Training in the Heat and Humidity of Virginia

It's summer time in Virginia which means lots of high temperatures and lots of humidity! I'm actually 7 weeks into my training schedule for my trip this fall and I'm learning to deal with both of these weather items.

Today was a 53 mile training ride on tree lined country roads. If you get out early enough and pick the right roads, the high temperatures and humidity don't seem to be an issue. The three deer I saw eating lunch on the side of the road are a bigger issue then 85 degree temperatures!!! Just keep on eating deer and I'll slide on by!

So all in all I'm doing very well in preparing for my up coming ride from Portland to Dayton Beach. So once my ride begins I'll be writing daily of my adventures and sharing what I hope will be fantastic pictures! I hope you'll be there to take this fantastic journey with me through my Blog.

See you then!

If It's The 28th Then February Is About OVER!

It's been a long month for me. On the 4th I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. I'm still wearing my sling, that should tell you how long the month has been!!

I was off my bike in the workout room for a week and a half. When I went in to get my stitches removed, ouch, I asked about being able to ride/peddle on my bike and got the green light to get back on my bike and "peddle". Ha, ha, define "peddle", the Doctor never asked that questions!!

But seriously, I have been following my Doctors orders and wearing my sling even peddling on my bike. Yep, sitting straight up, no hands on my handle bars, just peddling. So that after 6 weeks of wearing my sling, everything will have healed well and I'll be ready to begin Physical Therapy.

I am hoping to be able to get back outside on my bike by May. In the mean time I'll be satisfied to "peddle" away on my wind trainer and day dream about being back on the roads again!

Hope everyone had a great February and a warmer March!

On the Road Again

It's a new year, 2011 and I've got my next adventure all lined up. This time I'll be cycling along the Eastern Seaboard in the Fall. The trip will cover 13 states beginning in Portland, Maine and ending in Daytona Beach, Florida. A total of 1,601 miles, provided I don't get lost during this trip as I happen to do a couple of times during last years 3,415 mile trip. I actually ended up cycling a total of 3,465 miles.

Right now I'm just enjoying riding and working at keeping myself in shape. I participated in a the FestiVELO Ride in Charleston, South Carolina the beginning of December with my good friend Jan and that was the last time I road outside. Call me a "wimp" I'm now riding on my wind trainer upstairs in the workout room. That way I can control the conditions and ride everyday if I like. I don't worry about temperatures being in the 30's or whether there is snow and ice on the roads.

I'll also be taking time out for rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. I'll be in a sling for 6 weeks afterwards and then about 2 months of PT. Not sure how much riding I'll be able to do during this time so I plan to use my treadmill to walk until I can get the "official ok" to get back on my bike from my Doctor.

I have a new adventure, that I am very excited about and also know that I am very excited to once again be raising funds for the Semper Fi Fund. During last years cycling trip across the country, I raised over $28,000 for The Fund. If you would like to make a donation to my 2011 fund raising efforts my web page address is: http://www.active.com/donate/SFFCOMMATHL2011/challbikerchick

As time gets closer, I'll periodically be adding entries to my blog and then daily during my trip. A "shout out" to all those that will be following my new adventure, to those who support me on my ride through their donation and to those.....wait, ....wait for it............SNAKES that I might encounter on my journey!!!