Rode to the Junction Saturday morning. Left the house around 7 am and enjoyed a very
peaceful ride. That time in the morning
there are few cars on the road, especially once on the mountain. Also, when I hit 1000 feet I was riding in
the clouds. Sometimes this is a good
thing and sometimes not so good. This
time it was the former as the clouds actually made it warmer than the
temperature at the base of the mountain.
It was great but couldn't go to the summit as we had plans to celebrate
my mom’s 89th birthday and I couldn't be late for the party.
Sunday departures are usually around 11 am. After church.
My wife and I had to take care of something so my departure was
delayed. The morning weather started out
nice but by the time we left church clouds had rolled in and it looked like
rain. I had Redwood Road in mind, 48
miles and 2500 feet of climbing but I didn't want to go because of the
weather. Then I thought about one of my
fellow riders, Paul, training in England.
It’s been an unusually cold spring where he lives, but not only is he
riding in cold temperatures, he is riding in snow. Check out the picture he sent. When I thought of what he does to train I got
on my bike and started riding. He is
truly an inspiration to pansy-boy Burundi Dave.
About half way into the ride I was feeling pretty good
and as I approached a fork in the road, right toward home or left up a hill and
about 8 additional miles more than I planned when I set out, I thought of Paul
riding in the snow. I went left and said
out loud, "This one is for you Paul".
So I did 56 miles Sunday and around 3000 feet of climbing and am very
grateful to have a rider on the other side of the world with enough drive to
inspire me. So good!
So Paul, I thank you for your inspiring training and I
dedicate Sunday's ride to you.
Also inspiring are those of you that have given your hard
earned money to support the Tour du Burundi and the Gitega International
Academy. Thank you so much! Those of you that are waiting to donate, wait no longer. I leave for Burundi in just over a month and
it's time to take full advantage of my employer's offer to match every dollar
contributed up to $10,000. There is free
money just waiting to be donated but I need your help to take
full advantage of it. And remember, your
donation is tax deductible.
Weighed in today and lost another two pounds. Just six from my goal of one hundred pounds
lost. So close!
Thanks so much for reading this and being part of a
wonderful adventure!
And please, grab your credit card and let your dollars go twice as far!!
