10/7/06 - The hill day!
This was listed as the hardest day, and part of me hopes that’s true. That would be the part of me that has anything to do with pedaling, sitting on, or holding the handlebars of a bicycle. Gads. We started on a hard packed dirt path for 20 miles or so, which I would bet my left knee was smoother than the roads in Trenton, but nonetheless kinda bumpy with some gravel, mud, puddles, and holes. Not bad, and the environment with the tree canopy all over us and the river to our right more than made up for it, but there were a few tire casualties and at least one wholesale wipeout. I was nervous enough that I didn’t drink much until the rest stop for fear of sliding out and taking someone with me. After that it was 47 more miles to go! The last 15 miles or so was a real leg burner, and the knees are complaining some. In particular, there was a steep sweeping downhill through the woods, and a hill came out of nowhere like a wall - wrong gear, completely surprised, but that weird sort of fun that is part of cycling. Beautiful as ever, with trees and green everywhere, just like Colorado in someone's inaccurate dream!

This morning, the group was presented with a Proclaimation of Profound Coolness from the Mayor of Trenton, who declared today Tour de Pink Day in honor of all the survivors we ride for and represent. Anyway, from the left are Dede Barry, Mari Holden, Lisa Frank, Matt Purdue (the other co-organizer of the event), and Someone the Mayor Sent, I believe the Secretary of Health, but I can't remember her name. We met some more neat people today, including conversations with the two pros (and world champions!) that are doing this ride with us, Dede and Mari, but that's all I'm going to write for now...tired n stuff, and it's 11. Here's a quick pic of us with the Mavic support cars - the bikes up top and in the back are worth more than the cars... I'm kinda reluctant about pictures with celebrities, but there might be opportunities for that too. g'night...

By the way, the YSC's update page for the ride is http://www.youngsurvival.org/news-and-events/in-living-pink/tour-de-pink-2006-daily-updates/ . They are loads more likely to pay the fees for internet access if we don't have it free at the hotels.