the motorcycle, but seeing it from my bicycle was AMAZING!!!!

To everyone who has donated to this amazing charity in support of my Bike Ride, thank you so much!!!  You were all on my mind during my ride today.  I am so grateful for the opportunity.  I know it wasn't the ride any of us had planned.....yet I think this is even better!  It's more of an adventure doing it alone and trusting on myself to take care of myself ;).